Crime In The City
Chords
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15
Original
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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Firstly this song is played down a step ie tuned down.
With standard tuning = EADGBE,
Then CITC tuning = DGCFAD (to be in tune with the CD)
So the chords played are Bm & G, not Am & F but tuned down, if you get my drift..
Play Bm with the index finger over the E & B strings, 2nd fret and the thumb over the
E string, 2nd fret.
This is played, picking the notes while playing the chords.
If you play this in standard tuning it will be a step too high. But tuned down, it will
in tune with the Freedom version.
E ---2--2--0--2--2--0--3----2-----------------------3---|
B ---3-----------------0----3--3--2--3--2--0--2--0--0---|
G ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
D ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
A ---2-----------------2----2-----------------------2---|
E ---2-----------------3----2-----------------------3---|
Bm G Bm G
E ---2--2--0--2--0--2--3----2-----------------------3---|
B ---3-----------------0----3--3--2--3--2--0--2--0--0---|
G ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
D ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
A ---2-----------------2----2-----------------------2---|
E ---2-----------------3----2-----------------------3---|
Bm G Bm
Chords:
Bm A*
DGCFAD DGCFAD
224432 222222(Bar)
^^^^ ^^^^
^ = emphasis on these strings while struming
Intro:
A
Bm A* Bm4x
Bm A* G2x
Bm Bm A* G
Well, the cop made the showdown
Bm Bm A* G
He was sure he was right
Bm Bm A* G
He had all of the lowdown
Bm Bm A* G
EmFrom the bank heist last night
His best friend was the robberA Em
And his wife was a thiefA Em
All the children were killersA Em
They couldn't get no reliefA G
The bungalow was surroundedA G
When a voice loud and clearA G
Said, Come on out with your hands upA G
Or we'll blow you out of here.
Bm A*
There was a face in the window
G Bm A*
The TV cameras rolled
G Bm A*
Then they cut to the announcer
G Bm A* G A
And the story was told.
Bm A* Bm
The artist looked at the producer
The producer sat back
He said what we have got here
Is a perfect track
But we don't have a vocal
And we don't have a song
If we could get these things accomplished
Nothin' else could go wrong.
So he balanced the ashtray
As he picked up the phone
And said send me a songwriter
Who's drifted far from home
And make sure that he's hungry
Make sure he's alone
Send me a cheeseburger
And a new Rolling Stone.
Yeah.
There's still crime in the city,
Said the cop on the beat,
I don't know if I can stop it
I feel like meat on the street
They paint my car like a target
I take my orders from fools
Meanwhile some kid blows my head off
Well, I play by their rules
That's why I'm doin' it my way
I took the law in my hands
So here I am in the alleyway
A wad of cash in my pants
I get paid by a ten year old
He says he looks up to me
There's still crime in the city
But it's good to be free.
Yeah.
D A G A
Now I come from a family
That has a broken home
Sometimes I talk to Daddy
On the telephone
When he says that he loves me
I know that he does
But I wish I could see him
I wish I knew where he was
But that's the way all my friends are
Except maybe one or two
Wish I could see him this weekend
Wish I could walk in his shoes
But now I'm doin' my own thing
Sometimes I'm good, then I'm bad
Although my home has been broken
It's the best home I ever had
Yeah.
D A G A
Well, I keep gettin' younger
My life's been funny that way
Before I ever learned to talk
I forgot what to say
I sassed back to my mom
I sassed back to my teacher
I got thrown out of Bible school
For sassin' back at the preacher
Then I grew up to be a fireman
Put out every fire in town
Put out anything smokin'
But when I put the hose down
The judge sent me to prison
He gave me life without parole
Wish I never put the hose down
Wish I never got old.
All chords in this song (5)
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Crime In The City
by Neil Young
Chords in this song · guitar
Bm
G
A
Em
D
Firstly this song is played down a step ie tuned down.
With standard tuning = EADGBE,
Then CITC tuning = DGCFAD (to be in tune with the CD)
So the chords played are Bm & G, not Am & F but tuned down, if you get my drift..
