Overkill
Colin Hay, 1983
Ukulele Arrangement: Bob Guz, 2012
Chords in this song:
C G Bb F Am Am9 Gsus4 Fmaj7 F6 G7
3 5 5 3
G F Am
5
The arrangement shown in this "cheat sheet" is inspired by various acoustic performances of Overkill by
Colin Hay – which I enthusiastically encourage you to check out – but is modified to fit the distinctive properties
of the ukulele. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV4U9nCnU3o for a demonstration of this arrangement.
This is an interpretation of the song and there is no attempt to replicate the original recording or any specific
cover version. It’s intended for private study, research, or educational purposes only.
The arrangement is for GCEA (low G) tuning, although with a few tweaks it can certainly be played in re-entrant
(gCEA) tuning as well. Enjoy!
Overkill - Page 1
Intro
Am Am9 Gsus4 G
A 3 2 3 3 3 2 2 2
E 0 3 0 0 3 3 3 3
C 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2
G 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Am Am9 Gsus4 G
A 3 2 3 3 3 2 2
E 0 3 0 0 3 3 3
C 0 0 0 0 2 2 2
G 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Overkill - Page 2
Verse 1
C G
3
Note:
Note: The
The verses
verses are
are played
played
with
with down-strokes
down-strokes only.
only.
I can't get to sleep
Bb F
I think about the implications
C G
3
Of diving in too deep
Bb F
And possibly the complications
Overkill - Page 3
Verse 1
C G
3
Especially at night
Bb F
I worry over situations
C G
3
I know will be alright
Bb F
Perhaps its just imagination
Overkill - Page 4
Chorus
A 3 2 3 2 0
Am
E 3 3 3 3 2
C 2 2 2 2
G 0 0 0 0 0
Day after day it reappears
Am Gsus4 G
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Esus4 E F Fmaj7 F6 Fmaj7 G7
4 4 5 5 5 5 3
Ghosts appear and fade away
Overkill - Page 5
Verse 2
C G
3
Alone between the sheets
Bb F
Only brings exasperation
C G
3
It's time to walk the streets
Bb F
Smell the desperation
Overkill - Page 6
Verse 2
C G
3
At least there's pretty lights
Bb F
And though there's little variation
C G
3
It nullifies the night
Bb F
From overkill
Overkill - Page 7
Chorus
A 3 2 3 2 0
Am
E 3 3 3 3 2
C 2 2 2 2
G 0 0 0 0 0
Day after day it reappears
Am Gsus4 G
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Esus4 E F Fmaj7 F6 Fmaj7
4 4 5 5 5 5
Repeat
3 times
Ghosts appear and fade away
G7
3
Come back another day
Overkill - Page 8
Verse 1 - Repeat
C G
3
I can't get to sleep
Bb F
I think about the implications
C G
3
Of diving in too deep
Bb F
And possibly the complications
Overkill - Page 9
Verse 1 - Repeat
C G
3
Especially at night
Bb F
I worry over situations
C G
3
I know will be alright
Bb F
It’s just overkill
Overkill - Page 10
Chorus - Ending
A 3 2 3 2 0
Am
E 3 3 3 3 2
C 2 2 2 2
G 0 0 0 0 0
Repeat
Day after day it reappears twice
Am Gsus4 G
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Esus4 E F Fmaj7 F6 Fmaj7
4 4 5 5 5 5
Repeat
3 times
and end
Ghosts appear and fade away
Overkill - Page 11
