The Great Depression
View chords used in this chart
Intro: C
Verse:
C
We were the Reagan kids
F G C
Our heroes didn't work like our daddies did
F G C
They dazzled us with TV through sleepy lids
G
We followed hulking maniacs to prozac nation
F (G)
"You can be anything, just get your education"
C
We were good Christian kids
F G C
We went to church on sunday mornings like mama did
F G C
Teenage love made us feel guilty and so we hid
G
Under those overpasses on summer nights
F
We'd tear each other's clothes off
(G)
And get into fights
Chorus:
Am G F
Then we roared right through our twenties
G C
Never bargained for a crash
Am G F
Watched our hollow dreams get buried
G C
Under heaps of plastic trash
Am G F G Am
Broken promises to children leaving idelible impressions
F G C
Welcome to the great depression
Verse:
C
We were our father's sons
F G C
Playing war on weekend days with our plastic guns
F G C
Catching up with who we were through the reruns
G
"Eat your vitamins and say your prayers
F (G)
You'll become doctors, lawyers and millionairs"
C
We were misguided kids
F G C
Tried to fuck our way through such a distorted world
F G C
Confusing love and sex and plastic with pearls
G
"Get what you can for yourself, leave the rest behind"
F (G)
It's freedom forever 'til your card gets declined
Chorus:
Am G F
Then we roared right through our twenties
G C
Never bargained for a crash
Am G F
Watched our hollow dreams get buried
G C
Under heaps of plastic trash
Am G F G Am
Broken promises to children leaving idelible impressions
F G Am
Welcome to the great depression
F G C
Welcome to the great depression
Bridge:
C C
F Am
C C
Did he die for your sins?
Did he leave us for dead?
F Am
If you wanted us safe why would you fuck with our heads?
C C
The factory's gone, the loans are foreclosed
F Am
But there's some places left that still remind me of home
C C
F Am
There's some places left that still remind me of home
C C
F Am
Just give me one place left that reminds me of home
F G Am
The lifeboat is looking pretty full
F G Am G F
If you find some room reach out and give me a pull
F G Am
The way we learned to live is fading fast
F G C
I guess we never bargained for a crash
F G C
I guess we never bargained for a crash
F G C
I know we never bargained for a crash
How to play The Great Depression
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.