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Foreign Affair

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FOREIGN AFFAIR (Tom Waits)
Album Foreign Affairs (1977)
Intro : C-Am7-Dm7- G7/  C-Am7-Dm7-G7-C  
when traCveling abroad Am7in the continenDm7tal styleG7  
                                  C             Dm7       G7  C-Am7-Dm7-G7  
it's my belief one must attempt to be discreet
and subsCequently bear in Am7mind your transient posDm7itionG7  
allowCs you a perspectivDm7e that's unique G7  Am7  
and though you'll find Dm7your itinerarG7y's a blessing Cand a curseAm7  
your wanDm7derlust won't let yoG7u settle downC  Am7  
and you'll wondeDm7r how you ever fathG7omed that you'd be contenCtAm7  
to stay withiDm7n the city limits of a small mG7idwestern town
most vagabonds Ci knowed Am7don't ever want to fiDm7nd the culpritG7  
that remainCs the object of their Am7long relentless qDm7uestG7  
the obsesAm7sion's in the chasAm7ing and not thDm7e apprehendingG7  
                                C             Dm7     G7  C-Am7-Dm7-G7  
the pursuit you see and never the arrest 
without feaE7r of contradiction "bon voyage" is alAm7ways holleredD7  
in conjunDm7ction with a handkG7erchief from shoreC  Am7  
E7by a girl that drives a rambler and furthermorAm7e
is D7overly concernDm7ed that she won't see him anymoreG7  
planes and trains and boatCs and busesAm7  
              Dm7    G7                      C           Am7   Dm7  G7-E7  
characteristically evoke a common attitude of blue
unlAm7ess you have a suitcaAm7se and a ticket aDm7nd a passportG7  
                                   C     Dm7        G7  C-Am7-Dm7-G7  
and the cargo that they're carrying is you
a foreign affaiCr Am7juxtapoDm7sed with a statesG7ide
and domestCically approved romantic fancyDm7  G7  
is mystAm7eriously atAm7tractive due to ciDm7rcumstances knowingG7  
                      C            Am7  Dm7-G7-C  
it will only be parlayed into a memory  
C-Am7-Dm7-G7-C  

All chords in this song (6)

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Foreign Affair

by Tom Waits

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am7

Dm7

FOREIGN AFFAIR (Tom Waits)

Album Foreign Affairs (1977)

C Am7 Dm7 G7 C Am7 Dm7 G7 C

Intro : --- / ----

C Am7 Dm7 G7

when traveling abroad in the continental style

C Dm7 G7 C Am7 Dm7 G7

---

it's my belief one must attempt to be discreet

C Am7 Dm7 G7

and subsequently bear in mind your transient position

C Dm7 G7 Am7

allows you a perspective that's unique

Dm7 G7 C Am7

and though you'll find your itinerary's a blessing and a curse

Dm7 G7 C Am7

your wanderlust won't let you settle down

Dm7 G7 C Am7

and you'll wonder how you ever fathomed that you'd be content

Dm7 G7

to stay within the city limits of a small midwestern town

C Am7 Dm7 G7

most vagabonds i knowed don't ever want to find the culprit

C Am7 Dm7 G7

that remains the object of their long relentless quest

Am7 Am7 Dm7 G7

the obsession's in the chasing and not the apprehending

C Dm7 G7 C Am7 Dm7 G7

---

the pursuit you see and never the arrest

E7 Am7 D7

without fear of contradiction "bon voyage" is always hollered

Dm7 G7 C Am7

in conjunction with a handkerchief from shore

E7 Am7

by a girl that drives a rambler and furthermore

D7 Dm7 G7

is overly concerned that she won't see him anymore

C Am7

planes and trains and boats and buses

Dm7 G7 C Am7 Dm7 G7 E7

characteristically evoke a common attitude of blue

Am7 Am7 Dm7 G7

unless you have a suitcase and a ticket and a passport

C Dm7 G7 C Am7 Dm7 G7

---

and the cargo that they're carrying is you

C Am7 Dm7 G7

a foreign affair juxtaposed with a stateside

C Dm7 G7

and domestically approved romantic fancy

Am7 Am7 Dm7 G7

is mysteriously attractive due to circumstances knowing

C Am7 Dm7 G7 C

it will only be parlayed into a memory

C Am7 Dm7 G7 C

----

About Foreign Affair Chords by Tom Waits

Learn how to play Foreign Affair by Tom Waits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Foreign Affair chords”, “Foreign Affair guitar chords”, or “Tom Waits Foreign Affair 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 Foreign Affair chords and for experienced players who want accurate Foreign Affair lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Am7, Dm7, G7, E7, D7.

FAQ — Foreign Affair by Tom Waits

How do I play "Foreign Affair" by Tom Waits on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Foreign Affair" by Tom Waits 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 "Foreign Affair" by Tom Waits free?

Yes. The chords for "Foreign Affair" by Tom Waits are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Foreign Affair" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Foreign Affair"?

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

Is "Foreign Affair" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Foreign Affair" by Tom Waits with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tom Waits below.

What key is "Foreign Affair" in?

The chords for "Foreign Affair" show the original chord names (including C, Am7, Dm7, G7, E7, D7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.