Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan | Song Tabs - Guitar Chord Sheets

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Tangled Up In Blue Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s "Tangled Up In Blue," from his 1975 album "Blood on the Tracks," is a classic example of his storytelling style and often features a rhythmic acoustic guitar arrangement. The original’s feel is lively but not rushed, making it accessible for beginners.

Chords

The main chords used are A, Asus4, G, D, E, and F#m. All are open chords except F#m, which is a simple barre chord. Beginners can substitute F#m7 to avoid the full barre. Familiarize yourself with the Asus4 (simply add your pinky to the B string, 3rd fret, while holding A).

Strumming Pattern

A steady down-up strumming pattern fits the song well. Try D-DU-UDU (D = down, U = up) for each measure. Keep your arm moving smoothly, and emphasize the first down strum to match Dylan’s rhythmic style.

Chord Transitions

Practice moving between A and Asus4 repeatedly for the intro and between A and G throughout the verses. Use a pivot finger (your index) to anchor transitions. For D to E or F#m, lift and place your fingers deliberately to avoid hesitation.

Tips

Keep your strumming hand relaxed. Focus on fluid transitions, especially between A, G, and D. If F#m is difficult, play F#m7 (242222) or just F#m (244222) with only two fingers at first. Play along with the recording to get the groove.

Enjoy the storytelling and let your playing flow with the lyrics.

A

Asus4

G

D

E

F#m

Intro

A Asus⁴ A Asus⁴ A Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Verse 1

A Early one mornin' theG sun was shinin'.A I was layin' inG bed.

A Wonderin' if she'dG changed at all if herD hair was still red.

A Her folks they said ourG lives together,A sure was gonna beG rough.

TheyA never-did-like mama'sG homemade dress papa'sD bank book wasn't big enough.

AndE I was standin' on theF#m side of the road,A rain fallin' on myD shoes.

E Heading out for theF#m east coast LordA knows I've paid someD dues gettin'E through.

G TangledD up inA blueA Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Verse 2

A She was married whenG we first met.A Soon to be diG vorced.

IA helped her out of aG jam I guess but ID used a little too much force.

A We drove that car asG far as we could aA bandoned it outG west.

A Split up on aG dark sad night both aD greeing it was best.

E She turned around toF#m look at me asA I was walkin' aD way.

E I heard her say overF#m my shoulder we'llA meet again someD day on the avenE ue.

G TangledD up inA blueA Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Verse 3

A I had a job in theG great north woods,A working as a cook for aG spell.

But IA never did like itG all that much and oneD day the axe just fell.

So IA drifted down toG New Orleans where I wasA looking for to be emG ployed.

A Workin' for a while on aG fishin' boat rightD outside of Delacroix.

ButE all the whileF#m I was alone theA past was close beD hind.

E I seen a lot ofF#m women, but sheA never escaped myD mind and I justE grew.

G TangledD up inA blueA Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Verse 4

A She was workin' in aG topless place andA I stopped in for aG beer.

IA just kept lookin' at theG side of her face in theD spotlight so clear.

AndA later on as theG crowd thinned out I'sA just about to do theG same.

She wasA standing there inG back of my chair saidD to me "Don't I know your name?"

E I muttered somethin'F#m under my breath sheA studied the lines on myD face.

IE must admit I felt aF#m little uneasy when sheA bent down to tie theD laces of myE shoe.

G TangledD up inA blueA Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Verse 5

A She lit a burnerG on the stove andA offered me aG pipe.

IA thought you'd never say helG lo she said youD look like the silent type.

Then sheA opened up aG book of poems andA handed it toG me.

A Written by an IG talian poet from theD thirteenth century.

AndE everyone of themF#m words rang true andA glowed like burnin'D coal.

E Pourin' off ofF#m every page like it wasA written in myD soul from me toE you.

G TangledD up inA blueA Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Verse 6

IA lived with them onG Montague Street in aA basement down theG stairs.

There wasA music in the caG fés at night and revolD ution in the air.

ThenA he started intoG dealing with slaves andA somethin' inside of himG died.

A She had to sell everyG thing she owned andD froze up inside.

AndE when finally theF#m bottom fell outA I became withD drawn.

TheE only thing I knewF#m how to do was toA keep on keepin'D on like a bird thatE flew.

G TangledD up inA blueA Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Verse 7

SoA now I'm goin'G back again, IA got to get to her someG how.

A All the people weG used to know they're an ilD lusion to me now.

A Some are mathemaG ticians,A some are carpenters'G wives.

Don'tA know how it all gotG started I don'tD know what they're doin' with their lives.

ButE me I'm stillF#m on the road,A headin' for anotherD joint.

E We always didF#m feel the same we justA saw it from a differentD point ofE view.

G TangledD up inA blueA Asus⁴ A Asus⁴

Outro

A G A G A G D

A G A G A G D

E F#m A D E F#m A D E

G D A