Illegal Smile Chords
by John Prine
Illegal Smile by John Prine is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of G. It uses the chords C, G and F. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
C G F C
When I woke up this morning, things were lookin' bad
F C G F C
Seems like total silence is the only friend I have
G F C F C
A bowl of oatmeal tried to stare me down... and won
G F C F C
And it was twelve o'clock before I realized that I was havin' no fun
G C F G C
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
F C
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
G C
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
F C
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
G F C
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
C G F C
Last time I checked my bankroll, well it was gettin' thin
F C G F C
Sometimes it seems like the bottom is the only place I've been
G F C F C
Chased a rainbow down a one-way street... dead end
G F C F C
And all my friends turned out to be insurance salesmen
G C F G C
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
F C
And you may see me tonight with an illegal smile
G C
It don't cost very much, but it lasts a long while
F C
Won't you please tell the man I didn't kill anyone
G F C
No I'm just tryin' to have me some fun
I sat down in my closet with all my overalls
Just tryin' to get away from all the years inside these walls
Dreamed the police heard everything I thought... what then?
Well I went to court and the judge's name was Hoffman
Ah, but fortunately I have the key to escape reality
Chorus
F C F C F C
well done, hotdog bun, my sisters a nun.