"You Don't Mess Around With Jim" Guitar Guide
Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" is a great song for beginner guitar players to practice chord transitions and strumming patterns, as well as story-telling through music.
Chords and Transitions
The song primarily uses four chords: D, Dm, G, and A. You'll notice that the song often transitions between D and Dm chords. These transitions are made easier by the fact that the finger positions between these two chords are quite similar, so beginners should focus on getting comfortable with the swift change.
Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern for this song is a basic down-up-down-up rhythm. Keep in mind that the rhythm of the strumming should follow the cadence of the lyrics. For example, the D chord is often played faster to keep up with the lyrics, while the G and A chords are strummed slower during the chorus.
Techniques
The song offers a nice opportunity to practice storytelling through music. Pay attention to the lyrics and try to imbue your playing with the same energy and rhythm of the narrative. This will help you not only to keep time but also to develop your expression as a musician.
Finally, remember to practice the chord transitions slowly at first, gradually increasing your speed as you gain confidence. With practice and patience, you'll be playing "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" smoothly in no time.
IntroD D D D Dm D D D D Dm
Verse 1D UptownDm got it's husD tlers. The BoweryDm got it'sD bums
Forty-secondDm street gotD Big JimDm Walker he aD pool-shootin'Dm son of aD gun
Yeah heG big and dumb as a man can come, but he stronger than a country hoss
And when theA bad folks all get toG gether at night you know theyA all call Big Jim "G Boss," just beD cause
ChorusAnd they say you don'tG tug on Superman'sD cape. You don'tG spit into theD wind
You don'tG pull, the mask off that old Lone Ranger and youA don't mess around withD Jim
Verse 2Well outtaD south AlaDm bama come aD country boy, he said I'm lookin' for aDm man namedD Jim
I am a pool shootin'Dm boy my name aD Willie McCoy but down home theyDm call meD Slim
Yeah I'mG lookin' for the king of 42nd street he drivin' a drop-top Cadillac
Last week heA took all my money and itG may sound funny but IA come to get my moneyG back
And everybodyD say "Jack, don't you know:
ChorusYou don'tG tug on Superman'sD cape. You don'tG spit into theD wind
You don'tG pull, the mask off that old Lone Ranger and youA don't mess around withD Jim"
Verse 3Well aD hush fellDm over theD pool room Jimmy come boppin' inDm off theD street
And when the cuttin' wereDm done the onlyD part that wasn'tDm bloody was theD soles of theDm big man'sD feet
Yeah he wereG cut in about a hundred places, and he were shot in a couple more
And youA better believe they sung aG different kind of story whenA Big Jim hit theG floor oh ohD oh
Outro ChorusNow they say you don'tG tug on Superman'sD cape. You don'tG spit into theD wind
You don'tG pull, the mask off that old Lone Ranger and youA don't mess around withD Slim
Yeah you don'tG tug on Superman'sD cape. You don'tG spit into theD wind
You don'tG pull, the mask off that old Lone Ranger and youA don't mess around withD Slim
