The Power of Poverty
Key: A Major
Tempo: Upbeat (Pop Punk/Indie)
Time Sig: 4/4
Structure: Verse – Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Bridge – Final Chorus (lifted)
[Verse 1]
A E
Woke up broke in twenty-twelve
F#m D
No gold to hold, just dreams on shelves
Bm E
Shoes worn thin, heart worn black
Bm E
But I felt a spark, no turning back
A E
Power lit behind my eyes
F#m D
Time bent open, no more lies
C#m D
Skipped ahead to neon skies
Bm E
Cash was thick but soul was dry
[Pre-Chorus]
Bm C#m
The world was plastic, shiny fake
Bm C#m
Empty laughs for money’s sake
D E
I wrote a note and slipped it through
D E
To the kid I used to be, not you
[Chorus]
A F#m
I flew through fire just to say
D E
“You’ve got this, kid, don’t run away”
A F#m
Keep your feet down in today
D E
Don’t trade love for higher pay
C#m F#m
Pocket change can’t buy your soul
D Bm
So dream in dirt, not bars of gold
D E
I left this future just for you
Bm E
So live it loud, and see it through
[Verse 2]
A E
Crowds moved fast, the colours screamed
F#m D
Flying cars and cash machines
Bm E
But no one looked you in the eye
Bm E
Everyone sold their time to buy
A E
I saw myself on billboard screens
F#m D
But missed the joy in in-between
C#m D
So I reached across the stream
Bm E
To save the kid inside my dream
[Pre-Chorus]
(Same as before)
Bm C#m
The world was plastic, shiny fake
Bm C#m
Empty laughs for money’s sake
D E
I wrote a note and slipped it through
D E
To the kid I used to be, not you
[Chorus]
A F#m
I flew through fire just to say
D E
“You’ve got this, kid, don’t run away”
A F#m
Keep your feet down in today
D E
Don’t trade love for higher pay
C#m F#m
Pocket change can’t buy your soul
D Bm
So dream in dirt, not bars of gold
D E
I left this future just for you
Bm E
So live it loud, and see it through
[Bridge] (Slower/reflective)
F#m C#m
Don’t chase ghosts with shiny teeth
D A
They’ll steal your breath, and call it peace
F#m C#m
The cost of gold is time you waste
Bm E
So take your chance and hold your place
[Final Chorus] (Lifted vocals, energetic)
A F#m
I flew through fire just to say
D E
“You’ve got this, kid, don’t run away”
A F#m
Keep your feet down in today
D E
Don’t trade love for higher pay
C#m F#m
Pocket change can’t buy your soul
D Bm
So dream in dirt, not bars of gold
D E
I left this future just for you
Bm A
So live it loud, and see it through