[Intro]
| C | G | Am | F |
[Verse 1]
C
I don't mean to pick a fight
G
It probably ain't my place
Am
'Cause you ain't gonna like
F
What I've got to say
C
I don't mean to wreck your night
G
Just tryin' to do a favor
Am
Yeah, you might trust him now
F
But you might thank me later
[Pre-Chorus]
Dm C/E F
'Cause when there's smoke, there's always a fire
F
And he's got the lighter
[Chorus]
C
This ain't me bein' mean, girl
G Am
I just hate to see a good heart hangin' on a string, girl
F C
It sure looks a lot like love, but what you don't see, girl
G Am
Is all those cards slid so far up his sleeve, girl
F
When he says you're the only one, take it from me
C G
Yeah, it's just another thing that he doesn't mean, girl
Am F
Oh, that he doesn't mean, girl
[Verse 2]
C
He's told me all about you
G
I'm sure he skipped some things
Am
No, he's really changing
F
Oh, yeah, that's what he told me
F
Think what you wanna think
[Chorus]
C
This ain't me bein' mean, girl
G Am
I just hate to see a good heart hangin' on a string, girl
F C
It sure looks a lot like love, but what you don't see, girl
G Am
Is all those cards slid so far up his sleeve, girl
F
When he says you're the only one, take it from me
C G
Yeah, it's just another thing that he doesn't mean, girl
Am F
Oh, that he doesn't mean, girl
[Bridge]
F
He didn't mean to drink too much again
G
And keep me up 'til 3 AM
Am G
And when he wakes up to
F
Somebody that ain't you
F
He didn't mean to
[Chorus]
C
This ain't me bein' mean, girl
G Am
I just hate to see a good heart hangin' on a string, girl
F C
It sure looks a lot like love, but what you don't see, girl
G Am
Is all those cards slid so far up his sleeve, girl
F
When he says you're the only one, take it from me
C G
Yeah, it's just another thing that he doesn't mean, girl
Am F
Mm, that he doesn't mean, girl
How to play "Mean Girl" by Cooke Ashley on guitar
[Intro & Verse Progression]
- The song starts with a classic progression: C, G, Am, F. This sets
a conversational tone, matching the narrative style of the lyrics.
- Practice playing these chords in a steady, even rhythm, using a mix
of down and up strums to keep the texture light and engaging.
- The C chord sets a clear, crisp start to each phrase, grounding the melody.
- G adds a resolution to the progression, creating a sense of movement.
- Am brings a slight somberness, reflecting the serious tone of the lyrics.
- F provides a full, rich sound that concludes the progression with depth.
[Pre-Chorus]
- Transition to a Dm, which introduces a slight tension, emphasizing the
cautionary tale being told. Dm to C/E (C with an E bass) offers a
descending feel, which enhances the narrative of impending trouble.
- Return to F, maintaining the narrative's urgency and building up to the chorus.
[Chorus]
- Here, the same chord progression from the verses is employed but focus
on more dynamic strumming to elevate the emotional impact.
- Make sure to emphasize the lyrical message by strumming more forcefully
on key words such as "mean, girl," "string, girl," and "sleeve, girl."
- It's crucial to maintain clear articulation of each chord, ensuring that
each strum cleanly transitions into the next without muddying the sound,
especially when emotions in the lyrics peak.
[Bridge]
- The bridge introduces a narrative twist with chords F and G primarily
used. This section should be played with a sense of urgency and slight
agitation, reflecting the lyrics' content about deceit.
- Strumming should be punctuated; think about pausing slightly on G
to highlight the dramatic content of the lyrics.
[Common Mistakes]
- Rushing through the chord progression, especially in the emotionally
charged chorus. Each chord should be given its full time to resonate.
- Not adjusting strumming dynamics between the verses, chorus, and bridge,
which is essential to convey the song's emotional shifts.
[Tips]
- Work on clean transitions between the chords, especially the F which
can be challenging for beginners due to its barre requirement.
- Practice the song slowly at first and increase your pace as you become
more confident with the chord changes and strumming patterns.
[Song Facts]
"Mean Girl" uses a dialogue-like approach to convey a story of deceit and
warning. The lyrics address another person directly, offering a cautionary
tale about someone's untrustworthy nature, delivered with a blend of empathy
and candidness.
[Artist Bio]
Cooke Ashley's music often navigates the complexities of interpersonal
relationships and emotional honesty. Her ability to blend storytelling with
melodic guitar work makes her songs relatable and impactful.
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