Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
Hello! Below you'll find my "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Elton John has a great piano part and a cool rhythmic feel that I teach in the video. It's not important to play note for note what he does on the recording, because he plays these songs different every time! But I give you options both to keep it simple, and to add arpeggios and flourishes in his style.
Enjoy!
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues:
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| C Em7 | F | 2x
| C Em7 | F | 2x
[Verse 1]
G
Don't wish it away
Em7 F C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C)
Don't look at it's like it's forever
C G Bm
Between you and me, I could honestly say
F C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C)
That things can only get better
C G B7 Em7
And while I'm away, dust out the demons inside
Dm7 C G
And it won't be long, before you and me run
Am F G G F/A G/B
To the place in our hearts, where we hide
[Chorus]
C G/B F
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
F F/E F/D C G F
Time on my hands, could be time spent with you
C G Am
Laughing like children, living like lovers
C/E F D/F#
Rolling like thunder, under the covers
F F/G (C)
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
[Instrumental]
| C Em7 | F |
[Verse 2]
G
Just stare into space
Em7 F C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C)
Picture my face in your hands
C G Bm
Live for each second, without hesitation
F C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C)
And never forget I'm your man
C G B7 Em7
Wait on me girl, cry in the night if it helps
Dm7 C G
But more than ever, I simply love you
Am F G G F/A G/B
More than I love life itself
G
Just stare into space
Em7 F C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C)
Picture my face in your hands
C G Bm
Live for each second, without hesitation
F C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C)
And never forget I'm your man
C G B7 Em7
Wait on me girl, cry in the night if it helps
Dm7 C G
But more than ever, I simply love you
Am F G G F/A G/B
More than I love life itself
[Chorus]
C G/B F
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
F F/E F/D C G F
Time on my hands, could be time spent with you
C G Am
Laughing like children, living like lovers
C/E F D/F#
Rolling like thunder, under the covers
F F/G (C)
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
[Instrumental]
| C Em7 | F |
[Harmonica Solo]
| G | Em7 F | C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) | C (Dm/C) C C |
| G | Bm F | C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) | C (Dm/C) C C |
| G | Em7 F | C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) | C (Dm/C) C C |
| G | Bm F | C (Dm/C) C (Dm/C) | C (Dm/C) C C |
[Verse 3]
(C) G B7 Em7
Wait on me girl, cry in the night if it helps
Dm7 C G
But more than ever I simply love you
Am F G G F/A G/B
More than I love life itself
(C) G B7 Em7
Wait on me girl, cry in the night if it helps
Dm7 C G
But more than ever I simply love you
Am F G G F/A G/B
More than I love life itself
[Chorus]
C G/B F
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
F F/E F/D C G F
Time on my hands, could be time spent with you
C G Am
Laughing like children, living like lovers
C/E F D/F#
Rolling like thunder, under the covers
F F/G C
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
C G/B F
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
F F/E F/D C G F
Time on my hands, could be time spent with you
C G Am
Laughing like children, living like lovers
C/E F D/F#
Rolling like thunder, under the covers
F F/G C
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
[Outro]
G Am Em7
(Laughing like children, living like lovers)
F F/G C
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
G Am Em7
(Laughing like children, living like lovers)
F F/G C G Am Em7
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
F G C
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
G Am Em7
(Laughing like children, living like lovers)
F F/G C
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
G Am Em7
(Laughing like children, living like lovers)
F F/G C G Am Em7
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
F G C
And I guess that's why they call it the blues
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.
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues 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 "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" 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: "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" 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.
