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How Many Friends

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Capo on 3
F     Gm     Eb      Bb  Gm7   F
  FI'm feelin' so Gmgood right now
There's a Ebhandsome boy tells me Bbhow I Gm7changed his Fpast
He buys me a Gmbrandy
  EbOr could it be he's Bbreally just Gm7after my Fass?
He likes the Gmclothes I wear
  EbHe says he likes a Bbman to Gm7dress in Fseason
But no one Gmelse ever stares, Ebhe's being so kinBbd
Gm7           C-->
What's the reason?
[chorus]
 CHow many Gfriends have I AmreallFy got?
 You can count 'em on one Ghand
 CHow many Gfriends have I Amreally Fgot?G  
 CHow many Gfriends have I Amreally Fgot?
        Bb          F     Bb             F     Bb  F/A  Gm   Gm7  C  
That love me, that want me, that'll take me  as I   am?
Suddenly it's a silver screen
And a face so beautiful that I have to cry out
Everybody hears me
Well, I look like a fool, now, if I try and I shy out
She knows all of my friends
But it's nice to find a woman who'll stay on late
But now I think I've reached the end
I wonder in the dead of night, how do I rate?
[repeat chorus]
                 Cm  Cm/Bb  
   It's all like a dream you know
When you're Bbstill up early in the Fmorning
    GmAnd you all sit toFgether to watch the Ebsun come through
                 Cm  Cm/Bb  
  But things don't look so good
When you could Abuse a bit of warning
  FmThen you know that no one will ever C/Gspeak the truth about Gyou.
[repeat chorus]
When I first signed the contract, it was more than a handshake then
I know it still is, but there's a plain fact
We talk so much shit behind each other's backs, I get the willies
People know nothing about their own soft guts
So how come they can sum us up
Without suffering all the hype we've known
How come they bum us up
[repeat chorus]
one of the best songs on the album.

All chords in this song (12)

The story behind the song

This song delves into the bittersweet feeling of success and the isolation it can bring. Even when "feelin' so good right now" and admired for "the clothes I wear," the lyrics suggest that true confidantes are few, perhaps countable "on one hand." It touches on the stark reality that while many might be around, few will "ever speak the truth about you." It's a poignant reflection on the nature of companionship when one is in the spotlight, highlighting the difference between admirers and genuine friends.

AI-written from these sources:The Who — Wikipedia ↗

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How Many Friends

by The Who

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

Gm7

C/G

Capo on 3

F Gm Eb Bb Gm7 F

F Gm

I'm feelin' so good right now

Eb Bb Gm7 F

There's a handsome boy tells me how I changed his past

He buys me a brandy

Eb Bb Gm7 F

Or could it be he's really just after my ass?

He likes the clothes I wear

Eb Bb Gm7 F

He says he likes a man to dress in season

Gm Eb Bb

But no one else ever stares, he's being so kind

Gm7 C-->

What's the reason?

[chorus]

C G Am F

How many friends have I really got?

You can count 'em on one hand

C G Am F G

How many friends have I really got?

C G Am F

How many friends have I really got?

Bb F Bb F Bb F Gm Gm7 C

That love me, that want me, that'll take me as I am?

Suddenly it's a silver screen

And a face so beautiful that I have to cry out

Everybody hears me

Well, I look like a fool, now, if I try and I shy out

She knows all of my friends

But it's nice to find a woman who'll stay on late

But now I think I've reached the end

I wonder in the dead of night, how do I rate?

[repeat chorus]

Cm Cm Bb

It's all like a dream you know

Bb F

When you're still up early in the morning

Gm F Eb

And you all sit together to watch the sun come through

Cm Cm Bb

But things don't look so good

When you could use a bit of warning

Fm C/G G

Then you know that no one will ever speak the truth about you.

[repeat chorus]

When I first signed the contract, it was more than a handshake then

I know it still is, but there's a plain fact

We talk so much shit behind each other's backs, I get the willies

People know nothing about their own soft guts

So how come they can sum us up

Without suffering all the hype we've known

How come they bum us up

[repeat chorus]

one of the best songs on the album.

About How Many Friends Chords by The Who

Learn how to play How Many Friends by The Who with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “How Many Friends chords”, “How Many Friends guitar chords”, or “The Who How Many Friends 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 How Many Friends chords and for experienced players who want accurate How Many Friends lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, Gm, Eb, Bb, Gm7, C.

FAQ — How Many Friends by The Who

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What key is "How Many Friends" in?

The chords for "How Many Friends" show the original chord names (including F, Gm, Eb, Bb, Gm7, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.