Dean Friedman Chords

Songs By Dean Friedman

On this page you will find my interpretation of some of Dean's songs.

Please note that I have worked these out by ear, and I cannot guarantee true accuracy to the originals.

These are intended as a guide to help guitarists form their own interpretations. Most importantly, please enjoy.

Thanks for the updates and additions: David Mcleish

Comments, Suggestions, Additions to Martin Phee

Ariel
by Dean Friedman

Intro - G G6 x2

G                   G6    D
Way on the other side of the Hudson,
D7                                         G          G6
Deep in the bosom of suburbia,
G           G6                D
I met a young girl, she sang mighty fine,
D7                                                   G        G6
Tears on My Pillow and Ave Maria.
B7                                    Em                         B7
Standing by the waterfall in Paramus Park
                                               Em                   A7
she was working for the Friends-of-BAI
                                       D                                  A7
She was collecting quarters in a paper cup.
                                          Dhold                             D7
She was looking for change and so was I.

She was a Jewish girl. I fell in love with her.
She wrote her number on the back of my hand.
I called her up, I was all out of breath, I said,
"Come hear me play in my rock and roll band.
I took a shower and I put on my best blue jeans.
I picked her up in my new VW van.
She wore a peasant blouse with nothing underneath.
I said, "Hi". She said, "Yeah, I guess I am."

G Bm Am D
A.......riel

We had a little time, we were real hungry.
We went to Dairy Queen for something to eat.
She had some onion rings. She had a pickle.
She forgot to tell me that she didn't eat meat.
I had a gig in the American Legion Hall.
It was a dance for the Volunteer Ambulance Corp.
She was sitting in a corner against the wall.
She would smile and I melted all over the floor.

A.......riel

I took her home with me. We watched some TV,
Annette Funicello and some guy going steady.
I started fooling around with the vertical hold.
We got the munchies and I made some spaghetti.
We sat and we talked into the night,
while channel 2 was signing off the air.
I found the softness of her mouth.
We made love to bombs bursting in Arrrrrriel….

    G Bm Am D
    A.......riel
    A C#m Bm E A D
   A.......riel

G                   G6    D
Way on the other side of the Hudson,
D7                                         G          G6
Deep in the bosom of suburbia,
G           G6                D
I met a young girl, she sang mighty fine,
D7                                                   G        G6
Tears on My Pillow and Ave Maria.
D7                                                   G        G6
Tears on My Pillow and Ave Maria
D7 hold
Tears on My Pillow and Ave Maria

Copyright © 1977-1999 Dean Friedman Music (PRS)

** amendments by David Mcleish**

Company
words by Stuffy Shmitt
music by Dean Friedman


D/F#	C/G

Intro - G        Bm       Em       G   C     D      G      C/G

G                               Bm                      Em                                G
Got a rich man's dream. Wanna swap my taxi on a limousine.
                C              D                              G            C/G
Wanna cash it in.    Wanna give it all away.
G                               Bm        Em                                            G
Got a poor man's needs. Beans in the bucket and love in the sheets.
                    C                 D                     G
And your sandy eyes.   Making it all all right.
Em                     A                D
Something's calling on me...
           Bm                                  Em
And I don't know where I'm going.
Bm                                   Em
I don't know where I'm going.
C          Am           D/F#
I got no place to be.
                                   G             C/G G
Honey, keep me company.

Woke peacefully in a town somehow in New Jersey.
In my momma's arms, rocking to the radio.
Now I sing myself to sleep in apartment 4 in building G.
Gotta lock the door. Gotta hide the key.
Oh, baby, I'm free...

And I don't know where I'm going.
I don't know where I'm going.
I got no place to be.
Honey, keep me company.

Now maybe one day I'll be a famous man with an LA tan,
a million fans, and a catamaran floating movie stars.
Or maybe one day I'll be a bum in the gutter with a bottle in my hands.
And your sandy eyes making it all all right.
                   Em
Making it all all right.
                   C         Am   D/F#
Making it all all right.

