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Sweet Thing

Chords

4.876 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Chords]
Bbmaj13#11     play Bb  
         Fmaj13play F  
           C6/9play C  
        D(add9)play D  
[Intro]
C          D/C          C          D/C               C
[Verse 1]
It's safe in the D/Ccity, Cto love in a D/CdoorwayC  
To wrangle some Dscreens from the EmdoorD  
And isn't it Cme, D/Cputting pain Cin a stranger?D/C  
Like a portrait in Cflesh, who Dtrails on a Emleash
DWill you Csee D/Cthat I'm scared Cand I'm loneD/Cly?
So I'll break up my Croom, and Dyawn and IEm  
Run to the Dcenter of Bmthings,
Where the knowing one says
[Chorus]
DmBoys, Amboys, it's a Gsweet thing
DmBoys, Amboys, it's a Fsweet thing, sweet thingG  
If you Dmwant it, boAm/Cys, get it G/Bhere, thingG  
'Cause Dmhope, boys, Amis a Fcheap thing, cheap thinGgC  
[Verse 2]
I'm glad that you're D/Colder than meC  
Makes me feel imD/Cportant and freeC  
Does that make you Dsmile, isn't that Emme?D  
I'm in your Cway, D/Cand I'll steal Cevery momentD/C  
If his trade is a Ccurse, then I'll Dbless you
And Emturn to the Dcrossroads of Bmhamburgers, and
[Chorus]
DmBoys, Amboys, it's a Gsweet thing
DmBoys, Amboys, it's a Fsweet thing, sweet thingG  
If you Dmwant it, boAm/Cys, get it G/Bhere, thingG  
'Cause Dmhope, boys, Amis a Fcheap thing, cheap thinGg
[Solo]
D          F#m        Bm         Bb
D          Gm/D       D          Gm/D
D          F#m        Bm         Bb
D          Gm/D       D          Gm/D       D
2. Song: Candidate
[Sax and guitar solo]
Dm         Am         G
Dm         Am         G
Dm         Am         G
Dm         Am         G
Dm         Am         G
[Verse]
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"G  
Who wrote 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 sAmome make you scream
GOne makes you wish that you've never been seen
But there's a Dmshop on the corner that's selling Ampaper mache
Making Gbulletproof 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"
If you Dmwant 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 another Dmfloor, in the Amback of a car
In the Gcellar like a church with the door ajar
Well, I Dmguess we must be looking for a Amdifferent kind
But we Gcan't stop trying 'til we break up our minds
'Til the Dmsun drips blood on the Amseedy young nights
Who Gpress you on the ground while shaking in fright
I gDmuess 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 jGump in the river holding hands
3. Song: Sweet thing (reprise)
(Sax solo)
Dm         Am         G
Dm         Am         G
[Verse]
If you Dmwant it, boAm/Cys, get it Ghere, thing
'Cause Dmhope, boys, Amis a Fcheap thing, cheap thinGgC  
Is it nice in your D/Csnow storm, Cfreezing your D/Cbrain?C  
Do you think that your Dface looks the Emsame?D  
Then let it Cbe, D/Cit's all I ever CwantedD/C  
Its a street with a dCeal, and a tDaste
Its got cEmlaws, its got meD, its got yoGuA/G  
[Outro]
G          A/G        G        A

All chords in this song (19)

The story behind the song

"Sweet Thing" appears on David Bowie's 1974 album Diamond Dogs, an album where he adopted the persona of Halloween Jack. Bowie was known for his frequent reinvention and visual presentation, often referred to as the "chameleon of rock," and his music, stagecraft, and fashion had a significant impact on popular culture. This song captures a moment in his ever-evolving artistic journey.

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

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

Sweet Thing

by David Bowie

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Fmaj13

C6/9

D(add9)

D/C

Am/C

G/B

F#m

Gm/D

A/G

[Chords]

Bbmaj13#11 play

Fmaj13 F

play

C6/9 C

play

D(add9) D

play

[Intro]

C D/C C D/C C

[Verse 1]

D/C C D/C C

It's safe in the city, to love in a doorway

D Em D

To wrangle some screens from the door

C D/C C D/C

And isn't it me, putting pain in a stranger?

C D Em

Like a portrait in flesh, who trails on a leash

D C D/C C D/C

Will you see that I'm scared and I'm lonely?

C D Em

So I'll break up my room, and yawn and I

D Bm

Run to the center of things,

Where the knowing one says

[Chorus]

Dm Am G

Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing

Dm Am F G

Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing, sweet thing

Dm Am/C G/B G

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

Dm Am F G C

'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing

[Verse 2]

D/C C

I'm glad that you're older than me

D/C C

Makes me feel important and free

D Em D

Does that make you smile, isn't that me?

C D/C C D/C

I'm in your way, and I'll steal every moment

C D

If his trade is a curse, then I'll bless you

Em D Bm

And turn to the crossroads of hamburgers, and

[Chorus]

Dm Am G

Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing

Dm Am F G

Boys, boys, it's a sweet thing, sweet thing

Dm Am/C G/B G

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

Dm Am F G

'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing

[Solo]

D F#m Bm Bb

D Gm/D D Gm/D

D F#m Bm Bb

D Gm/D D Gm/D D

2. Song: Candidate

[Sax and guitar solo]

Dm Am G

[Verse]

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 G

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've never been seen

Dm Am

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

Making bulletproof faces, Charlie Manson, Cassius Clay

Dm Am G

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

Dm Am

So you scream out of line "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 like 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 nights

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

3. Song: Sweet thing (reprise)

(Sax solo)

Dm Am G

[Verse]

Dm Am/C G

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

Dm Am F G C

'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing

D/C C D/C C

Is it nice in your snow storm, freezing your brain?

D Em D

Do you think that your face looks the same?

C D/C C D/C

Then let it be, it's all I ever wanted

C D

Its a street with a deal, and a taste

Em D G A/G

Its got claws, its got me, its got you

[Outro]

G A/G G A

About Sweet Thing Chords by David Bowie

Learn how to play Sweet Thing by David Bowie with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sweet Thing chords”, “Sweet Thing guitar chords”, or “David Bowie Sweet Thing 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 Sweet Thing chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sweet Thing lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bb, Fmaj13, F, C6/9, C, D(add9).

FAQ — Sweet Thing by David Bowie

How do I play "Sweet Thing" by David Bowie on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sweet Thing" 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 "Sweet Thing" by David Bowie free?

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

Can I transpose "Sweet Thing" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sweet Thing"?

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

Is "Sweet Thing" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Sweet Thing" 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 "Sweet Thing" in?

The chords for "Sweet Thing" show the original chord names (including Bb, Fmaj13, F, C6/9, C, D(add9)). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.