Not A Pretty Picture
View chords used in this chart
Intro
E Esus4 E
A E C#m A E Esus4 E
[Verso 1]
A C#m
I can't see the sky
F#m E F#dim
I only open my eyes wide
Bm E A F#7 Bm
Selective perception is a useful device
E F#m D/F# F#m
To screen everything
[Pré-Refrão]
E F#
I used to think about life in a funny way
F#m E A
"A pedestal will make you fall if you stand on it too long"
C#m A
I used to ponder all the time over things
E
I felt were wrong
[Refrão]
A E
It's not a pretty picture
C#m A
For anyone I see
E Esus4 E
These days
F# F#add9 F#
A5 C#m F#m E E7
[Verso 2]
A C#m
A frame leads your eyes
F#m E
Into a previous time
F#dim Bm
You travel from moment to moment
E A F#7 Bm
But you'll always be here
E F#m D/F# F#m
In familiar past tenses
[Pré-Refrão]
E F#
If I followed you there would I ever know
F#m E A
What year it is, I was hoping you would keep up with that for now
C#m
So back and forth we keep traveling and
A E
It's nice you're feeling well, well
[Refrão]
A E
It's not a pretty picture
C#m A
For anyone I see
E Esus4 E
These days
A E
And there is not a pretty picture
C#m A
On any wall I see
E Esus4 E
These days
[Ponte]
F#m7 Bsus2 C#m
I want to seem like my ancestors seemed
F#m7 Bsus2 C#m
So many years ago
F#m7 Bsus2
I'm stuck in time but I'm trying
C#m F#m7
To find my way back home to you
Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-Y-You
A5 C#m F#m E E7
[Verso 3]
A C#m
You'll meet me at ten
F#m E F#dim
I'm still remembering when we traveled
Bm E A F#7 Bm
So far, but now everything has come to an end-uh, end-uh
E F#m D/F# F#m
We still have an option but it won't be so popular
[Pré-Refrão]
E F#
Now I'm looking ahead as I look behind
F#m E A
I'm finding it's much easier to stay where I am this time
C#m
It wears me out to be wearing clothes
A E
Fashionable in 1993
[Refrão]
A E
I saw this picture exposed
C#m A
So many years ago
E Esus4 E
And it's developing
A
But where were you
E
You in the scene
C#m A
You're not in the place you were then
E Esus4 E
Where were you
E Esus4 E
Where were you
Esus4 E Esus4 E Esus4 E
How to play Not A Pretty Picture
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.