Now playing

The Clock Was Tickin

Chords

4.730 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
G C D C Am D
[Verse]
The teacher hGad you write a letter, you were eight years old
About the mCan that you'd become and the positions you'd hold
But this was lDong before you and JaCckie Geronimo met
In the PreAmlude Park at Dmidnight
Now when it Gcame to bells and whistles, Jackie did not lack
And when she Ckissed you on the kisser, boy, you kissed her back
Now you Dtell her that you love her and she Ccuts you slack
When you Amdrink with your buddies on the DweekendC  
[Chorus]
CAnd the weeks fly by and the Dyears roll on
You spend your Gwhole life dropping G/F#nickels in the Embucket
Wakin' Dup at dCawn
And while AmJackie bestowed the Bjoys of fingerEmlickin'D  C  
The Dclock up on the wall was Ctickin'C/B  C/A  G  
[Verse]
You gGot yourself a job cleaning hospital floors
But JCackie had a baby, then she had five more
They'd Dpay you just enough to Cdrag your ass to the store
To buy Ambread, milk and Better Homes & DGardens
GJackie flips the pages and she dreams little dreams
A Ccottage in the country built with real wood beams
There's a Dbaby in the bedroom, he's Cstarting to scream
She Amholds him though he probably wonD't remember
[Chorus]
CAnd the weeks fly by and the Dyears roll on
Sometimes Gdreams are all you G/F#got to keep you Emgoing when the Dday gets Clong
And you Amgave up so many Bjust to make a Emlivin'D  C  
The Dclock up on the wall was Ctickin'C/B  C/A  G  
[Verse]
Now tGhe kids are all grateful when they left the nest
And JCackie wasn't perfect but she did her best
You Dcease the opportunity to Cget you some rest
But you Amcan't sleep on account of screaming gDrandkids
The Ggolden years are meant to leave a gleam in your eye
You're Cstarting to discover it's a great big lie
They Dwork you like a dog til you Cquit or you die
But you Amcan't quit cause Jackie needs the Dbenefits
[Chorus]
CAnd the weeks fly by and the Dyears roll on
They say Gpatience is a G/F#virtue but the Emdoctor says she Ddon't have Clong
You Amstood up and tried your Bdamndest not to liEmstenD  C  
But the cDlock up on the wall was ticCkin'C/B  C/A  G  
[Stick]
When they Gtold you to clear the room, that's when it Chit you
You Gwatched as the caravan took your sweetheart Daway
The Garguments and fights and money troubles seem so Cworthless
As the kGids throw yellow Droses on her Ggrave
[Chorus]
CAnd the weeks fly by and the Dyears roll on
The house is Gquiet now and G/F#everything Eminside it seems to Dknow she's Cgone
There's a Ampicture of you both sBixteen years old just kiEmssingD  C  
And that Dclock up on the wall was tiCckin'C/B  C/A  G  
G C D C Am D
G C D C Am D
[Outro]
You always Gthought she had a chance and it was somewhere hidden
Now you've Ccome to the conclusion that she never DdidC  
AmHave a chance, that Dis
G C D C Am D
G C D C Am D
G C D C Am D

All chords in this song (9)

🎸 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

The Clock Was Tickin

by Brandon Flowers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

G/F#

C/B

C/A

[Intro]

G C D C Am D

[Verse]

The teacher had you write a letter, you were eight years old

About the man that you'd become and the positions you'd hold

D C

But this was long before you and Jackie Geronimo met

Am D

In the Prelude Park at midnight

Now when it came to bells and whistles, Jackie did not lack

And when she kissed you on the kisser, boy, you kissed her back

D C

Now you tell her that you love her and she cuts you slack

Am D C

When you drink with your buddies on the weekend

[Chorus]

C D

And the weeks fly by and the years roll on

G G/F# Em

You spend your whole life dropping nickels in the bucket

D C

Wakin' up at dawn

Am B Em D C

And while Jackie bestowed the joys of fingerlickin'

D C C/B C/A G

The clock up on the wall was tickin'

[Verse]

You got yourself a job cleaning hospital floors

But Jackie had a baby, then she had five more

D C

They'd pay you just enough to drag your ass to the store

Am D

To buy bread, milk and Better Homes & Gardens

Jackie flips the pages and she dreams little dreams

A cottage in the country built with real wood beams

D C

There's a baby in the bedroom, he's starting to scream

Am D

She holds him though he probably won't remember

[Chorus]

C D

And the weeks fly by and the years roll on

G G/F# Em D C

Sometimes dreams are all you got to keep you going when the day gets long

Am B Em D C

And you gave up so many just to make a livin'

D C C/B C/A G

The clock up on the wall was tickin'

[Verse]

Now the kids are all grateful when they left the nest

And Jackie wasn't perfect but she did her best

D C

You cease the opportunity to get you some rest

Am D

But you can't sleep on account of screaming grandkids

The golden years are meant to leave a gleam in your eye

You're starting to discover it's a great big lie

D C

They work you like a dog til you quit or you die

Am D

But you can't quit cause Jackie needs the benefits

[Chorus]

C D

And the weeks fly by and the years roll on

G G/F# Em D C

They say patience is a virtue but the doctor says she don't have long

Am B Em D C

You stood up and tried your damndest not to listen

D C C/B C/A G

But the clock up on the wall was tickin'

[Stick]

G C

When they told you to clear the room, that's when it hit you

G D

You watched as the caravan took your sweetheart away

G C

The arguments and fights and money troubles seem so worthless

G D G

As the kids throw yellow roses on her grave

[Chorus]

C D

And the weeks fly by and the years roll on

G G/F# Em D C

The house is quiet now and everything inside it seems to know she's gone

Am B Em D C

There's a picture of you both sixteen years old just kissing

D C C/B C/A G

And that clock up on the wall was tickin'

G C D C Am D

[Outro]

You always thought she had a chance and it was somewhere hidden

C D C

Now you've come to the conclusion that she never did

Am D

Have a chance, that is

G C D C Am D

About The Clock Was Tickin Chords by Brandon Flowers

Learn how to play The Clock Was Tickin by Brandon Flowers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Clock Was Tickin chords”, “The Clock Was Tickin guitar chords”, or “Brandon Flowers The Clock Was Tickin 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 The Clock Was Tickin chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Clock Was Tickin lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D, Am, G/F#, Em.

FAQ — The Clock Was Tickin by Brandon Flowers

How do I play "The Clock Was Tickin" by Brandon Flowers on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Clock Was Tickin" by Brandon Flowers 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 "The Clock Was Tickin" by Brandon Flowers free?

Yes. The chords for "The Clock Was Tickin" by Brandon Flowers are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Clock Was Tickin" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Clock Was Tickin"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Clock Was Tickin" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Clock Was Tickin" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Clock Was Tickin" by Brandon Flowers with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Brandon Flowers below.

What key is "The Clock Was Tickin" in?

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