When the Pills Wear Off chords
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[Intro]
F C Dm C C F
[Verse]
F C
Oh Father, forgive me for what I have done
Dm C C7
Drove 200 miles for six inches of love
F C
And he shined like the neon in the town's only bar
Dm C C
Slick as the needle and slim as the scar
[Chorus]
Bb C
Oh, I lost friends to heroin, plenty more to loving them
F A7 Dm
Strung out on the highway like we couldn't read the signs
Bb C
Now that I am older and burned a little colder
F A7 Dm
I know how to read betwen the lines
Bb C
But the only time I get these guilty thoughts
F Dm
Is when the pills wear off
Bb C
And what I call a love affair
F F
They say it was a death of despair
[Verse]
F C
They say I'll get over him, I just need time
Dm C C7
I thank Jesus sent an Angel, stuck needles in his thigh
F C
And the old freight trains they whistle and whine
Dm C C
They shake the whole damn house like we did when he was alive
[Chorus]
Bb C
Oh, I lost friends to heroin, plenty more to loving them
F A7 Dm
Strung out on the highway like we couldn't read the signs
Bb C
Now that I am older and burned a little colder
F A7 Dm
I know how to read betwen the lines
Bb C
But the only time I get these guilty thoughts
F
Is when the pills wear off
[Instrumental]
F C Dm C
F C Dm C C
[Break]
Gm C
Oh mother, don't ask me the things I have done
F A7 Dm
So selfish to fall for yourself and someone
Gm C
I know that I want him and always will
F A7 Dm
I don't think he could have known that it was fentanyl
Dm Bb C
But the only time I get these guilty thoughts
F Dm
Is when the pills wear off
Bb C
And what I call a love affair
F
They say it was a death of despair
Bb C
The only time I get these guilty thoughts
F C Dm C F
Is when the pills wear off
Introduction & Verse Chords
The song starts with an intro progression of F, C, Dm, C, leading seamlessly
into the verses. This sequence sets a reflective and somewhat melancholic
tone, preparing the listener for the story that unfolds in the lyrics.
To play the verses, you'll start with the F chord, moving to C, then to Dm,
and back to C, with a transition to C7 to add a sense of tension before
returning to the cycle. This chord progression underpins the narrative,
providing a musical foundation that supports the emotional depth of the lyrics.
Playing Technique
Focus on the transition between the chords, especially when moving to
the C7, as this adds a poignant touch to the narrative being expressed.
Your strumming pattern should be consistent but allow for dynamic changes
to reflect the emotional shifts in the song. The movement from F to C to Dm,
and then back to C, should be smooth, allowing the lyrics to resonate fully
with the listener.
Chorus Dynamics
The chorus introduces Bb and A7 into the progression, offering a shift in the
song's emotional landscape. This part of the song, with its reflective and
somewhat resigned tone, is where the narrative deepens, exploring themes
of loss and the passage of time.
When playing the chorus, the transition from Bb to C and then moving through
F, A7, and Dm, should be played with an emphasis on the emotional weight of
the words. This section requires a balance between maintaining the rhythm
and allowing the narrative's poignancy to shine through.
Instrumental and Break Sections
The instrumental section follows the same chord progression as the verses,
offering a moment of musical reflection that mirrors the song's introspective
nature. This is a moment to let the chords resonate, providing a space for
the listener to digest the story's emotional depth.
The break introduces Gm into the mix, adding a new layer of emotional
complexity. This section, with its shift in perspective, underscores the narrative's
introspection and the realization of the consequences of one's actions.