[Verse 1]
N.C.
I smoked my last cigarette
N.C.
I drank my last drop
N.C.
Quit doing all the things I swore I'd never stop
C*
Changed my direction
G*
Sang a different tune
Am* G* F*
Gave up all those childish things that make you old too soon
F* G*
Things were going good there for a while
Am* G* F*
I tried to straighten out this crooked road that I was on
C* G* C*
It was good while it lasted but it didn't last too long
[Verse 2]
C
I used to sing on Broadway
G
Same songs every night
Am G F
Playing for a tip jar underneath the neon lights
C
Had a good time with the women
G
And the compliments came free
Am G F
I dreamed of something bigger but it wasn't meant to be
G
I thought I had it all there for a while
Am F
Just like a desperado out there searching for a song
C G Cadd9
It was good while it lasted but it didn't last too long
[Bridge]
G F C
Nothing lasts forever and time knows that it's true
Am G
Sometimes just a little while is the best that we can do
[Verse 3]
C
You ended up beside me
G
Like a long-forgotten dream
Am G F
Picked me up and showed me colors I had never seen
C
Said we'd stay together
G
Together til the end
Am G F
But the end means something different to a lover than a friend
G
We thought we had it all there for a while
Am G F
Just like that perfect moment before the darkness turns to dawn
C G Am
It was good while it lasted but it didn't last too long
C G Cadd9
It was good while it lasted but it didn't last too long
How to play "Good While It Lasted" by Will Hoge on guitar
Playing Style:
- This song is structured around the key of C major and uses a classic country
folk arrangement, mixing chords like C, G, Am, and F to craft a narrative of
reflection and resignation.
Intro and Verse Chord Progression:
- The verses start with a No Chord (N.C.) to emphasize the vocal delivery,
focusing on storytelling before the chords kick in. Then, transition through
C, G, Am, G, and F to establish the verse's melodic structure.
Strumming Pattern:
- For the strumming pattern, consider using D-DU-UD-DU (D=down, U=up), which
provides a steady, flowing rhythm suitable for the storytelling nature of the
song.
Common Mistakes:
- Ensure that the transitions between the chords, especially from Am to G to F,
are smooth. These chords can be challenging due to their placement and the
quick changes required.
- Be mindful of the dynamics; the song's emotional impact comes from how well
the guitar accompaniment supports the story told in the lyrics.
Chorus/Bridge:
- The bridge shifts to a G, F, C progression, then moves through Am to G. This
section should be played with a bit more emphasis to underscore the song's
thematic message about the transient nature of things.
Outro:
- Conclude with the verse pattern, reinforcing the reflective and somewhat
melancholic mood of the song. The repetition of the final line with the Cadd9
at the end adds a nice resolution to the narrative.
Lyrics Meaning:
- "Good While It Lasted" delves into themes of fleeting joy and the inevitable
end of good things, portrayed through personal anecdotes and life changes.
The song resonates with anyone who has experienced brief but memorable
phases in life that end before one might wish.
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