Outro - G        Bm       Em       G   C      D      G       C/G   G

The Deli Song (Corned Beef On Rye)
by Dean Friedman

Intro Cm9 Ebm9 Dm9 G+ (x2)

Cm                                                                                                                    Bbmaj7
Four in the morning. (What'll you have?) Well, I'm in the mood for a corned beef on rye.
Cm               Ebm               Ab7             Dm    G+
With a tomato and some coleslaw on the side.
Cm                             Ebm                        Dm                         G+
I'm really glad that you tripped on the curb or we might've never met.
Cm                             Ebm               Dm                           G+
It was a sight, you look all perturbed, helpless and sopping wet.

How do you feel?
I'm fine.
I'm not quite sure what you did.
(Uh, who gets the iced tea?) Over here please. What do you mean?
It's very strange. Being with you makes me feel like a kid.
How did you like the movie we saw?
The plot was kind of thin.
I'm so confused. There's so much to ask. I don't know where to begin.

Eb Gm/E A7 Dm G7 G
I know we only met today. There's so much I want to…
C9
Baby, you're wrong.

What do you mean?
F6
Baby, it's four o'clock in the morning. We met yesterday.

Where are you from?
Madison, Wisconsin.
How long have you lived here?
Aww, about two or three months.
You almost done?
Just one more bite.
Let's hear some more about your career. Where'd that waitress disappear?
Are you prepared for cheesecake or not?
I'm feeling kind of full.
I know you probably hear it a lot, but you're very beautiful.

Baby, what's wrong? What's that look in your eyes?
Nothing. I'm just real happy.
Aw, c'mon. That's no reason to cry.
(Hey, Honey, if you don't like cheesecake, how's about some pie?)
I don't know how you'll feel about this. Maybe it's premature.
I got this peculiar feeling inside and right now I'm not really sure,
I'm either in love or it's something I ate, 'cause I never felt this way before.

Cm9 Ebm9 Dm9 G+ (repeat to fade)

"Hey, Louis, there's a weirdo at table four in the back. He's singing."

Copyright © 1977-1999 Dean Friedman Music (PRS)

** transcribed by David Mcleish**

Humor Me
by Dean Friedman

Emaj7        Bm    E7
Humor me.          Humor me.
Amaj7                    Am7              D7
Don't take what I say too seriously.
G#m7      C#7       F#m               B7                 (Gm7) G#m7
It's not that I am insincere. I really do mean everything I say.
    C#7                                  F#m          B7
It's just that every time you're near I get carried away.

Emaj7        Bm    E7
Humor me.         Humor me.
Amaj7      Am7         D7
Anytime I get a little silly,
G#m7      C#7           F#m                            B7        (Gm7) G#m7
Please try not to be dismayed. You know it's really not my fault.
               C#7            F#m         B7           (C7)
Just take everything I say with a grain of salt.
C#7                F#7
You see, underneath this cynical exterior,
F#m       B7        E                         D#m7     G#7
There's a child in me waiting for the chance
C#7                       F#7              F#m      B7   C7 B7
To prove that all my logic is inferior to romance.

Emaj7        Bm    E7
Humor me.          Humor me.
Amaj7                      Am7                D7
Don't be frightened by the things you see.
G#m7           C#7                 F#m
Sure I know infatuation's all it is,
          B7           (Gm7) G#m7
Just a stage I'm going through.
                   C#7                    F#m
So don't be overcome by your defenses,
                                            B7
And you can make believe you love me too.
                      E
And I'll humor you.

Copyright © 1977-1999 Dean Friedman Music (PRS)

** transcribed by David Mcleish**

I May Be Young
by Dean Friedman

Bm                                                                 G
People always tell me, "What's your hurry?
Bm                                                                           G
You're moving like your pants they are on fire."
D                                                    Am
I simply tell them, "Don't you worry,"
                       C                                                         D
While the water in the dam keeps getting higher
                  Em C G                                 D
    And I may be young, but I'm not that young.
                       Em C       G               D
    And with all those years I've got,
         Em    C     G             D
    I may have time to kill,
                         Em                     D
    But if you will, I'd rather not.

"Kid, I really don't believe your ready.
You know you still have got a lot to learn."
Me, I don't believe you're ever really ready
to cross the kind of bridge you have to burn.

    And I may be dumb, but I'm not that dumb.
    And I'll make my own mistakes.
    And if I'm wrong, well then damn it I'll be wrong!
    That's what it takes.

