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Baton Rouge

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Lou Reed – Baton Rouge 
                        {Am/D}      G  
        When I think of you Baton Rouge
        I think of a mAm/Dariachi banGd
        I think of sixAm/Dteen and a crisp green football fieGld
        I think of the girCl I never haGd
        When I think of yAm/Dou Baton RouGge
        I think of a bacAm/Dk seat in a cGar
        The windows are fAm/Doggy and so are Gwe
        as the polCice asked for our I.GD.
        So helplessG  
        so helplessC  
        OoohhGh, so helplessC  
        ooohhGh, so helplessC  
        OoohhGh, so helplessC  
       C (let ring)
        so helpless
         Well I once had a car lost it in a divorce
        the judge was a woman of course
        She said give her the car and the house and your taste
        or else I set the trial date
        So now when I think of you Baton Rouge
        and the deep southern belles, ah, with their touch
        I wonder where love ends and hate starts to blush
        in the fields in the swamps in the rush
        In the terra-cotta cobwebs of your mind, ah
        when did you start seeing me as a spider spinning web
        Of malicious intent and you as poor poor me
       at the fire at the joint, this disinterred and broken mount
        in the bedroom in the house where we were unmarried
        So helpless, so helpless
        so helpless
        So helpless, so helpless
        so helpless
        When was I the villain in your heart
        putting the brake on your start
        you slapped my face and cried and screamed
        that's what marriage came to mean
        The bitterest ending of a dream
        You wanted children and I did not
        was that what it was all about
        You might get a laugh when you hear me shout
        you might get a laugh when you hear me shout
        I wish I had
        So helpless, so helpless
        so helpless
        So helpless, so helpless
        so helpless
        Sometimes when I think of Baton Rouge
        I see us with two and a half strapping sons
        One and a half flushed daughters preparing to marry
        and two fat grandsons I can barely carry
        Daddy, uncle, family gathered there for grace
        a dog in a barbecue pit goes up in space
        The dream recedes in the morning with a bad aftertaste
        and I'm back in the big city worn from the race of the chase
        what a waste
        So thanks for the card the announcement of child
        and I must say you and Sam look great
        Your daughter's gleaming in that white wedding dress
        with pride
        sad to say I could never bring that to you that wide smile
        So I try not to think of Baton Rouge
        or of a, of a, of a mariachi band
        Or of sixteen and a crisp green football field
        and the girl, and the girl I never had, had, had, had
        So helpless, so helpless
        so helpless
        So helpless, so helpless
        so helpless

All chords in this song (3)

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Baton Rouge

by Lou Reed

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am/D

Lou Reed – Baton Rouge

Am/D G

{}

When I think of you Baton Rouge

Am/D G

I think of a mariachi band

Am/D G

I think of sixteen and a crisp green football field

C G

I think of the girl I never had

Am/D G

When I think of you Baton Rouge

Am/D G

I think of a back seat in a car

Am/D G

The windows are foggy and so are we

C G

as the police asked for our I.D.

So helpless

so helpless

G C

Ooohhh, so helpless

G C

ooohhh, so helpless

G C

Ooohhh, so helpless

C (let ring)

so helpless

Well I once had a car lost it in a divorce

the judge was a woman of course

She said give her the car and the house and your taste

or else I set the trial date

So now when I think of you Baton Rouge

and the deep southern belles, ah, with their touch

I wonder where love ends and hate starts to blush

in the fields in the swamps in the rush

In the terra-cotta cobwebs of your mind, ah

when did you start seeing me as a spider spinning web

Of malicious intent and you as poor poor me

at the fire at the joint, this disinterred and broken mount

in the bedroom in the house where we were unmarried

So helpless, so helpless

so helpless

So helpless, so helpless

so helpless

When was I the villain in your heart

putting the brake on your start

you slapped my face and cried and screamed

that's what marriage came to mean

The bitterest ending of a dream

You wanted children and I did not

was that what it was all about

You might get a laugh when you hear me shout

you might get a laugh when you hear me shout

I wish I had

So helpless, so helpless

so helpless

So helpless, so helpless

so helpless

Sometimes when I think of Baton Rouge

I see us with two and a half strapping sons

One and a half flushed daughters preparing to marry

and two fat grandsons I can barely carry

Daddy, uncle, family gathered there for grace

a dog in a barbecue pit goes up in space

The dream recedes in the morning with a bad aftertaste

and I'm back in the big city worn from the race of the chase

what a waste

So thanks for the card the announcement of child

and I must say you and Sam look great

Your daughter's gleaming in that white wedding dress

with pride

sad to say I could never bring that to you that wide smile

So I try not to think of Baton Rouge

or of a, of a, of a mariachi band

Or of sixteen and a crisp green football field

and the girl, and the girl I never had, had, had, had

So helpless, so helpless

so helpless

So helpless, so helpless

so helpless

About Baton Rouge Chords by Lou Reed

Learn how to play Baton Rouge by Lou Reed with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Baton Rouge chords”, “Baton Rouge guitar chords”, or “Lou Reed Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge chords and for experienced players who want accurate Baton Rouge lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am/D, G, C, D.

FAQ — Baton Rouge by Lou Reed

How do I play "Baton Rouge" by Lou Reed on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Baton Rouge" by Lou Reed 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 "Baton Rouge" by Lou Reed free?

Yes. The chords for "Baton Rouge" by Lou Reed are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Baton Rouge" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Baton Rouge"?

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

Is "Baton Rouge" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Baton Rouge" by Lou Reed with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Lou Reed below.

What key is "Baton Rouge" in?

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