What We Worked For
View chords used in this chart
Intro: A E D A
A
Lost the confidence to write a song
E
So I found three simple chords
And held them together with my weak voice
D
On an out of tune guitar
A
My father gave to me
E
And may Elvis turn in his grave
D A
And Les Paul curse my dirty calloused fingers
E
And may the likes of this song never make
One fucking dollar
D
Leave it for a demo tape
A
To be played until it's broken
E
And remembered only for what it was
D
Though we gave 'em hell
A
Though we gave 'em hell
E
Though we gave 'em hell
(2x)
A E
To my friends and enemies who could have been anything
D
Titans and heroes who found survival in cause and effect
A
Behind counters
Behind windows
E
Striving just
D
To be people with bitter ideals of justice
E D A
Do we only need to keep working because it pays rent?
E
Sleeping under plastic stars glued to the ceiling
D A
Muscles burning alcohol and nicotine
E
Every morning
D
But we gave 'em hell
A
But we gave 'em hell
E
But we gave 'em hell
(2x)
A
There's a height beyond skyscrapers
E D
There's a distance beyond the freeway
A E
More than pictures in a magazine
D
More than tragedy in a rock and roll song
E
It's more than actions you know are safe to make
D A
It's more than money could ever buy
E
Are we living to work and die in American cities?
D A
And working to live and die in American cities,
How to play What We Worked For
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 A. 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.