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Shangri-la cover art

Shangri-la

The Kinks
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Chords in this song19

Song

SHANGRI-LA - The Kinks
(opening riff: pluck Am 5 4 3 4 2 4 3 4 twice)
Now that you've found your paradise
This is your kingdom to command
You can go outside and polish your car
Am C E7 Am (opening riff)
Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-La
Here is your reward for working so hard
Gone are the lavatories in the backyard
Gone are the days when you dreamed of that car
You just want to sit in your Shangri-La 
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are 
In your Shangri-La  
Sit back in your old rockin' chair
You need not worry you need not care  
You can't go anywhere  
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahh 
The little man who gets the train
Got a mortgage hanging over his head  
But he's too scared to complain   
Cos he's conditioned that way  
Time goes by and he pays off his debts
Got a T.V. set and a radio  
For seven shillings a week  
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh
         
And all the houses in the street have got a name
Cos all the houses in the street they look the same
Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines they drink their tea and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-La
The gas bills and the water rates and payments on the car
Too scared to think about how insecure you are 
Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-La
Shangri-la
G C F Bb G C F Bb G C F Bb G C F Bb... G C F A
Shangri-La la la la la la la...
Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-La  
Sit back in your old rockin' chair
You need not worry you need not care  
You can't go anywhere  
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh 
Shangri-La, Shangri-La, Shangri-La-ah-ah-ahhh
[Note] For verses that begin with Am, pick in B 4 3 2 style, once for each
chord. For verses that begin with D, pick in B 3 1&2 3 style. All
other parts, including "Shangri-La" lines, strum.
(from that greatest of Kinks albums, Arthur, 1969)
(sent by Harlan at harlant@hawaii.edu)

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