Now playing

American English

Chords

4.641 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This is in the same key as the acoustic version you can download off of
KEXP Seattle's website.
IDLEWILD - AMERICAN ENGLISH 
Capo on Fret 4
[Verse 1]
SGongs when they're true, are all dediEmcated to you
In this invCisible world I choose to live in
AGnd if you believe that for now I unEmderstand
Why words mean so much Cto you
They'll never be abGout you
[Verse 2]
GMaybe you're young without youth
Maybe you're Emold without, knowing anything's Ctrue
I think you're young witGhout youth....
[Pre-Chorus] (drums begin, riff stops)
TDhen you contract the AmeCrican dream
You neEmver look up Donce
DYou've contracted ACmerican dreams
Em                D           (slide up to G)
I require you to stop and look up.
[Chorus]
GSing a Dsong about Emmyself
Keep singing a Csong about mGyself
Not some inDvisible EmworldC  
[Verse 3] (same chords as above)
Constantly searching to find something new
But what will you find when you think that nothing's true?
Maybe it's that nothing is new
[Verse 4]
So you let me hear songs that were written all about you
Because songs weren't written for you
They'll never be about you
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus x2)
[Middle Part]
DAnd I won't tell you what tEmhis means, cause you Galready Cknow
And I won't tell you what this means, cause you already know...
Sooo, Sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
GYou came aDlong and found the wEmeak spot - tChat you've always wanted
GLet yoursDelf be everythiEmng that you’Cve always wanted
(While this is sung - the chorus is sung)
GIt doesn’t have to Dbe so Emsilent - that you'vCe always wanted
GNo need for Dexplanations Em- that you've Calways wanted
Ending
YouG'll fiDnd, what you fEmind when you fiCnd there’s nothing
YouG'll fiDnd, what you fEmind when you fiCnd there’s nothing
G

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

American English

by Idlewild

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 4 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

This is in the same key as the acoustic version you can download off of

KEXP Seattle's website.

IDLEWILD - AMERICAN ENGLISH

Capo on Fret 4

[Verse 1]

G Em

Songs when they're true, are all dedicated to you

In this invisible world I choose to live in

G Em

And if you believe that for now I understand

Why words mean so much to you

They'll never be about you

[Verse 2]

Maybe you're young without youth

Em C

Maybe you're old without, knowing anything's true

I think you're young without youth....

[Pre-Chorus] (drums begin, riff stops)

D C

Then you contract the American dream

Em D

You never look up once

D C

You've contracted American dreams

Em D (slide up to G)

I require you to stop and look up.

[Chorus]

G D Em

Sing a song about myself

C G

Keep singing a song about myself

D Em C

Not some invisible world

[Verse 3] (same chords as above)

Constantly searching to find something new

But what will you find when you think that nothing's true?

Maybe it's that nothing is new

[Verse 4]

So you let me hear songs that were written all about you

Because songs weren't written for you

They'll never be about you

(Pre-Chorus)

(Chorus x2)

[Middle Part]

D Em G C

And I won't tell you what this means, cause you already know

And I won't tell you what this means, cause you already know...

Sooo, Sing a song about myself

Keep singing a song about myself

Not some invisible world

G D Em C

You came along and found the weak spot - that you've always wanted

G D Em C

Let yourself be everything that you’ve always wanted

(While this is sung - the chorus is sung)

G D Em C

It doesn’t have to be so silent - that you've always wanted

G D Em C

No need for explanations - that you've always wanted

Ending

G D Em C

You'll find, what you find when you find there’s nothing

G D Em C

You'll find, what you find when you find there’s nothing

About American English Chords by Idlewild

Learn how to play American English by Idlewild with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “American English chords”, “American English guitar chords”, or “Idlewild American English chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy American English chords and for experienced players who want accurate American English lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, Em, C, D.

FAQ — American English by Idlewild

How do I play "American English" by Idlewild on guitar?

Open the free chords for "American English" by Idlewild on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "American English" by Idlewild free?

Yes. The chords for "American English" by Idlewild are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "American English" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "American English" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "American English"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "American English" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "American English" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "American English" by Idlewild with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Idlewild below.

What key is "American English" in?

The chords for "American English" show the original chord names (including G, Em, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.