"After Hours"
The Velvet Underground
Music and lyrics by Lou Reed


[Verse 1]

            
If you close t

    
he door
            
The night coul

          
d last forever
            
Leave the suns

     
hine out
            
And say hello 

   
to never


[Verse 2]

            
All the people

              
 are dancing a

           
nd they're hav

ing such fun
            
I wish it coul

            
d happen to me
            
But if you clo

        
se the door
            
I'd never have

             
 to see the da

     
y again


[Verse 3]

            
If you close t

    
he door
            
The night coul

          
d last forever
            
Leave the wine

       
 glass out
            
And drink a to

       
ast to never


[Verse 4]

            
Oh, someday I 

              
know someone w

    
ill look into 

my eyes
           
And say hello
              
You're my very

         
 special one
            
But if you clo

        
se the door
            
I'd never have

             
 to see the da

   
y again


[Bridge]


Dark party bar

s
      
Shiny Cadillac

 cars
            
And the people

             
 on subways an

        
d trains
        
Looking gray i

n the rain
        
As they stand 

disarrayed
            
Oh, but people

              
 look well in 

    
the dark


[Verse 5]

            
And if you clo

        
se the door
            
The night coul

          
d last forever
            
Leave the suns

     
hine out
            
And say hello 

   
to never


[Verse 6]

            
All the people

              
 are dancing a

           
nd they're hav

ing such fun
            
I wish it coul

            
d happen to me
              
'Cause if you 

         
close the door
            
I'd never have

             
 to see the da

       
y again
            
I'd never have

             
 to see the da

            
y again, once 


more
            
I'd never have

             
 to see the da

   
y again



NOTES:

I transcribed these chords while listening to the original
version found at the end of The Velvet Underground's self-titled
third album, released on Verve Records in 1969. The song is
interesting in that it's one of only two Velvet Underground songs
that feature lead vocals by drummer Maureen Tucker. In addition
to Tucker's vocals, the studio version utilizes acoustic guitar
and bass guitar - a relatively sparse set up.

Once you get the chord progression down, it's a really easy song
to transpose, in case you want to switch to a different key. It
sounds nice whether you're imitating the picking pattern in the
song (which isn't difficult to figure out on your own) or simply
playing straight chords. I adore this song to pieces, it's the
one that got me into the band (along with "Candy Says"). I hope
you enjoy it as much as I do.

(Transcription by Pele Merengue, 2/01/07)