Be My Baby TAB | Verse
Let’s get into the verse section. The chord progression is:
||: E | E | F#m | B7 :||
In the key of E, this gives us a I – II – V progression, repeating throughout. It’s a classic sequence—one you’ll have heard many times before on the radio.
Here’s a loop for you to practise all three examples. Use this as well as the TAB loops available in the playlist above.
Example 1: Big Chords, Sweeping Rhythms
This first version uses full chords and long, sweeping rhythms to create a massive, spacious sound—perfect for replicating that early ’60s production style.
- The E chord begins with a very slow rake—so slow it’s written as two 16th notes, followed by six beats of sustain.
- The F#m chord uses an Em shape, following the same rhythm but ending one bar earlier.
- For B7, play the root note, then mimic what the bass player is doing.
In the second line, we begin the same way, then arpeggiate the chord shapes. The B7 here is played using a C shape, incorporating an open string.
Example 2: Compact Chord Shapes
This second version is more compact and rhythmically tight.
- The chord shapes are very similar, but the B7 is now played as an A shape.
- A small lick at the end uses only chord tones.
In the second line, we start climbing the neck:
- E becomes a C shape,
- F#m is now a Cm shape,
- B is played as a G shape.
The final lick comes from the B major pentatonic scale, also played in a G shape, matching the chord voicing.
Example 3: Higher Up the Neck
In this version, we move further up the neck, still using long, arpeggiated chord shapes.
- The first bar starts with an A shape, sliding into a G shape.
- The F#m is a Cm shape, and the lick over B is drawn from the E–shaped major pentatonic scale.
On the second line, we begin the same way but then introduce notes from the E major pentatonic scale.
- The F#m is now an Am shape,
- The B7 finishes in a D shape.
🎯 Practise all three examples until they feel fluent and natural. If you have time left, try improvising your own verse part using what you’ve learned—without looking at the TAB.
Next time, we’ll look at the bridge section and explore how to develop the part further.
Be My Baby Guitar Lesson | Related Pages
Intermediate Electric Course
When playing Motown & Soul tunes, we must know all CAGED barre chords and pentatonic scales to build rhythm parts, incorporate licks and play solos.
Complete the Intermediate Electric Course and you will map out the fretboard, as well as gain an understanding of how to create a guitar part that works in a band.
Be My Baby | 8 Step-by-step guitar lessons
Each section of Be My Baby is relatively easy, as long as you practice with the live band loops, you’ll learn them quickly.
The challenge lies within playing the verse, bridge, chorus, and solo without getting stuck, and making it all sound natural when you play with the band in step 8.
Be My Baby | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Be My Baby by The Ronettes using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, backing track, TAB, the original recording, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| E | E | F#m | B7 |
The night we met I knew I, needed you so…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
