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Prime Time

Chords

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[Chorus]
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime time
This iCs livin' in the GU. S. A.
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime Time
This iCs livin' the AGmerican way
[Verse 1]
I was ridGin' on the subway in the aA7fternoon
I sCaw some kids 'a beatin' out a fuGnky tune
The laGdy right in front of me was oA7ld and brown
The kCids began to push her, they Gknocked her down
I triCed to help her out but there was jGust no way
A liCfe ain't worth a damn on the stD7reet today
I paGssed the ambulance and the cA7amera crews
I sCaw the instant replay on the eGvening news
[Chorus]
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime time
This iCs livin' in the GU. S. A.
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime Time
This iCs livin' the AGmerican way
[Verse 2]
Well wilGl you take the car, or wilA7l you take the trip?
Remove Cannoying hair from your Gupper lip
What's it reaGlly worth? A7Does she really care?
What'Cs the best shampoo that I can uGse on my hair?
Hey whaCt's the real future of deGmocracy?
How'Cre we gonna streamline the bD7ureaucracy?
Hey, hGey, the cost of life has goA7ne sky-high
Does the deodCorant I'm using really keGep me dry?
[Chorus]
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime time
This iCs livin' in the GU. S. A.
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime Time
This iCs livin' the AGmerican way
[Verse 3]
Well spGin the magic wheel and tA7ry to break the bank
ThiCnk about your life when you fiGll in the blank
HereG's a game that's real A7if you wanna try
OnCe spot on the wheel that Gsays you must die
AmericCan roulette is the gaGme we play
But noC-one wants to have to be the oD7ne to pay
You geGt to pass "GO", you A7get to pass away
But beCfore we start our show, here's our spoGnsor to say:
[Chorus]
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime time
This iBbs livin' in the UC. S. A.
Well this is lifDe, this iFs Prime time
This iGs livin' in the AU. S. A.
Well this is lifBbe, this iCs Prime Time
This iDs livin' the AFmerican Gway
[Verse 4]
Well doGwn in Mexico, the lA7aundry's on the line
ThCere's where you can go if you lGand on the nine
CaGnada is nice A7if you're fond of ice
If you laCnd on the two then we'll Gsend you there twice
We Cinterrupt this game for a nGews release:
A mCan has gone insane and been kiD7lled by police!
Now baGck to the game, that's a daA7ngerous play
'Cause if they sCee you in C-U-B-A you mGust pass away
[Chorus]
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime time
This iCs livin' in the GU. S. A.
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime Time
This iCs livin' the AGmerican way
[Verse 5]
My suGpper's on the stove, the wA7ar is on the screen
PaCss the bread and butter while I wGatch the Marine
The shot hGim in the chest--PaA7ss the chicken breast!
The genCeral is saying that he's Gstill unimpressed.
"We haCd to burn the city 'cause they woGuldn't agree
That thCings go better with demD7ocracy!"
The wGeather will be fair, forA7get the ozone layer,
But sCtrontium showers will be Ghere and there
[Chorus]
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime time
This iCs livin' in the GU. S. A.
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime Time
This iCs livin' the AGmerican way
[Verse 6]
Well liGvin' in the country watchin' A7shadows fall
My recCeption ain't too good in a pGower stall
BGombers in the air, mA7issiles in the sea
CChemicals in everything, inGcluding me
They dCon't keep their promise in the pGromised land
It's geCtting mighty hard to find an hoD7nest man
But coGming very soon, a show you'll A7die to see
It's called "The ECnd Of The World", on Gchannel "C"
[Chorus]
Well this is lifGe, this iAs Prime time
This iBbs livin' in the UC. S. A.
Well this is lifDe, this iFs Prime time
This iGs livin' in the AU. S. A.
Well this is lifBbe, this iCs Prime Time
This iDs livin' the AFmerican Gway

All chords in this song (8)

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Prime Time

by Don McLean

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Chorus]

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime time

C G

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime Time

C G

This is livin' the American way

[Verse 1]

G A7

I was ridin' on the subway in the afternoon

C G

I saw some kids 'a beatin' out a funky tune

G A7

The lady right in front of me was old and brown

C G

The kids began to push her, they knocked her down

C G

I tried to help her out but there was just no way

C D7

A life ain't worth a damn on the street today

G A7

I passed the ambulance and the camera crews

C G

I saw the instant replay on the evening news

[Chorus]

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime time

C G

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime Time

C G

This is livin' the American way

[Verse 2]

G A7

Well will you take the car, or will you take the trip?

