The Hold Steady – Hot Soft Light (Guitar)

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Chords

and an open chord E in the pre-chorus/chorus. The timing is a little tricky at first, as in the chord changes aren't quite on the words you would expect, but it's not hard with some practice. Any questions or comments, please let me know! [Intro] C#m E A B (x2) E [Verse 1]
C#m                           E         A
I was not involved up at the Northtown Mall

B
As a matter of fact

                                         C#m      E  A  B  E
I didn't even know that that's where it happened

C#m                          E        A
I was France Ave. when they came out dancing

     B
I was Lyndale South, I was kicking it with cousins

C#m                         E
We were talking about going clubbin'

     A               B               E
but instead we just started drinkin'

C#m                            E       A
I've been straight since the Cinco de Mayo

       B
But before that I was blotto
N.C. I was blacked out, I was cracked out
       C#m
I was caved in

      E                        A
You should’ve seen all these portals

       B                 E
That I’ve powered up in
[Pre-Chorus]
F#m           A
Started recreational

E            B
Ended kinda medical

    F#m
It came on hot and soft

             A                         E   B
And then it tightened up its tentacles
[Interlude] C#m E A B (x2) E [Verse 2]
C#m
I wasn't there

       E              A
I was blind, high, I was scared

       B
I was Lake and Columbus

                             C#m
I was cutting off all my hair

                   E         A
I was unfurling a flag of defiance

             B            E
aimed at my guidance guy

C#m
So this is it

             E          A
This is the end of the session

B
And I ain't gonna be taking any more questions

C#m            E              A          B      E
I think my attorney's gonna second that notion
[Pre-Chorus]
F#m           A
Started recreational

E            B
Ended kinda medical

    F#m
It came on hot and soft

             A                         E   B
And then it tightened up its tentacles

        F#m                         A
And the band played "Screaming for Vengeance"

                     E                       B
And we agreed, this world is mostly manacled

           F#m
It started ice cream social nice

   A                          E       B
It ended up all white and ecumenical
[Chorus]
C#m             G#m
There are guys, there are guys,

 A               E
there are guys, there are guys

F#m
With the wild eyes

A              E
when they ask to get you high

C#m               G#m
There are girls, there are girls

 A                E
there are girls, there are girls

F#m               A               E
That'll come to you with comfort in the night

             C#m
That's right
[Solo] C#m E A B (x2) E C#m E A B (x2) E [Pre-Chorus]
F#m           A
Started recreational

E            B
Ended kinda medical

    F#m
It came on hot and soft

             A                         E   B
And then it tightened up its tentacles

        F#m                          A
And the band played "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"

                     E                  B
You thought it was stormy and adorable

    F#m
It started in the vestibule

    A                     E   B
It ended in the hospital
[Chorus]
C#m             G#m
There are guys, there are guys,

 A               E
there are guys, there are guys

F#m
With the wild eyes

A              E
when they ask to get you high

C#m               G#m
There are girls, there are girls

 A                E
there are girls, there are girls

F#m               A               E
That'll come to you with comfort in the night
[Outro]
C#m               G#m
There are nights, there are nights

A                   E
there are nights, there are nights

F#m               A                E
When it all comes on a little bit too bright

F#m               G#m
There's a cross, there's a cross

A                  E
there's a cross, there's a cross

F#m                 A               E
And in the center, there is a hot, soft light