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I Wanna Be Black

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Lou Reed
"I Wanna Be Black"
From "Street Hassle" (1978)
[Intro]
A
[Verse]
AI wanna be black, have natural rhythm
AShoot twenty foot of jism tF#mooD  
And fuck up the jeAws
[Verse]
AI wanna be black, I wanna be a panther
AHave a girlfriend named Samantha
And have a stable of foxy whF#moresD  
Oh, oh, I wanna be bAlack
I don't wEanna be a fucked up
F#mMiddle class college student anyAmore
I just Ewanna have a stable F#mof foxAy little whDores
[Chorus]
AYeah, yeah, I wanna be black
DOh, oh, I wanna be black
AYeah, yeah, I wanna be black
[Verse]
AI wanna be black, wanna be like Martin Luther King
AAnd get myself shot in the spring
And lead a whole generation, tooF#m  D  
And fuck up the JeAws
[Verse]
AI wanna be black, I wanna be like Malcolm X
AAnd cast a hex over President Kennedy's tF#mombD  
And have a big prick, Atoo
Oh, I don't waEnna be a fucked up
F#mMiddle class college student no Amore
Yeah, I just waEnna have a staF#mble of A  
Foxy little whDores
[Chorus]
AYeah, yeah, I wanna be blDack
I wanna be black, AI wanna be black
I wanna be blDack, I wanna be black
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I wanna be blAack
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I wanna be bDlack
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I wanna be bAlack
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, I wanna be blDack, oh, oh)
(Yeah, yeah, I wanna be blAack, oh, oh)
(Yeah, yeah, I wanna be blDack, oh, oh)
(Yeah, yeah, I wanna be blaAck, oh, oh)
  D9    D#9   E9(x3)

All chords in this song (7)

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I Wanna Be Black

by Lou Reed

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

D#9

Lou Reed

"I Wanna Be Black"

From "Street Hassle" (1978)

[Intro]

[Verse]

I wanna be black, have natural rhythm

A F#m D

Shoot twenty foot of jism too

And fuck up the jews

[Verse]

I wanna be black, I wanna be a panther

Have a girlfriend named Samantha

F#m D

And have a stable of foxy whores

Oh, oh, I wanna be black

I don't wanna be a fucked up

F#m A

Middle class college student anymore

E F#m A D

I just wanna have a stable of foxy little whores

[Chorus]

Yeah, yeah, I wanna be black

Oh, oh, I wanna be black

Yeah, yeah, I wanna be black

[Verse]

I wanna be black, wanna be like Martin Luther King

And get myself shot in the spring

F#m D

And lead a whole generation, too

And fuck up the Jews

[Verse]

I wanna be black, I wanna be like Malcolm X

A F#m D

And cast a hex over President Kennedy's tomb

And have a big prick, too

Oh, I don't wanna be a fucked up

F#m A

Middle class college student no more

E F#m A

Yeah, I just wanna have a stable of

Foxy little whores

[Chorus]

A D

Yeah, yeah, I wanna be black

I wanna be black, I wanna be black

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I wanna be black

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I wanna be black

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

(Yeah, yeah, I wanna be black, oh, oh)

D9 D#9 E9

(x3)

About I Wanna Be Black Chords by Lou Reed

Learn how to play I Wanna Be Black by Lou Reed with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Wanna Be Black chords”, “I Wanna Be Black guitar chords”, or “Lou Reed I Wanna Be Black 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 I Wanna Be Black chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Wanna Be Black lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, F#m, D, E, D9, D#9.

FAQ — I Wanna Be Black by Lou Reed

How do I play "I Wanna Be Black" by Lou Reed on guitar?

Open the free chords for "I Wanna Be Black" by Lou Reed 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 "I Wanna Be Black" by Lou Reed free?

Yes. The chords for "I Wanna Be Black" by Lou Reed are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "I Wanna Be Black" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "I Wanna Be Black"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "I Wanna Be Black" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "I Wanna Be Black" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "I Wanna Be Black" by Lou Reed with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Lou Reed below.

What key is "I Wanna Be Black" in?

The chords for "I Wanna Be Black" show the original chord names (including A, F#m, D, E, D9, D#9). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.