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Worthless Thing

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

The chords for the full band version are in () - the others are for the solo
acoustic performance on the Ryko reissue.  Also, capo on the 2nd fret to play
along with the full band version, on the first fret for the solo version
Intro (acoustic)       D       Gm      D      Gm  D  
Intro (full band)  Em  F#m  G  A  D x3 and hold on last D
DHow many times can you Bmjump out of the cupboard
Before F#msomeone gets suspicious or Asomeone gets discovered
DYou can live forever in a Bmsplit second of fame
F#mCome on down, the price is right, Awhats you name
While Gcrocodile makes Dgood shoes
And a Gdog may changes his Dcoat
BmI can't change what's F#mwritten on your
Bmface toF#mnight and I Emquote
*Chorus*
Oh I Bmwish you could F#msee
BmQuite how F#mmuch you could Emmean to me
   (  Em    F#m     G     A  D)
You Gworthless thing
           (                 Em    Em    F#m  G)
If you were Dten feet taller and Galmost handsome
BmI might F#mpay this kings Emransom
       (  Em    F#m     G     A  D)
You Gworthless thingD  Dsus2  
*verse 2 - same*
They commit blue murder along union avenue
Then they sell you souvenir matches
Nightclubs full of grave robbers from Memphis, Tennessee
And Las Vegas body snatchers
And he's carrying a warning
Can't you see how his eyes glint
Keep you bloody hands off my life
Your affectionate fingerprint
*same as first chorus except no D  and Dsus2 on acoustic version*
Oh I wish you could see
Quite how much you could mean to me
You worthless thing
If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome
I might pay this kings ransom
You worthless thing
BmAll the cars and F#mpills and girls
Who Gtore his shirt to F#mtatters
Do you Emknow how tall he was
  (  Em     F#m  G)
Cause that is Gall that really matters
Do you Bmknow his mother's F#mlast name
Do you Gthink that he's F#mdivine
You've seen the Emfilm
    (  Em     F#m  G)
You've read the Gbook
                                (  Em    F#m     G    Em[F#m hold])
You're drinking vintage Elvis Presley wine
*verse 3 - same*
Bored out of your tiny mind while life is twice as large
They'll cut her down to size on television
She's available and beautiful, but with more time to devote
They're going to take this cable now
And stick it down your throat
So this is an obituary
Which should be right and fitting
For every clock work cat and
Conceivable kitten
* same as other chorus 2 with noted exceptions)
Oh I wish you could see
Quite how much you could mean to me
You worthless thing
If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome
I might pay this kings ransom
You worthless thing
Full band fade on (  Em   F#m    G    A  D)
Acoustic
DAaahhh   GYou worthless thing
Aaahhh   You worthless thing

All chords in this song (8)

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Worthless Thing

by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

Dsus2

The chords for the full band version are in () - the others are for the solo

acoustic performance on the Ryko reissue. Also, capo on the 2nd fret to play

along with the full band version, on the first fret for the solo version

D Gm D Gm D

Intro (acoustic)

Intro (full band) Em F#m G A D x3 and hold on last D

D Bm

How many times can you jump out of the cupboard

F#m A

Before someone gets suspicious or someone gets discovered

D Bm

You can live forever in a split second of fame

F#m A

Come on down, the price is right, whats you name

G D

While crocodile makes good shoes

G D

And a dog may changes his coat

Bm F#m

I can't change what's written on your

Bm F#m Em

face tonight and I quote

*Chorus*

Bm F#m

Oh I wish you could see

Bm F#m Em

Quite how much you could mean to me

Em F#m G A D

( )

You worthless thing

Em Em F#m G

( )

D G

If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome

Bm F#m Em

I might pay this kings ransom

Em F#m G A D

( )

G D Dsus2

You worthless thing

*verse 2 - same*

They commit blue murder along union avenue

Then they sell you souvenir matches

Nightclubs full of grave robbers from Memphis, Tennessee

And Las Vegas body snatchers

And he's carrying a warning

Can't you see how his eyes glint

Keep you bloody hands off my life

Your affectionate fingerprint

*same as first chorus except no D and Dsus2 on acoustic version*

Oh I wish you could see

Quite how much you could mean to me

You worthless thing

If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome

I might pay this kings ransom

You worthless thing

Bm F#m

All the cars and pills and girls

G F#m

Who tore his shirt to tatters

Do you know how tall he was

Em F#m G

( )

Cause that is all that really matters

Bm F#m

Do you know his mother's last name

G F#m

Do you think that he's divine

You've seen the film

Em F#m G

( )

You've read the book

Em F#m G Em

( [F#m hold])

You're drinking vintage Elvis Presley wine

*verse 3 - same*

Bored out of your tiny mind while life is twice as large

They'll cut her down to size on television

She's available and beautiful, but with more time to devote

They're going to take this cable now

And stick it down your throat

So this is an obituary

Which should be right and fitting

For every clock work cat and

Conceivable kitten

* same as other chorus 2 with noted exceptions)

Oh I wish you could see

Quite how much you could mean to me

You worthless thing

If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome

I might pay this kings ransom

You worthless thing

Em F#m G A D

Full band fade on ( )

Acoustic

D G

Aaahhh You worthless thing

About Worthless Thing Chords by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Learn how to play Worthless Thing by Elvis Costello & The Attractions with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Worthless Thing chords”, “Worthless Thing guitar chords”, or “Elvis Costello & The Attractions Worthless 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 Worthless Thing chords and for experienced players who want accurate Worthless Thing lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, Gm, Em, F#m, G, A.

FAQ — Worthless Thing by Elvis Costello & The Attractions

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What key is "Worthless Thing" in?

The chords for "Worthless Thing" show the original chord names (including D, Gm, Em, F#m, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.