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Johnny 99

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[Intro]
B B F# B
Well they clBosed down the auto plant in Mahwah late that mBonth
Ralph went out lBookin' for a job but he couldn't find nF#one
He came hBome too drunk from mixin'Tanqueray and wBine
He got a gBun shot a night clerk now they cF#all him Johnny 9B9
Down in the part of town where when you hit a red light you don't stop
Johnny's wavin' his gBun around and threatenin' to blow his F#top
When an Boff duty cop snuck up on him from behind
Out in front of the ClBub Tip Top they slapped the cF#uffs on Johnny 9B9
Well the city supplEied a public defender but the jBudge was Mean John Brown
He came into the cBourtroom and stared poor Johnny dF#own
Well the Bevidence is clear gonna let the sentence son fit the crime
Prison for 9B8 and a year and we'll call it F#even Johnny 9B9
[HARMONICA:] B   B   E   B   B   B   F#  B  
A fistfEight broke out in the courtroom they had to drBag Johnny's girl away
His mama stood up and shouted Judge don't take my boy this F#way
Well sBon you got any statement you'd like to make
Before the bBailiff comes to forF#ever take you aBway
Now judge judge I had debts no honest man could pay
The bank was hBoldin' my mortgage and they was takin' my house aF#way
Now BI ain't sayin' that makes me an innocent man
But it was mBore 'n all this that pF#ut that gun in my hBand
Well your honour I do believe I'd be better off dead
And if you can take a man's life for the thoughts that's in his F#head
Then won't you sit Bback in that chair and think it over judge one more time
And let 'em shBave off my hair and pF#ut me on that execution lBine
[Outro]
E B F# B B B F# B
All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

This song tells the stark story of an auto worker laid off from his job who, in a moment of drunken despair, commits a murder and is sentenced to 99 years in prison, ultimately requesting execution instead. It paints a picture of complete despair, touching on themes of unemployment, poverty, and crime. Despite the bleakness of its narrative, the song has an ironically jaunty, shuffling rockabilly beat, with Springsteen accompanying himself only on acoustic guitar and harmonica. At its heart, it's a raw exploration of desperation born from economic hardship.

AI-written from these sources:Johnny 99 (song) — Wikipedia ↗Bruce Springsteen — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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About Johnny 99 Chords by Bruce Springsteen

Learn how to play Johnny 99 by Bruce Springsteen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Johnny 99 chords”, “Johnny 99 guitar chords”, or “Bruce Springsteen Johnny 99 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 Johnny 99 chords and for experienced players who want accurate Johnny 99 lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, F#, E, A.

FAQ — Johnny 99 by Bruce Springsteen

How do I play "Johnny 99" by Bruce Springsteen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Johnny 99" by Bruce Springsteen 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 "Johnny 99" by Bruce Springsteen free?

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Can I transpose "Johnny 99" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Johnny 99" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Johnny 99"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Johnny 99" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Johnny 99" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Johnny 99" by Bruce Springsteen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bruce Springsteen below.

What key is "Johnny 99" in?

The chords for "Johnny 99" show the original chord names (including B, F#, E, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.