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The Joke Explained

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Ax02220
 E022100
 Dx00232
 G320033
 F#m244222
I never held your gAaze
EI never know my plAaceE  
Oh, I stDare at the Aeyes
Starin' at my fEace
It always ends in a tAie
EThere is no needing the divAine
I crDy at the jAoke explEained
Oh, but if I had knDown, if I had knAown
If I had knDown, I would've nEever belAievedE  A  
EI never smoked my chAains
EWhoever measures the crAest
Oh, thDey can hAave my broken chEest
It's a staring contAest
EIn a hall of mAirrors
I sweat tDears, but AI don't ever crEy
Oh, but if I had knDown, if I had knAown
If I had knDown, I would've nEever belAievedE  A  E  
G   D   G   D   F#m   E   F#m   E
I never knelt at a nAoose
EMy pair perished in the pAews
I clDimbed bAack into the yEoke
It always ends in a tAie
EThere is no hitting the desAign
I crDy at the jAoke explEained
Oh, but if I had knDown, if I had knAown
If I had knDown, I would've nEever belAieved
EI would've never belAieved
EI would've never belDievedE  A  
   E   Ax2
| h   hammer-on
| p   pull-off
| pb  Pre-bend
| pbr Pre-bend release
************************************

All chords in this song (5)

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The Joke Explained

by Wilco

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

x02220

022100

x00232

320033

F#m

244222

I never held your gaze

E A E

I never know my place

D A

Oh, I stare at the eyes

Starin' at my face

It always ends in a tie

E A

There is no needing the divine

D A E

I cry at the joke explained

D A

Oh, but if I had known, if I had known

D E A E A

If I had known, I would've never believed

E A

I never smoked my chains

E A

Whoever measures the crest

D A E

Oh, they can have my broken chest

It's a staring contest

E A

In a hall of mirrors

D A E

I sweat tears, but I don't ever cry

D A

Oh, but if I had known, if I had known

D E A E A E

If I had known, I would've never believed

G D G D F#m E F#m E

I never knelt at a noose

E A

My pair perished in the pews

D A E

I climbed back into the yoke

It always ends in a tie

E A

There is no hitting the design

D A E

I cry at the joke explained

D A

Oh, but if I had known, if I had known

D E A

If I had known, I would've never believed

E A

I would've never believed

E D E A

I would've never believed

E A

| h hammer-on

| p pull-off

| pb Pre-bend

| pbr Pre-bend release

************************************

About The Joke Explained Chords by Wilco

Learn how to play The Joke Explained by Wilco with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Joke Explained chords”, “The Joke Explained guitar chords”, or “Wilco The Joke Explained 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 The Joke Explained chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Joke Explained lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, E, D, G, F#m.

FAQ — The Joke Explained by Wilco

How do I play "The Joke Explained" by Wilco on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Joke Explained" by Wilco 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 "The Joke Explained" by Wilco free?

Yes. The chords for "The Joke Explained" by Wilco are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Joke Explained" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Joke Explained"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Joke Explained" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Joke Explained" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Joke Explained" by Wilco with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Wilco below.

What key is "The Joke Explained" in?

The chords for "The Joke Explained" show the original chord names (including A, E, D, G, F#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.