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Next Year People Live

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Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/10

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 10Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

Standard tuning, capo 4th fret. 
All chords are pretty standard except E6sus2sus4 (I'm not even sure that this is the right name). 
Here's how he plays it:
e|----0----| 
B|----0----|
G|----2----|
D|----4----|
A|----4----|
E|----x----|
INTRO:
e|------------2----2----2--2--2--|    x2 
B|------------3----3----3--3--3--|
G|------------4----4----4--4--4--|
D|------------4----4----4--4--4--|
A|-------0----2----2----2--2--2--|
E|--2---------2----2----2--2--2--|
VERSE 1:
          E6sus2sus4                                       G  D  
You can't live without hope that things will change for the better
You can't Emlive without the dream of someone Greading your Bmletter
          E6sus2sus4                         G         D  
We've had dust storms before and spit out the dirt 
We've Emhad droughts before, but Gnone quite like Bmthis
          E6sus2sus4                        G  D  
We've had winds that cut up your face all to pieces 
Black Emblizzards that stripped all the Gpaint off your Bmcar
E6sus2sus4                        G  D  
Fires like twisters, no sisters of mercy
They Emcome with no warning, Gonly that Bmsound 
EmGod is roaring drunk and Gout on the Bmtown
CHORUS:
DNext year, Geverything will come Dgood
The Emrains they will fall and will Gdance on the Bmhood
We'll Dfill up our bellies with Gplentiful Dfood
We'll Emeat, drink, and be Gmerry
Yeah, Dnext year people Em7/Bwait and see
We're Gnext year people, Bmyou and me
VERSE 2:
E6sus2sus4                          G  D  
Henry got hit by lightening twice in head
He sEmtood and walked away, we Gthought he was Bmdead
E6sus2sus4                                G  D  
Now he talks funny, says he's wired to the sky 
He Emwalks for miles and miles, and Gno one knows Bmwhy
E6sus2sus4                                      G   D  
The bank men, they came and wrote things down on paper
We Emall went outside and Gjust stood arounBmd 
E6sus2sus4                                           G  D  
We were glad when they left, they brought nothing but heartache
And Emthe seed we had planted, it Gstayed in the Bmground 
CHORUS:
DNext year, Geverything will come Dgood
The Emrains they will fall and will Gdance on the Bmhood
We'll Dfill up our bellies with Gplentiful Dfood
We'll Emeat, drink, and be Gmerry
Yeah, Dnext year people Em7/Bwait and see
We're Gnext year people, Bmyou and me
VERSE 3:
E6sus2sus4                                G  D  
Dry endless plains, and we've suffered the worst
EmAre we being punished or Gare we just Bmcursed?
E6sus2sus4                           G  D  
It's almost ten years, and no drop of rain
EmOnly mocking blue skies bringing Gmore of the Bmsame
E6sus2sus4                                G  D  
Our mother was crying when they sent us to stay
With Emstrangers in a town and we Gboth ran Bmaway
E6sus2sus4                    G  D  
Back to the dust and see Henry again
EmWe're creatures of habit, don't you Gknow
EmOne day we'll rGeap what we Bmsow.
CHORUS (Scott Aukerman, Paul F. Tompkins, and Gillian Jacobs sing background):
DNext year, Geverything will come Dgood
The Emrains they will fall and will Gdance on the Bmhood
We'll Dfill up our bellies with Gplentiful Dfood
We'll Emeat, drink, and be Gmerry
Yeah, Dnext year people Em7/Bwait and see
We're Gnext year people, Bmyou and me 

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

Colin Hay, known for his work with Men at Work and his solo career, crafts a song here that speaks to the enduring human need for hope. It explores the idea that we can't live without the belief that things will improve, even when it feels like the world is in disarray or that "God is roaring drunk and out on the town." The lyrics suggest a future where we will eventually "reap what we sow," hinting at a sense of eventual justice or consequence. It's a reflection on resilience and the deep-seated expectation that, despite current struggles, a better tomorrow is always on the horizon.

