Barenaked Ladies – War On Drugs (Guitar)

Capo 3
Key
-
Versions (2)

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Chords

Transcribed by Colin Principe A fabulous song that has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. The viaduct referred to in the song is the Bloor Street Viaduct in Toronto. G* xxx003 (no5) [Intro] G C x3 G C D [Verse 1]
G                           C
She likes to sleep with the radio on

D                       G
So she can dream of her favorite song

Em                      C               D
The one that no one has ever sung since she was small

G                          C
She'll never know that she made it up

D                     G
She had a soul and we ate it up

Em                 C              D
Thrown away like a paper cup, the music falls

G                    C
The only flaw in her detailed plan

D                          G
Is where she wins back the love of her man

Em                       C            D
Everyone knows that he's never coming back

G                         C
He took her heart and she took his name

D                        G
He couldn't stand taking all the blame

Em                    C                   D
He left her only with guilt and shame and then she cracked
[Chorus]
Em          C            D
Won't it be dull when we rid ourselves

   G                Em
Of all these demons haunting us

   C              D
To keep us company?
[Verse 2]
G                C
In the dream I refuse to have

D                     G
She falls asleep in a lukewarm bath

Em                          C         D
We're left to deal with the aftermath again

G              C
On behalf of humanity

D                     G
I will fight for your sanity

Em                   C          D
How profound such profanity can be
[Chorus]
Em          C            D
Won't it be dull when we rid ourselves

   G                Em
Of all these demons haunting us

   C              D
To keep us company?

Em          C         D
Won't it be odd to be happy like we

G                    Em
Always thought we're supposed to feel

    C               D
But never seem to be?
[Verse 3]
G                           C
Near where I live there's a viaduct

D                              G
Where people jump when they're out of luck

Em                           C        D
Raining down on the cars and trucks below

G                          C
They've put a net there to catch their fall

D                  G
Like it'll stop anyone at all

Em                           C                 D
What they don't know is when nature calls, you go

G                       C
They say that Jesus and mental health

D                          G
Are just for those who can help themselves

Em                             C               D
But what good is that when you live in hell on earth?
[Bridge]
G                       G*
From the very fear that makes you want to die

D                              G*
Is just the same as what keeps you alive

Em                              C          D
It's way more trouble than some suicide is worth
[Chorus]
Em          C            D
Won't it be dull when we rid ourselves

   G                Em
Of all these demons haunting us

   C              D
To keep us company?

Em          C         D
Won't it be odd to be happy like we

G                    Em
Always thought we're supposed to feel

    C               D
But never seem to be?
[Verse 4]
G                          C
Hard to admit I fought the war on drugs

D                          G
My hands were tied and the phone was bugged

Em                   C                      D
Another died and the world just shrugged it off
* For Verse 3 you can switch to playing a high G5 or just picking notes, particularly high G and B.