Play Bm with the index finger over the E & B strings, 2nd fret and the thumb over the
E string, 2nd fret.
This is played, picking the notes while playing the chords.
If you play this in standard tuning it will be a step too high. But tuned down, it will
in tune with the Freedom version.
E ---2--2--0--2--2--0--3----2-----------------------3---|
B ---3-----------------0----3--3--2--3--2--0--2--0--0---|
G ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
D ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
A ---2-----------------2----2-----------------------2---|
E ---2-----------------3----2-----------------------3---|
Bm G Bm G
E ---2--2--0--2--0--2--3----2-----------------------3---|
B ---3-----------------0----3--3--2--3--2--0--2--0--0---|
G ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
D ---4-----------------0----4-----------------------0---|
A ---2-----------------2----2-----------------------2---|
E ---2-----------------3----2-----------------------3---|
Bm G Bm
Chords:
Bm A
*
DGCFAD DGCFAD
224432 222222(Bar)
^^^^ ^^^^
^ = emphasis on these strings while struming
Intro:
A
Bm A Bm
* 4x
Bm A G
* 2x
Bm Bm A G
*
Well, the cop made the showdown
Bm Bm A G
*
He was sure he was right
Bm Bm A G
*
He had all of the lowdown
Bm Bm A G
*
Em
From the bank heist last night
A Em
His best friend was the robber
A Em
And his wife was a thief
A Em
All the children were killers
A G
They couldn't get no relief
A G
The bungalow was surrounded
A G
When a voice loud and clear
A G
Said, Come on out with your hands up
Or we'll blow you out of here.
Bm A
*
There was a face in the window
G Bm A
*
The TV cameras rolled
G Bm A
*
Then they cut to the announcer
G Bm A G A
*
And the story was told.
Bm A Bm
*
The artist looked at the producer
The producer sat back
He said what we have got here
Is a perfect track
But we don't have a vocal
And we don't have a song
If we could get these things accomplished
Nothin' else could go wrong.
So he balanced the ashtray
As he picked up the phone
And said send me a songwriter
Who's drifted far from home
And make sure that he's hungry
Make sure he's alone
Send me a cheeseburger
And a new Rolling Stone.
Yeah.
There's still crime in the city,
Said the cop on the beat,
I don't know if I can stop it
I feel like meat on the street
They paint my car like a target
I take my orders from fools
Meanwhile some kid blows my head off
Well, I play by their rules
That's why I'm doin' it my way
I took the law in my hands
So here I am in the alleyway
A wad of cash in my pants
I get paid by a ten year old
He says he looks up to me
There's still crime in the city
But it's good to be free.
Yeah.
D A G A
Now I come from a family
That has a broken home
Sometimes I talk to Daddy
On the telephone
When he says that he loves me
I know that he does
But I wish I could see him
I wish I knew where he was
But that's the way all my friends are
Except maybe one or two
Wish I could see him this weekend
Wish I could walk in his shoes
But now I'm doin' my own thing
Sometimes I'm good, then I'm bad
Although my home has been broken
It's the best home I ever had
Yeah.
D A G A
Well, I keep gettin' younger
My life's been funny that way
Before I ever learned to talk
I forgot what to say
I sassed back to my mom
I sassed back to my teacher
I got thrown out of Bible school
For sassin' back at the preacher
Then I grew up to be a fireman
Put out every fire in town
Put out anything smokin'
But when I put the hose down
The judge sent me to prison
He gave me life without parole
Wish I never put the hose down
Wish I never got old.
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About Crime In The City Chords by Neil Young
Learn how to play Crime In The City by Neil Young with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Crime In The City chords”, “Crime In The City guitar chords”, or “Neil Young Crime In The City 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 Crime In The City chords and for experienced players who want accurate Crime In The City lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Bm, G, Am, F, E, B.
FAQ — Crime In The City by Neil Young
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What key is "Crime In The City" in?
The chords for "Crime In The City" show the original chord names (including Bm, G, Am, F, E, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.