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Strokes, The - The Adults Are Talking

Chords & Piano Lesson
The Strokes - The Adults Are Talking
Hello! Below you'll find my "The Adults Are Talking" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
 

This excellent song by The Strokes was originally performed on guitar but in the video I teach a great sounding piano version. I even give you some tools for improvising during the "guitar solo" section.

Enjoy!

Lesson Video
Chord Chart

The Adults Are Talking Piano Tutorial

Here's a piano tutorial video for The Adults Are Talking:

The Adults Are Talking Chords & Lyrics

[Intro]
Gm Bb 
Gm F
 
[Verse 1]
                       F                                  Dm
They've been saying, "you're sophisticated"
                    F                         Dm
They're complaining, overeducated
              F                                     Dm
You are saying, all the words I'm dreaming
                  C/E                   C/E
Say it after me, Say it after me
 
[Verse 2]
               F                                 Dm
They will blame us, crucify and shame us
               F                           Dm
We can't help it, If we are a problem
             F                                     Dm
We are trying, hard to get your attention
                                 C/E                             C/E
I'm climbing up your wall, climbing up your wall
 
[Chorus]
Gm
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
                  C
I know you think of me when you think of her
                  F
But then it don't make sense when you're trying hard
                Bb
To do the right thing but without recompense
                      Gm
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
                      C
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
                          F
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
                     Bb
But then you want me to do the same as you
 
[Instrumental]
Dm x3 
C/E
 
[Verse 3]
                F                            Dm
You were waitin', for the elevator
                F                                    Dm
You were sayin', all the things I'm dreaming
               F                                 Dm
No more askin', questions or excuses
                      C/E                           C/E
Information's here, here and everywhere
 
[Chorus 2]
Gm
Don't go there 'cause you'll never return
                   C
I know you think of me when you think of her
                  F
But then it don't make sense when you're trying hard
                Bb
To do the right thing but without recompense
                      Gm
And then you did something wrong and you said it was great
                      C
And now you don't know how you could ever complain
                          F
Because you're all confused 'cause you want me to
                     Bb
But then you want me to do it the same way as you
 
[Bridge]
Gm            C                            F                       Bb
   I don't - I don't want anything    I know it's not
                    Gm                     C
It's not your fault I don't want anyone
F        Bb
   As I do, it's not for you
 
[Outro]
Gm  C  Bb
Ahh  --  oooh
Gm  C  Bb
(With riff)
Gm  C  Bb X3

Ad Libs:

Stockholders
Same shit different life
I'll get it right some time
Maybe not tonight
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
The Adults Are Talking Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "The Adults Are Talking" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
 
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.  
 
3. Simplify if need be: "The Adults Are Talking" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
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