Little Talks

by Of Monsters and Men • Lesson #7 • Nov 17, 2013

Editor’s Notes

Here’s an acoustic guitar lesson teaching you how to play Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men. I’ll explain the chords shapes needed, talk through the progressions, and show you an example of how things sound when you put it all together. Best of luck with it!

Free Video Lesson

Looking for a Print-Friendly Guide?

This is one of my few lessons that doesn't have a printable song sheet / PDF available. If you'd like to request I make one, let me know by clicking the button below! If there's enough demand I'll bump it toward the top of the list.

Click to Request

Chords w/ lyrics

(Capo 1st fret)

INTRO
    Am . . . F . . . C . . . G . . .   (x4, with "hey!" on G)

VERSE
    Am           F                      C
    I don't like walking around this old and empty house
    So hold my hand, I'll walk with you, my dear

    The stairs creak as I sleep, it's keeping me awake
    It's the house telling you to close your eyes

    Some days I can't even dress myself
    It's killing me to see you this way

                          Am        F
        'Cause though the truth may vary, this
        C            G         Am     F          C
        ...Ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

CHORUS
            Am   F   C   G
            ............ Hey!
            ............ Hey!
            ............ Hey!

    There's an old voice in my head that's holding me back
    Well, tell her that I miss our little talks

    Soon it will all be over, and buried with our past
    We used to play outside when we were young
    ...and full of life and full of love

    Some days I don't know if I am wrong or right
    Your mind is playing tricks on you, my dear

        'Cause though the truth may vary, this
        Ship will carry our bodies safe to shore (...hey!)

            Don't listen to a word I say   (...hey!)
            The screams all sound the same (...hey!)
            Though the truth may vary, this
            Ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

            ............ Hey!
            ............ Hey!

    (quieter)
    You're gone, gone, gone away, I watched you disappear
    All that's left is a ghost of you

    Now we're torn, torn, torn apart, there's nothing we can do
    Just let me go, we'll meet again soon

    (louder)
    Now wait, wait, wait for me, please hang around
    I'll see you when I fall asleep (...hey!)

            Don't listen to a word I say   (...hey!)
            The screams all sound the same (...hey!)
            Though the truth may vary, this
            Ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

            Don't listen to a word I say   (...hey!)
            The screams all sound the same (...hey!)
            Though the truth may vary, this
            Ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

            (quieter)
            Though the truth may vary, this
            Ship will carry our bodies safe to shore
            Though the truth may vary, this
            Ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

Notes and Tabs

Add a capo on 1st fret

Only if you want to play along with the recorded version of this song, then add a capo to the first fret. Otherwise this is not required.

Guitar chords used

Here are the tabs for the guitar chords used in this song. You’re essentially repeating the same Am-F-C progression most of the time, with the final progression before each chorus adding in a G to the end of this progression. If you can’t play the full F-major chord yet, use the easier version shown below!

e-|---0----1----0----3---   --0--
B-|---1----1----1----0---   --1-- <== left index
G-|---2----2----0----0---   --2-- <== left middle
D-|---2----3----2----0---   --3-- <== left ring
A-|---0----3----3----2---   -----
E-|--------1---------3---   -----
     Am    F    C    G        F (easier version)

Chord progressions

  INTRO
  | Am . . . | F . . . | C . . . | G . . . |  x 4

  VERSE
  "I don't like walking around this old and empty house..."
  | Am . . . | F . . . | C . . . | . . . . |  x 3

  "'Cause though the truth may vary, this ship will carry us..."
  | Am . . . | F . . . | C . . . | G . . . |
  | Am . . . | F . . . | C . . . | . . . . |

  CHORUS
  "Don't listen to a word I say..."
  | Am . . . | F . . . | C . . . | G . . . |
                                 (...repeat)

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Gain instant access to my library of 241 print-friendly cheat sheets! Also includes my extended video lessons, jam tracks, courses, and more.

Join Song Notes Premium

Have questions? Watch video tour »

Browse Related Lessons

Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!

Donate

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Interactive fretboard map! See the patterns behind every scale in any key.

View

Capo Captain

An easy way to calculate key & chord combinations, for any capo location!

View

Key Master

See and hear the notes, chords, scales used in each of the most common keys.

View

Blank Tabs

Free PDF templates to download, print, and write out your own guitar tabs!

View

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!


Recent Lessons

  • October 3, 2024

    Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee"

    In honor of Kris Kristofferson's passing, here's a brand new play-along cover of his 1971 classic Me and Bobby McGee – with some updated strumming tips included.

  • September 27, 2024

    Paul Simon Fingerstyle with "59th Street Bridge Song"

    Let's dive into Simon & Garfunkfel's 1966 hit, where I'll walk you through several ways to tackle Paul Simon's Travis-style fingerpicking.

  • September 20, 2024

    Fingerstyle & Travis Picking Lesson Roundup!

    I've been busy organizing all my lessons teaching fingerstyle & Travis picking, and have them in a new easy-to-browse layout. Check 'em out here!

  • September 13, 2024

    "Rebel Rouser" - 1950s Lead Guitar Lesson

    Let's learn how to play Duane Eddy's 1958 classic! This song's memorable riff is easy to approach, but poses a fun challenge as the song changes key over and over. I'll walk you through it all, jam tracks included!

  • September 5, 2024

    Lead Guitar Lesson Roundup!

    I've organized all my lead guitar lessons into a new easy-to-browse area of the website! Whether you're interested in techniques or learning song-based riffs, I've got a lot of lessons I'm sure you'll enjoy.

  • Aug 30, 2024

    "Linger" by The Cranberries

    A deep-dive into The Cranberries 1993 classic, showing you the intro riff and three different ways to strum the verse & chorus. Such a fun song to play!

  • Aug 21, 2024

    Capos, Explained: 6 New Lessons & PDF Guides

    I've updated the capo section of my website, featuring 6 new lessons, a handful of PDF guides, and a new interactive web tool – Capo Captain!

  • August 8, 2024

    "Spin You Around" by Morgan Wallen

    Let's learn how to play Morgan Wallen's "1/24" re-issue of this song — which features an amazingly fun fingerstyle riff!

Browse All Recent Lessons →

← back to homepage