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Candidate

Chords

4.727 votes

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INTRO:    Dm    Am   Gx5
I'll make you a Dmdeal, like any Amother candidate
We'll preGtend we're walking home cause your future's at stake
My Dmset is amazing, it even Amsmells like a street
There's a Gbar at the end where I can meet you and your friend
DmSomeone scrawled on the wall I smell the Amblood of les tricoteuses
Who Gwrote up scandals in other bars
I'm having Dmso much fun with the Ampoisonous people
Spreading Grumours and lies and stories they made up
DmSome make you sing and Amsome make you scream
GOne makes you wish that you'd never been seen
But there's a Dmshop on the corner that's selling Ampapier mache
Making Gbullet-proof faces, Charlie Manson, Cassius Clay
If you Dmwant it, Amboys, get it Ghere, thing
So you Dmscream out of line
I Amwant you, I need you, GAnyone out there, Any time
DmTres butch little number whines hey Amdirty, I want you
When it's Ggood, it's really good, and when it's bad I go to pieces
DmIf you want it, Amboys, get it Ghere, thing
Well, on the Dmstreet where you live I could not Amhold up my head
For I Gput all I have in another bed
On aDmnother floor, in the Amback of a car
In the Gcellar of a church with the door ajar
Well, I Dmguess we must be looking for a Amdifferent kind
But we can't Gstop trying til we break up our minds
Til the Dmsun drips blood on the Amseedy young knights
Who Gpress you on the ground while shaking in fright
I Dmguess we could cruise down Amone more time
With Gyou by my side, it should be fine
We'll Dmbuy some drugs and Amwatch a band
Then Gjump in the river holding hands

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

"Candidate" emerges from a period where David Bowie, known for his frequent reinvention and visual presentation, explored new artistic directions. This song appears on the album Diamond Dogs, where Bowie adopted the persona of Halloween Jack. It reflects the artistic journey of a musician whose music, stagecraft, and fashion profoundly impacted popular culture. Playing this song can feel like stepping into a narrative crafted by a true chameleon of rock.

AI-written from these sources:David Bowie — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Candidate

by David Bowie

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dm Am G

INTRO: x5

Dm Am

I'll make you a deal, like any other candidate

We'll pretend we're walking home cause your future's at stake

Dm Am

My set is amazing, it even smells like a street

There's a bar at the end where I can meet you and your friend

Dm Am

Someone scrawled on the wall I smell the blood of les tricoteuses

Who wrote up scandals in other bars

Dm Am

I'm having so much fun with the poisonous people

Spreading rumours and lies and stories they made up

Dm Am

Some make you sing and some make you scream

One makes you wish that you'd never been seen

Dm Am

But there's a shop on the corner that's selling papier mache

Making bullet-proof faces, Charlie Manson, Cassius Clay

Dm Am G

If you want it, boys, get it here, thing

So you scream out of line

Am G

I want you, I need you, Anyone out there, Any time

Dm Am

Tres butch little number whines hey dirty, I want you

When it's good, it's really good, and when it's bad I go to pieces

Dm Am G

If you want it, boys, get it here, thing

Dm Am

Well, on the street where you live I could not hold up my head

For I put all I have in another bed

Dm Am

On another floor, in the back of a car

In the cellar of a church with the door ajar

Dm Am

Well, I guess we must be looking for a different kind

But we can't stop trying til we break up our minds

Dm Am

Til the sun drips blood on the seedy young knights

Who press you on the ground while shaking in fright

Dm Am

I guess we could cruise down one more time

With you by my side, it should be fine

Dm Am

We'll buy some drugs and watch a band

Then jump in the river holding hands

About Candidate Chords by David Bowie

Learn how to play Candidate by David Bowie with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Candidate chords”, “Candidate guitar chords”, or “David Bowie Candidate 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 Candidate chords and for experienced players who want accurate Candidate lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, Am, G.

FAQ — Candidate by David Bowie

How do I play "Candidate" by David Bowie on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Candidate" by David Bowie 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 "Candidate" by David Bowie free?

Yes. The chords for "Candidate" by David Bowie are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Candidate" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Candidate"?

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

Is "Candidate" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Candidate" by David Bowie with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by David Bowie below.

What key is "Candidate" in?

The chords for "Candidate" show the original chord names (including Dm, Am, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.