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The Adults Are Talking

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[Intro]
Gm  C7  F  Bbmaj7
Gm  C7  F
[Verse 1]
They've been Fsaying
"You‘re sophistiDmcated"
They're comFplaining
OvereduDmcated
You are Fsaying
All the words I'm dDmreaming
Say it after C/Eme
Say it after C7/Eme
[Verse 2]
They will Fblame us
Crucify and Dmshame us
We can‘t Fhelp it
If we are a Dmproblem
We are Ftrying
Hard to get your Dmattention
I'm climbing up your C/Ewall
Climbing up your wallC7/E  
[Chorus]
GmDon‘t go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you C7think of me when you think of her
But then it dFon't make sense when you're trying hard
To do the Bbmaj7right thing but without recompense
And then you Gmdid something wrong and you said it was great
And now you C7don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're Fall confused 'cause you want me to
But then you Bbmaj7want me to do the same as you
[Instrumental]
  F    Dmx3
C/E C7/E
[Verse 3]
You were wFaitin'
For the elDmevator
You were Fsayin'
All the words I'm Dmdreaming
No more Faskin'
Questions or Dmexcuses
Information's C/Ehere
Here and everyC7/Ewhere
[Chorus 2]
GmDon‘t go there 'cause you'll never return
I know you C7think of me when you think of her
But then it dFon't make sense when you're trying hard
To do the Bbmaj7right thing but without recompense
And then you Gmdid something wrong and you said it was great
And now you C7don't know how you could ever complain
Because you're Fall confused 'cause you want me to
But then you Bbmaj7want me to do it the same way as you
[Bridge]
GmI don't - I don't want C7anything
  FI know it's noBbmaj7t
It's not your Gmfault
I don't want C7anyone
  FAs I dBbmaj7o, it's not for
GmYou
[Break]
Ahh C7--      F  Bbmaj7oooh
  Gm    C7    F    Bbmaj7x2
    Gm      C7   FStockholdersBbmaj7  
[Outro]
GmSame shit different lifeC7  
I‘ll get it right some Ftime
Maybe not toBbmaj7night
Maybe not toGmnight
Maybe not toC7night
Maybe not toFnight
Maybe not toBbmaj7night
Gm(fadC7e ouFt)

All chords in this song (7)

The story behind the song

"The Adults Are Talking" captures a feeling of being under scrutiny, where the weight of others' opinions or judgments can make one feel like a "problem." It hints at a reluctance to voice concerns, perhaps feeling that "now you don't know how you could ever complain." This track, from The Strokes' 2020 album The New Abnormal, was produced by Rick Rubin. It carries the signature indie rock sound of the band, echoing earlier works with its digital-sounding guitar riffs and distinctive vocals. Ultimately, it evokes the quiet tension of navigating unspoken expectations.

AI-written from these sources:The Adults Are Talking — Wikipedia ↗The Strokes — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

The Adults Are Talking

The Adults Are Talking

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The Adults Are Talking

by The Strokes

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bbmaj7

C/E

C7/E

[Intro]

Gm C7 F Bbmaj7

Gm C7 F

[Verse 1]

They've been saying

"You‘re sophisticated"

They're complaining

Overeducated

You are saying

All the words I'm dreaming

C/E

Say it after me

C7/E

Say it after me

[Verse 2]

They will blame us

Crucify and shame us

We can‘t help it

If we are a problem

We are trying

Hard to get your attention

C/E

I'm climbing up your wall

C7/E

Climbing up your wall

[Chorus]

Don‘t go there 'cause you'll never return

I know you think of me when you think of her

But then it don't make sense when you're trying hard

Bbmaj7

To do the right thing but without recompense

And then you did something wrong and you said it was great

And now you don't know how you could ever complain

Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to

Bbmaj7

But then you want me to do the same as you

[Instrumental]

F Dm

C/E C7/E

[Verse 3]

You were waitin'

For the elevator

You were sayin'

All the words I'm dreaming

No more askin'

Questions or excuses

C/E

Information's here

C7/E

Here and everywhere

[Chorus 2]

Don‘t go there 'cause you'll never return

I know you think of me when you think of her

But then it don't make sense when you're trying hard

Bbmaj7

To do the right thing but without recompense

And then you did something wrong and you said it was great

And now you don't know how you could ever complain

Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to

Bbmaj7

But then you want me to do it the same way as you

[Bridge]

Gm C7

I don't - I don't want anything

F Bbmaj7

I know it's not

It's not your fault

I don't want anyone

F Bbmaj7

As I do, it's not for

You

[Break]

C7 F Bbmaj7

Ahh -- oooh

Gm C7 F Bbmaj7

Stockholders

[Outro]

Gm C7

Same shit different life

I‘ll get it right some time

Bbmaj7

Maybe not tonight

Bbmaj7

Maybe not tonight

Gm C7 F

(fade out)

About The Adults Are Talking Chords by The Strokes

Learn how to play The Adults Are Talking by The Strokes with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Adults Are Talking chords”, “The Adults Are Talking guitar chords”, or “The Strokes The Adults Are Talking 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 Adults Are Talking chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Adults Are Talking lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Gm, C7, F, Bbmaj7, Dm, C/E.

FAQ — The Adults Are Talking by The Strokes

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What key is "The Adults Are Talking" in?

The chords for "The Adults Are Talking" show the original chord names (including Gm, C7, F, Bbmaj7, Dm, C/E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.