Suspicious Minds was released by Elvis Presley in 1969. It was written by Mark James. What a song…
This song is a mixture of a very recognisable picking guitar riff for the Intro and Verses and a more open strummed section for the Choruses. There is a nifty Time Signature change from 4/4 to 6/8 in the middle section that slows this right down ready for the big build ending.
I have included easier strummed alternatives for the Intro & Verse.
Key: G
Time Signature: 4/4 & 6/6
THE SONG
Chords:
I use the Bm7 for its open resonance for the turnaround at the end of Verse 2. I use the Bm barre chord in the Choruses. You are free to interchange these to suit your ability.
The Intro: TAB
The tab below plays the first 2 bars for the intro. The remaining bars are Verse 1.
The Intro & Verses: Strummed
If you are unable to play the Verse tab above. Play 4 down strums for each bar on the following chords. Play the chord sequence twice.
Play the following tab for Verse 2. There is a turnaround at the end that takes us onto the Chorus.
To strum the turnaround instead of picking it play 2 down strums on each chord: D C | Bm7 D7 |
The Choruses:
Play the following rhythm for each bar of the chorus. Accent (play more pronounced strums) the 2 and 4 beats.
Use the rhythm above and play the following chord sequence. This is the complete chorus.
To finish this chorus play a single strum on B7sus4 then B7 chords.
Middle 8
Here we change from 4/4 (time sig.) to 6/8 time signature. Play long drawn out down strums as indicated on Beats 1 & 4. Pick up the rhythms energy from the G chord.
Ending:
We finish by cycling the chord sequence below to fade.
G | G | C | C | D | C | G | G |
Song Structure:
🎸 For additional video lesson help with this lesson ⤵️
🎸FULL SONG PLAY THROUGH⤵️