Something new for the repertoire

The best kind of song that a street musician can perform is one that the audience can sing along to, even if they’ve never heard it before. I tried this one last night, and it went over really well.

In fact, it went over so well that a guy gave me a crisp twenty-dollar bill for it.

He just paid for the ice for my birthday party. Thanks, dude! And thanks, Jay, Silent Bob and Afroman!

Because I Got High

by Afroman

from the albums “The Good Times” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back soundtrack”

I was gonna clean my room until I got high

I gonna get up and find the broom but then I got high

My room is still messed up and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I was gonna go to class before I got high

I coulda cheated and I coulda passed but I got high

I am taking it next semester and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I was gonna go to work but then I got high

I just got a new promotion but I got high

Now I’m selling dope and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I was gonna go to court before I got high

I was gonna pay my child support but then I got high

They took my whole paycheque and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I wasnt gonna run from the cops but I was high

I was gonna pull right over and stop but I was high

Now I am a paraplegic and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I was gonna pay my car note until I got high

I wasn’t gonna gamble on the boat but then I got high

Now the tow truck is pulling away and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I was gonna make love to you but then I got high

I was gonna eat yo pussy too but then I got high

Now I’m jacking off and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I messed up my entire life because I got high

I lost my kids and wife because I got high

Now I’m sleeping on the sidewalk and I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

I’m gonna stop singing this song because I’m high

I’m singing this whole thing wrong because I’m high

And if I dont sell one copy I know why

Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high

Here are the chords — for each verse:

line 1: G C

line 2: D G

line 3: G C

line 4: G D G

The song’s extremely simple, having only a bass and a drum machine playing a TR-808-like kick and snare. There’s loads of room for embellishment; I play a lot of the chords as sevenths and throw in a solo just before the “I was gonna make love to you” verse.

If you have RealPlayer, you can see the video for Because I Got High online.