Brilliant Mistake Chords
Brilliant Mistake by Elvis Costello is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of G. It uses the chords G, F, D, C, Em and Am. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
G F G F G F G F
G D
He thought he was the King of America
C G D
Where they pour Coca Cola just like vintage wine
G D
Now I try hard not to become hysterical
C G D
But I'm not sure if I'm laughing or crying
C
I wish that I could push a button
C F C
And talk in the past and not the present tense
C
And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear
F Em
Like it was common sense
G F G F
It was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C
Now it's a brilliant mistake
G D
She said that she was working for the ABC News
C G D
It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use
G D
Her perfume was unspeakable it lingered in the air
C G D
Like her artificial laughter her mementos of affairs
C
"Oh" I said "I see you know him"
F C
"Isn't that very fortunate for you"
C
And she showed me his calling card
C F Em
He came third an fourth and there were more than one or two
G F G F
He was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C
Now it's a brilliant mistake
G D
He thought he was the King of America
C G D
But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams
G D
A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals
C G D
The words of love in whispers and the axe of love in screams
C
I wish that I could push a button
C F C
And talk in the past and not the present tense
C
And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear
F Em
Like it was common sense
G F G F
It was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C
Now it's a brilliant mistake
G F G F
It was a fine idea at the time
G Em F C G C Em Am G C G
Now it's a brilliant mistake