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Should Have Known Better

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

The chords might seem a bit convoluted, let's say it's an approximation.
Try playing around with the bass notes, or your own preferred chord shapes.
Capo VII
Suggested fingerings:
      Dmx0323x
 Fmaj7/Ax03210
     G/Bx2003x
     F/Cx3321x
      F61302xx
 Fmaj7/Cx33210
    G6/Bx20030
       F1332xx
      G6320030
[Intro]
Am  D  C  Fmaj7/A  G/B  F6
[Verse]
AmI should have known betterD  
To see what I could Csee
My black Fmaj7/Ashroud
Holding down my fG/Beelings
A pillar for my eneF6mies
AmI should have wrote a lettDer
And grieve what I happen to gCrieve
My black sFmaj7/Ahroud
I never trust my fG/Beelings
I waited for the remeF6dy
[Chorus]
DmWhen I was thF/Cree, three maybe fouG/Br
                               F6(  F/A-  G/B) C  
She left us at that video store
                  G              F6(  F/A-  G/B) C  
Be my rest, be my fantasy
Be my Grest, be my fF6antasy
[Interlude]
Am  D  C  Fmaj7/A  G/B  F6
[Verse]
AmI'm light as a featherD  
I'm bright as the Oregon Cbreeze
My black Fmaj7/Ashroud
Frightened by my G/Bfeelings
I only want to be a F6relief
AmNo, I'm not a go-getterD  
The demon had a spell on Cme
My black Fmaj7/Ashroud
Captain of my fG/Beelings
The only thing I want to bF6elieve
[Chorus]
DmWhen I was thF/Cree, and free to expG/Blore
                               F6(  F/A-  G/B) C  
I saw her face on the back of the door
                  G              F6(  F/A-  G/B) C  
Be my rest, be my fantasy
Be my Grest, be my fF6antasy
[Instrumental]
C        Fmaj/C  G6/B   C G6/B
Fmaj/A   Fmaj7   G6     Am7 G6/B
[Verse]
CI should have known bettFmaj7/Cer
Nothing can be cG6/Bhanged
The past is still the Cpast
The G6/Bbridge to nowhereFmaj/A  
I should've wrote a letFmaj7terG6  
Explaining what I Am7feel, that emG6/Bpty feeling
CDon't back Fmaj7/Cdown, 
concentrate on sG6/Beeing
The breakers in the Cbar
the G6/Bneighbor's greetingFmaj/A  
My brother had a daughtFmaj7erG6  
The beauty that shAm7e brings, illG6/Bumination
CDon't back dFmaj7/Cown, 
there is nothing G6/Bleft
The breakers in the Cbar, 
no rG6/Beason to liveFmaj/A  
I'm a fool in the fetteFmaj7rG6  
Rose of Aaron's beAm7ard, where yoG6/Bu can reach me
CDon't back Fmaj7/Cdown: 
nothing can be cG6/Bhanged
Cantilever Cbridge, 
the G6/Bdrunken sailorFmaj/A  
My brother had a daFmaj7ughterG6  
The beauty that she bCrings, ilG6/Blumination,     Fmaj7ilG6luminationF  

All chords in this song (18)

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Should Have Known Better

by Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 7 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Fmaj7/A

G/B

F/C

Fmaj7/C

G6/B

F/A

Fmaj/C

Fmaj/A

Fmaj7

Am7

The chords might seem a bit convoluted, let's say it's an approximation.

Try playing around with the bass notes, or your own preferred chord shapes.

Capo VII

Suggested fingerings:

x0323x

Fmaj7/A

x03210

G/B

x2003x

F/C

x3321x

1302xx

Fmaj7/C

x33210

G6/B

x20030

1332xx

320030

[Intro]

Am D C Fmaj7/A G/B F6

[Verse]

Am D

I should have known better

To see what I could see

Fmaj7/A

My black shroud

G/B

Holding down my feelings

A pillar for my enemies

Am D

I should have wrote a letter

And grieve what I happen to grieve

Fmaj7/A

My black shroud

G/B

I never trust my feelings

I waited for the remedy

[Chorus]

Dm F/C G/B

When I was three, three maybe four

F6 F/A G/B C

( - )

She left us at that video store

G F6 F/A G/B C

( - )

Be my rest, be my fantasy

G F6

Be my rest, be my fantasy

[Interlude]

Am D C Fmaj7/A G/B F6

[Verse]

Am D

I'm light as a feather

I'm bright as the Oregon breeze

Fmaj7/A

My black shroud

G/B

Frightened by my feelings

I only want to be a relief

Am D

No, I'm not a go-getter

The demon had a spell on me

Fmaj7/A

My black shroud

G/B

Captain of my feelings

The only thing I want to believe

[Chorus]

Dm F/C G/B

When I was three, and free to explore

F6 F/A G/B C

( - )

I saw her face on the back of the door

G F6 F/A G/B C

( - )

Be my rest, be my fantasy

G F6

Be my rest, be my fantasy

[Instrumental]

C Fmaj/C G6/B C G6/B

Fmaj/A Fmaj7 G6 Am7 G6/B

[Verse]

C Fmaj7/C

I should have known better

G6/B

Nothing can be changed

The past is still the past

G6/B Fmaj/A

The bridge to nowhere

Fmaj7 G6

I should've wrote a letter

Am7 G6/B

Explaining what I feel, that empty feeling

C Fmaj7/C

Don't back down,

G6/B

concentrate on seeing

The breakers in the bar

G6/B Fmaj/A

the neighbor's greeting

Fmaj7 G6

My brother had a daughter

Am7 G6/B

The beauty that she brings, illumination

C Fmaj7/C

Don't back down,

G6/B

there is nothing left

The breakers in the bar,

G6/B Fmaj/A

no reason to live

Fmaj7 G6

I'm a fool in the fetter

Am7 G6/B

Rose of Aaron's beard, where you can reach me

C Fmaj7/C

Don't back down:

G6/B

nothing can be changed

Cantilever bridge,

G6/B Fmaj/A

the drunken sailor

Fmaj7 G6

My brother had a daughter

C G6/B Fmaj7 G6 F

The beauty that she brings, illumination, illumination

About Should Have Known Better Chords by Sufjan Stevens

Learn how to play Should Have Known Better by Sufjan Stevens with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Should Have Known Better chords”, “Should Have Known Better guitar chords”, or “Sufjan Stevens Should Have Known Better 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 Should Have Known Better chords and for experienced players who want accurate Should Have Known Better lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, Fmaj7/A, G/B, F/C, F6, Fmaj7/C.

FAQ — Should Have Known Better by Sufjan Stevens

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What key is "Should Have Known Better" in?

The chords for "Should Have Known Better" show the original chord names (including Dm, Fmaj7/A, G/B, F/C, F6, Fmaj7/C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.