[This is the arrangement from the original single (Parlo 101; #2, 167); - Aaron Neville made a much slower 1972 re-recording, which still appears

[This is the arrangement from the original single (Parlo 101; #2, 167);

View chords used in this chart
Intro: C+ (piano arpeggio)
 
Verse 1:
 
C7/G Gm C7
If you want something to play with
Gm C7 F Fmaj7/C F6
Go and find yourself a toy
D7/F# C7/G Gm C7
Baby my time is too expensive
Gm C7 F Fmaj7/C F6
And I'm not a little boy
Am Dm
If you are serious
Am Dm
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
Am Bb
But if you want me to love you
C Bb/C Am/C
Then baby I will, girl you know I will
 
Verse 2:
 
C7
Tell it like it is
Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
But I... know deep down inside of me
I believe you love me
Forget your foolish pride
Life is too short to have sorrow
We may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live, baby go on and live
 
Coda [repeat first half of verse 2]:
 
Tell it like it is
I'm nothing to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
But I... tell it like it is
My time is too expensive
And I'm not your little boy
 
Tell it like it is... [fade]
 
 
Notes:
 
1) The guitar part is mostly played in 6ths. Over the C7/G...Gm... etc.
progression it's:
 
1 1 1 1
xxx2x2 xxx0x0 xxx9x8 xxx9x8
want... some... with... your...
 
...; over the F Fmaj7/C F6 [D7/F#] it's all
 
xxx5x5
 
since the C and A are common to all of the chords.
 
2) The D7/F# sounds like it might be F#dim, but careful listening reveals
a D (not a D#) in the right-hand piano voicing.
 
 
-- another ace 60's tab from Andrew Rogers

How to play [This is the arrangement from the original single (Parlo 101; #2, 167);

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 C. 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.

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