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Perfectly Good Guitar

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INTRO  - Feeeeeedbaaaaccckkkk--
Hey---!
Am         Em        G    C    D    Em
Am         Em    D   G    C    D
Em         D   Em      D   Em
[Verse 1]
Well he Emthrew one down from the Gtop of the stairs
AmBeautiful women were Cstanding everyDwhere
They Emall got wet when he Gsmashed that thing 
But oAmff in the dark you could Dhear somebody Gsing
[Chorus]
Oh it Ambreaks my heart to Emsee those stars
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood guitEmar
I Amdon't know who they Emthink they Dare
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood guitEmar
Em          D         Em
Em          D         Em
[Verse 2]
It sEmtarted back in G1963
His Ammomma wouldn't buy him that Cnew red harmoDny
He Emsettled for a sGunburst with a crack
But Amhe's still trying to Dbreak his momma's Gback
[Chorus]
Oh it Ambreaks my heart to Emsee those stars
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood guiEmtar
I Amdon't know who they Emthink they Dare
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood guitEmar
Em     D      Em
Em     D      Em
[Verse 3]
He Emloved that guitar just Glike a girlfriend
But Amevery good thing Ccomes to an Dend
Now Emhe just sits in his Groom all day
WAmhistling every Dnote he ever Gplayed
[Solo]
Am   Em   G    C    D    Em
Am   Em   D    G    C    D
Em     D      Em
Em     D      Em
[Verse 4]
There Emought to be a law Gwith no bail
AmSmash a guitar and you Cgo to Djail
EmWith no chance for Gearly parole
You Amdon't get out until you Dget some Gsoul
[Chorus]
Oh it Ambreaks my heart to Emsee those stars
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood guiEmtar
I Amdon't know who they Emthink they Dare
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood guitEmar
Em     D      Em
Em     D      Em
[Verse 5]
EmLate at night the Gend of the road
He Amwishes he still had that Cold guitar to Dhold
He'd Emrock it like a Gbaby in his arms
AmNever let it Dcome to any Gharm
[Chorus]
Oh it Ambreaks my heart to Emsee those stars
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood guiEmtar
I Amdon't know who they Emthink they Dare
GSmashing a Cperfectly Dgood --  good  --  guitEmar
Em     D      Em
Em     D      Em
Em     D      Em
Em     D      Em

All chords in this song (5)

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Perfectly Good Guitar

by John Hiatt

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

INTRO - Feeeeeedbaaaaccckkkk--

Hey---!

Am Em G C D Em

Am Em D G C D

Em D Em D Em

[Verse 1]

Em G

Well he threw one down from the top of the stairs

Am C D

Beautiful women were standing everywhere

Em G

They all got wet when he smashed that thing

Am D G

But off in the dark you could hear somebody sing

[Chorus]

Am Em

Oh it breaks my heart to see those stars

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good guitar

Am Em D

I don't know who they think they are

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good guitar

Em D Em

[Verse 2]

Em G

It started back in 1963

Am C D

His momma wouldn't buy him that new red harmony

Em G

He settled for a sunburst with a crack

Am D G

But he's still trying to break his momma's back

[Chorus]

Am Em

Oh it breaks my heart to see those stars

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good guitar

Am Em D

I don't know who they think they are

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good guitar

Em D Em

[Verse 3]

Em G

He loved that guitar just like a girlfriend

Am C D

But every good thing comes to an end

Em G

Now he just sits in his room all day

Am D G

Whistling every note he ever played

[Solo]

Am Em G C D Em

Am Em D G C D

Em D Em

[Verse 4]

Em G

There ought to be a law with no bail

Am C D

Smash a guitar and you go to jail

Em G

With no chance for early parole

Am D G

You don't get out until you get some soul

[Chorus]

Am Em

Oh it breaks my heart to see those stars

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good guitar

Am Em D

I don't know who they think they are

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good guitar

Em D Em

[Verse 5]

Em G

Late at night the end of the road

Am C D

He wishes he still had that old guitar to hold

Em G

He'd rock it like a baby in his arms

Am D G

Never let it come to any harm

[Chorus]

Am Em

Oh it breaks my heart to see those stars

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good guitar

Am Em D

I don't know who they think they are

G C D Em

Smashing a perfectly good -- good -- guitar

Em D Em

About Perfectly Good Guitar Chords by John Hiatt

Learn how to play Perfectly Good Guitar by John Hiatt with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Perfectly Good Guitar chords”, “Perfectly Good Guitar guitar chords”, or “John Hiatt Perfectly Good Guitar 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 Perfectly Good Guitar chords and for experienced players who want accurate Perfectly Good Guitar lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, Em, G, C, D.

FAQ — Perfectly Good Guitar by John Hiatt

How do I play "Perfectly Good Guitar" by John Hiatt on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Perfectly Good Guitar" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "Perfectly Good Guitar"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Perfectly Good Guitar" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Perfectly Good Guitar" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Perfectly Good Guitar" in?

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