[Intro]
One, two, three, four
G Em Cadd9 Cadd9
E --------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
B --------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
G -0---0--2---0-|-0---0--2---0-|-0---0--2---0-|-0---0--2---0-|
D ---0------0---|---0------0---|---2------2---|---2------2---|
A --------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
E --------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
[Verse]
G
It's been a year
Em
Since I've been back to Sarasota
Cadd9
My grandparents are getting older
And if I had to guess
G
It's been a year
Em
Since my best friend had her baby girl
Cadd9
Now she's got a whole new world
And I ain't even met her yet
G
I've kept my head down grinding
Em
Just looked up and realized it
Cadd9
Damn, it's been a year?
[Chorus]
Cadd9 G D
And I ain't sayin' it ain't been a good one
Cadd9 G D
It's been a "did a lot more than I thought I could" one
Cadd9 G D Em
It's been three hundred sixty five record lows and record highs
Cadd9
Loving and losing
G
Fun and confusing
Cadd9 D
Praying and shifting gears
G Cadd9
For the minute you got
G
It's probably a lot
Am D
More than you wanna hear
G Cadd9
So all I'll say is
G
"It's been a year"
[Verse]
G
Since I watched him walk on out that door
Cadd9
And I wish I'd fought a little more
Still feels like yesterday
G
But It's been a year
G
And now he's at her place five nights a week
Cadd9
And that feels kinda quick to me
But I guess it's been a year
[Chorus]
Cadd9 G D
And I ain't sayin' it ain't been a good one
Cadd9 G D
It's been a "did a lot more than I thought I could" one
Cadd9 G D Em
It's been three hundred sixty five record lows and record highs
Cadd9
Loving and losing
G
Fun and confusing
Am
Praying and shifting gears
G Cadd9
For the minute you got
G
It's probably a lot,
Am7
More than you wanna hear
G Cadd9
So all I'll say is
Cadd9 G D
"It's been a year"
Cadd9 G D
Yeah, it's been a year
[Break]
Cadd9 G D
Before we raise a glass up to the next one
Cadd9 G D
Hey, looking back it's damn sure been the best one
[Chorus]
Cadd9 G D Em
So cheers to three hundred sixty five record lows and record highs
Cadd9
Loving and losing
G
Fun and confusing
Am7
Praying and shifting gears
G Cadd9
For the minute you got
G
It's probably a lot,
Am
More than you wanna hear
G Cadd9
If you're hanging around
G
I can tell you about it
Am G Cadd9
But it might take another beer
[Outro]
N.C.
'Cause it's been a year
G Em Cadd9 G
E --------------|--------------|--------------|-3-|
B --------------|--------------|--------------|-3-|
G -0---0--2---0-|-0---0--2---0-|-0---0--2---0-|-0-|
D ---0------0---|---0------0---|---2------2---|-0-|
A --------------|--------------|--------------|-2-|
E --------------|--------------|--------------|-3-|
Yeah, it's been a year
How to play "It's Been a Year" by Cooke Ashley on guitar
[Intro & Verses]
- Begin by mastering the G, Em, and Cadd9 chords. Each chord is strummed
in a regular pattern, allowing for the lyrics to be emphasized.
- Focus on a clean transition between these chords. Start slow and gradually
build up your speed as you get comfortable.
- For the G chord, ensure you're pressing down on the strings firmly to avoid
any buzzing and get a clear sound.
- The Em chord will give a slightly melancholic tone, fitting for the song's
reflective lyrics.
- Cadd9 is used frequently and needs to be played cleanly. Practice switching
to and from this chord smoothly, as it appears often throughout the song.
[Chorus]
- The chorus introduces the D chord alongside G, and Cadd9. Here, strumming
becomes slightly more vigorous to match the energy of the lyrics.
- Pay attention to dynamics: the intensity should rise with the emotional
content of the lyrics, especially on lines like "three hundred sixty five
record lows and record highs."
- Strum confidently in a down-up pattern, emphasizing the downstrokes on
the start of each lyric line to drive the rhythm forward.
[Break & Outro]
- The break shifts tone slightly, suggesting a reflective mood as you strum
through G and D. Keep the strumming steady but soften the attack to
differentiate this section from the more dynamic chorus.
- In the outro, return to a more pronounced strumming pattern as you close
out the song. The final G chord should resonate, symbolizing the conclusion
of the year mentioned in the lyrics.
[Common mistakes]
- Not maintaining a consistent strumming pattern, which can disrupt the
rhythm of the song.
- Rushing through chord transitions without allowing each chord to fully
resonate, especially in the verses where the lyrics are more narrative.
- Overlooking the dynamic changes between verse, chorus, and break, which
are crucial for conveying the song's emotional depth.
[Tips]
- Regularly tune your guitar to ensure the chords sound correct.
- Practice the chord transitions slowly and increase speed only when you
have them down pat.
- Use a metronome to keep your rhythm steady and consistent.
[Song Facts]
"It's Been a Year" reflects on the swift passage of time and significant
life changes, using personal and introspective lyrics. The song captures
the bittersweet emotions of looking back over a year of growth, loss, and
transformation.
[Artist Bio]
Cooke Ashley is a contemporary artist known for her heartfelt storytelling
and melodic guitar arrangements. Her music often explores personal themes,
delivered with a sincerity that resonates with a wide audience.
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