Studying Politics Chords

Standard (EADGBE)

Verse 1

(Throughout verse one play all six strings on a seventh fret harmonic, At

the places where I have chords just strum Down-Up and go right back to scratching)

It’s like a pencil with erasers at both ends

I want it all but we’re dealing in percents

G5And these activities that you have engaged in

E5This is the politics of seeing you dance with him

B5We began with concluding remarks

B5Pick up the pieces and examine the parts

E5Your words always cut when they're cliché

EmBut here’s my knife because I came for the buffet

(Switch to chorus with a G octave chord strum Up-Down-Up)

G|-12-12-12-|

A|-10-10-10-|

Chorus

(The chords in parentheses I play the same way I play the G octave, Just

up-down-up real quick to mimic the album version. It’s not necessary but it

sounds cool. Also on the “uh uh” part I just do two upstrokes on that beat.)

BmThis is the way it goes

 With you a part oA5f it

BmNervously saying words

 That oh-so-tightlG5y fit

Em (G5 G5)

A mark beneath the chin (Uh Uh)

  (G octave)

I’ve caught you once again

BmIt’s in the way you sell every word aA5nd phrase

BmAnd leaving me to know how much the meaniG5ng weighs

Em (G5 G5)

Saying that but meaning this (Uh Uh)

EmUsing hands for emphasis

(This part I play the way it is on the album with the pick scratching

 [[e].G., Em Em 2 & 3 & 4 &])

Em(Oh Ho)(Oh Ho)(BmOh Ho)(Oh Ho)[x2]

Verse 2

(I play this weird with the Em just a “1 &” down up strum, followed by a

rest, then I strum the Bm. Again I think it adds some flavor to it, but do

whatever you want)

EmYou’d like to Emthink that you’re the bestBm part of me

 But I confessEm there is Emnothing left of Bmyou here (nothing left of you here)

EmThese paralEmlels and silly Bmgames

 Hide your face and say the Emname

  Em (G octave)

Say the name (say the name)

Chorus

Bridge

(Hit the Bm minor and start singing right after this, it’s my attempt to

mimic the album version.)

BmThere’s that smile agAain

 You fake it and I fEmollow you right Ain

 What a fool I'Bmve been

To fall for it each time

Chorus

BmThis is the way it goes

With you a part of it

Nervously saying words

That oh-so-tightly fit

EmIt’s in the way you sell every word and phrase

And leaving me to know how much the meaning weighs

BmThis is the way it goes

With you a part of it

ANervously saying words

EmThat oh-so-tightly fit

BmIt’s in the way you sell

every word and phrase

AAnd leaving me to know

Ghow much the meaning weighs

(Same pattern as before but after the fifth “oh ho”, just pound the Em three

times and the Bm once, same rhythm as the album.)

Em(Oh Ho)(Oh Ho)(BmOh Ho)(Oh Ho)(EmOh Ho)

And that’s it! My take on Emery’s “Studying Politics” on the acoustic guitar. Enjoy!

~ Michael