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Coyote

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Coyote - Joni Mitchell
Tuning: C   G   D   F   C  E  
Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C
NDm9/Ebo regrets Coyote, wFmaj9/Ge just come from such different sets of cirDm11/Ccumstance
I'm Cadd9up all night in the studDm11/Cio and you're up Am11/Gearly on your rGanch
You'll bGm11/Fe brushing out a bFrood mare's tail wGm11/Fhile the sun is asFcending
And I'll just be, Cadd9getting home with my Dm11/Creel to reel,
Dm9/EbThere's no comprehending
Fmaj9/GJust how close to the bone and the skin and the eCadd9yes and the lips
Dm11/CYou can get and Am11/Gstill feel so alGone, aGm11/Fnd still feel relFated
Gm11/FLike stations in some relay, Fyou're not a
Cadd9Hit and run driver Dm11/Cno, no, Dm9/Ebracing away
Fmaj9/GYou just picked up a hitcher, a prisoner of the white lines on the freeway
Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C
Dm9/EbWe saw a farmhouse burning down,
Fmaj9/GIn the middle of nowhere in the middle of Dm11/Cthe night
Cadd9And we rolled right past that Dm11/Ctragedy,
Till we tAm11/Gurned into some Groadhouse lights
Where a Gm11/Flocal band was plFayin',
Gm11/FLocals were up kickin' aFnd shakin' on thGm11/Fe floor
Cadd9The next thing I Dm11/Cknow that Dm9/EbCoyote's at my door
Fmaj9/GHe pins me in the corner and he won't take "No!"
He dCadd9rags me out on tDm11/Che dance floor and we're, Am11/Gdancin' close and Gslow
Now Gm11/Fhe's got a woman at Fhome, he's got Gm11/Fanother woman down the hall
FAnd he seems to want me anyway
Cadd9Why'd you have tDm11/Co get so drunk and Dm9/Eblead me on that way
Fmaj9/GYou just picked up a hitcher, a prisoner of the white lines on the freeway
Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C
Dm9/EbI looked the Coyote right in the face, Fmaj9/Gon the road to Baljennie
near my old hometownDm11/C  
He went Cadd9runnin' through the whisker Dm11/Cwheat, Am11/Gchasin' some prize Gdown
Gm11/FAnd a hawk was playin with Fhim,
Gm11/FCoyote was jumpin' straight Fup and makin' passes
Cadd9He had those same Dm11/Ceyes just like yoursDm9/Eb, under your dark glasses
Fmaj9/GPrivately probing the public rooms,
Cadd9peeking through keyholes in numbered Dm11/Cdoors
Am11/GWhere the players lGick their wounds and Gm11/Ftake their temporary Flovers
And their Gm11/Fpills and powders to get them tFhrough this passion play
Cadd9No regrets CDm11/Coyote, I Dm9/Ebjust get off up aways
Fmaj9/GYou just picked up a hitcher, a prisoner of the white lines on the freeway
Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C Cadd9 Dm11/C
Dm9/EbCoyote's in the coffee shop, Fmaj9/Ghe's staring a hole in his scrambled eDm11/Cggs
Cadd9He picks up my scent on hiDm11/Cs fingers,
Am11/GWhile he's watching the wGaitresses legs
He's Gm11/Ftoo far from the BFay of Fundy, from Gm11/FAppaloosas and eagleFs and tides
Cadd9And the air conditioDm11/Cned cubicles aDm9/Ebnd the carbon ribbon rides
Fmaj9/GAre spelling it out so clear
EithCadd9er he's gonna hDm11/Cave to stand and fight oAm11/Gr take off out oGf here
I tGm11/Fried to run away Fmyself, to Gm11/Frun away and wrestle with Fmy ego
Cadd9   Dm11/C  Dm9/EbAnd with this flame, Fmaj9/Gyou put here in this Eskimo
Fmaj9/GIn this hitcher, in this prisoner, of the fine white lines
Fmaj9/GOf the white lines on the Cadd9free, Dm11/Cfree wayCadd9  Dm11/C  Cadd9  Dm11/C  
Cadd9   Dm11/C   Dm9/Eb   Fmaj9/G   Cadd9   Dm11/C(and Fade)
CHORDS:
E|Dm11/C--0----Cadd9--0----Dm9/Eb--0-----Fmaj9/G--0-----Am11/G--7-----G7--Gm11/F---5-----F5-----|
C|--0------2------0-------0-------7-----7-----5-----5-----|
F|--0------2------0-------0-------7-----9-----5-----7-----|
D|--0------2------0-------7-------7-----9-----5-----7-----|
G|--0------0------3-------7-------7-----7-----5-----5-----|
C|--0------0------3-------7-------7-----7-----5-----5-----|
All chords in this song (11)

The story behind the song

"Coyote" captures a flirtatious encounter, inspired by Joni Mitchell's brief connection with Sam Shepard during the 1975–76 Rolling Thunder Revue tour. The song was written during the tour and reflects the atmosphere of that time on the road. It has been described as a vivid portrayal of either a highly flirtatious conversation or a very direct expression of desire. The lyrics also weave in personal geographical details, referencing Shepard's past residence near the Bay of Fundy and Mitchell's own encounters with wildlife near her Canadian hometown. At its heart, it plays like a spontaneous, intimate snapshot of attraction and connection.

AI-written from these sources:Coyote (song) — Wikipedia ↗Joni Mitchell — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About Coyote Chords by Joni Mitchell

Learn how to play Coyote by Joni Mitchell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Coyote chords”, “Coyote guitar chords”, or “Joni Mitchell Coyote 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 Coyote chords and for experienced players who want accurate Coyote lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, D, F, E, Cadd9.

FAQ — Coyote by Joni Mitchell

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Is "Coyote" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Coyote" in?

The chords for "Coyote" show the original chord names (including C, G, D, F, E, Cadd9). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.