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Idiot Wind

Chords

4.8322 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Chords used:]
D/C   x-3-x-2-3-2
G/F#  2-x-0-0-0(3)
C6    x-3-2-2-1-0
C/D   x-x-0-0-1-0
C/G   3-x-2-0-1-0
[Verse]
CmSomeone's got it in for me, Dthey're planting stories in the Gpress
CmWhoever it is I wish they'd cut it out 
but Dwhen they will D/CI can only Gguess.G/F#  
They Emsay I shot a Bmman named Gray and Amtook his wife to GItaly,
EmShe inherited a Bmmillion bucks and Amwhen she died it Gcame to me.
I can't Bmhelp it if I'm C6lucky.
 CmPeople see me all the time and Dthey just can't reD/Cmember how to Gact
CmTheir minds are filled with big ideas, Dimages D/Cand distorted fGacts.G/F#  
EmEven you, Bmyesterday you Amhad to ask me Gwhere it was at,G/F#  
I Emcouldn't believe after Bmall these years, Amyou didn't know me any Gbetter than that
 BmSweet C6lady.
[Chorus]
GIdiot wind, Cblowing every time you move your Gmouth,
CBlowing down the backroads headin' C/Dsouth.
GIdiot wind, Cblowing every time you move your Gteeth,
You're an Gidiot, Cbabe.
It's a Dwonder that you sD7till know how to Gbreathe.C/G  G  C/G  
[Verse]
CmI ran into the fortune-teller, who Dsaid 
Beware of D/Clightning that might Gstrike
CmI haven't known peace and quiet Dfor so long I can't reD/Cmember what it's Glike.
There's a lEmone soldier oBmn the cross, Amsmoke pourin' out of a Gboxcar door,
EmYou didn't know it, you Bmdidn't think it could be done, 
AmIn the final end he Gwon the wars
After Bmlosin' every C6battle.
CmI woke up on the roadside, Ddaydreamin' 'bout the D/Cway things sometimes Gare
CmVisions of your chestnut mare shoot Dthrough my head 
And are D/Cmakin' me see Gstars.G/F#  
You Emhurt the ones that BmI love best and Amcover up the Gtruth with lies.
EmOne day you'll be Bmin the ditch, Amflies buzzin' aGround your eyes,
BmBlood on your sC6addle.
[Chorus]
GIdiot wind, Cblowing through the flowers on your Gtomb,
CBlowing through the curtains in your C/Droom.
GIdiot wind, Cblowing every time you move your Gteeth,
You're an Gidiot, Cbabe.
It's a D6wonder that you still know how to Gbreathe.C/G  G  C/G  
[Verse]
It Cmwas gravity which pulled us down and Ddestiny which D/Cbroke us aGpart
CmYou tamed the lion in my cage 
But Dit just wasn't eD/Cnough to change my Gheart.G/F#  
Now Emeverything's a little Bmupside down
As a Ammatter of fact the Gwheels have stopped,
What's Emgood is bad, what's Bmbad is good
AmYou'll find out when you Greach the top
BmYou're on the C6bottom.
CmI noticed at the ceremony, your coDrrupt ways had D/Cfinally made you Gblind
CmI can't remember your face anymore, 
your mDouth has changed, your D/Ceyes don't look into Gmine.G/F#  
EmThe priest wore black on the Bmseventh day
And Amsat stone-faced while the Gbuilding burned.
I Emwaited for you on the Bmrunning boards, 
Near the Amcypress trees, while the Gspringtime turned 
BmSlo-o-o-owly to auC6tumn.
[Chorus]
GIdiot wind, Cblowing like a circle around my Gskull,
From the CGrand Coulee Dam to the CapC/Ditol.
GIdiot wind, Cblowing every time you move your Gteeth,
You're an Gidiot, Cbabe.
It's a Dwonder that you still know how to Gbreathe.C/G  G  C/G  
[Verse]
CmI can't feel you anymore, DI can't even D/Ctouch the books you've Gread
CmEvery time I crawl past your door, I been Dwishin' 
I'd been D/Csomebody else inGstead.G/F#  
EmDown the highway, Bmdown the tracks, Amdown the road to Gecstasy,
I Emfollowed you beBmneath the stars, Amhaunted by your Gmemory
And Bmall your rC6agin' glory.
CmI been double-crossed now for the Dvery last time and D/Cnow I'm finally Gfree,
I Cmkissed goodbye the howling beast 
On the Dborderline which D/Cseparated you from Gme.G/F#  
EmYou'll never know the Bmhurt I suffered Amnor the pain I Grise above,
And EmI'll never know the Bmsame about you, your Amholiness or your Gkind of love,
And it Bmmakes me feel so C6sorry.
[Chorus]
GIdiot wind, Cblowing through the buttons of our Gcoats,
CBlowing through the letters that we C/Dwrote.
GIdiot wind, Cblowing through the dust upon our sGhelves,
We're Gidiots, Cbabe.
It's a Dwonder we can D7even feed ourGselves.C/G  G  C/G  
[Outro] (harp) 
|  Cm|  D   D/C|  G|
|  Cm|  D   D/C|       G   G/F#|
|  Em   Bm|  Am   G|
|  Em   Bm|  Am   G|
 2/4  4/4
|  Bm|  C6|
|  Cm|  D   D/C|  G|
(fade out over last bars)

The story behind the song

"Idiot Wind" was written by Bob Dylan in the summer of 1974, following his comeback tour with The Band. He recorded it in September 1974, and then re-recorded it in December of that year for his 1975 album Blood on the Tracks, often reworking the lyrics between sessions. While some reviewers have seen the song as a reflection of Dylan's personal life, he has denied it is autobiographical. Despite receiving a mixed critical reception upon its initial release, "Idiot Wind" has since been acclaimed for its lyrics and performance, with some critics considering it one of Dylan's best.

