Elevator Operator
View chords used in this chart
Capo 4
E
Oliver Paul, twenty years old
A5
Thick head of hair, worries he's going bald
E
Wakes up at quarter past nine
A5
Fair evades his way down the 96 tram line
E
Breakfast on the run again, he's well aware
A5 E A5 E A5
He's dropping soy linseed Vegemite crumbs everywhere
E
Feeling sick at the sight of his computer
A5
He dodges his way through the Swanston commuters
E
Rips off his tie, hands it to a homeless man
A E
Sleeping in the corner of a metro bus stand and he screams
"I'm not going to work today
A5
Going to count the minutes that the trains run late
E A5 E E/F# E7/G A5
Sit on the grass building pyramids out of Coke cans"
E
Headphone wielding to the Nicholas building
A5
He trips on a pothole that's not been filled in
E
He waits for an elevator, one to nine
A5
A lady walks in and waits by his side
E
Her heels are high and her bag is snakeskin
A5
Hair pulled so tight you can see her skeleton
E
Vickers perfume on her breath
A5
A tortoise shell necklace between her breasts
E
She looks him up and down with a botox frown
A5
He's well used to that look by now
E E/F# E7/G A5
The elevator dings and they awkwardly step in
E E/F# E7/G A5
Their fingers touch on the rooftop button
E A5
Don't jump little boy, don't jump off that roof
E A5
You've got your whole life ahead of you, you're still in your youth
E A5 E A5
I'd give anything to have skin like you
E
He said "I think you're projecting the way that you're feeling
A5
I'm not suicidal, just idling insignificantly
E
I come up here for perception and clarity
A5
I like to imagine I'm playing SimCity
E E/F# E7/G A5
All the people look like ants from up here
E E/F# E7/G A5
And the wind's the only traffic you can hear"
E E/F# E7/G A5
He said "All I ever wanted to be
E E/F# E7/G A5
Was an elevator operator, can you help me please?"
E A5
Don't jump little boy, don't jump off that roof
E A5
You've got your whole life ahead of you, you're still in your youth
E A5 E A5
I'd give anything to have skin like you
E A5
Don't jump little boy, don't jump off that roof
E A5
You've got your whole life ahead of you, you're still in your youth
E A5 E A5
I'd give anything to have skin like you
E E/F# E7/G A
E E/F# E7/G A
E E/F# E7/G A
E E/F# E7/G A
How to play Elevator Operator
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 E. 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.