playing it - the top E string is mostly avoided apart from the motif
View chords used in this chart
help, I'd be reasonably certain that it's in either open D or open E
tuning.
Corrections and comments welcome, as always...
LIPSTICK SUNSET - John Hiatt
----------------------------
D
G D A G
There's a lipstick sunset smeared across the August sky
A D Bm
There's a bitter sweet perfume hanging in the fields
A
The creek is running high
G D F# Bm E
And I left my love a-waiting in the dawn somewhere to wonder why
D D/F# G
By the end of the day all her sweet dreams would fade
A D G A D
To a lipstick sunset
And the radio was playing and that old summer heat was on the rise
I just had to get away before some sad old song
Brought tears to my eyes
And Lord I couldn't tell her that her love was only killing me
By the end of the day all her sweet dreams would fade
To a lipstick sunset
<Slide solo>
Well it's pretty as a picture, red and blushing, just before the night
Maybe love's like that for me,
Maybe I can only see as you take away the light
But hold me in the darkness - we can dream about the cool twilight
Til the dawning of the day when I make my getaway
To a lipstick sunset
G D D/F# G
There will come another day, and I'll make my getaway
A D
To a lipstick sunset
<Repeat last 2 lines>
<Slide solo>
-----
Chords used:
D 000232, G 550033, A x02220, Bm x24432,
F# 4x432x, E 222100, D/F# 40023x
How to play playing it - the top E string is mostly avoided apart from the motif
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 D. 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.