Tears Of A Clown Acoustic Chords
by Smokey Robinson47,832 views, added to favorites 2,173 times
TV session in a lower key than the original. All lyrics, including backing vocals, with accompanying chords. Includes tablature of Intro and Chorus riff, and full chord legend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDVceKdx1UY.Was this info helpful?
| Difficulty: | intermediate |
|---|---|
| Tuning: | E A D G B E |
| Key: | Bb |
| Capo: | 1st fret |
Chords
Strumming
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Song: Tears of a clown - acoustic session
Artist: Smokey Robinson
Music: Stevie Wonder & Hank Cosby
Lyrics: William 'Smokey' Robinson
Tabbed by: DJ 20th July 2014
Based on Smokey's acoustic session with Daryl Hall
Clip at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDVceKdx1UY
They play this a whole tone and a half lower than the
original Tamla track, either to suit Daryl's range,
or possibly for Smokey's benefit, as most singers
tend to loose a bit of top range as they get older
[Riff *] h = Hammer-on notes
A (A4) (A) (A6) (A7)(A6)(A)(A4)(A)
e |---0-------0----0--h2---|--h3--2--0---------|
B |---2---3----------------|------------3--2---|
G |---2--------------------|-------------------|[x2]
D |---2--------------------|-------------------|
A |---0--------------------|-------------------|
E |------------------------|-------------------|
CAPO: 1st fret
(Will then sound in this live key of Bb)
Chord names & fret positions are relative to the capo
A = x02220 G = 320033 C#/F = xx3121
D = xx0232 E = 022100 F#m = 244222
Dmaj7 = xx0222
Please take a second to scroll down to the bottom of
the page and select a star rating for my tab, thanks
=====================================================
[Intro]
A [Riff *] A [Riff *]
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
[Verse 1]
A D G D A D
Oh, yeah, yeah - yeah!
G D A D G
Now, if there's a smile u - pon my face,
D A D G
It's only there trying to fool the public,
D A D G
But when it comes down to fooling you,
D A D G
Now, honey, that's quite a different subject,
D A D G
But don't let my glad ex - pression...
D A D G
Give you the wrong im - pression
[Verse 2]
D A D G D
Really, I'm sad--------, hoh, sadder than...
(Sad, sad, sad, sad!)
A D G D
...sad----, you're gone, and I'm hurting so...
(I ...hurt ...so ...bad!)
A D G D
...bad, like a clown I pre - tend to be...
(I pre - tend ...to be ...glad!)
A D G D
...glad!
(Sad, sad, sad, sad!)
[Chorus]
E C#/F
Now, there's some sad things known to man,
F#m Dmaj7
But ain't too much sadder than the tears of a...
A [Riff *] A [Riff *]
Clown... when there's no one a - round, ...um - um!
A D G D A D
Oh, yeah, baby!
[Verse 3]
G D A D G
Now, if I ap - pear to be care - free,
D A D G
It's only to camou - flage my sadness,
D A D G
In order to shield my pride I've tried...
D A D G
...To cover this hurt with a show of gladness,
D A D G
But don't let my show con - vince you,
D A D G
That I've been happy since you...
[Verse 4]
D A D G D
De - cided to go-------- oh, I need you..
(Why ...did ...you ...go?)
A D G D
...So, I'm hurt, and I want you to..
(I ...need ...you ...so!)
A D G D
...Know, but for others I put on a...
(Want ...you ...to ...know...)
A D G D
...Show! Oo - oo, woh!
(...It's ...just ...a ...show!)
[Chorus]
E C#/F
There's some sad things known to man,
F#m Dmaj7
But ain't too much sadder than the tears of a...
A [Riff *] A [Riff *]
Clown... when there's no one a - round, ...oh, yeah!
[Verse 5]
A D G D
Just like Pagli - acci did,
A D G D
I try to keep my sadness hid,
A D G
Smiling in the public eye,
D A D G D
But in my lonely room I cry... the tears of a...
A [Riff *] A D
Clown... when there's no one a - round------,
G D A D
Oh, yeah, baby!
[Verse 6]
G D A D G
Now, if there's a smile u - pon my face,
(Tears of a clown----------------!)
D A D G
Don't let my glad ex - pression,
(Doo - doo, doo - doo----------------------!)
D A D G
Give you the wrong im - pression,
(Tears of a clown----------------------!)
D A D G
Don't let this smile I wear,
(Doo - doo, doo - doo--------------------!)
D A D G
Make you think that I don't care,
(Tears of a clown-----------------------!)
D A D G
When really I'm sad----------,
(Doo - doo, doo - doo---------------!)
D A D G D
Hurting so bad-------!
(Tears of a clown--------------------!)
[Coda- Improvise vocal and repeat chord pattern]
A D G D A
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20 comments
Nice work once again - I was playing your excellent chart of "Alison" by Elvis Costello (who's a big Motown fan, btw) and heard this progression in there, albeit in a different key, so I figured he probably copped a bit from this tune. Lo and behold, I come across two sweet versions from you - this and the original. The two tunes make a great segue way. Thanks D! Hope all is well in Merry 'Ole!
+1
Wife and I watched this episode of "Daryl's House" just tonight. Great song that embodies what it speaks. I mean, the theme is so sad, but the song is so happy sounding, and so much fun to play. The outward appearance doesn't match the inner reality. Thanks for the chords/tab.
+1
I don’t know about the maj7 chord ...? Just doesn’t seem quite right to me. Everything else bang on. I’ve tried a few alternatives to it but found nothing yet. :(
0