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Wheres Johnny

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Chords used:  C   F   Am  G  
(intro)
C F C F C F
(verse)
    CYoung FJohnny, he really had a Cway,F  
He did his Chomework on the schoolbus and he Falways got an AC.F  
And the Cgirls liked Johnny more than Fanyone 'cept maybe Elton CJohn.F  
CLater on in high school he Fcouldn't keep his red suspenders Con.F  
(chorus)
    AmOh, where's GJohnny, has he gone aCway
    AmOh, where's GJohnny, will he be baCck someday.
(verse)
He had a room full of trophies
From the track meets and the tennis games he'd win.
He was a full blown wiz-kid an' he's bound to be a renaissance man.
Then he went on off to college
Got his head stuck in a different state of mind
When they asked him was it alcohol
He told them it was nothin' of the kind.
Just life. Just life, Mom.
(chorus)
Oh, where's Johnny, has he gone away
Oh, where's Johnny, will he be back someday.
(break)
Ah but AmJohnny's alright, he just Gturned out his lights
They'd have Fpaid it no mind had he Cnot been so bright.
He Amopened up his eyes, and he Gsnapped out of the groove
He saw Fboth sides of everything and he Cfound he could not move.
(verse)
Johnny moved home now he reads a lot of poetry and plays
He'll sit out in the backyard and not say a word to anyone for days.
And his folks gave up, they no longer even bother gettin' through.
Hell he's thirty odd years old
They must have figured there's just so much you can do.
(instrumental)
Am   G   C
Am   G   C
(verse)
His mother keeps his pictures
In the scrapbook in the drawer with her pearls
She polishes the trophies
That he won back when they thought he'd save the world
Back when the girls liked Johnny
More than anyone 'cept maybe Elton John
She wonder's where's her little boy
With the braces and the red suspenders gone.
Just life. Just life, Mom.
Just life. Just life, Mom.
Just life.

All chords in this song (4)

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Wheres Johnny

by James McMurtry

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C F Am G

Chords used:

(intro)

C F C F C F

(verse)

C F C F

Young Johnny, he really had a way,

C F C F

He did his homework on the schoolbus and he always got an A.

C F C F

And the girls liked Johnny more than anyone 'cept maybe Elton John.

C F C F

Later on in high school he couldn't keep his red suspenders on.

(chorus)

Am G C

Oh, where's Johnny, has he gone away

Am G C

Oh, where's Johnny, will he be back someday.

(verse)

He had a room full of trophies

From the track meets and the tennis games he'd win.

He was a full blown wiz-kid an' he's bound to be a renaissance man.

Then he went on off to college

Got his head stuck in a different state of mind

When they asked him was it alcohol

He told them it was nothin' of the kind.

Just life. Just life, Mom.

(chorus)

Oh, where's Johnny, has he gone away

Oh, where's Johnny, will he be back someday.

(break)

Am G

Ah but Johnny's alright, he just turned out his lights

F C

They'd have paid it no mind had he not been so bright.

Am G

He opened up his eyes, and he snapped out of the groove

F C

He saw both sides of everything and he found he could not move.

(verse)

Johnny moved home now he reads a lot of poetry and plays

He'll sit out in the backyard and not say a word to anyone for days.

And his folks gave up, they no longer even bother gettin' through.

Hell he's thirty odd years old

They must have figured there's just so much you can do.

(instrumental)

Am G C

(verse)

His mother keeps his pictures

In the scrapbook in the drawer with her pearls

She polishes the trophies

That he won back when they thought he'd save the world

Back when the girls liked Johnny

More than anyone 'cept maybe Elton John

She wonder's where's her little boy

With the braces and the red suspenders gone.

Just life. Just life, Mom.

Just life.

About Wheres Johnny Chords by James McMurtry

Learn how to play Wheres Johnny by James McMurtry with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Wheres Johnny chords”, “Wheres Johnny guitar chords”, or “James McMurtry Wheres Johnny 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 Wheres Johnny chords and for experienced players who want accurate Wheres Johnny lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, Am, G, A.

FAQ — Wheres Johnny by James McMurtry

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What key is "Wheres Johnny" in?

The chords for "Wheres Johnny" show the original chord names (including C, F, Am, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.