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Common Knowledge

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/15

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 15Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Common Knowledge
This is a similar tab to the one posted before (although written independently, I used the 'Conor Oberst
and The Mystic Valley Band' tab on this site as my inspiration), just a little cleaner and easier to follow,
with some added bits like the chords between verses.
        Cx32013
  Gadd4/Bx20013
        F133211
        G320033
       Dmxx0231
C*       x32010
    Dsus4xx0233
The tab for the bit at the end of each verse:
e|-----------------------------|
B|-----------------------------|
G|-----------------------------|
D|-----------------------------|
A|------0--2--3--5--7--8-------|
E|---3-------------------------|
And at the end of the song:
e|--------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------|
G|--------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------|
A|------0--2--3--5--7--8----10----|
E|---3----------------------------|
[Intro]
 C-  Gadd4/B(x2)
CHe's my friend but he's no friend to Gadd4/Bme
CAsk him why, he'll tell you casualGadd4/Bly
FWashed up, bitter, broken, busted
GBackstabbed everyone he trusted
CSays he sees what no one else can Fsee
GAnd if I had half his guts I'd want it
FTo chase that fatalistic comet
CAnd die young in the dark, that's poFetry
But Dmit was not to be, no it was nGot
C*        Dsus4  Dm  
For me
C* -  Dsus4  Dm  
CHe's always sad, but I've never seen him Gadd4/Bcry
CWhen he comes to, sure he'll apoloGadd4/Bgize
FFind his car, assess the damage
GStill drunk, but he likes the challenge
CHold on to his mind just like Fa kite
GBut a good strong win can keep you honest
FFill you with some common knowledge
CThings when we were young we never Ftried
Just Dmfigured we had time with such a Glong
C*        Dsus4  Dm  
Life
C* -  Dsus4  Dm  
CMoney clips, alligator shoGadd4/Bes
COne more dance, he's in that champagne Gadd4/Broom
FShe moves like a chocolate fountain
GPouring, spilling all around him
CMakes him wonder what else she can Fdo
GHow bittersweet is love's illusion
FFeelings that cannot be proven
CTrust me, you'll see my aim is tFrue
I did Dmthis all for you, I've suffered Glong
C*
For you
C* -  Dsus4  Dm  
CSo many times he's tried to play it Gadd4/Bstraight
CWorked and worked until his body Gadd4/Bached
FBut a brand new life can lose its lustre
GTroubles tend to find each other
CCall it luck or you can call it Ffate
GBut either way it's how it happens
FNot the life that you imagined
CSo just go out with a bang like FHemingway
Some Dmwill say you're brave, some will Gsay
CYou ain't

All chords in this song (6)

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Common Knowledge

by Conor Oberst

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Gadd4/B

Dsus4

Common Knowledge

This is a similar tab to the one posted before (although written independently, I used the 'Conor Oberst

and The Mystic Valley Band' tab on this site as my inspiration), just a little cleaner and easier to follow,

with some added bits like the chords between verses.

x32013

Gadd4/B

x20013

133211

320033

xx0231

* x32010

Dsus4

xx0233

The tab for the bit at the end of each verse:

e|-----------------------------|

B|-----------------------------|

G|-----------------------------|

D|-----------------------------|

A|------0--2--3--5--7--8-------|

E|---3-------------------------|

And at the end of the song:

e|--------------------------------|

B|--------------------------------|

G|--------------------------------|

D|--------------------------------|

A|------0--2--3--5--7--8----10----|

E|---3----------------------------|

[Intro]

C Gadd4/B

- (x2)

C Gadd4/B

He's my friend but he's no friend to me

C Gadd4/B

Ask him why, he'll tell you casually

Washed up, bitter, broken, busted

Backstabbed everyone he trusted

C F

Says he sees what no one else can see

And if I had half his guts I'd want it

To chase that fatalistic comet

C F

And die young in the dark, that's poetry

Dm G

But it was not to be, no it was not

C Dsus4 Dm

For me

C Dsus4 Dm

* -

C Gadd4/B

He's always sad, but I've never seen him cry

C Gadd4/B

When he comes to, sure he'll apologize

Find his car, assess the damage

Still drunk, but he likes the challenge

C F

Hold on to his mind just like a kite

But a good strong win can keep you honest

Fill you with some common knowledge

C F

Things when we were young we never tried

Dm G

Just figured we had time with such a long

C Dsus4 Dm

Life

C Dsus4 Dm

* -

C Gadd4/B

Money clips, alligator shoes

C Gadd4/B

One more dance, he's in that champagne room

She moves like a chocolate fountain

Pouring, spilling all around him

C F

Makes him wonder what else she can do

How bittersweet is love's illusion

Feelings that cannot be proven

C F

Trust me, you'll see my aim is true

Dm G

I did this all for you, I've suffered long

For you

C Dsus4 Dm

* -

C Gadd4/B

So many times he's tried to play it straight

C Gadd4/B

Worked and worked until his body ached

But a brand new life can lose its lustre

Troubles tend to find each other

C F

Call it luck or you can call it fate

But either way it's how it happens

Not the life that you imagined

C F

So just go out with a bang like Hemingway

Dm G

Some will say you're brave, some will say

You ain't

About Common Knowledge Chords by Conor Oberst

Learn how to play Common Knowledge by Conor Oberst with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Common Knowledge chords”, “Common Knowledge guitar chords”, or “Conor Oberst Common Knowledge 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 Common Knowledge chords and for experienced players who want accurate Common Knowledge lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Gadd4/B, F, G, Dm, Dsus4.

FAQ — Common Knowledge by Conor Oberst

How do I play "Common Knowledge" by Conor Oberst on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Common Knowledge" to a different key?

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

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

Is "Common Knowledge" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Common Knowledge" by Conor Oberst with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Conor Oberst below.

What key is "Common Knowledge" in?

The chords for "Common Knowledge" show the original chord names (including C, Gadd4/B, F, G, Dm, Dsus4). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.