The Real Thing
View chords used in this chart
[Intro ]
C
[Verso 1]
C
He's got a hundred-dollar haircut
F C
A knockoff Les Paul guitar
F C
Sporting boots and jeans, he bought distressed
G
A country and western star
F C G Am F
Nobody auto-tuned "Rainbow Stew" or "He Stopped Loving Her Today"
C F G
'Cause you can or you can't, you are or you ain't
C
The real thing
[Verso 2]
C
And all these shooters saying they're soldiers
F C
Playing on people's fears
F C G C
Like life's some kind of game for fame and tattoo tears
F C G Am F
You're terrorists and gangsters, and you'll have hell to pay
C F G C
The day you get to meet the real thing
[Refrão]
F C
Will the real thing please stand up?
G C
The goin' done gone and gotten tough
F C
Our short supply is drying up
G
Of the real thing, the real thing
F C
It don't brag and it don't bluff
G C
Won't give in and don't give up
F C G
'Cause you can or you can't, you are or you ain't
F C G
The real thing
F C G A
The real thing
[Verso 3]
D
Yeah, my grandpa is ninety-six
G D
And tough as Tarzan's feet
G D
He grew up behind a plow
A
And faced hell on Omaha Beach
G D
He talks about Joltin' Joe and Marciano
A F# Bm7
Like it was yesterday
G D
But you outta see his eyes light up
A F# Bm
When he talks about the woman he's loved for seventy years
D A D
When he says, "Son, that she's the real thing"
[Refrão]
G D
Oh, will the real thing please stand up?
A D
The goin' done gone and gotten tough
G D
Our short supply is drying up
A
Of the real thing, the real thing
G D
It don't brag and it don't bluff
A D
Won't give in and don't give up
G D A
'Cause you can or you can't, you are or you ain't
G D A
Baby, we can or we can't, we are or we ain't
G D A
The real thing
Outro
G D A
Are we the real thing?
G D A
I need the real thing
G D A
The real thing
How to play The Real Thing
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.