In a gentle 3/4 time
Song is sung by Raúl Esparza on the off-broadway recording of "tick, tick Boom!"
[Intro]
Bb Bb/Ab X4
[Verse]
Bb Bb/Ab Bb Bb/Ab Bb Bb/Ab Bb Bb/Ab
When I was nine, Michael and I entered a talent show down at the Y
Eb Eb/Db Eb Eb/Db Eb Eb/Db Eb Eb/Db
Nine A M , went to rehearse by some stairs Mike couldn't sing but I said "No one cares!" We sang
[Pre-Chorus: 4/4, but the 12th bar is one of 2/4]
Ab Db Db Bb/Ab Ab
"Yellow Bird" and "Let's Go Fly a Kite" over and over and over til we got it right When
Db2 Ab Db2 Ab Bb
we emerged from the YMCA, Three o'clock sun had made the grass hay I thought,
[Chorus: 3/4]
Eb Ab2 Db Bb Eb Ab2 Db Bb
Hey, what a way to spend the day Hey, what a way to spend the day
Cm Abmaj9 Cm B Db/B Eb/G Ab2 Bbsus4 Eb F
I make a vow, but I wonder now, Am I cut out to spend my time this way? When
[Verse]
Bb Bb/Ab Bb Bb/Ab Bb Bb/Ab Bb Bb/Ab
I was sixteen, Michael and I got parts in "West Side" at White Plains High
Eb Eb/Db Eb Eb/Db Eb Eb/Db Eb Eb/Db
Three o'clock, went to rehearse in the gym Mike was "Doc" — who didn't sing — fine with him We sang
[Pre-Chorus: 4/4, but the 12th bar is one of 2/4]
Ab Db Db
"Got a rocket in your pocket" and "the Jets are gonna have their day — tonight" Over and over and over til we
Bb/Ab Ab
got it right When
Db2 Ab Db2 Ab Bb
we emerged, wiped out by the play, nine o'clock stars and moon lit the way I thought,
[Chorus: 3/4]
Eb Ab2 Db Bb Eb Ab2 Db Bb
Hey, what a way to spend the day Hey, what a way to spend the day
Cm Abmaj9 Cm B Db/B Eb/G Ab Bbsus4 Eb Bb/D
I make a vow, I wonder now: Am I cut out to spend my time this way?
[Bridge]
Cm Ab/C Bb/C G/C Cm Ab/C Bb/C G/C
With only so much time to spend, don't want to waste the time I'm given
Cm Abmaj7/C Bb G Cm Amaj7 Bb G
"Have it all — play the game" some recommend I'm afraid it just may be time to give in
[Verse: Key change]
C C/Bb C C/Bb C C/Bb C C/Bb
I'm twenty nine, Michael and I live on the west side of Soho, NY
F F/Eb F F/Eb F F/Eb F F/Eb
Nine AM, I write a lyric or two, Mike sings his song now on Mad Avenue I sing,
[Pre-Chorus: 4/4, but the 12th bar is one of 2/4 ]
Bb Dm7 Ebmaj7 Gm Eb C/Bb Bb
"Come to your Senses, défenses are not the way to go" Over and over and over til I get it right When
Eb2 Bb Eb2 Bb C
I emerge from "B minor" or "A", Five o'clock diner calls, "I'm on my way"
[Chorus: 3/4]
F Bb2 Eb C F Bb2 Eb C
Hey, what a way to spend the day Hey, what a way to spend the day
Dm Bbmaj9 Dm Db Eb/Db Db Eb/Db Am
I make a vow, right here and now, I'm gonna
Bb2 Bb/C Dm Am7 Bb2 Bb/C F F/Eb F
spend my time this way I'm gonna spend my time this way