Overkill (acoustic) Chords

KeyE CapoNone TuningStandard Difficulty Plays1.1K

Overkill (acoustic) by Colin Hay is a more advanced guitar song played in the key of E. It uses the chords E, B, D, A, C#m, G#m, Asus, Bsus, G#sus4 and G#. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.

Transpose
E
Text
16
Speed
  			


Tuning: Standard 

Chords used: 

Verse - 
   E      B     D     A 
e|--0--|--0--|--0--|--0--| 
B|--0--|--0--|--0--|--0--| 
G|--9--|--9--|--7--|--7--|   x4 
D|--9--|--9--|--7--|--7--| 
A|--7--|--6--|--5--|--4--| 
E|--0--|--0--|--0--|--0--| 

Chorus - 
   C#m    B    C#m    B    G#m   Asus   B 
e|--0--|--0--|--0--|--0--|--4--|--0--|--0--| 
B|--0--|--0--|--0--|--0--|--4--|--0--|--0--| 
G|--6--|--4--|--6--|--4--|--4--|--2--|--4--| 
D|--6--|--4--|--6--|--4--|--6--|--2--|--4--| 
A|--4--|--2--|--4--|--2--|--6--|--0--|--2--| 
E|--0--|--0--|--0--|--0--|--4--|--0--|--0--| 


The chords above each diagram are the basic note the chord is set around, and if you choose to play just those 
chords instead of the tabbed version, it will sound similar and it will work as well. 

Strumming pattern is a simple chug, but again use video or audio for guidance if needed. 

Here are the lyrics with the chords in the appropriate places for guidance: 


E              B 
I can't get to sleep 
D              A 
I think about the implications 
E               B 
Of diving in too deep 
D               A 
And possibly the complications 
E               B 
Especially at night 
D               A 
I worry over situations 
E               B 
I know will be alright 
D               A 
Perhaps its just my imagination 


C#m                 Bsus  B 
Day after day it reappears 
C#m                             Bsus      B 
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear 
G#sus4    G#            Asus 
Ghosts appear and fade away 
Bsus                    B 

E                 B 
Alone between the sheets 
D                  A 
Only brings exasperation 
E                     B    
It's time to walk the streets 
D               A 
Smell the desperation 
E                       B 
At least there's pretty lights 
D                         A 
And though there's little variation 
E                 B 
It nullifies the night  
D        A 
from overkill 



C#m                 Bsus  B 
Day after day it reappears 
C#m                             Bsus      B 
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear 
G#sus4    G#            Asus 
Ghosts appear and fade away 
Bsus                    B 
Come    back   another  day 

(The original version by Men At Work has a solo here but this acoustic version does not) 

E              B 
I can't get to sleep 
D              A 
I think about the implications 
E               B 
Of diving in too deep 
D               A 
And possibly the complications 
E               B 
Especially at night 
D               A 
I worry over situations 
E               B 
I know will be alright 
D             A 
It's just overkill 


C#m                 Bsus  B 
Day after day it reappears 
C#m                             Bsus      B 
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear 
G#sus4    G#            Asus 
Ghosts appear and fade away 
G#sus4    G#            Asus 
Ghosts appear and fade away 
G#sus4    G#            Asus 
Ghosts appear and fade away 
    	

Chord diagrams

Guitar tuner

--
Start the tuner and play a string

Reference tones

Standard tuning, lowest to highest. Click a string to play it; the string the mic hears is highlighted.

Click Start tuner and allow microphone access. The needle centers and turns green when a string is in tune (within 5 cents).
No microphone? You can still tap any string above to hear its exact reference pitch.

Metronome

100 BPM Andante