Painting By Numbers
View chords used in this chart
Verse
E B
The gates of the schoolyard
B E
Are padlocked and chained
E B F# E
To keep all the children in out of the rain
E B
The art teacher's preaching
B E
The virtues of pastel shades
E B F# E
You pay no attention but it won't hurt your grades
[Refrão]
E B
'cause you're painting by numbers
B E
Connecting the dots
E B
They don't have to tell you
F# E
You don't call the shots
E B
You jump when they say jump
B E
And you don't ask how high
E B F# E
'cause painting by numbers they know you'll get by
E B F# E
Painting by numbers they know you'll get by
Verse
E B
You take a position
B E
In the old man's firm
E B
He signs all the papers
F# E
You agree to the terms
E B
They let you run errands
B E
And you don't get days off
E B F# E
You take off the garbage and hope it pays off
[Refrão]
E B
'cause you're painting by numbers
B E
Connecting the dots
E B
You work from neck down
F# E
You don't call the shots
E B
You jump when they say jump
B E
And you don't ask how high
E B F# E
'cause painting by numbers they know you'll get by
E B F# E
Painting by numbers they know you'll get by
Verse
E B
You might be in grad school
B E
Up at M.I.T
E B
You might be down in the canal zone
F# E
Being all that you can be
E B
You might get to thinking
B E
You're ahead of the game
E B
But when you break it all down
F# E
It all comes out the same
[Refrão]
E B
'cause you're painting by numbers
B E
Connecting the dots
E B
You work from neck down
F# E
More often than not
E B
You jump when they say jump
B E
And you don't ask how high
E B F# E
'cause painting by numbers they know you'll get by
E B
'cause you're painting by numbers
B E
Connecting the dots
E B
You work from neck down
F# E
You don't call the shots
E B
You jump when they say jump
B E
And you don't ask how high
E B F# E
Painting by numbers they know you'll get by
E B F# E
Painting by numbers they know you'll get by
E B F# E
Painting by numbers they know you'll get by
How to play Painting By Numbers
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.