Brilliant Mistake
View chords used in this chart
G F G F G F G F
G D
He thought he was the King of America
C G D
Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine
G D
Now I try hard not to become hysterical
C G D
But I'm not sure if I'm laughing or crying
C
I wish that I could push a button
C F C
And talk in the past and not the present tense
C
And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear
F Em
Like it was common sense
G F G F
It was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C
Now it's a brilliant mistake
G D
She said that she was working for the ABC News
C G D
It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use
G D
Her perfume was unspeakable it lingered in the air
C G D
Like her artificial laughter her mementos of affairs
C
"Oh" I said "I see you know him"
F C
"Isn't that very fortunate for you"
C
And she showed me his calling card
C F Em
He came third an fourth and there were more than one or two
G F G F
He was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C
Now it's a brilliant mistake
G D
He thought he was the King of America
C G D
But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams
G D
A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals
C G D
The words of love in whispers and the axe of love in screams
C
I wish that I could push a button
C F C
And talk in the past and not the present tense
C
And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear
F Em
Like it was common sense
G F G F
It was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C
Now it's a brilliant mistake
G F G F
It was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C G
Now it's a brilliant mistake
How to play Brilliant Mistake
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.