This is a really great song, and it's not too hard either. Madeleine Peyroux does a
better than Smith's, but they are both awesome.
I can't seem to locate a non-software based accurate tab of this song, so I'm doing it myself.
It starts with an Am7. You can play it open on the neck or barred if you like. I prefer
bar it, just because I'm not too used to the open neck fingering. Hold it for as many
as you want, then go into the lyrics:
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/e/elliott_smith/between_the_bars_crd_ver_2.html ]
Am7 F
Drink up, baby, stay up all night.
C
With the things you could do,
E7
You won't but you might.
Am7
The potential you'll be,
F
That you'll never see,
C E7 F
The promises you'll only make.
Am7
Drink up with me now,
F
And forget all about
C
The pressure of days.
E7
Do what I say,
Am7
And I'll make you okay,
F
And drive them away
C E7 F
The images stuck in your head
F G *
People you've been before
F G Am Am/F#
That you don't want around anymore—
F G *
That push and shove and won't bend to your will.
F Fm
I’ll keep them still.
Am7 F
Drink up, baby, look at the stars.
C
I'll kiss you again
E7
Between the bars,
Am7
Where I'm seeing you there,
F
With your hands in the air,
C E7 F
Waiting to finally be caught.
Am7
Drink up one more time,
F
And I'll make you mine.
C
Keep you apart,
E7
Deep in my heart,
Am7
Separate from the rest,
F
Where I like you the best,
C E7 F
And keep the things you forgot.
G *
The people you've been before
F G Am Am/F#
That you don't want around anymore—
F G *
That push and shove and won't bend to your will.
F Fm
I'll keep them still.
Am7
* There's a riff here.. It's pretty simple, and all the notes recieve an even time. Just
to the record and you should be able to hear the rhythm.
e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|--------------------------|
D|-----------------0---2----|
A|--0---0---2---3-----------|
E|--------------------------|
Note: for the Am/F#, I like to just reach across with my middle finger, which is on the
fret of the D string using my Am open fingering, and hit the second fret on the low E
The point of my finger holds down the string while the fleshy part mutes the A string. I
this sounds better and is a lot easier than using some weird fingering to get a proper
with all six strings ringing.
There you go. I hope this tab has been helpful. It's accurate to the best of my
but it's my first tab, so I probably made a few mistakes. If anything isn't clear, or
have a
or something, don't hestitate to email me.
