[Verse 1]
F Bb F
Was any of it true
F Bb F
Gazing at me, starry-eyed
F Bb F
In your Jehovah's witness suit
Bb F
Who the fuck was that guy?
Gm Eb Bb
You tried to buy some pills
Gm Eb Bb
From a friend of friends of mine
Gm Eb Bb
They just ghosted you
Gm Eb Bb
Now you know what it feels like
[Chorus]
Gm Eb Bb
And I don't even want you back, I just want to know
Gm Eb Bb
If rusting my sparkling summer was the goal
Gm Eb Bb
And I don't miss what we had, but could someone give
Gm Eb Bb
A message to the smallest man who ever lived?
[Verse 2]
F Bb F
You hung me on your wall
F Bb F
Stabbed me with your pushpins
F Bb F
In public showed me off
F Bb F
Then sank in stoned oblivion
Gm Eb F
Cause once your queen had come
Gm Eb F
You treat her like an also-ran
Gm Eb F
You didn't measure up
Gm Eb F
In any measure of a man
[Chorus]
Gm Eb Bb
And I don't even want you back, I just want to know
Gm Eb Bb
If rusting my sparkling summer was the goal
Gm Eb Bb
And I don't miss what we had, but could someone give
Gm Eb Bb
A message to the smallest man who ever lived?
[Bridge]
Bb Gm
Were you sent by someone who wanted me dead?
F Eb
Did you sleep with a gun underneath our bed
Bb
Were you writing a book?
Gm
Were you a sleeper cell spy?
F Eb
In 50 years, will this all be declassified?
Bb
You'll confess why you did it
Gm
And I'll say good riddance
F Eb
'Cause it wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden
Bb
I would've died for your sins
Gm
Instead, I just died inside
F Eb
And you deserve prison, but you won't get time
Bb Gm
You'll slide into inboxes and slip through the bars
F Eb
You crashed my party and your rental car
Bb
You said normal girls were boring
Gm
But you were gone by the morning
F Eb
You kicked out the stage lights but you're still performing
Bb
And in plain sight, you hid
Gm
But you are what you did
F Eb
And I'll forget you, but I will never forgive
Bb
The smallest man who ever lived
How to play "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" by Taylor Swift on guitar
[Verse Chords]
- Chord Progression: F Bb F
- This progression lays a melancholic and reflective base for the narrative lyrics.
[Chord Details]
- F Major: Open chord or barre chord on the 1st fret.
- Bb Major: Barre chord on the 1st fret using the A major shape.
- Gm Minor: Barre chord on the 3rd fret using the E minor shape.
- Eb Major: Barre chord on the 6th fret using the A major shape.
[Strumming Pattern]
- Suggested Pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
- Use a moderate strumming pace to emphasize the reflective nature of the lyrics.
[Chorus Chords]
- Chord Progression: Gm Eb Bb
- Introduce a slight increase in intensity here to highlight the emotional pivot
in the chorus.
[Common Mistakes]
- Not changing the dynamics between verses and choruses, which can make the
song feel monotonous.
- Rushing the tempo, especially in emotional parts of the song. Keep the tempo
steady to let each chord resonate.
[General Tips]
- Emphasize the emotional weight of the lyrics through dynamics in your strumming.
- Practice smooth transitions between major and minor chords, particularly from
Bb to Gm and Eb, to maintain the emotional continuity.
[Bridge Chords]
- Chord Progression: Bb Gm F Eb
- This part of the song provides a narrative climax. Consider using a picking pattern
here to create a stark contrast to the strummed sections and bring out the
introspective lyrics.
[Lyrics Meaning]
- "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" addresses themes of betrayal, disillusionment,
and introspection. The lyrics delve into the personal impact of a deceptive
relationship, painting a portrait of emotional damage and the struggle to
overcome the influence of a manipulative partner. The song utilizes vivid imagery
to convey the depth of the protagonist's feelings and the complexity of their
experiences.
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