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Cartoon Blues

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

No Capo
Bright Eyes
Cartoon Blues
Intro: Asus2, A#/Bbsus2, Em  
I lEmisten to a lecture of nonsense till dawn 
By a plBmagiary poet with dark glasses on
He said "Amhow did you ever dream up that song?
The oBmne where the bBaby diesEm."
I said "I'll tEmell you the secret which one's your good ear?
Yeah, peBmople are made up of water and fear
If there wAmeren't women present we wouldn't be here
So lBmets make lBike we're frienEmds"
And the Empot turned to powder and soured the mood
And the pBmeople I'd come with were gone from the room
So I aAmsked like a child "may I be excused?"
AnBmd disobBeyed them alEml
Into that lEmate night latrine rain soaking through my shoes
I tBmried walking backwards to get less confused
WorAmking off a theory I could never prove
That it was lBmife itsBelf to blEmame
And tAmime ruined the woEmrld
Like a fAmailed revolEmution
A tAmumor we could not reEmmove
An old Csus2friend, a coBmnstant, the bEmlues
Em, Asus2, A#/ Bbsus2x2
Now my dEmays are distractions, sit wringing my hands
SoBmlitaire, crosswords, and films on demand
When you tAmurn from a cartoon back into a man
You start to sBmmell that huBman smeEmll
And so I slEmeep with the fan on to drown out the street
And the nBmoise rising up from the bar underneath
Well for tAmhat inconvenience all my drinks are free
So I guBmess it's jBust as weEmll
Why do I eEmnvy the ending right from the start
Just Bmget it together to take it apart
WAmatching the horse as it follows the cart
I sBmweep up my bBroken speEmll
And I fAmelt something changing the wEmorld
Like a nAmew constiEmtution
A thAmief I would have to pEmursue
At all Csus2times, at all cBmosts, the trEmuth
Em, Asus2, A#/Bbsus2  
Em, Asus2, A#/Bbsus2, Bsus2  
Em, Asus2, A#/Bbsus2, Bsus2, Csus2  
Em, Asus2, A#/Bbsus2, Bsus2, Csus2, C#/Dbsus2  
Em, Asus2, A#/Bbsus2, Bsus2, Csus2, C#/Dbsus2, Dsus2  
End on: Em

All chords in this song (12)

The story behind the song

"Cartoon Blues" comes from Bright Eyes, the indie rock project of singer-songwriter Conor Oberst, joined by multi-instrumentalist Mike Mogis and arranger Nate Walcott. The band is known for its rotating lineup of collaborators from the Omaha indie music scene. This song is a piece of their evolving sound, showcasing Oberst's distinctive songwriting within the band's collaborative spirit. Playing it feels like stepping into a moment from their musical journey.

AI-written from these sources:Bright Eyes (band) — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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Cartoon Blues

by Bright Eyes

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Asus2

Bbsus2

Csus2

Bsus2

Dbsus2

Dsus2

No Capo

Bright Eyes

Cartoon Blues

Asus2 A# Bbsus2 Em

Intro: , /,

I listen to a lecture of nonsense till dawn

By a plagiary poet with dark glasses on

He said "how did you ever dream up that song?

Bm B Em

The one where the baby dies."

I said "I'll tell you the secret which one's your good ear?

Yeah, people are made up of water and fear

If there weren't women present we wouldn't be here

Bm B Em

So lets make like we're friends"

And the pot turned to powder and soured the mood

And the people I'd come with were gone from the room

So I asked like a child "may I be excused?"

Bm B Em

And disobeyed them all

Into that late night latrine rain soaking through my shoes

I tried walking backwards to get less confused

Working off a theory I could never prove

Bm B Em

That it was life itself to blame

Am Em

And time ruined the world

Am Em

Like a failed revolution

Am Em

A tumor we could not remove

Csus2 Bm Em

An old friend, a constant, the blues

Em Asus2 A# Bbsus2

, , / x2

Now my days are distractions, sit wringing my hands

Solitaire, crosswords, and films on demand

When you turn from a cartoon back into a man

Bm B Em

You start to smell that human smell

And so I sleep with the fan on to drown out the street

And the noise rising up from the bar underneath

Well for that inconvenience all my drinks are free

Bm B Em

So I guess it's just as well

Why do I envy the ending right from the start

Just get it together to take it apart

Watching the horse as it follows the cart

Bm B Em

I sweep up my broken spell

Am Em

And I felt something changing the world

Am Em

Like a new constitution

Am Em

A thief I would have to pursue

Csus2 Bm Em

At all times, at all costs, the truth

Em Asus2 A# Bbsus2

, , /

Em Asus2 A# Bbsus2 Bsus2

, , /,

Em Asus2 A# Bbsus2 Bsus2 Csus2

, , /, ,

Em Asus2 A# Bbsus2 Bsus2 Csus2 C# Dbsus2

, , /, , , /

Em Asus2 A# Bbsus2 Bsus2 Csus2 C# Dbsus2 Dsus2

, , /, , , /,

End on: Em

About Cartoon Blues Chords by Bright Eyes

Learn how to play Cartoon Blues by Bright Eyes with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cartoon Blues chords”, “Cartoon Blues guitar chords”, or “Bright Eyes Cartoon Blues 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 Cartoon Blues chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cartoon Blues lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Asus2, A#, Bbsus2, Em, Bm, Am.

FAQ — Cartoon Blues by Bright Eyes

How do I play "Cartoon Blues" by Bright Eyes on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Cartoon Blues" by Bright Eyes 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 "Cartoon Blues" by Bright Eyes free?

Yes. The chords for "Cartoon Blues" by Bright Eyes are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Cartoon Blues" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Cartoon Blues"?

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

Is "Cartoon Blues" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Cartoon Blues" by Bright Eyes with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bright Eyes below.

What key is "Cartoon Blues" in?

The chords for "Cartoon Blues" show the original chord names (including Asus2, A#, Bbsus2, Em, Bm, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.