The Hold Steady – Joke About Jamaica (Guitar)

Am
They used to think it was so cute when she said Dy'er Mak'er

F#m
All the boys knew it was a joke about Jamaica

F                                               E
She'd always find a ride back home from the bar

Am
She used to feel so stupid when they'd talk about the music

F#m
Born into every single tune

F
They used to hum against her lips with their hands on her hips

E
They used to kiss in the car

Am
Dancing days, houses of the holy

F#m
Hot child in the city in the middle of the prairie

F                                   E
Flirting with the boys with all her charms

Am
First the laugh, then the eyes, then the touch him on the arms

F#m
Then the drinks, they never seemed to cost money

F
Saturday night was a runway that extended into Sunday

E
And sometimes Monday

C
Back then it was beautiful

E
The boys were sweet and musical

F
The laser lights looked mystical

D
Messed up stuff felt magical

C
Girls didn't seem so difficult

E
Boys didn't seem so typical

F                         D
It was warm and white and wonderful

D Gm
We were all invincible

Am
Tired eyes, trampled under foot

F#m
Dazed and confused, c-c-c-cocaine blues

F                                 E
She hasn't gotten any eye contact tonight

Am
The boys are getting younger and the bands are getting louder

F#m
And the new girls are coming up like some white unopened flowers

F                                         E
She's pretty sure that that's where their power is

C
Back then it was unified

E
The punks, the skins, the greaser guys

F
Then one summer two kids died

D
One of them was crucified

C
Now it's so competitive

E
The sleeplessness and sedatives

F
I know it sounds repetitive

D
Every show can't be a benefit

Am                         G
We were kids in the crowd, now we're dogs in this war

F                             E
We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar

Am                         G
We were hot soft and pure, now we're scratched up in scars

F                       E
We were counting carbs, now we eat in our cars

Am                    F
The boys in the band, they know they'll never be stars

C
Back then we weren't quite convinced

E
Flyering and stickering

F
The front-row girls were posturing

D
We were all imagining

C
Man, we had some massive nights

E
Some bashes and some bloody fights

F                               D Gm
Back before those two kids died