WHY CAN'T YOU BE GOOD

by Larry Norman

Live version from the album Come as a Child. There are also chords for the live band version from "Friends on Tour" and for another version from Rehearsal for Reality (Royal Music).

It sounds like the guitar is tuned one and half steps (3 guitar frets) down, so these chords are based on that and are not absolute (C is actually A). With normal tuning these chords may be an alternative for those who sing almost an octave lower than Larry. "/*" denote some bass lines, B is the European H, and small-case letters are minor chords. "F, C/E and /D#" could start from D string, 3rd fret, and by /D# is meant only D# & G (where open G is relatively a half step higher than D# which was documented into the other versions - start from A string, 8th fret if you want the similar progression).

I don't write lot about relationships. This is hard to write about. And there's a.. It's probably the most important thing in life - the relationships. That's about all you got.
Unless you really relate to your breakfast, or your (?) rocks and trees or a ...

 

  C          G/B   am        C          F       G 
  Why can't you behave       Why can't you be good 
 
  C          G/B    am   /B      C        F          G   E7 
  You don't even   try        to do the things you should        oo  
 
  am           F       C            D    
  What is the reason   I'd like to know 
 
  C         G        C     C11/C    C     C11/C 
  why you can't be good 
 
 
 
       C     G/B     am                 C       F           G
  You go in to the bedroom  you say you got to powder your nose 
 
          C       G/B  am            C     F           G      E7       
  But the powder is cocaine   I see traces   on  your clothes         oo
 
  am          F        C           D    
  What is the reason   I'd like to know 
 
  C        G        C   /B 
  why you can't be good 
 
  
    BRIGDE: 

   am              F                C                       C          
     Take another look inside  your dreams tonight when you go to sleep 
 
   am                  F                  G       
     Try and find the reasons why you've lost your way like some 
 
   G       
   little sheep 
 
 
 
  C        G/B        am      G/B    C          F            G 
    You say  that you love me    And that your heart - it's true, but you've
 
  C       G/B   am               C         F             G    E7       
  got so many other lovers    oo what am I   supposed to  do         oo
 
  am          F        C            D    
  What is the reason   I'd like to know 
 
  am          F        C           D    
  What is the reason   I'd like to know 
 
  am          F        C            D    
  What is the reason   I'd like to know 

   C         G       F  C/E  /D#  dm7   G
  why you can't be good

Transcribed by arto.vuorela@ nls.fi

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