C G

Remove annoying hair from your upper lip

G A7

What's it really worth? Does she really care?

C G

What's the best shampoo that I can use on my hair?

C G

Hey what's the real future of democracy?

C D7

How're we gonna streamline the bureaucracy?

G A7

Hey, hey, the cost of life has gone sky-high

C G

Does the deodorant I'm using really keep me dry?

[Chorus]

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime time

C G

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime Time

C G

This is livin' the American way

[Verse 3]

G A7

Well spin the magic wheel and try to break the bank

C G

Think about your life when you fill in the blank

G A7

Here's a game that's real if you wanna try

C G

One spot on the wheel that says you must die

C G

American roulette is the game we play

C D7

But no-one wants to have to be the one to pay

G A7

You get to pass "GO", you get to pass away

C G

But before we start our show, here's our sponsor to say:

[Chorus]

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime time

Bb C

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

D F

Well this is life, this is Prime time

G A

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

Bb C

Well this is life, this is Prime Time

D F G

This is livin' the American way

[Verse 4]

G A7

Well down in Mexico, the laundry's on the line

C G

There's where you can go if you land on the nine

G A7

Canada is nice if you're fond of ice

C G

If you land on the two then we'll send you there twice

C G

We interrupt this game for a news release:

C D7

A man has gone insane and been killed by police!

G A7

Now back to the game, that's a dangerous play

C G

'Cause if they see you in C-U-B-A you must pass away

[Chorus]

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime time

C G

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime Time

C G

This is livin' the American way

[Verse 5]

G A7

My supper's on the stove, the war is on the screen

C G

Pass the bread and butter while I watch the Marine

G A7

The shot him in the chest--Pass the chicken breast!

C G

The general is saying that he's still unimpressed.

C G

"We had to burn the city 'cause they wouldn't agree

C D7

That things go better with democracy!"

G A7

The weather will be fair, forget the ozone layer,

C G

But strontium showers will be here and there

[Chorus]

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime time

C G

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime Time

C G

This is livin' the American way

[Verse 6]

G A7

Well livin' in the country watchin' shadows fall

C G

My reception ain't too good in a power stall

G A7

Bombers in the air, missiles in the sea

C G

Chemicals in everything, including me

C G

They don't keep their promise in the promised land

C D7

It's getting mighty hard to find an honest man

G A7

But coming very soon, a show you'll die to see

C G

It's called "The End Of The World", on channel "C"

[Chorus]

G A

Well this is life, this is Prime time

Bb C

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

D F

Well this is life, this is Prime time

G A

This is livin' in the U. S. A.

Bb C

Well this is life, this is Prime Time

D F G

This is livin' the American way

About Prime Time Chords by Don McLean

Learn how to play Prime Time by Don McLean with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Prime Time chords”, “Prime Time guitar chords”, or “Don McLean Prime Time 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 Prime Time chords and for experienced players who want accurate Prime Time lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, A, C, A7, D7, Bb.

FAQ — Prime Time by Don McLean

How do I play "Prime Time" by Don McLean on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Prime Time" by Don McLean 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 "Prime Time" by Don McLean free?

Yes. The chords for "Prime Time" by Don McLean are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Prime Time" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Prime Time"?

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

Is "Prime Time" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Prime Time" by Don McLean with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Don McLean below.

What key is "Prime Time" in?

The chords for "Prime Time" show the original chord names (including G, A, C, A7, D7, Bb). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.