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Picture Show

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

By John Prine
Song:The  Picture Show
GA young man from a small town
With a veCry large imaginatGion
Lay alCone in his room with his raGdio on
Looking for another staDtion
When the staGtic from the mouthpiece
Gave Cway to the sound beGlow
James CDean went out to GHollywood
And put his picDture in a Picture GShow.
James CDean went out to GHollywood
And put his picDture in a Picture GShow.
Chorus:
And It's GOh Daddy get off of your knees
MaCmma why'd you have to Ggo
Your darlCing Jim is Gout on a limb
I put my picDture in a Picture GShow
Whoa Ho! Put my picDture in a Picture GShow
HamGburgers Cheeseburgers
WiClbur and Orville GWright
CJohn Garfield in the afterGnoon
Montgomery Clift at Dnight
When the Gstatic hit the mouthpiece
Gave Cway to the sound beGlow
James CDean went out to GHollywood
And put his picDture in a Picture GShow.
Chorus:
And It's GOh Daddy get off of your knees
MaCmma why'd you have to Ggo
Your darlCing Jim is Gout on a limb
I put my picDture in a Picture GShow
Whoa Ho! Put my picDture in a Picture GShow
Instrumental:
G
C     G
C     G    D
G
C     G
C     G    D     G
A GMocca man in a wigwam sitCting on a ReserGvation.
With a big Cblack hole in the Gbelly of his soul
Waiting on an explanDation
While the Gwhite man sits on his fat can
And takes picCtures of the NaGvajo
Every Ctime he clicks his KoGdak pics
He Dsteals a little bit of sGoul.
Every Ctime he clicks his KoGdak pics
He Dsteals a little bit of Gsoul.
Chorus:
And It's GOh Daddy get off of your knees
MaCmma why'd you have to Ggo
Your darlCing Jim is Gout on a limb
I put my picDture in a Picture GShow
Whoa Ho! Put my picDture in a Picture GShow
Outro:
Yie Hi! Put my picDture in a Picture GShow
Let's go!
Instrumental:
G
C     G
C     G    D
G
C     G
C     G    D     G
C     G    D     G
C     G    D     G
A Gyoung man from a small town
With a veCry large imaginatGion

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

John Prine was known for his unique blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, often incorporating social commentary and satire, alongside his sweet and melancholic ballads. As a singer-songwriter, he was highly influential, crafting songs that resonated with many. "Picture Show" is a song from his album The Missing Years. It plays like a reflection on the scenes and moments that make up a life, much like a series of images in a film.

AI-written from these sources:John Prine — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Picture Show

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

By John Prine

Song:The Picture Show

A young man from a small town

C G

With a very large imagination

C G

Lay alone in his room with his radio on

Looking for another station

When the static from the mouthpiece

C G

Gave way to the sound below

C G

James Dean went out to Hollywood

D G

And put his picture in a Picture Show.

C G

James Dean went out to Hollywood

D G

And put his picture in a Picture Show.

Chorus:

And It's Oh Daddy get off of your knees

C G

Mamma why'd you have to go

C G

Your darling Jim is out on a limb

D G

I put my picture in a Picture Show

D G

Whoa Ho! Put my picture in a Picture Show

Hamburgers Cheeseburgers

C G

Wilbur and Orville Wright

C G

John Garfield in the afternoon

Montgomery Clift at night

When the static hit the mouthpiece

C G

Gave way to the sound below

C G

James Dean went out to Hollywood

D G

And put his picture in a Picture Show.

Chorus:

And It's Oh Daddy get off of your knees

C G

Mamma why'd you have to go

C G

Your darling Jim is out on a limb

D G

I put my picture in a Picture Show

D G

Whoa Ho! Put my picture in a Picture Show

Instrumental:

C G

C G D

C G

C G D G

G C G

A Mocca man in a wigwam sitting on a Reservation.

C G

With a big black hole in the belly of his soul

Waiting on an explanation

While the white man sits on his fat can

C G

And takes pictures of the Navajo

C G

Every time he clicks his Kodak pics

D G

He steals a little bit of soul.

C G

Every time he clicks his Kodak pics

D G

He steals a little bit of soul.

Chorus:

And It's Oh Daddy get off of your knees

C G

Mamma why'd you have to go

C G

Your darling Jim is out on a limb

D G

I put my picture in a Picture Show

D G

Whoa Ho! Put my picture in a Picture Show

Outro:

D G

Yie Hi! Put my picture in a Picture Show

Let's go!

Instrumental:

C G

C G D

C G

C G D G

A young man from a small town

C G

With a very large imagination

About Picture Show Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play Picture Show by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Picture Show chords”, “Picture Show guitar chords”, or “John Prine Picture Show 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 Picture Show chords and for experienced players who want accurate Picture Show lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, A, C, D.

FAQ — Picture Show by John Prine

How do I play "Picture Show" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Picture Show" by John Prine 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 "Picture Show" by John Prine free?

Yes. The chords for "Picture Show" by John Prine are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Picture Show" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Picture Show"?

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

Is "Picture Show" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Picture Show" in?

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