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You Or Your Memory

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[Verse 1]
I checked into a baErgain-priced room on La CiC#menaga
F#mGazed out through the curtains at the Aparking lotE  
Walked down to the cEorner store just before nC#mightfall in my bare feet
  F#mBlack tarry asphalt, Asoft and hEot
And when I F#mcame back, I spread out my supplEies
On the cF#mounter by the sink, looked myseBlf right in the eyes
[Chorus]
St. Joseph's baby asEpirin
 ABartles and BJaymes
And yEou
Or your mAemoryB  E  
[Verse 2]
I ducked behind the Edrapes when I saw the moon begC#min to rise
F#mGathered in my loose ends Aswitched off the lightE  
And down there in the Edark I could see the real trC#muth about me
F#mAs clear as day, ALord, if I make it through tonigEht
Then I will F#mmend my wEays
And walk the stF#mraight path to the Bend of my days
[Chorus]
St. Joseph's baby aspEirin
 ABartles and BJaymes
And Eyou
Or your mAemoryB  
[Outro]
E A B

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"You Or Your Memory" finds the narrator wrestling with a past that lingers like the soft, hot asphalt of a bargain-priced room on La Cienaga. It's a song about confronting the ghosts of old habits and choices, perhaps even the pull of a drink like Bartles and Jaymes, while trying to walk a straight path forward. The Mountain Goats, led by singer-songwriter John Darnielle, often explore themes of struggle and resilience, frequently in a raw, intimate style, though since 2002 they have adopted a more polished recording approach. At its heart, this song feels like a quiet, determined stand against the echoes of yesterday.

AI-written from these sources:The Mountain Goats — Wikipedia ↗

Story time

You Or Your Memory

You Or Your Memory

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You Or Your Memory

by The Mountain Goats

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

F#m

[Verse 1]

E C#m

I checked into a bargain-priced room on La Cienaga

F#m A E

Gazed out through the curtains at the parking lot

E C#m

Walked down to the corner store just before nightfall in my bare feet

F#m A E

Black tarry asphalt, soft and hot

F#m E

And when I came back, I spread out my supplies

F#m B

On the counter by the sink, looked myself right in the eyes

[Chorus]

St. Joseph's baby aspirin

A B

Bartles and Jaymes

And you

A B E

Or your memory

[Verse 2]

E C#m

I ducked behind the drapes when I saw the moon begin to rise

F#m A E

Gathered in my loose ends switched off the light

E C#m

And down there in the dark I could see the real truth about me

F#m A E

As clear as day, Lord, if I make it through tonight

F#m E

Then I will mend my ways

F#m B

And walk the straight path to the end of my days

[Chorus]

St. Joseph's baby aspirin

A B

Bartles and Jaymes

And you

A B

Or your memory

[Outro]

E A B

About You Or Your Memory Chords by The Mountain Goats

Learn how to play You Or Your Memory by The Mountain Goats with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “You Or Your Memory chords”, “You Or Your Memory guitar chords”, or “The Mountain Goats You Or Your Memory 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 You Or Your Memory chords and for experienced players who want accurate You Or Your Memory lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, C#m, F#m, A, B.

FAQ — You Or Your Memory by The Mountain Goats

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What key is "You Or Your Memory" in?

The chords for "You Or Your Memory" show the original chord names (including E, C#m, F#m, A, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.