E    A  G# G
F#   F#7

[Verse 1]
F#                      B
You're doing everything your people said to
F#                      B               E
I'd hate to be the one to break it to you
           A         G#   G       
It's only sad 'cause it's true
F#
They misled you when they bred you
F#                              B
Somebody said some things they have no right to
F#                            B                 E
Somehow it stuck and you were known as someone who
             A       G# G               F#
Could simply not follow through if they have to
 
But you have to, don't you?

[Chorus]
E                      B
You don't have to be a genius
       F#        
But it helps to, it helps to
E                                B
Fools and charlatans, since they may get wise
    F#                          
But only cream and bastards rise
D              A              F#
Yeah, you can see it in their eyes

[Instrumental]
F#   B  F# B  (x2)
E    A  G# G
F#   F#7

[Verse 2]
F#                       B
You follow good advisors to the letter
F#                                B                   E
You know your friend   He's doing so much better than you
         A      G# G         F#                      
Are ever likely to do, he'll eclipse you
F#
But he will not miss you

[Chorus]
E                      B
You don't have to be a genius
       F#               
But it helps to, it helps to
E                     B
All the also-rans are real nice guys
    F#
But only cream and bastards rise

[Bridge]
D                A
People who could buy and sell you
E                             B
Sharing a joke that they will never tell you
D                       A                   E
You think you're dialed in, someone has to win
                       B
And you know what that means
                                D
That means someone's got to lose
                A    C               G     F#
It's probably you, oh, it's probably you, oh

[Instrumental]
F#   B  F# B  (x2)
E    A  G# G
F#   F#7

[Verse 3]
F#                           B
It's not a race, it's not a competition
F#                          B        
And if it were, you'd be in no position 
E              A      G# G          F#
To get them to listen to you if you had to
F#
Not even if your life depended on it

[Chorus]
E                      B
You don't have to be a genius
       F#        
But it helps to, it helps to
E                    B
Some are aliens, the rest are spies
    F#
But only cream and bastards rise
D               A               F#
Yeah, you can see it in their eye, eye, eye, eye 
F#
eye, eye, eye, eye, ha ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha