[Verse 1]
C C/E
I am someone who until recent events
F
You shared your secrets with
G C
And your location, you forgot to turn it off
C/E F
And so I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog
G
And pierce new holes in my heart
Am C
You forgot to turn it off
F Am C F
And it hits me, I just don't understand
[Chorus]
C G
How you don't miss me in The Black Dog
C/E F
When someone plays The Starting Line
C G
And you jump up but she's too young
C/E F
To know this song that was intertwined
C G C/E F
In the magic fabric of our dreaming
C G C/E F C
Old habits die screaming
[Verse 2]
C C/E
I move through the world with a heart broken
F G C
My longings stay unspoken and I may never open up the way I did for you
C/E F
And all of those best laid plans, you said I needed a brave man
G Am G
Then proceeded to play him until I believed it too
F Am G F
And it kills me, I just don't understand
[Chorus]
C G
How you don't miss me in the shower
C/E F C
And remember how my rain soaked body was shaking
G C/E F
Do you hate me? Was it hazing for a cruel fraternity?
C G C/E F
I pledged, and I still mean it
C G C/E F
Old habits die screaming
[Bridge]
Am F C
Six weeks of breathing clean air, I still miss the smoke
G Am
Were you making fun of me with some esoteric joke?
F C
Now I wanna sell my house and set fire to all my clothes
G F G
And hire a priest to come and exorcise my demons
C G C/E F C G C/E F
Even if I die screa--------ming
C G C/E F C G C/E F
And I hope you hear it
[Chorus]
C G
And I hope it's shitty in The Black Dog
C/E F
When someone plays The Starting Line
C G
And you jump up but she's too young
C/E F
To know this song that was intertwined
C G C/E F
In the tragic fabric of our dreaming
C G C/E F
'Cause tail between your legs, you're lea-ving
[Outro]
C G C/E F
I still can't believe it
C G C/E F
'Cause old habits die screaming
How to play "The Black Dog" by Taylor Swift on guitar
[Verse Chords]
- Chord Progression: C C/E F G
- This sequence sets a reflective and somewhat melancholic tone.
[Chord Details]
- C Major: Open chord.
- C/E: Open C chord with an E bass (played on the 4th string, 2nd fret).
- F Major: Barre chord on the 1st fret or open chord.
- G Major: Open chord.
- Am Minor: Open chord.
[Strumming Pattern]
- Suggested Pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
- Maintain a steady and reflective rhythm that supports the emotive lyrics.
[Chorus Chords]
- Chord Progression: C G C/E F
- Use a more dynamic strumming pattern here to emphasize the emotional
pivot in the chorus.
[Common Mistakes]
- Overcomplicating the chord changes, especially transitioning from C to C/E.
Focus on smooth transitions to maintain the flow of the song.
- Losing the rhythm during the F and G chords, which can disrupt the song's
emotional impact.
[General Tips]
- Pay close attention to the dynamics between the verse and chorus to reflect
the song's emotional journey.
- Practice the transitions between C, C/E, and F smoothly, as they are crucial
for maintaining the song's melodic integrity.
[Bridge Chords]
- Chord Progression: Am F C G
- The bridge offers a moment of intense emotional reflection. Consider using
a picking pattern here to create a stark contrast to the strummed sections and
highlight the introspective lyrics.
[Outro Chords]
- Chord Progression: C G C/E F
- Return to a gentle strumming pattern to conclude the song on a reflective note.
[Lyrics Meaning]
- "The Black Dog" is a song about dealing with the haunting memories of a past
relationship and the places and songs associated with it. The lyrics explore
themes of loss, longing, and the painful realization of being forgotten,
using vivid imagery to convey deep emotional wounds and unresolved feelings.