"Re-evaluate your dreams and visions.
You'll wind up with a head full of regrets.
You're trying to avoid the big decisions.
Tell my why's it such a sin to hedge your bets?"

    And I may be slow, but I'm not that slow.
    And the risks I take, I choose.
    'Cause unless I last, I'll be doing it all half-asses.
    Then what's the use?

I've Had Enough
by Dean Friedman

Em               Cmaj7                  D               Em
I was only four when my father left home.
                      Cmaj7           D            Em
Little baby sister, mama and me.
                               Cmaj7                  D              Em
They were only children when they got married.
                                 Cmaj7    D    Em
How they gonna raise a family?

Daddy got a job in a canned good factory
Working like a fool day after day.
Coming home to TV thrills and doctor bills
Till he had to take a cut in pay. He said,
                            Cmaj7 D Em
    I've had enough.
                           Cmaj7 D Em
    I've had enough.
                            Cmaj7 D Em
    I've had enough.
                            Cmaj7 D Em
    I've had enough.

I was always trouble when I was in school.
Someone always making me tow the line.
Finally went and told the bastard where to go.
He can get theirs, but he can't touch mine.

I was in the army when I was sixteen.
All the rain I thought it would never stop
Brought away an armload of souvenirs and
Now you know I still can't find a job. I said,

    I've had enough. I've had enough.
    I've had enough. I've had enough.

           Cmaj7
        Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me.
           Bm
        I don't want to hurt.
           Cmaj7
        I have always done my best.
                   Bm                               D
        But nothing seems to work.
       Bm                             D
        Nothing seems to work.

I was never asking for charity,
Only that I get what I have earned
And that I be treated with respect
And God knows why but you've still not learned.

I am not a liar or insincere.
I have always treated you people fair.
There were times I turned my whole self inside out but damn it
You never seemed to care. Now,

I've had enough. I've had enough.
I've had enough. I've had enough.

Lucky Stars
by Dean Friedman

C                                       F                                            G                               Am
What are you crazy? How in the hell can you say what you just said?
Bb                         Am                         Dsus                               D          Dsus        D
I was talking to myself. Shut the door and come to bed.
Dm                              G             Gm                           C                          Dm
By the way, I forgot to say, your endearing mother called today.
Gsus
Did you see Lisa?
G
Yes I saw Lisa.
   Em
Is that why angry?
Am
I wasn't angry.
Gsus
Maybe a little.
G
Not even maybe.
Em
Must be the weather.
   C7
Now don't be a baby.
          F                        G                              Em                                A
We'll how am I supposed to feel with all the things you don't reveal and
    Dm
    You can thank your lucky stars
                     G                                                                    C Am Em         C      Am    Bb
    that we're not as smart as we'd like to think we are.


Would you like to talk about it?
There's not much to say.
We had lunch this afternoon. Her life's in disarray.
She still goes around as if she is always stumbling off a cliff.
Do you still want her?
What are you saying?
Do you still want her?
Baby stop playing.
Really, I mean it. Can you forget her?
Baby, now stop it. You should know better.
I know this is hard to do. But, there's no one for me but you and

You can thank your lucky stars that we're not as smart as we'd like to think we are.

Baby, I'm sorry, I was wrong, I have no alibis.
I was acting like a fool and I apologize.
Listen, hon', I know you're dumb, but that's O.K., you don't have to look so glum.
Do you still love me?
Yes, I still love you.
You mean, you're not just being nice.
No, I'm not just being nice.
Do you feel sleepy.
Aw, you're so sincere. Yes, I feel sleepy.
Well, slide over here. 'Cause I may not be all that bright, but I know how to hold you tight and,

    You can thank your lucky stars that we're not as smart as we'd like to think we are and
   You can thank your lucky stars that we're not as smart as we'd like to think we are and
    We can thank our lucky stars that we're not as smart as we'd like to think we are.

