Hello! Below you'll find my "Psycho Killer" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Talking Heads is full of cool chord changes. I'm basing my video on the piano accompaniment part as heard on the recording.
Enjoy!
Psycho Killer Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Psycho Killer:
Psycho Killer Chords & Lyrics
**Am in verses can be A or A7 depending on version you prefer.
[Intro]
| Am | Am / / G | x6
| Am | Am / / G | x6
[Verse]
Am G
I can't seem to face up to the facts
Am G
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
Am G
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
Am G
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
Am G
I can't seem to face up to the facts
Am G
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
Am G
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
Am G
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
[Chorus]
F G Am
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
F G Am
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way, ohh ohh ohh
F G
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
Run run run run run run run a-way, ohh ohh ohh
F G
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
A
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way
F G
Ohh ohh ohh oooh ayayayaya
[Interlude]
| Am | Am / / G | x2
| Am | Am / / G | x2
[Verse]
Am G
You start a conversation you can't even finish it
Am G
You're talking a lot, but you're not sayin anything
Am G
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
Am G
Say something once, why say it again?
[Chorus]
F G Am
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way, ohh ohh ohh
F G
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
Run run run run run run run a-way, ohh ohh ohh
F G
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
A
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way
F G
Ohh ohh ohh oooh ayayayaya
[Bridge]
Bm G Bm
Ce que j'ai fais, ce soir la, ce qu' elle a dit
Bm G Bm
Ce que j'ai fais, ce soir la, ce qu' elle a dit
G
Ce soir la
A G
Realisant mon espoir
A G
Realisant mon espoir
A
Je me lance vers la gloire o-kay
A G
Yayayayayayayayayayayaya!
A G
Yayayayayayayayayayayaya!
[Verse]
A G
We are vain and we are blind
A G
I hate people when they're not polite
A G
We are vain and we are blind
A G
I hate people when they're not polite
[Chorus]
F G Am
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
F G Am
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way, ohh ohh ohh
F G
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
Run run run run run run run a-way, ohh ohh ohh
F G
Psycho killer, qu'est que c'est
A
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way
F G C
Run run run run run run run a-way
F G
Ohh ohh ohh oooh ayayayaya
[Outro]
| Am | Am / / G | x4
| Am | Am / / G | x4
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.
Psycho Killer 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 "Psycho Killer" 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: "Psycho Killer" 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.
