St. Vincent - Happy Birthday Johnny Chords
[Verse 1]
Bb
Remember one Christmas I gave you Jim Carroll
Bb/A
Intended it as a cautionary tale
Gm
You said you saw yourself inside there
F
Dog-eared it like a how-to manual
Bb
Remember one summer we walked in Times Square
Bb/A
I showed you the zombies with hundred-inch stares
Gm
You took a Bic, set your hotel on fire
F
We took the blame, took the bags to the train
[Chorus 1]
Eb F
Happy Birthday, Johnny
Gb Gm F
Wherever you are
Eb F
Happy Birthday, Johnny
Bb
Wherever you are
[Verse 2]
Bb
The last time you called it was on New Years' Eve
Bb/A
You asked me for dough to get somethin' to eat
Gm
Since we last spoke, you live on the street
F
Yeah, I wouldn't believe all the shit that you seen
[Chorus 2]
Eb F
Happy New Year, Johnny
Gb Gm F
Is it 23?
Eb F
Happy New Year, Johnny
Bb
Are the lights on the trees?
[Verse 3]
Bb
When I said, Let me think, and you yelled through your teeth
Bb/A
Accused me of actin' like all royalty
Gm
Always for show, no true charity
F
You saw me on magazines and TV
[Verse 4]
Bb
But if they only knew the real version of me
Bb/A
Only you know the secrets, the swamp, and the fear
Gm
What happened to blood, our family?
F
Annie, how could you do this to me?
[Outro]
Eb F Gb Gm F
Of course, I blame me
Eb F
When you get free, Johnny
Bb
I hope you find peace