Lydia
by Dean Friedman

F                                                                                Eb                                       Dm
Lydia keeps my toothbrush in her apartment and she never complains.
                         Eb                                                  F
Well, hardly ever. And then jokingly she says
                                                               Eb                                                        Dm
Boy, it's been so long since I've held you, I nearly gave you up for dead.
                                            Eb                                                      Cm           C
I nearly gave you up for dead. I nearly gave you up for dead.
   F                                                           Bbmaj7
    Lydia, Lydia how come you understand?
                                    Eb                                                                     Dm           Csus C
    I can offer you nothing at all. This is more than I had planned.
F                                                        Bbmaj7
    Lydia, Lydia I am at your command,
                                   Eb
    at least until morning comes,
                                             Gm
    then, I must be off again.
                                     Db        Eb   F
    I must be off again.

Lydia, you know I always talk about making conscious decisions, about running my own life.
Well, maybe I'm fooling myself. It's a role I like to play.
Because more often than not I'm down here on the corner. I'm sorry I woke you.
Do you feel like some company? Babe, I need a place to stay.

    Lydia, Lydia how come you understand?
    I can offer you nothing at all. This is more than I had planned.
    Lydia, Lydia I am at your command, at least until morning comes,
    then, I must be off again.

I sleep with a woman who thinks I'm a child. Well, maybe I am.
No, that wouldn't surprise anyone. I suspect that much is true.
But, Lydia, if you only knew how much I love you.
Did you know that I love you? It's the best that I can do.

Rocking Chair (It's Gonna Be All Right}
by Dean Friedman

(Capo - 3rd Fret)

Fmaj7                                  G7
"Well, well," said the rocking chair.
Em                                                Am                                          Dm7
"It's been a while since I've seen such stark despair."
             G7                            C           A7
"Who told you life was fair?"

Fmaj7                                  G7
"Woa, woa," said the radio,
Em                                     Gm                C7          F
"Sit, there are some things you ought to know"
Dm                                      G7                                  Em
"There is little you can do to stop the pain
                                             E7
and it's gonna happen time and time again,
Am                                       Am/G
so just remember even though it sounds insane,
F                                 G7                         F#
it's impossible to ever love somebody in vain."

     Fmaj7 G                               Em       Am                            Fmaj7      G                              Em      A7
    All     right. It's gonna be all      right. It's gonna be all        right. It's gonna be all    right.

"No, no," said the balcony, "If it's pity you want don't come to me."
"No, nothing comes for free."
"Yes, yes," said the coffee cup, "maybe now is the time to act grown up."
"If you feel like your world is crashing in, simply dial up your nearest kith or kin."
"If you open up and let them in,
you'll discover that you'll probably make it through once again."

All right. It's gonna be all right. It's gonna be all right. It's gonna be all right.

"Hey, hey," said the table top, "don't be making like you're anything you're not."
"Make do with what you've got".
"Don't forget," said the cuckoo clock, "any parts you need we've got in stock."
"Take a look at the place you call your home. You're reflected in all the things you own.
And the seeds of reason you have sown, they're a measure of a part of you that's already grown."

All right. It's gonna be all right. It's gonna be all right. It's gonna be all right.

S&M
by Dean Friedman

Intro - Em C7 B7

                        Em                   C7                          B7
Well, I was struttin' by a hootchie bar on Jane St.
             Em                              C7                     B7
Trying hard to dodge the doodoo in my path
                 Em                          C7                            Am
When I heard footsteps behind me in the same beat
                       C7                        B7                  Em
And some joker went and grabbed my ass
                B7                                     Em                          C7                     B7
I spun around and said, "Now, listen, you may be a charmin' fella
                                 Em                 C7                          B7
But you're just cruisin' for a bruisin' just the same.
                     Em                        C7                          Am
And then I hit him on the head with my umbrella,
        C7                                                           B7
But instead of saying 'ouch', he just smiled in pain. He said,

       Em C7    B7   Em      C7                      B7
    "Oo, Oo, Aha. Do it again, pretty momma.
    Em                      C7                      Am
    First let me thank you for letting me spank you
                C7                                   B7
    My credo and my ism is Sado-Masochism."

I said, "Now listen, honey, you must be mistaken,
I mean I'm sure I never saw your face before.
And besides this blushing bride's already taken."
But he got down on his knees and he begged for more. He said,

    "Oo, Oo, Aha. Do it again, pretty momma.
    We'll commit nameless sins. You can stick me with pins.
    You can desert me, but not 'til you hurt me."

