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Nearest Thing To Hip

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Intro   G    C         D     G    C  D  
GThere used to be a café a few blocks away,
COpen seven days, caDlled “The Brilliant MisGtake”C  D  
GWhere a crow-haired girl with scarlet lips 
CAnd slender hips sDerved up coffee and cGakeC  D  
On a Amcrackling stereo the ghosts of Sun Ra,
EmCharlie Parker, Miles and Coltrane blDewDsus  D  Dsus  
GI’d kick back in my chair, that sweet honey’d jazz in the aiCr
DThe sun shining through
GIt was the nearest thing to hip
AmIt was the nearest thing to hip
In this sChithole… Dand it’s gGone
GIt was the nearest thing to hip
AmIt was the nearest thing to hip
In this sChithole… Dand it’s gGone
G  C  D       G   C  D
GEverywhere that I go I see streets that are low
COn distinction and high oDn the banal and the bGlandC  D  
GHow did we get to this? We plumbed the abyss
By the twCisted grace of the Dlaw of supply and deGmandC  D  
Well, there’s Amno use crying and no use sighing over
EmStone, wood, wire, glass and cemDenDsustD  Dsus  
GBut there’s a little record store with a wooden floor
That ain’t tChere no more that I uDsed to frequent
GIt was the nearest thing to hip
AmIt was the nearest thing to hip
In this sChithole… Dand it’s gGone
GIt was the nearest thing to hip
AmIt was the nearest thing to hip
In this sChithole… Dand it’s gGone
EmNow I need to get Dout of this.. ChullabalooG  
EmAnd I remember an Dold-fashioned bar Cthat I once kGnew
BbWith an old-fashioned Ambarman Cwearing old-fashioned Gclothes
AmBut when I get there.. iDt’s been bulldozed
GSo I follow my nose down Comatose Lane
CThrough the stripped back, ripped up Dwastes of Woebegone SquGareC  D  
GTill I find myself on Deadbeat Street,
CMy feet beginning to aDche, despair in the airG  C  D  
AmThe only thing bright in this blighted town
Are the Embillboard adverts everywhere dDisDsusplayed DliDsuske mocking shades
GAnd the musty, dusty second-hand bookstore
Is now a Cscum-encrusted amuDsement arcade
GIt was the nearest thing to hip
AmIt was the nearest thing to hip
In this sChithole… Dand it’s gGone
GIt was the nearest thing to hip
AmIt was the nearest thing to hip
In this sChithole… Dand it’s gGone
     G     C   D.. Gand it’s gone
G    C  D   G

All chords in this song (7)

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Nearest Thing To Hip

by The Waterboys

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dsus

G C D G C D

Intro

There used to be a café a few blocks away,

C D G C D

Open seven days, called “The Brilliant Mistake”

Where a crow-haired girl with scarlet lips

C D G C D

And slender hips served up coffee and cake

On a crackling stereo the ghosts of Sun Ra,

Em D Dsus D Dsus

Charlie Parker, Miles and Coltrane blew

G C

I’d kick back in my chair, that sweet honey’d jazz in the air

The sun shining through

It was the nearest thing to hip

C D G

In this shithole… and it’s gone

It was the nearest thing to hip

C D G

In this shithole… and it’s gone

G C D G C D

Everywhere that I go I see streets that are low

C D G C D

On distinction and high on the banal and the bland

How did we get to this? We plumbed the abyss

C D G C D

By the twisted grace of the law of supply and demand

Well, there’s no use crying and no use sighing over

Em D Dsus D Dsus

Stone, wood, wire, glass and cement

But there’s a little record store with a wooden floor

C D

That ain’t there no more that I used to frequent

It was the nearest thing to hip

C D G

In this shithole… and it’s gone

It was the nearest thing to hip

C D G

In this shithole… and it’s gone

Em D C G

Now I need to get out of this.. hullabaloo

Em D C G

And I remember an old-fashioned bar that I once knew

Bb Am C G

With an old-fashioned barman wearing old-fashioned clothes

Am D

But when I get there.. it’s been bulldozed

So I follow my nose down Comatose Lane

C D G C D

Through the stripped back, ripped up wastes of Woebegone Square

Till I find myself on Deadbeat Street,

C D G C D

My feet beginning to ache, despair in the air

The only thing bright in this blighted town

Em D Dsus D Dsus

Are the billboard adverts everywhere displayed like mocking shades

And the musty, dusty second-hand bookstore

C D

Is now a scum-encrusted amusement arcade

It was the nearest thing to hip

C D G

In this shithole… and it’s gone

It was the nearest thing to hip

C D G

In this shithole… and it’s gone

G C D G

.. and it’s gone

G C D G

About Nearest Thing To Hip Chords by The Waterboys

Learn how to play Nearest Thing To Hip by The Waterboys with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Nearest Thing To Hip chords”, “Nearest Thing To Hip guitar chords”, or “The Waterboys Nearest Thing To Hip 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 Nearest Thing To Hip chords and for experienced players who want accurate Nearest Thing To Hip lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D, Am, Em, Dsus.

FAQ — Nearest Thing To Hip by The Waterboys

How do I play "Nearest Thing To Hip" by The Waterboys on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Nearest Thing To Hip" to a different key?

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Yes. Tap any chord in "Nearest Thing To Hip" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Nearest Thing To Hip" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Nearest Thing To Hip" by The Waterboys with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The Waterboys below.

What key is "Nearest Thing To Hip" in?

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