Elliott Smith - Between The Bars
Hello! Below you'll find my "Between The Bars" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
Typical of Elliott Smith, this song has beautiful melodies, chord progressions, and lyrics. The original is played on guitar, but it translates well to piano.
Enjoy!
Between The Bars Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Between The Bars:
Between The Bars Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| Gm7 |X4
| Gm7 |X4
[Verse]
Gm7 Ebadd9
Drink up, baby, stay up all night
Bb Dm7/A
With the things you could do, you won't but you might
Gm7 Ebadd9
The potential you'll be, that you'll never see
Bb D Eb
The promises you'll only make
Gm7 Ebadd9
Drink up with me now, and forget all about
Bb Dm7/A
The pressure of days, do what I say
Gm7 Ebadd9
And I'll make you okay, and drive them away
Bb D Eb
The images stuck in your head
[Chorus]
Eb F6 Gm*
People you've been before that you
Gb6 F6 Em7b5
Don't want around anymore
Eb F6 Gm*
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
Eb Ebm
I'll keep them still
[Verse]
Gm7 Ebadd9
Drink up, baby, look at the stars
Bb Dm7/A
I'll kiss you again, between the bars
Gm7 Ebadd9
Where I'm seeing you there, with your hands in the air
Bb D Eb
Waiting to finally be caught
Gm7 Ebadd9
Drink up one more time, and I'll make you mine
Bb Dm7/A
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
Gm7 Ebadd9
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
Bb D Eb
And keep the things you forgot
Waiting to finally be caught
Gm7 Ebadd9
Drink up one more time, and I'll make you mine
Bb Dm7/A
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
Gm7 Ebadd9
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
Bb D Eb
And keep the things you forgot
[Chorus]
Eb F6 Gm*
People you've been before that you
Gb6 F6 Em7b5
Don't want around anymore
Eb F6 Gm*
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
Eb Ebm
I'll keep them still
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Between The Bars Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Between The Bars" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Between The Bars" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
