[Intro]
NONE
[Verse]
Em7
You say you got some history
G
Your past ain't crystal clean
Cadd9
Got some rips that are gonna need patching
G
Ain't just talking about those blue jeans
G Cadd9
Rough around the edges ain't for everyone
But the way I see it
[Chorus]
Em G
The 501's look better with some mud on 'em
Cadd9 G
And those hands feel better with work on 'em
Em7 G
Nah, I ain't afraid of a little whiskey stain
Cadd9
On your name going round this small small town
Em7 G
I don't mind a little static on the station
Cadd9 G
A little nitty gritty with a messy reputation
Em7
Drives in 35's
G
Trouble in their eyes
Cadd9
Something 'bout a guy
G
With some dirt on 'em (With some dirt on 'em, with some dirt)
[Verse]
Em7
Looks like that Silverado
G
Ain't seen silver in a month or two
Cadd9
So, come on baby pass me that bottle
G Cadd9
We can dust off that 90 proof
G Cadd9
And go and get a little lost in them backwoods
Yeah, that sounds good
[Chorus]
Em7 G
'Cause 501's look better with some mud on 'em
Cadd9 G
And those hands feel better with work on 'em
Em7 G
Nah, I ain't afraid of a little whiskey stain
Cadd9
On your name going round this small small town
Em7 G
I don't mind a little static on the station
Cadd9 G
A little nitty gritty with a messy reputation
Em
Drives in 35's
G
Trouble in their eyes
Cadd9
Something 'bout a guy
With some dirt on 'em
[Instrumental/Solo]
Em G
Cadd9 G
(There's something bout a guy with some dirt on 'em)
Em G Cadd9 Cadd9 G
[Break]
G
You say you got some history
Cadd9
Your past ain't crystal clean
Well
[Chorus]
Em G
501's look better with some mud on 'em
Cadd9 G
And those hands feel better with some work on 'em
Em7 G
Nah, I ain't afraid of a little whiskey stain
Cadd9
On your name going round this small small town
Em G
I don't mind a little static on the station
Cadd9 G
A little nitty gritty with a messy reputation
Em
Drives in 35's
G
Trouble in their eyes
Cadd9
Something 'bout a guy
G
With some dirt on 'em
[Outro/Instrumental]
Em G Cadd9 G
Em G
Cadd9 G
(Yeah, something bout a guy with some dirt on 'em)
How to play "Dirt on 'Em" on guitar
[Verse Chord Progression]
- Start with Em7 and transition through G, Cadd9, back to G, maintaining
a steady, casual strumming pattern. This supports the song's theme of
embracing imperfections and rough edges in life.
- The chord progression sets a laid-back, slightly gritty tone, suitable
for the storytelling lyrics.
[Chorus Dynamics]
- In the chorus, use the same chords—Em, G, Cadd9, G—increasing the
strumming intensity slightly to highlight the chorus's uplifting and
accepting message.
- This part of the song should feel like a celebration of character "flaws,"
so make sure the strumming is vibrant and full of life.
[Instrumental/Solo Section]
- The instrumental solo maintains the established chord progression.
This is a great opportunity to add melodic fills or lead guitar lines
over the rhythm.
- Keep the rhythm steady and supportive, allowing any lead guitar work
to stand out.
[Break]
- The break revisits the verse's theme with a reflective tone. Return to
a softer strumming pattern here to allow the lyrics to stand out.
- Use this moment to slow down and prepare for the final chorus.
[Outro/Instrumental]
- For the outro, continue with the strong dynamic strumming used in the
chorus, ending the song on an empowering note.
- Let the final chords resonate, leaving a lingering sense of the song’s
celebration of authenticity.
Common mistakes:
- Not adjusting the strumming intensity between the verse, chorus, and
instrumental sections. Ensure each section is distinct yet cohesive
within the overall structure of the song.
- Overlooking the emotional impact of the chord changes, especially the
transition to Cadd9. Practice these transitions to ensure they are
smooth and enhance the song’s narrative.
Song Facts and Artist Bio:
"Dirt on 'Em" by Ashley Cooke is a country song that celebrates embracing
one's past and imperfections, using the metaphor of dirt to symbolize
real-life experiences and character depth. The song combines catchy
melodies with relatable lyrics to convey its message. Ashley Cooke's
music often features themes of personal strength and resilience,
connecting with listeners through her honest lyricism and melodic sensibility.
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