AI-written from these sources:Colin Hay — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

Next Year People Live

Next Year People Live

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Chord Book

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

Next Year People Live

by Colin Hay

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

Chords in this song · guitar

Em7/B

Standard tuning, capo 4th fret.

All chords are pretty standard except E6sus2sus4 (I'm not even sure that this is the right name).

Here's how he plays it:

e|----0----|

B|----0----|

G|----2----|

D|----4----|

A|----4----|

E|----x----|

INTRO:

e|------------2----2----2--2--2--| x2

B|------------3----3----3--3--3--|

G|------------4----4----4--4--4--|

D|------------4----4----4--4--4--|

A|-------0----2----2----2--2--2--|

E|--2---------2----2----2--2--2--|

VERSE 1:

G D

E6sus2sus4

You can't live without hope that things will change for the better

Em G Bm

You can't live without the dream of someone reading your letter

G D

E6sus2sus4

We've had dust storms before and spit out the dirt

Em G Bm

We've had droughts before, but none quite like this

G D

E6sus2sus4

We've had winds that cut up your face all to pieces

Em G Bm

Black blizzards that stripped all the paint off your car

G D

E6sus2sus4

Fires like twisters, no sisters of mercy

Em G Bm

They come with no warning, only that sound

Em G Bm

God is roaring drunk and out on the town

CHORUS:

D G D

Next year, everything will come good

Em G Bm

The rains they will fall and will dance on the hood

D G D

We'll fill up our bellies with plentiful food

Em G

We'll eat, drink, and be merry

D Em7/B

Yeah, next year people wait and see

G Bm

We're next year people, you and me

VERSE 2:

G D

E6sus2sus4

Henry got hit by lightening twice in head

Em G Bm

He stood and walked away, we thought he was dead

G D

E6sus2sus4

Now he talks funny, says he's wired to the sky

Em G Bm

He walks for miles and miles, and no one knows why

G D

E6sus2sus4

The bank men, they came and wrote things down on paper

Em G Bm

We all went outside and just stood around

G D

E6sus2sus4

We were glad when they left, they brought nothing but heartache

Em G Bm

And the seed we had planted, it stayed in the ground

CHORUS:

D G D

Next year, everything will come good

Em G Bm

The rains they will fall and will dance on the hood

D G D

We'll fill up our bellies with plentiful food

Em G

We'll eat, drink, and be merry

D Em7/B

Yeah, next year people wait and see

G Bm

We're next year people, you and me

VERSE 3:

G D

E6sus2sus4

Dry endless plains, and we've suffered the worst

Em G Bm

Are we being punished or are we just cursed?

G D

E6sus2sus4

It's almost ten years, and no drop of rain

Em G Bm

Only mocking blue skies bringing more of the same

G D

E6sus2sus4

Our mother was crying when they sent us to stay

Em G Bm

With strangers in a town and we both ran away

G D

E6sus2sus4

Back to the dust and see Henry again

Em G

We're creatures of habit, don't you know

Em G Bm

One day we'll reap what we sow.

CHORUS (Scott Aukerman, Paul F. Tompkins, and Gillian Jacobs sing background):

D G D

Next year, everything will come good

Em G Bm

The rains they will fall and will dance on the hood

D G D

We'll fill up our bellies with plentiful food

Em G

We'll eat, drink, and be merry

D Em7/B

Yeah, next year people wait and see

G Bm

We're next year people, you and me

About Next Year People Live Chords by Colin Hay

Learn how to play Next Year People Live by Colin Hay with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Next Year People Live chords”, “Next Year People Live guitar chords”, or “Colin Hay Next Year People Live 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 Next Year People Live chords and for experienced players who want accurate Next Year People Live lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, G, D, A, E, Em.

FAQ — Next Year People Live by Colin Hay

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The chords for "Next Year People Live" show the original chord names (including B, G, D, A, E, Em). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.