Verse 1:
Cm                         Eb
David has a bachelor’s and master's degree
Fm                              G7
David’s married, soon to have a family of three
Cm                           Eb
David makes six figures, and what about me?
Fm               G7
 Yeah, call me a wannabe
Cm                                   Eb
Mom says, “Ditch the hobbies, find a job to pursue”
Fm                                    G7
Dad says, “Don’t go chasing dreams if you can’t go through”
Cm                        Eb
“David couldn’t do it, so neither could you”
Fm                G7
 Now I’ve got something to prove

Pre-chorus:
       Ab               Fm
‘Cause I’m so sick of “second best”
G7              Cm
I’m so sick of “not impressed”
Fm        Bb
 This family’s obsessed
Eb               G7
 With validation and reputation

Chorus:
Cm
 American dream (american dream)
Fm
 Tell me, what’s the price of perfection?
Bb
 Tell me why I crave your affection
     G7
When excellence is expected the praise is a luxury
Cm
 American dream (american dream)
Fm
 Why do my achievements define me?
Bb
 Why does life feel so damn confining?
        G7
When success is respected there’s no room for mediocrity

Instrumental (x2): | Cm | Eb | Fm | G7 |

Verse 2:
  Cm                     Eb
I overcompensate in everything that I do
  Fm                                 G7
I bring home all the trophies that I won just for you
           Cm                  Eb
You see a starving musician in debt from tuition
Fm          G7
 I’m never enough for you

Pre-chorus:
       Ab              Fm
‘Cause I’m so sick of being stressed
G7              Cm
Working hard at your request
Fm        Bb
 This family’s obsessed
Eb               G7
 With validation and reputation

Chorus:
Cm
 American dream (american dream)
Fm
 Tell me, what’s the price of perfection?
Bb
 Tell me why I crave your affection
     G7
When excellence is expected the praise is a luxury
Cm
 American dream (american dream)
Fm
 Why do my achievements define me?
Bb
 Why does life feel so damn confining?
        G7
When success is respected there’s no room for mediocrity

Bridge:
Ab       Bb       G7      Cm
 You’ve lived a life of sacrifice
Ab  Bb       G7       Cm
 Nothing I do could dare suffice
Ab     Bb          G7                   Cm
 I’ll never stop trying and trying to be enough
Ab           G7sus4    G7
 Enough for you

Instrumental:
   | Cm | Eb | Fm | G7 |
   | Cm | Eb | Fm | Bb A Ab7 |

Chorus:
Dbm
 American dream (american dream)
Gbm
 Tell me, what’s the price of perfection?
B
 Tell me why I crave your affection
     Ab7
When excellence is expected the praise is a luxury
Dbm
 American dream (american dream)
Gbm
 Why do my achievements define me?
B
 Why does life feel so damn confining?
        Ab7                                            (nc)
When success is respected there’s no room for mediocrity
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