Now playing

Master Of Disaster

Chords

4.975 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
GClose one Dthere    AChoking in clean Bmunderwear
GBleeding Dtongue    AEight ball pounding in my Bmlungs
GShip to Dshore    AI can't see the coastline Bmanymore
GI shouldn't be Dhere   I Athought I made that Bmloud and clear
[Chorus]
GBut the master of Ddisaster     AGets tangled in his Bmtelecaster
GHe can't play it any Dfaster     AWhen he plays the Bmblues
GWhen he had the heart to Dask her     AnAd every note just shook the Bmplaster
GNow he's just a mean old Dbastard      WAhen he plays the Bmblues
[Solo]
  G    D    A    Bmx2
[Verse 2]
GChina Dtown
AChasing that old Bmdragon down
GMadam DWong's
AWe play the blues with the Bmcurtains drawn
GSidewalks of Dwhite
AWhile the LA sun beat Bmout the night
GPounding Dbrain
AMy last transmission dBmown the drain
[Chorus]
GBut the master of Ddisaster     AGets tangled in his Bmtelecaster
GHe can't play it any Dfaster     AWhen he plays the Bmblues
GWhen he had the heart to Dask her     AnAd every note just shook the Bmplaster
GNow he's just a mean old Dbastard      WAhen he plays the Bmblues
[Solo]
  G    D    A    Bmx4
[Verse 3]
GThere's a debt I Dowe
AI'll never pay Bmbefore I go
GSo I sing the Dblues
AHand me down my walBmking shoes
GYou're in my Dheart
AThough we may be Bmmiles apart
GThere's my Dpoint
AI'll see you in Bmanother joint
[Chorus]
GBut the master of Ddisaster     AGets tangled in his Bmtelecaster
GHe can't play it any Dfaster     AWhen he plays the Bmblues
GWhen he had the heart to Dask her     AnAd every note just shook the Bmplaster
GNow he's just a mean old Dbastard      WAhen he plays the Bmblues
[Outro]
GNow he's just a mean old Dbastard      WAhen he plays the Bmblues
  G    D    A    Bmx8

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Master Of Disaster" captures a feeling of life just barely holding on, where a close call leaves you "choking in clean underwear" and the world feels like "sidewalks of white." It's about someone pushing the limits, playing the blues as fast as they can, and the sense of meeting up again "in another joint" after the dust settles. This song embodies the bluesy, roots-rock style that John Hiatt, a prolific American singer-songwriter, is known for. It plays like a wry nod to the chaotic moments we all navigate.

AI-written from these sources:John Hiatt — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Master Of Disaster

Master Of Disaster

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Master Of Disaster

by John Hiatt

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

G D A Bm

Close one there Choking in clean underwear

G D A Bm

Bleeding tongue Eight ball pounding in my lungs

G D A Bm

Ship to shore I can't see the coastline anymore

G D A Bm

I shouldn't be here I thought I made that loud and clear

[Chorus]

G D A Bm

But the master of disaster Gets tangled in his telecaster

G D A Bm

He can't play it any faster When he plays the blues

G D A Bm

When he had the heart to ask her And every note just shook the plaster

G D A Bm

Now he's just a mean old bastard When he plays the blues

[Solo]

G D A Bm

[Verse 2]

G D

China town

A Bm

Chasing that old dragon down

G D

Madam Wong's

A Bm

We play the blues with the curtains drawn

G D

Sidewalks of white

A Bm

While the LA sun beat out the night

G D

Pounding brain

A Bm

My last transmission down the drain

[Chorus]

G D A Bm

But the master of disaster Gets tangled in his telecaster

G D A Bm

He can't play it any faster When he plays the blues

G D A Bm

When he had the heart to ask her And every note just shook the plaster

G D A Bm

Now he's just a mean old bastard When he plays the blues

[Solo]

G D A Bm

[Verse 3]

G D

There's a debt I owe

A Bm

I'll never pay before I go

G D

So I sing the blues

A Bm

Hand me down my walking shoes

G D

You're in my heart

A Bm

Though we may be miles apart

G D

There's my point

A Bm

I'll see you in another joint

[Chorus]

G D A Bm

But the master of disaster Gets tangled in his telecaster

G D A Bm

He can't play it any faster When he plays the blues

G D A Bm

When he had the heart to ask her And every note just shook the plaster

G D A Bm

Now he's just a mean old bastard When he plays the blues

[Outro]

G D A Bm

Now he's just a mean old bastard When he plays the blues

G D A Bm

About Master Of Disaster Chords by John Hiatt

Learn how to play Master Of Disaster by John Hiatt with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Master Of Disaster chords”, “Master Of Disaster guitar chords”, or “John Hiatt Master Of Disaster 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 Master Of Disaster chords and for experienced players who want accurate Master Of Disaster lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D, A, Bm.

FAQ — Master Of Disaster by John Hiatt

How do I play "Master Of Disaster" by John Hiatt on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Master Of Disaster" by John Hiatt 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 "Master Of Disaster" by John Hiatt free?

Yes. The chords for "Master Of Disaster" by John Hiatt are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Master Of Disaster" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Master Of Disaster"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Master Of Disaster" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Master Of Disaster" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Master Of Disaster" by John Hiatt with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Hiatt below.

What key is "Master Of Disaster" in?

The chords for "Master Of Disaster" show the original chord names (including G, D, A, Bm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.