Trouble Tab

"Trouble"
By Shawn Colvin
From the album "A Few Small Repairs"
 
Tabbed by Neil Parry neil@glasgowskyline.com
 
One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite albums, and a great example of Shawn
Colvin's punchy percussive style of play. The song sounds a lot more complicated than it
actually is. The verse revolves around a simple Am G, Am G C/G repetition where Shawn hammers on
several notes. I've simplified the tab to only show the chord shape you fret and
the hammered on notes you need to hit to get the melody. You should hit some open strings during the
hammered on parts, I just didn't want to clutter the tab, if you play it through you will soon hear it!
 
The chorus is also very simple, it has one chord I'm not 100% sure on but on observing
several videos of her playing it I fail to see how it can be anything else.  I've offered
an alternative chord nevertheless, see which you prefer. On the Dsus+F  C and D7 in the chorus
Shawn oscillates one finger on and off to create some rhythm. Usually its her 2nd
finger. This transcription was taken from live performances of the song, the album version
may differ slightly.
 
 
CAPO 8TH FRET (Chords written as if Capo was the nut)
 
Am      x02210
G       320033
C/G     332010
Dsus+F  1000xx          or Cmaj9+F      130000
Dsus    3000xx          or G5th         360000
C       X32010
D7      XX0212
 
 
VERSE TAB
   Am               G
E--0----------------------------------------------|
B--1----------------------------------------------|
G--2----------------------------------------------|
D--2--0h2--2h3--0h2-------------------------------|
A--0-----------------0h2--0-----0h2---------------|
E----------------------------3--------------------|
 
   Am               G       C/G
E--0-------------------------0----------------------|
B--1-------------------------1----------------------|
G--2-------------------------0----------------------|
D--2--0h2--2h3--0h2----------2----------------------|
A--0-----------------0h2--0--3----------------------|
E----------------------------3----------------------|
 
Am                  G
Baby let me set you down
Am                         G       C/G
You look so troubled and I think I know
A                               G
Just when you think you've come around
          Am              G    C/G
There you go
 
Am                             G
Now I know the business of the heart
Am                   G      C/G
And it'll get you anyway it can
Am                                   G
You need someone to walk with in the dark, well
         Am              G     C/G
I'm your man
 
 
Dsus+F                     C
I go to the trouble like a magnet
Dsus+F            C
That's where I'll be
Dsus+F            C        D7
Trouble is just a place to sing
              Dsus+F       Dsus  Am       G       Am      G   C/G
It's what you need
 
 
Am                              G
I swear you look like you're in jail
Am                             G       C/G
And all at once you're halfway out the door
Am                         G
One foot dancing, one foot nailed
       Am          G    C/G
To the floor
 
Am                           G
Chasing those circles in the ground
Am                             G        C/G
The same old shit is still the same old lie
Am                               G
Just when you think you've got it down
         Am         G    C/G
Watch it fly
 
 
Dsus+F                     C
I go to the trouble like a light
   Dsus+f   C
Or like a dare
Dsus+F            C        D7
Trouble is just a friend to me, I know
            Dsus+D
It'll always be there
Dsus Am          G          Am         G     C/G
Be there
 
 
Am                            G
It's really hard to make your peace
Am                             G         C/G
So give me some credit for the hell I've paid
Am                            G
This world's a blessing and a beast
     Am          G     C/G
Everyday
 
Am                              G
So come on baby let me show you how
Am                           G     C/G
The less you know the more I comprehend
Am                        G
You don't have to drag me down
     Am          G    C/G
I descend
 
 
Dsus+F                    C
I go to the trouble and I like it
       Dsus+f     C
That's where I'll be
Dsus+f               C             D7
Trouble is just like love, if it's half the way
           Dsus+f      Dsus   Am         G          Am        G    C/G
It's all I can see
                   Am           G           Am         G     C/G
And it's just what you need
 
Am            G            Am          G     C/G
X