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Riot Act

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Riot Act by Elvis Costello
from the album *Get Happy*
     D/Cx30232
     Bm7x2x23x
  Bbmaj7x1x23x
    A       DmFAoreverDm  A  
doesn't Dmmean forCever anymoreF  
AI Dmsaid forevAer
But it doesn't Dmlook like I'm gonna be aCround much anymoreF  
DWhen the heat gets Gso tropical
BmAnd the talk gets  Emso topical
          D                   D/C   Bm7(can use B5)
Riot act - you can read me the riot act
Bbmaj7You can make me a Em7matter of fact
Or a Avillain in a million
A Em7slip of the tongue is gonna Akeep me civilian
C#mWhy do you talk Csuch stupid nonBmsense
When my mind Bbcould rest much Aeasier
C#mInstead of Call this dumb dumb Bminsolence
I would be Bbhappier with amnAesia
AThey Dmsay forget Aher
Now it looks like you're Dmeither gonna be beCfore me or againsFt me
AI  Dmgot your letAter
Now they say I Dmdon't care for the Ccolor that it Fpaints me
DTrying to be so Gbad is bad enough
BmDon't make me Emlaugh by talking tough
DDon't put your Gheart out on your sleeve
EmWhen your remarks are off the cuff
Chorus . . . . . .

All chords in this song (15)

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Riot Act

by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/C

Bm7

Bbmaj7

Em7

C#m

Riot Act by Elvis Costello

from the album *Get Happy*

D/C

x30232

Bm7

x2x23x

Bbmaj7

x1x23x

A Dm A Dm A

Forever

Dm C F

doesn't mean forever anymore

A Dm A

I said forever

Dm C F

But it doesn't look like I'm gonna be around much anymore

D G

When the heat gets so tropical

Bm Em

And the talk gets so topical

D D/C Bm7 B5

(can use )

Riot act - you can read me the riot act

Bbmaj7 Em7

You can make me a matter of fact

Or a villain in a million

Em7 A

A slip of the tongue is gonna keep me civilian

C#m C Bm

Why do you talk such stupid nonsense

Bb A

When my mind could rest much easier

C#m C Bm

Instead of all this dumb dumb insolence

Bb A

I would be happier with amnesia

A Dm A

They say forget her

Dm C F

Now it looks like you're either gonna be before me or against me

A Dm A

I got your letter

Dm C F

Now they say I don't care for the color that it paints me

D G

Trying to be so bad is bad enough

Bm Em

Don't make me laugh by talking tough

D G

Don't put your heart out on your sleeve

When your remarks are off the cuff

Chorus . . . . . .

About Riot Act Chords by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Learn how to play Riot Act by Elvis Costello & The Attractions with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Riot Act chords”, “Riot Act guitar chords”, or “Elvis Costello & The Attractions Riot Act 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 Riot Act chords and for experienced players who want accurate Riot Act lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D/C, Bm7, Bbmaj7, A, Dm, C.

FAQ — Riot Act by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

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What key is "Riot Act" in?

The chords for "Riot Act" show the original chord names (including D/C, Bm7, Bbmaj7, A, Dm, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.