AI-written from these sources:Idiot Wind — Wikipedia ↗Bob Dylan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Idiot Wind

by Bob Dylan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

[Chords used:]

D/C x-3-x-2-3-2

G/F# 2-x-0-0-0(3)

C6 x-3-2-2-1-0

C/D x-x-0-0-1-0

C/G 3-x-2-0-1-0

[Verse]

Cm D G

Someone's got it in for me, they're planting stories in the press

Whoever it is I wish they'd cut it out

D D/C G G/F#

but when they will I can only guess.

Em Bm Am G

They say I shot a man named Gray and took his wife to Italy,

Em Bm Am G

She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me.

Bm C6

I can't help it if I'm lucky.

Cm D D/C G

People see me all the time and they just can't remember how to act

Cm D D/C G G/F#

Their minds are filled with big ideas, images and distorted facts.

Em Bm Am G G/F#

Even you, yesterday you had to ask me where it was at,

Em Bm Am G

I couldn't believe after all these years, you didn't know me any better than that

Bm C6

Sweet lady.

[Chorus]

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your mouth,

C C/D

Blowing down the backroads headin' south.

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,

G C

You're an idiot, babe.

D D7 G C/G G C/G

It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe.

[Verse]

Cm D

I ran into the fortune-teller, who said

D/C G

Beware of lightning that might strike

Cm D D/C G

I haven't known peace and quiet for so long I can't remember what it's like.

Em Bm Am G

There's a lone soldier on the cross, smoke pourin' out of a boxcar door,

Em Bm

You didn't know it, you didn't think it could be done,

Am G

In the final end he won the wars

Bm C6

After losin' every battle.

Cm D D/C G

I woke up on the roadside, daydreamin' 'bout the way things sometimes are

Cm D

Visions of your chestnut mare shoot through my head

D/C G G/F#

And are makin' me see stars.

Em Bm Am G

You hurt the ones that I love best and cover up the truth with lies.

Em Bm Am G

One day you'll be in the ditch, flies buzzin' around your eyes,

Bm C6

Blood on your saddle.

[Chorus]

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing through the flowers on your tomb,

C C/D

Blowing through the curtains in your room.

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,

G C

You're an idiot, babe.

D6 G C/G G C/G

It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe.

[Verse]

Cm D D/C G

It was gravity which pulled us down and destiny which broke us apart

You tamed the lion in my cage

D D/C G G/F#

But it just wasn't enough to change my heart.

Em Bm

Now everything's a little upside down

Am G

As a matter of fact the wheels have stopped,

Em Bm

What's good is bad, what's bad is good

Am G

You'll find out when you reach the top

Bm C6

You're on the bottom.

Cm D D/C G

I noticed at the ceremony, your corrupt ways had finally made you blind

I can't remember your face anymore,

D D/C G G/F#

your mouth has changed, your eyes don't look into mine.

Em Bm

The priest wore black on the seventh day

Am G

And sat stone-faced while the building burned.

Em Bm

I waited for you on the running boards,

Am G

Near the cypress trees, while the springtime turned

Bm C6

Slo-o-o-owly to autumn.

[Chorus]

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing like a circle around my skull,

C C/D

From the Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol.

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth,

G C

You're an idiot, babe.

D G C/G G C/G

It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe.

[Verse]

Cm D D/C G

I can't feel you anymore, I can't even touch the books you've read

Cm D

Every time I crawl past your door, I been wishin'

D/C G G/F#

I'd been somebody else instead.

Em Bm Am G

Down the highway, down the tracks, down the road to ecstasy,

Em Bm Am G

I followed you beneath the stars, haunted by your memory

Bm C6

And all your ragin' glory.

Cm D D/C G

I been double-crossed now for the very last time and now I'm finally free,

I kissed goodbye the howling beast

D D/C G G/F#

On the borderline which separated you from me.

Em Bm Am G

You'll never know the hurt I suffered nor the pain I rise above,

Em Bm Am G

And I'll never know the same about you, your holiness or your kind of love,

Bm C6

And it makes me feel so sorry.

[Chorus]

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing through the buttons of our coats,

C C/D

Blowing through the letters that we wrote.

G C G

Idiot wind, blowing through the dust upon our shelves,

G C

We're idiots, babe.

D D7 G C/G G C/G

It's a wonder we can even feed ourselves.

[Outro] (harp)

Cm D D/C G

| | | |

Cm D D/C G G/F#

| | | |

Em Bm Am G

| | |

Em Bm Am G

| | |

2/4 4/4

Bm C6

| | |

Cm D D/C G

| | | |

(fade out over last bars)

About Idiot Wind Chords by Bob Dylan

Learn how to play Idiot Wind by Bob Dylan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Idiot Wind chords”, “Idiot Wind guitar chords”, or “Bob Dylan Idiot Wind 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 Idiot Wind chords and for experienced players who want accurate Idiot Wind lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D/C, G/F, C6, C/D, C/G, Cm.

FAQ — Idiot Wind by Bob Dylan

How do I play "Idiot Wind" by Bob Dylan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Idiot Wind" by Bob Dylan 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.

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Can I transpose "Idiot Wind" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Idiot Wind"?

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

Is "Idiot Wind" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Idiot Wind" by Bob Dylan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bob Dylan below.

What key is "Idiot Wind" in?

The chords for "Idiot Wind" show the original chord names (including D/C, G/F, C6, C/D, C/G, Cm). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.