Figure It Out
View chords used in this chart
This song’s actually played on a bass, so in reality most of the ‘chords’ are actually single
notes. But you can get a reasonably similar sound by just busting out the good ol’ power chord
(i.e. root and fifth, no third). So when you read E in this chord chart, play E5.
Two bars of E with a D hammer-on for the intro and main riff – to get the rhythm, just listen to
the record to figure it out (ba dum ching!)
E
Nothing here to see, just a kid like me
Trying to cuss and see, trying to figure it out
A G F#
Nothin’ better to do, when I'm stuck on you
F E
And still I'm here, trying to figure it out
E
Getting hard to sleep, but it is in my dreams
But it's killing me, to try and figure it out
A G F#
Nothing better to do, when I'm stuck on you
F E
And still I'm here, trying to figure it out
D C# C B X 2
E G A G D - A
I'll let it go 'cause I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to talk it out
E G A G D - A
I said I'll come, I'll promise I won't show but I see you trying to figure it out
E G A G D - A
I promise you, I'll take a bet on you but you didn't know I planned it out
E G A G D - A x3
I said I'll go, yeah, I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to figure it out
E
Nothing here to see, just a kid like me
Trying to cuss and see, trying to figure it out
A G F#
Nothin’ better to do, when I'm stuck on you
F E
And still I'm here, trying to figure it out
E
Getting hard to sleep, but it is in my dreams
But it's killing me, to try and figure it out
A G F#
Nothing better to do, when I'm stuck on you
F E
And still I'm here, trying to figure it out
E G A G D - A
I'll let it go 'cause I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to talk it out
E G A G D - A
I said I'll come, I'll promise I won't show but I see you trying to figure it out
E G A G D - A
I promise you, I'll take a bet on you but you didn't know I planned it out
E G A G D - A x3
I said I'll go, yeah, I won't see you later and I'm not allowed to figure it out
solo
G G# A A# - B x 2
and then a few big hits on E to finish
How to play Figure It Out
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.