John Mellencamp--Cherry Bomb

This song has a number of chords, all which can be played in open position. The majority of the song is G and Am. The Bm barre may prove difficult to a (new) beginner; but it can be played open position. The one 4 beat section at the end of each verse calls for a bit extra practice; but is achievable for a beginner like myself.

John Mellencamp—Cherry Bomb

G/C----- (X30003)
G---------(320033) or (3X0003)
Am7----- (X02010)
Am------ (X02210)
C---------(X32010)
Bm----- (X24432) or (XX4432)

Intro

G----Am7----G----Am7----G----Am7 ---G----Am7
-------------------------------------------------"Well"--
G-------------------Am
I lived on the out-skirts of town
G-------------------------Am
In an eight-room farm-house baby
G----------------------------------Am
When my brothers and friends were around
G----------------------------Am
There was always somethin' doin'

Em-----------------------------Bm
Had me a couple of real nice girlfriends stopped
Am---------------------C
By to see me ev'ry once in a while
Em---------------------------Bm
When I think back about those days
Am--------------- C G/C Am G/C
All I can do is sit and smile

Chorus:
G-------------------- Am
That's when a sport was a sport
G--------------------------Am
And groovin' was groovin'
G--------------------------Am
And dancin' meant ev- ry-thing.
G----------------------------- Am
We were young and we were improvin'
G-------------------------- Am
Laughin', laughin' with our friends
G------------------------- Am
Holdin' hands meant some-thin' baby
G---------------------Am
Outside the club, “Cherry Bomb”—
G------------------- Am-----------------------------G
Our hearts were really thumping—Say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah
Am----------------------- G
Say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah”

G----Am7----G----Am7

Verse2

The winter days they last forever
But the weekends went by so quick
Went ridin' around this little country town
We were goin' nuts girl out in the sticks

One night me with my big mouth
A couple of guys had to put me in my place
When I see those guys these days, we just
Laugh and say “Do you remember when?”

Chorus

Verse 3

Seventeen has turned thirty-five
I'm surprised that we're still livin'
If we've done any wrong
I hope that we're forgiven

Got a few kids of my own
And some days I still don't know what to do
I hope that they're not laughin too loud, when they
Hear me talkin' like this to you.

Chorus.

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(Corrections and additions welcome)
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I have heard some refer to Mellencamp as "the poor-man's Springsteen". This is unfair. Both are excellent artists and performers. Both bring an honesty and musicianship to their work. Both are representatives of their locations: The American Midwest, and New Jersey. Both have stood the test of time. Both are still putting out good music...

~ghost~