Do It Yourself
View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
C
I went to buy computers, and they said a million bucks
F C G
For a brand new mainframe IBM, now that price really sucks
C
So I looked at all the pictures, and I chose to build my own
F C G F C
For you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
[Refrão]
C
Oh, IBM, DEC, and Honeywell; HP, DG and Wang
F C G
Amdahl, NEC, and NCR, they don't know anything
C F
They make big bucks for systems, so they never want it known
C G F C
That you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
[Verso 2]
C
Now, take the CPU, you see it's only just a box
F C G
With blinking lights and whirring fans and lots of cable slots
C
So I spent an evening working with some wire and bulbs and pins
F C G F C
Then I hauled it to the basement and I plugged the freezer in
[Refrão]
C
Oh, IBM, DEC, and Honeywell; HP, DG and Wang
F C G
Amdahl, NEC, and NCR, they don't know anything
C F
They make big bucks for systems, so they never want it known
C G F C
That you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
[Verso 3]
C
Well, next I needed tape drives, my tape drives were a steal
F C G
I climbed into the attic for my dad's old reel-to-reel
C
Some cable and some binder twine, and soon it was complete:
F C G F C
My CPU and tape drive at a price no one can beat
[Refrão]
C
Oh, IBM, DEC, and Honeywell; HP, DG and Wang
F C G
Amdahl, NEC, and NCR, they don't know anything
C F
They make big bucks for systems, so they never want it known
C G F C
That you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
[Verso 4]
C
So then I looked for disk drives, but it didn't take me long
F C G
Function follows form, they say, or have I got that wrong?
C
I found a drive with five new modes that blows the rest away:
F C G F C
Cottons, linens, wash and wear, rinse, and lingerie!
[Refrão]
C
Oh, IBM, DEC, and Honeywell; HP, DG and Wang
F C G
Amdahl, NEC, and NCR, they don't know anything
C F
They make big bucks for systems, so they never want it known
C G F C
That you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
[Verso 5]
C
Well, I had to have a console just to make my system run
F C G
Without a fancy console then my system wasn't done
C
So, I tied a ten-buck typer to a broken TV tube
F C G F C
And now I've got a console that can write the evening news
[Refrão]
C
Oh, IBM, DEC, and Honeywell; HP, DG and Wang
F C G
Amdahl, NEC, and NCR, they don't know anything
C F
They make big bucks for systems, so they never want it known
C G F C
That you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
[Verso 6]
C
I've had my system running - I'll admit it's not the best
F C G
The data isn't right, and the response time is a mess
C
It crashes every hour, and it isn't worth a damn
F C G F C
But I'm satisfied because it runs just like an IBM!
[Refrão]
C
Oh, IBM, DEC, and Honeywell; HP, DG and Wang
F C G
Amdahl, NEC, and NCR, they don't know anything
C F
They make big bucks for systems, so they never want it known
C G F C
That you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
F C G F C
That you can build a mainframe from the things you find at home
How to play Do It Yourself
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 C. 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.