Birdhouse In Your Soul

Words & Music:

They Might Be Giants

 

Correspondent & They Might Be Giants aficionado Johnny Chimpo noted that this song is actually in C (not B) and graciously provided the correct chords.

 

C             F                     Eb                F

I'm your only friend - I'm not your only friend - but I'm a little

Bb                    Eb              Db            G

Glowing friend – but, really, I'm not actually your friend - but I am...

 

CHORUS:

C      C/E         F             G             Am          C/B

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch, who watches over you?

C      C/B    Am        F       Eb

Make a little birdhouse in your soul.

Eb             Ab                   Eb               Ab

Not to put too fine a point on it - say I'm the only bee in your bonnet.

Eb     Cm     Ab        G  C    F   C   F

Make a little birdhouse in your soul.

 

C        F              C         F

I have a secret to tell from my electrical well.

C      C/B    C       F       G

It's a simple message and I'm leaving out the whistles and bells.

So, the room must listen to me, filibuster vigilantly.

My name is blue canary - one note spelled "l-i-t-e".

Am         F         D7/F#             F               G

My story's infinite, like the Longines Symphonette, it doesn't rest.

 

CHORUS:

 

INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE:

Am    F    D7/F#  F    Am   F    D7/F#  F

F#m   D    B7     D    E    D    C#m    B

 

A             D                     C                 D

I'm your only friend - I'm not your only friend - but I'm a little

G                     C               Bb            G

Glowing friend – but, really, I'm not actually your friend - but I am...

 

There's a picture opposite me of my primitive ancestry

Which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free.

Though I respect that a lot, I'd be fired if that were my job.

After killing Jason off and countless screaming Argonauts.

Bluebird of friendliness - like guardian angels it's always near

 

CHORUS:

 

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch, who watches over you?  Make a little birdhouse in your soul.

Not to put too fine a point on it - say I'm the only bee in your bonnet - make a little birdhouse in your soul.

 

A   D

And while you're at it,

A                     D             A                 E    F#m  E

Leave the night light on inside the birdhouse in your soul.

Not to put too fine a point on it - say I'm the only bee in your bonnet.

Make a little birdhouse in your soul.

 

FINAL CHORUS: [both regular & parenthetical lines are sung together]

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch  (And while you're at it,)

Who watches over you?  (Leave the night light on inside...)

Make a little birdhouse in your soul.  (...the birdhouse in your soul.)

Not to put too fine a point on it - say I'm the only bee in your bonnet.

Make a little birdhouse in your soul.

 

FINAL CHORUS:  [2x with both parts]

 

A       D       A