Them Shoes Chords & Tabs
by Patrick Sweany
[Version Description]
Modified Open G tuning: D-G-D-G-B-e Judging by videos of Patrick playing this song, he appears to use open G tuning but with the high E string kept at E. This allows for playing the ascending 5th chords (no 3rd) that form the foundation of the intro and the first verse, while also allowing the upper strings for soloing using standard tuning on those strings in later sections when he plays a somewhat different sequence in the same theme but down at the nut. Was lucky enough to see Patrick Sweany perform solo acoustic at the Rock Shop in Brooklyn NY a few years back -- a great show by a master guitarist and songsmith. C'mon back to Brooklyn, Patrick.
The G chord is the first in this killer intro, making lots of use of droning open strings, and there seems
to be a slight variation in how it is played in different parts of the song. In the intro, it seems
to be G on all 4 lower strings - no 3rd and no 5th either. Written below as G but it's all G, all the
time - giving it that unique haunting vibe. In subsequent sections, the B string is fretted at the 3rd fret,
which adds the 5th - listen for that high D. This exact shape then slides up in the next two chords, leaving
the open strings open.
Not sure what the UG chord notation is for the 2nd chord in the intro, but it follows the same shape
as the chord that precedes it and the one that follows it - simply slide 'em on up the neck. Calling this
chord a Bb6 (no 3rd) seems to best match the spirit of the ascending sequence. As you slide the chord root
from the 5th fret (the G) to the 8th fret (Bb5), the 6th fret of the G string becomes the high 6th to the Bb5
which adds some color. Since Bb6 (no 3rd) is an unweidly name it will just be simplified in the tab as Bb5.
Starting at verse 2 the chords are played down at the nut.
Intro sequence:
G1 Bb6(no 3) C5
e|--x-------x--------x---|
B|--0-------6--------8---|
G|--0-------0--------0---|
D|--5-------8-------10---|
G|--0-------0--------0---|
D|--5-------8-------10---|
Variation (only difference is 3rd fret added to G chord):
G5 Bb6(no 3) C5
e|--x-------x--------x---|
B|--3-------6--------8---|
G|--0-------0--------0---|
D|--5-------8-------10---|
G|--0-------0--------0---|
D|--5-------8-------10---|
==============================
[Intro]
G Bb5 C5
G Bb5 C5
[Verse 1]
G Bb5 C5 G Bb5 C5
My mind is filled with ghosts and more than most of all my loves gone wrong
G Bb5 C5 G Bb5 C5
My mind should be the way most people say that I should just move on
G Bb5 C5 G Bb5 C5
My mind is focused on things past and gone where I have no control
G Bb5 C5 G Bb5 C5
I can't forget the used to be I used to see but now no more
[Bridge]
G Bb5 C5
C5 (ring)
G5 G7 C (x4)
[Verse 2]
G G7 C
Think I'm livin' in a fast life - in a past life, too
G G7 C
It's a kind of thing that catches up to you
G G7 C
I guess I just believe that it's the thing to do
G G7 C
So here's a little feedback - you gotta wear those shoes
[Solo]
G G7 C (x6)
[Verse 3]
G G7 C
No one said it would be easy - sometimes it's hard to do
G G7 C
Isn't like the TV - you see the cold hard truth
G G7 C
There's the things you see in movies just don't come true
G G7 C
So here's a little feedback - you gotta wear your shoes
[Solo]
G G7 C (x12)
[Verse 4]
G G7 C
I will live a half-life - it'll have to do
G G7 C
Now you can have a love life - and you have loved me too
G G7 C
You can see me in the evening when the weather's cool
G G7 C
Well here's a little feedback - you gotta wear those shoes
[Outro]
G G7 C (x10)
