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The Bug

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Intro [  E]
EWell it's a strange old game - you learn it slow
EOne step forward and it's back to go
EYou're standing on the throttle
EYou're standing on the breaks
EIn the groove 'til you make a mistake
ESometime you're the windshield
Sometime you're the Abug
ESometime it all comes together baby
Sometime you're a fDool in lAove
ESometime you're the louisville slugger
Sometime you're the Aball
ESometime it all come together baby
Sometime you're gonna Dlose it aAll, (groovin')
[  E   E   E   E   E   E   A   E]
EYou gotta know happy - you gotta know glad
EBecause you're gonna know lonely
EAnd you're gonna know bad
EWhen you're rippin' and a ridin'
EAnd you're coming on strong
EYou start a slippin' and slidin'
EAnd it all goes wrong because
ESometime you're the windshield
Sometime you're the Abug
ESometime it all comes together baby
Sometime you're a fDool in lAove
ESometime you're the louisville slugger
Sometime you're the Aball
ESometime it all come together baby
Sometime you're gonna lDose it aAll, (groovin')
[  E   E   E   E   E   E   A   E]
[  E   E   E   E   E   E   D   A   E]
EOne day you got the glory
EThen you got none
EOne day you're a diamond
EAnd then you're a stone
EEverything can change
EIn the blink of an eye
ESo let the good time roll
EBefore we say goodbye, because
ESometime you're the windshield
Sometime you're the Abug
ESometime it all comes together baby
Sometime you're a fDool in lAove
ESometime you're the louisville slugger
Sometime you're the Aball
ESometime it all come together baby
Sometime you're gonna lDose it aAll, (groovin')
(do the bug)

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

"The Bug" is a song written by Mark Knopfler, appearing on Dire Straits' final studio album, On Every Street. While the provided information doesn't detail the specific lyrical meaning, Dire Straits, known for their roots rock influence drawing from country, folk, blues rock, and jazz, often crafted songs with a narrative feel. This song, as one of their later works, carries the signature sound of a band that consistently delivered thoughtful and well-crafted rock. Playing it can feel like stepping into a finely tuned, mature musical landscape.

AI-written from these sources:The Bug — Wikipedia ↗Dire Straits — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

The Bug

by Dire Straits

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Intro [ ]

Well it's a strange old game - you learn it slow

One step forward and it's back to go

You're standing on the throttle

You're standing on the breaks

In the groove 'til you make a mistake

Sometime you're the windshield

Sometime you're the bug

Sometime it all comes together baby

D A

Sometime you're a fool in love

Sometime you're the louisville slugger

Sometime you're the ball

Sometime it all come together baby

D A

Sometime you're gonna lose it all, (groovin')

E E E E E E A E

[ ]

You gotta know happy - you gotta know glad

Because you're gonna know lonely

And you're gonna know bad

When you're rippin' and a ridin'

And you're coming on strong

You start a slippin' and slidin'

And it all goes wrong because

Sometime you're the windshield

Sometime you're the bug

Sometime it all comes together baby

D A

Sometime you're a fool in love

Sometime you're the louisville slugger

Sometime you're the ball

Sometime it all come together baby

D A

Sometime you're gonna lose it all, (groovin')

E E E E E E A E

[ ]

E E E E E E D A E

[ ]

One day you got the glory

Then you got none

One day you're a diamond

And then you're a stone

Everything can change

In the blink of an eye

So let the good time roll

Before we say goodbye, because

Sometime you're the windshield

Sometime you're the bug

Sometime it all comes together baby

D A

Sometime you're a fool in love

Sometime you're the louisville slugger

Sometime you're the ball

Sometime it all come together baby

D A

Sometime you're gonna lose it all, (groovin')

(do the bug)

About The Bug Chords by Dire Straits

Learn how to play The Bug by Dire Straits with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Bug chords”, “The Bug guitar chords”, or “Dire Straits The Bug 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 Bug chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Bug lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, D.

FAQ — The Bug by Dire Straits

How do I play "The Bug" by Dire Straits on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Bug" by Dire Straits 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 Bug" by Dire Straits free?

Yes. The chords for "The Bug" by Dire Straits are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Bug" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Bug"?

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

Is "The Bug" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "The Bug" in?

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