Hey Joe
View chords used in this chart
[Verse 2]
D
Her father's father called him big man when he missed
Em
It's that '50s kinda shit that trickles down to the kids
G F#m
So we tried giving peace a chance but didn't know what it is
Em D
And now we're patiently awaiting for some light to come in
G A
To shake the living hell out of what we became
Bm F#m
We're frightened of the old and we're tired of the young
[Refrain]
D
Guess the one-trick ponies got us singin' along "Hey Joe"
One, two, one, two, three, four
[Verse 3]
D
Some thought about the Ken Burns Vietnam doc
Em
From Pete hunting in the Delta to the last one to drop
G A
To my father and his friends at the Ho Chi Minh Trail gift shop
[Verse 4]
D
They're cryin', "So long, Bobby" on their Jersey shirts
Em
Scared to get behind anything they believe
G
'Cause they blew the revolution in the '30s
F#m
Tryin' to plant some seeds
Em D
And yet they're patiently awaiting for some light to come in
G A
To shake the living hell of what it would became
Bm F#m
Frightened of the state but too tired to run
[Refrain]
D
Guess the one-trick ponies got us singin' along "Hey Joe"
One, two, one, two, three, four
[Outro]
D
Hey Joe, what do you know?
Em
We're off the bridge, and we're out of control
G A
Oh, hey Joe, what is it called? That's right
"Giving up a piece of you to let go"
D
Hey Joe, what do you know?
Em
We're off the bridge, all Marilyn Monroe
G A
Oh, hey Joe, what is called? That's right
N.C.
"Giving up a piece of you to let go"
How to play Hey Joe
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.