Now I tell you I have heard my share of snide talk.
But this kid was really acting kinda weird.
And I would have left him kneeling on the sidewalk,
But something in his smile looked so sincere. He said,

    "Oo, Oo, Aha. Do it again, pretty momma.
    We'll buy ice-cream. I'll let you treat me.
    We'll play Perquacky. I'll let you beat me."

Now, please don't think I'm just a shameless hussy,
But I would love to share the joys that I have found.
And if you're still wondering, "Doesn't he or does he?"
Well, I just love to be gagged and bound. You see,

    Oo, Oo, Aha. Do it again, pretty momma.
    I'll be the baby. You be the mummy.
    You can tap dance on my tummy.
                             C7                     B7          C7           B7
    'Cause me credo and my ism is Sado-Masochism.
                          C7                     B7          C7           B7                Em7
    Yes, my credo and my ism is Sado-Masochism. Ah-oo.

Shopping Bag Ladies
by Dean Friedman

(Capo - 2nd Fret)


G/E	A/G

Intro - G/E

G/E                                                                                                       D
The shopping bag ladies, they live in the terminal waiting room,
                                                       Bm
Patiently whiling their hours away,
                                                                        E
Desperately keeping their demons at bay,
                                           A                         A/G       F#
Making up lies about times that were good.
                                                  Bm
Extolling the virtues of motherhood,
                                                    G
Staunchly defending their sanity
                                                       D
Clutching one last shred of vanity
G/E
Fixing a kerchief she wears on her head
                                                                                     D
Covered in posies and lilacs in blues and in reds

    Don't pity me, don't pity me,
            Bm
    You beautiful bastard boy,
           G                      D
    I'll be just how I am.
                                    Bm             E
    I'll be just how I am.

The shopping bag ladies, it's not that well known but they're really in vogue.
The latest in fashions their tastes are so true,
Sweat sox and sneakers, a sweater or two
And safely behind the walls they have made,
Secure in their brown paper barricades
Worldly possessions they'll not have to lose
Lightweight emotional refuse.
They rant and they rave, they're mad and they're crazy.
And that's how they stay free.

    Don't pity me, don't pity me,
    You beautiful bastard boy,
    I'll be just how I am.
    I'll be just how I am.

G/E                                                                                                                       Gmaj7
The shopping bag ladies, it's hard to believe, but once they were children…

Solitaire
by Dean Friedman

INTRO: [C#maj7 F#maj7 F#maj7/G#] x2

C#maj7                     F#maj7                      Fm         A#m    Bmaj7
Potted plants hanging down from the ceiling, creeping up my windowsill.
       A#maj7                      D#maj7       G#maj7
If the cats don't get 'em the winter wind will.
   E/F#                     F#               F#/G#
But I am a fool and I water them everyday.

A                         E/G#
Have some faith in what's-his-name
      C#m                       Bm        E7
The deck is stacked but just the same,
A        E/G#   C#m                  F#sus   F#
I'd rather lose a hand of hearts I swear,
           A/B            E/A         G#maj7   C# F# G#    C# F# G#
Than to win a round    of Solitaire.

Both of us drink from a fountain of feeling, waiting for the blood to spill.
If the doubts don't get us then the apathy will.
But I am a fool and I worship you everyday.

Have some faith in what's-his-name
The deck is stacked but just the same,
I'd rather lose a hand of hearts I swear,
Than to win a round of Solitaire.

Hiding the hurt or fighting and bickering, thinking that we've had our fill.
If the lies don't do it then the honesty will.
But I am a fool and I water you everyday.

Have some faith in what's-his-name
The deck is stacked but just the same,
I'd rather lose a hand of hearts I swear,
Than to win a round of Solitaire.

Song For My Mother
by Dean Friedman

D                                               Am                                                   C
In the hollow of your arms,       snuggled up all safe and warm,
                                                                            D
you used to tell me tales of unicorns and kings.
                                                  Am                                                C
But how could I comprehend all the things you told me then
                                                      D
of your madness and your struggling?

C                                                            D
    And my mind would swim in fantasies,
C                                                Bm
    like a piece of driftwood on the sea.
                                                     D
    I had no touchstone for reality.
C                                G             D
    You were my reality.

