Elvis Costello - Worthless Thing Chords & Tabs

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
From: William Vaughan 
Date: Sat, 16 Sep 1995 10:19:14 -0400 (EDT)


The chords for the full band version are in () - the others are for the solo
acoustic performance on the Ryko reissue.  Also, capo on the 2nd fret to play
along with the full band version, on the first fret for the solo version

Intro (acoustic)  D     Gm     D    Gm    D
Intro (full band)  Em  F#m  G  A  D 3xs and hold on last D

D                      Bm
How many times can you jump out of the cupboard

       F#m                        A
Before someone gets suspicious or someone gets discovered

D                         Bm
You can live forever in a split second of fame

F#m                               A
Come on down, the price is right, whats you name

      G               D
While crocodile makes good shoes

      G                   D
And a dog may changes his coat

Bm                    F#m
I can't change what's written on your

Bm     F#m         Em
face tonight and I quote


*Chorus*

     Bm             F#m
Oh I wish you could see

Bm        F#m            Em
Quite how much you could mean to me

   (Em  F#m  G   A   D)
    G
You worthless thing

           (Em                 Em  F#m  G)
            D                   G
If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome

Bm      F#m            Em
I might pay this kings ransom
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/e/elvis_costello/worthless_thing_crd.html ]
       (Em  F#m  G   A   D)
    G                   D    Dsus2
You worthless thing


*verse 2 - same*
They commit blue murder along union avenue
Then they sell you souvenir matches
Nightclubs full of grave robbers from Memphis, Tennessee
And Las Vegas body snatchers

And he's carrying a warning
Can't you see how his eyes glint
Keep you bloody hands off my life
Your affectionate fingerprint

*same as first chorus except no D  and Dsus2 on acoustic version*
Oh I wish you could see
Quite how much you could mean to me
You worthless thing
If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome
I might pay this kings ransom
You worthless thing

Bm               F#m
All the cars and pills and girls

    G                 F#m
Who tore his shirt to tatters

       Em
Do you know how tall he was

  (Em  F#m   G)
              G
Cause that is all that really matters

       Bm                F#m
Do you know his mother's last name

       G               F#m
Do you think that he's divine

                Em
You've seen the film

    (Em  F#m   G)
                G
You've read the book

                                (Em  F#m  G   Em  [F#m hold])

You're drinking vintage Elvis Presley wine


*verse 3 - same*
Bored out of your tiny mind while life is twice as large
They'll cut her down to size on television
She's available and beautiful, but with more time to devote
They're going to take this cable now
And stick it down your throat
So this is an obituary
Which should be right and fitting
For every clock work cat and
Conceivable kitten

* same as other chorus 2 with noted exceptions)
Oh I wish you could see
Quite how much you could mean to me
You worthless thing
If you were ten feet taller and almost handsome
I might pay this kings ransom
You worthless thing

Full band fade on (Em  F#m G  A  D)
Acoustic
D        G
Aaahhh   You worthless thing
Aaahhh   You worthless thing