(There are 3 picking patterns used throughout the song, as follows)
[Verse]
Am Em
e|-----------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------0-----0-----0-----0---|
G|-------2-----2-----2-----2---------------------------|
D|-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----|
A|---0-----0-----0-----0-----2-----2-----2-----2-------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
[Chorus]
Em Am D Em
e|---------0~~---------0~~---------2~~---------0~~-----|
B|-----0---0~~-----1---1~~-----3---3~~-----0---0~~-----|
G|-------0-0~~-------2-2~~-------2-2~~-------0-0~~-----|
D|---2-----2~~---2-----2~~---0-----0~~---2-----2~~-----|
A|-----------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------|
[Post-Chorus]
(This is slightly different than it appears on record: the recorded version just features the bass notes on
the Am chord before picking the Em, but I like to pick the Am too)
Am Em
e|-----------------------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------0-----0-----0-----0---|
G|-------2-----2-----2-----2---------------------------|
D|-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----|
A|---0-----------------------2-----2-----2-----2-------|
E|---------3-----2-----0-------------------------------|
(These are often accompanied by slow upstrokes of the chords from a second guitar, particularly in the Verse
and Post-Chorus sections. Now let's set them to the lyrics)
[Verse]
Am Em
It's funny how people stare
Am Em
When your back's against the wall
Am Em
It's funny how people stare
Am Em
When your back's against the wall
Am
I reach out my hand
Em
I reach out my hand
Am Em
For that bad medicine
[Chorus]
Em Am D Em
The clocks are full of heroes
Em Am D Em
Propping up the bar with their empty ghosts
Em Am
It's dirty and it's raining
D Em
And the porno burns my eyes
Em Am
Wipe away the tear
D Em
With the skin from my hide
[Post-Chorus]
Am Em Am
Don't you give into that bad medicine
Em
Keep on smiling
[Verse]
Am Em
It's funny how people stare
Am Em
When your back's against the wall
Am Em
It's funny how people stare
Am Em
When your back's against the wall
[Chorus]
Em Am D Em
I've heard about this new world you're building
Em Am D Em
But will there be room for me?
Em Am
It's dirty and it's raining
D Em
And the porno burns my eyes
Em Am
Wipe away the tear
D Em
With the skin from my hide
Em Am D Em
Reach out for that bad medicine
Em Am
Ooh, feel your skin burn
D Em
Feel your soul turn
[Post-Chorus]
Am Em
Don't you give into
Am Em Am Em
Don't you give into that bad medicine
Am Em
Bad medicine
[Chorus]
Em Am D Em
Smile, it may take a while
Em Am D Em
But it's better than being nailed to the floor
Em Am D Em
Spit in their face if they stare while you're down
Em Am
Don't reach out for that bad medicine
D Em
Don't reach out for that bad medicine
Em Am D Em
Try smiling or smile or smile
Em Am
Bad medicine get hold of
D Em
Bad medicine get hold of you#
Em Am
Wipe away the tears
D Em
With the skin from my hide
Em Am
Wipe away the tears
D Em
With the skin from my hide
[Verse]
Am Em
It's funny how people stare
Am Em
When your back's against the wall
Am Em
It's funny how people stare
Am Em
When your back's against the wall
Am
I reach out my hand
Em Am Em
I reach out my hand for that bad medicine
Am Em
Don't you give into
Am Em Am Em
Don't you give into that bad medicine
Am Em
That bad medicine
Am
Mmmm, bad medicine
Em
Mmmm, bad medicine