G DimC
I first believed in love as the answer
Am. G7.
To a big equation that was life

C DimC
And then I realized that love could be the Equation
Am. Cm. D7.
And I smiled like I’d solved a universal question

Cmin
One day I went back and thought it would be fun
To solve for x
G. AugBb
and suddenly it seemed like things were not so pretty
G DimC. Em. G7
For I had asked the wrong question and
Come to the right answer,
C. A. Am. D7. G
and the teacher will still mark me down for incomplete work

G. D. G
I’ve figured out that I have gotten nothing figured out
C. G. D
And I doubt I’ll get a handle on what it is all about
Emin. b7. G. A
I’ve noticed that I’ve never noticed all the small details
C. A. C. Cmin. G
Cuz love is just a passing grade, and baby, I’m a fail

My parents came across the sea to settle on these shores
And all I’ve got to offer is my body sick and sore
There’s nothing as confusing as running ‘way from home
When the only thing you’ve done in this damn country’s being born.

But in my time of being stuck in one place at a time
I believe that I am knocking out the riddles of the rhyme
Like a cat that’s knocking shit off of the mantle like I do
I’ve learned some things that love is not, and now I will tell you

D C G D G
Love is not, thinking that your daughter is
Cmin G A D7
Actually a boy that all the gays will lead astray
C. B7 Em Cmin G
And love is not, getting mad and blaming her when
A C D
You have palpitations and you’re sent to the ER
D C G D G
And Love is not, building up a friendship just to
Cmin G A D7
Ask the girl that you like if you can sleep with her
C. B7 Em Cmin G
And love is not, making friendships awkward when you
A C D G
learn you can’t exploit platonic relationships just for sex

I’ve figured out that I have gotten nothing figured out
And I doubt I’ll get a handle on what it is all about
I’ve noticed that I’ve never noticed all the small details
Cuz love is just a passing grade, and baby, I’m at most a D-

And love is not, a metaphor that you can throw over
Everything, except sometimes if you’re really in the mood
And love is not, quantifiable which means you can’t do empirical studies on things like soul food

And love is not, hallmark cards or jewelry or kisses in the closet or sex on the bathroom floor
Cuz love is not, something everyone will feel in the same way, which is why I now believe that all music sucks

I’ve figured out that I have gotten nothing figured out
And I doubt I’ll get a handle on what it is all about
I’ve noticed that I’ve never noticed all the small details
Cuz love is just a passing grade, and baby, I’m probably C+, tops