Carlene (ver. 2)
View chords used in this chart
Capo 2nd fret
Intro: D G A (x3)
D G A Bm
D G A
D Bm G A
I was lousy at math, a failed historian
D Bm G A
Carlene was the valedictorian
D Bm G A
I was the quarterback in the back of class
D Bm G A D G A
She was the whiz kid in horned rim glasses
D Bm G A
It's been a long time since I've been around
D Bm G A
Since I stepped foot on my old stomping ground
D Bm G A
I ended up by the old school yard
D Bm G A
And this red head pulls up in a blue sports car
Em D G A
And says, "I bet you don't remember, I guess it's been forever."
Em F#m G A
It took a second to put it all together and I said...
Chorus:
D A G
Ooh la la la la la
A D Bm G A
Looking good Carlene
D A G
Woh my my my my my
A D Bm
Times been good to you
G A
If you know what I mean
Em D
Girl you glitter like Hollywood
Em F#m
Good gosh Carlene
G A D G A Bm D G A
You sure are lookin good
D Bm G A
She said, ?Hop in let's go for a spin
D Bm G A
Tell me whatcha been doing boy and where you been?
D Bm G A
I said, ?I write songs, you probably didn't know, but I
D Bm G A D G A
Finally got a couple out on country radio?
D Bm G A
She said, "What a switch, ain't life funny, I've got a
D Bm G A
Ph.D now I'm modeling for money."
D Bm G A
Imagine little miss 4 point 0 just
D Bm G A
Smiling for the camera on the cover of Vogue
Em D G A
I said, ?You've come a long way since graduation, let me say without
reservation
Em F#m G A
You've surpassed everyone's expectations?
D A G
Ooh la la la la la
A D Bm G A
Looking good Carlene
D A G
Woh my my my my my
A D Bm
Times been good to you
G A
If you know what I mean
Em D
Girl you glitter like Hollywood
Em F#m
Good gosh Carlene
G A D G A Bm D G A
You sure are lookin good
Bm A
I said, ?I hope to see you again someday?
G A
She said, ?Another ten years is too long to wait
Em F#m G A
Pick me up at my momma's at eight?
I said...
Chorus:
D A G
Ooh la la la la la
A D Bm G A
Looking good Carlene
D A G
Woh my my my my my
A D Bm
Times been good to you
G A
If you know what I mean
D A G
Ooh la la la la la
A D Bm G A
Looking good Carlene
D A G
Woh my my my my my
A D Bm
Times been good to you
G A
If you know what I mean
Outro: (D Bm G A) Repeat until fadeout
How to play Carlene (ver. 2)
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 D. 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.