Like a dark and unlit room or the far side of the moon,
your insanity spoke emptiness and fear.
And no matter how I tried, how I questioned and I pried,
I just could not penetrate that thin veneer.

And I know you tried to comfort me, to soothe and reassure me.
But then your strength would always fail and in it's place a silken veil.

Like a dried and wrinkled prune, A deflated toy balloon,
I cam home and found you strewn across the floor.
And as they lay you on your bed I heard you say,
"If I a dead, how come it just keeps on hurting more and more?"

And you left me in the early spring. All they said was, "Mommy's resting."
And how was I to know, so young, it wasn't something I had done?

So please try and understand, I will love you as I can.
I do not blame you; you're not guilty.
But still there's no way to describe the relief I finally found
upon learning it was you, and not me, that was crazy.

The Letter
by Dean Friedman

Intro - G   Am   C     D   G

C#m                                                               Bm
Autumn seems awful lonely here whenever we think of you.
C#m                                                                        Bm
Last night the sky turned purple and we wanted to share the view.
Am                           Am7                                     D
Leaves on the trees are turning and the woods are all ablaze
Am                             Am7                                  D
They smell of the timber burning in the fireplace.

C#m                                                          Bm
Sunday we woke up early and we drove out to Tice's Farms,
C#m                                                                                                       Bm
Gorging ourselves on all the cider and doughnuts we could fit under both our arms.
Am                  Am7                                   D
Picking out penny candy in the country store,
Am                    Am7                                          D
Till we collapsed on the porch with our bellies sore.

G                                                             Am                                           C
    So what's it like to be on your own, a roaming vagabond, away from home,
         D                                 G                            C/G
    in search of some forgotten door?
G                                           Am                                                                   C
    Is it half as good as it sounds? Tell me, have you really found
                                      D                                   G
    the peace and calm we've all been looking for?

Freckles still misses you. She always sleeps on the floor in your room.
Ruth says she smells, but you know it's just her very unique perfume.
The tree in the back bore apples but they're green and full of worms.
Guess we'll sit tight and wait until the cider turns.

Everyone sends their love; they still don't really believe you're gone.
Everyone's jealous of this crazy odyssey that you're on.
Hoping this finds you happy and healthy and sane.
I pray that your strength will ease you through the growing pains.

    So what's it like to be on your own, a roaming vagabond, away from home,
    in search of some forgotten door?
    Is it half as good as it sounds? Tell me, have you really found
    the peace and calm we've all been looking for?

Woman Of Mine
by Dean Friedman


D/F#	A7/G	C/G

Intro - G   D/F#    Am C

G                                   D/F#                        Am                                      Em
I'm gonna find me a cave, I'm gonna shut myself in and not come out again,
                     G                                          D/F#                  Am
I'm gonna stay there 'til I rot in my grave, and if someone comes a'knocking,
        C
I just won't let 'em in.

G            A7/G
    Oh, Woman of Mine,
                                 C/G                              D                                                G
    You picked a mighty fine time to tell me that you're on your way.
                              A7/G
    Now that I'm out of my mind,
                      C/G                                                    D                                        Em
    Tell me, how the hell I'm ever gonna make it through another day?
                  G                      D            C
    Well, baby, there's just no way.

I'm gonna rob me a bank, I'm gonna get myself arrested and go to jail,
I'll spend the rest of my life in a tank.
And if someone tries to help me, I'll refuse the bail.

    Oh, Woman of Mine,
    You picked a mighty fine time to tell me that you're on your way.
    Now that I'm out of my mind,
    Tell me, how the hell I'm ever gonna make it through another day?
    Well, baby, there's just no way.

I'm gonna go in my room, I'm gonna turn off all the lights and crawl in bed,
And like a caterpillar in a cocoon, I'm gonna hold my breath and make believe I'm dead.

    Oh, Woman of Mine,
    You picked a mighty fine time to tell me that you're on your way.
    Now that I'm out of my mind,
    Tell me, how the hell I'm ever gonna make it through another day?
                   G                      D             C Fmaj7           G
    Well, baby, there's just no way.

Copyright © 1977-1999 Dean Friedman Music (PRS)

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