Log In My Account Join Upgrade Premium VIP Beta Tester Free Trial
Menu Search Join VIP Beta Tester Premium
 

Home ❯ Songs ❯

← Prev Song Next Song →

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 233 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

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

  • July 24, 2024

    Must-Know Strumming Patterns in 6/8 Time

    Learn how to strum any song in 6/8 time! Here's a collection of 8 must-know strumming patterns in that time signature, from beginning to advanced.

  • July 13, 2024

    "Wondering Why" by Red Clay Strays

    Let's learn how to play this easy-going, Southern-Rock hit! Plenty of strumming & rhythm tips, including a capo'd acoustic version if you want to avoid barre chords.

  • July 8, 2024

    Viewing Notes in a Certain Area of the Fretboard

    In my FretMonster web tool, you can now adjust the visible range of frets where notes appear. Great for less distraction while practicing. Check out this video tour!

  • June 21, 2024

    "Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits

    A mega-lesson for this classic song! Learn a strummed version, how to incorporate the melody notes, and two ways to play it fingerstyle.

  • June 14, 2024

    "Have a Little Faith In Me" by John Hiatt

    Learn how to play Hiatt's 1987 classic! Just like his live performances, I'll teach it using capo 5 and the Key of C chord family.

  • June 6, 2023

    "And It's Still Alright" by Nathaniel Rateliff

    Learn Nathaniel Rateliff's amazingly powerful song from 2020! I include a few different strumming & riff options to make sure you're covered.

  • June 1, 2024

    Introduction to Reggae Strumming & Rhythm

    Let's dive into playing reggae on the guitar! I'll walk you through the basics, from off-beat accents to muted strums — with a few fun song exercises included.

  • May 20, 2024

    What Types of Play-Along Covers are Most Helpful?

    Most of my song lessons feature backing tracks or play-along covers — and I'd love your feedback about which aspect of these is most helpful!

  • May 10, 2024

    "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell

    Let's dive into Glen Campbell's all-time classic from 1968, originally written by Jimmy Webb. I teach this with capo 5th fret, using easier-to-manage Key of C chords.

  • May 1, 2024

    Tour of My New "KeyMaster" Web Tool

    My new interactive web tool lets you see and hear the notes, chords, and common progressions in all of the most common keys. Super helpful!

  • April 24, 2024

    13 Must-Know Riffs with Droning Strings

    A handy roundup of all the songs I've taught that use droning strings... with a quick breakdown of each riff!

  • April 18, 2024

    "Moonshadow" by Cat Stevens

    Learn how to play Cat Stevens' 1971 classic! I include campfire-friendly chords and strumming, and a step-by-step breakdown of the intro fingerstyle riff.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

Browse All My Lessons

By lesson type

By technique

By musical genre

By decade

By musical key

By popular artist

← back to homepage