"In Time" chords anyone?

[geckoman1220]

it's one of my favorite, yet i can't figure it out. this was that time when they featured some odd chords in some of their songs.

[brumus]

If it's OK to do here, I'll have a go at it.

First off, this one is a JA masterpiece. Paul's rhythm playing is brilliant. I'm not certain but he may have been using one of his alternate tunings here as he was known to do back then. Way ahead of his time, for rock n roll.

In any case, here's what I think he's doing in standard tuning.

(intro)
Am C Am C

(verse)
Am C D Am
Long time since I climbed down this mountain before.
F Em C Am
(these chords F Em C appear only once in the verses, after that it's Am C D Am )

(chorus)
F Em C
Orange, blue, red and green

(lead break)
Bm E A

The ending is where it gets a little tricky. Those odd chords that you mentioned.

That instrumental part just before the "Come with me my friend." I think Paul's playing
Am then Em11 ?? (it's played like an Esus first position only 4th string is played with the open D note).

After that, when they do start singing I believe it's just Am then D.
The last chords are: Am D C G Am.

What's weird is that they're singing in A major at the end so I'm not sure if it's A minor or major chording. A sophisticated use of chords anyway.

[brumus]

Code: Select all

OK, here’s the complete lyrics and chords to In Time.
I’m pretty certain the mystery chord at the end is an (open)
Bm7 as demonstrated here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUPkcmjoGdo

I find if you play the (open) Bm7  with the 1st string E played open,
it sounds closer to what they’re playing.

Anyway, enjoy. The chord placement here is an approximation to
where it’s played in the song. (the coding throws everything off!)

IN TIME
(Balin, Kantner)

(Intro)
Am    C    Am    C

(Verse)
A   C   D   Am
Long time since I climbed down this mountain before
F   Em   C   Am
Things I've seen here make me want to go running home
Am   C   D   Am
Lean close put your lips next to my face.
D   C   D   Am
Look further on past the surface

(Chorus)
F   Em   C
Orange, blue, red and green
F   Em   C
Are the colors of what I feel
F   Em   C   Am
And my mind you know it starts to reel in time

(Verse)
Am   C   D   Am
To know your flesh laying by my skin
D   C   D   Am
And I wonder whenever I’m in

(Chorus)
F   Em   C
Warm, soft, nice and now
F   Em   C
Are the word things of what I know
F   Em   C   Am
And my body you know it’s ah so in time

(Instrumental break)
Bm   E   A

(Verse)
Am   C   D   Am
I see you at the same place that I play
D   C   D   Am
Ah darling tell me what can I say

(Chorus)
F   Em   C
Dance, sing, sleep and dream
F   Em   C
Is the music of what I hear
F   Em   C   Am
Among the many things whenever you’re near

(Instrumental break)
Am   Bm7   Am   Bm7

Am   Bm7
Come with me my friend
Am   Bm7
Come on now and take my hand
Am   Bm7
You can be my friend
Am   Bm7
Soon be in another country

(Ending)
Am   D   C   G   Asus2