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American Fool

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
F Bb C C
F Bb C C
[Verse 1]
FSome people say BbI’m obnoxious and CI’m lazyC  
FSome people say I Bbtake advantage of the yCounger girls and they’re rightC  
FSome people say shBbould have been taught a Cfew more manners at homeC  
FSome say I’m chauvinistic Bbbetter of just to lCeave me aloneC  
[Pre-Chorus]
GI don’t know what I’m Bbsupposed to do
If I Ccan’t please myself could I really please you?
[Chorus]
Being brought Fup
BbThe American Cfool
Being brought Fup
BbThe American Cfool
F Bb C C
F Bb C C
[Verse 2]
FSome people like to talk and Bbtell you their ideals and how it’s Csupposed to beC  
FSome people are fools like me anBbd say what’s on their mind imCmediatelyC  
FSome people don’t say aBbt all and some just care tCoo muchC  
FSome people, some people, some pBbeople are driving me CcrazyC  
[Pre-Chorus]
GI don’t know what I’m Bbsupposed to do
When I Ccan’t please myself could I really please you?
[Chorus]
Being brought Fup
BbThe American Cfool
Being brought Fup
BbThe American Cfool
F Bb C C
F Bb C C
F Bb C C
F Bb C C
[Verse 3]
   Some people say I’m obnoxious and I’m lazy
e---F---------1--------Bb---------1---------C---------0--------------------0--------|
B-----1--------1---------3-------3---------1---------1-----------1-------1------|
G-------2--------2---------3-------3---------0---------0-----------0-------0----|
D---------3--------3---------3-------3---------2---------2-----------2-------2--|
A---------------------1------------------3--------------------3-----------------|
E---1---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
   Some people say I take advantage of the younger girls and they’re right
e---F---------1--------Bb---------1---------C---------0--------------------0--------|
B-----1--------1---------3-------3---------1---------1-----------1-------1------|
G-------2--------2---------3-------3---------0---------0-----------0-------0----|
D---------3--------3---------3-------3---------2---------2-----------2-------2--|
A---------------------1------------------3--------------------3-----------------|
E---1---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
[Pre-Chorus]
GI don’t know what I’m Bbsupposed to do
If I Ccan’t please myself could I really please you?
[Chorus]
Being brought Fup
BbThe American Cfool
Being brought Fup
BbThe American Cfool
Being brought Fup
BbThe American Cfool
Being brought Fup

All chords in this song (4)

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American Fool

by John Mellencamp

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

F Bb C C

[Verse 1]

F Bb C C

Some people say I’m obnoxious and I’m lazy

F Bb C C

Some people say I take advantage of the younger girls and they’re right

F Bb C C

Some people say should have been taught a few more manners at home

F Bb C C

Some say I’m chauvinistic better of just to leave me alone

[Pre-Chorus]

G Bb

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do

If I can’t please myself could I really please you?

[Chorus]

Being brought up

Bb C

The American fool

Being brought up

Bb C

The American fool

F Bb C C

[Verse 2]

F Bb C C

Some people like to talk and tell you their ideals and how it’s supposed to be

F Bb C C

Some people are fools like me and say what’s on their mind immediately

F Bb C C

Some people don’t say at all and some just care too much

F Bb C C

Some people, some people, some people are driving me crazy

[Pre-Chorus]

G Bb

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do

When I can’t please myself could I really please you?

[Chorus]

Being brought up

Bb C

The American fool

Being brought up

Bb C

The American fool

F Bb C C

[Verse 3]

Some people say I’m obnoxious and I’m lazy

F Bb C

e------------1-----------------1------------------0--------------------0--------|

B-----1--------1---------3-------3---------1---------1-----------1-------1------|

G-------2--------2---------3-------3---------0---------0-----------0-------0----|

D---------3--------3---------3-------3---------2---------2-----------2-------2--|

A---------------------1------------------3--------------------3-----------------|

E---1---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Some people say I take advantage of the younger girls and they’re right

F Bb C

e------------1-----------------1------------------0--------------------0--------|

B-----1--------1---------3-------3---------1---------1-----------1-------1------|

G-------2--------2---------3-------3---------0---------0-----------0-------0----|

D---------3--------3---------3-------3---------2---------2-----------2-------2--|

A---------------------1------------------3--------------------3-----------------|

E---1---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

[Pre-Chorus]

G Bb

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do

If I can’t please myself could I really please you?

[Chorus]

Being brought up

Bb C

The American fool

Being brought up

Bb C

The American fool

Being brought up

Bb C

The American fool

Being brought up

About American Fool Chords by John Mellencamp

Learn how to play American Fool by John Mellencamp with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “American Fool chords”, “American Fool guitar chords”, or “John Mellencamp American Fool 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 American Fool chords and for experienced players who want accurate American Fool lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, Bb, C, G, B, D.

FAQ — American Fool by John Mellencamp

How do I play "American Fool" by John Mellencamp on guitar?

Open the free chords for "American Fool" by John Mellencamp 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 "American Fool" by John Mellencamp free?

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Can I transpose "American Fool" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "American Fool"?

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

Is "American Fool" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "American Fool" by John Mellencamp with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Mellencamp below.

What key is "American Fool" in?

The chords for "American Fool" show the original chord names (including F, Bb, C, G, B, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.