Use Somebody | TAB
On the original recording, there are layers of guitars, meaning we have to come up with a part that works when it’s only one guitar in a band. Here are a couple of ideas.
This first idea uses the E shape, then the 3rd of the E shape as the bass note. What’s important is to highlight the 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 rhythm. As long as you’ve got this and play the correct chords, you can manipulate the part.
Here’s another idea:
Now we use an A shape and an open E. The F chord uses the same concept the C did in idea 1.
The bridge varies this chord progression by going to VI first, like this:
| A(m) | C | F | F |
This constant focus on the IV chord (the F) means we get a sense of moving on, the quality Lydian possesses.
Here are a couple of ideas on how you could play the bridge:
I like the b7 here as it’s a common note for the upcoming C. There is no m3rd here so we have to call it an A7omit3.
Here’s another idea:
Now we play many more notes, including that m3rd. I’ve also turned the F5 into a sus2 and F.
For the chorus, we need to open up and somehow include that backing vocal line so this part feels bigger.
Here are three ideas on how this could be done (try using a delay here to fill out the sound even more).
As you can see, the 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 rhythm is still there!
Here’s another idea:
This may work best if you’re playing Use Somebody on just one acoustic guitar. Here’s one more idea:
Again, perhaps this is best on the acoustic guitar, play along with the original recording and see which of all these examples you like the best, then develop your own parts. Remember, it’s that 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 rhythm that matters the most.
Here’s the solo.
As we go to the middle 8, a similar movement is used to C – C/E. Just via a modal interchange, and instead of D/F#, we play F#m or F#5.
That modal interchange is built like this: Instead of being in the key of C/Am, we switch to A/F#m, now starting on chord IV, a D chord, like this:
|| : D5 | D5 | F#(m) | F#(m) :||
The effect of this is uplifting x2. Firstly, we have gone from Am to A. Secondly, we have (again) gone to Lydian, chord IV, now a D.
Songwriters take note, if you want your new section to feel uplifting, either go to Lydian, or change the key, and then also go to Lydian!
Use Somebody TAB | Related Pages
Use Somebody | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn to play Use Somebody by Kings Of Leon using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | C/E | Fsus2 F | Fsus2 F |
I’ve been roamin’ around, always lookin’ down at all I see…
Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics
- Dancing In The Moonlight (It’s Caught Me In Its Spotlight)
- Everlong
- High and Dry
- Molly’s Chambers
- Sex On Fire
Kings Of Leon tunes
Hailing from Nashville, members of the Followill family formed Kings Of Leon and released their debut in 2003.
Their best tunes include Holy Roller Novocaine, Molly’s Chambers, Sex On Fire, Use Somebody, Radioactive, and Pyro.
Kings Of Leon on the web
About me | Dan Lundholm
This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Use Somebody. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.
Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.