WWW.AZCHORDS.COM | Taylor Swift - Illicit Affairs Tabs | Ver. 1
[Intro]
A:
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F#m:
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D:
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E:
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[Verse 1]
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A
Make sure nobody sees you leave
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F#m
Hood over your head, keep your eyes down
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D
Tell your friends you're out for a run
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C#m E
You’ll be flushed when you return
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A
Take the road less traveled by
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F#m
Tell yourself you can always stop
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D
What started in beautiful rooms
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C#m E
Ends with meetings in parking lots
[Chorus]
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C#m D
And that's the thing about illicit affairs
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E A
And clandestine meetings and longing stares
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C#m D
It's born from just one single glance
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E
But it dies and it dies and it dies
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A million little times
[Verse 2]
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A
Leave the perfume on the shelf
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F#m
That you picked out just for him
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D
So you leave no trace behind
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C#m E
Like you don’t even exist
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A
Take the words for what they are
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F#m
A dwindling, mercurial high
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D
A drug that only worked
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C#m E
The first few hundred times
[Chorus]
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C#m D
And that's the thing about illicit affairs
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E A
And clandestine meetings and longing stares
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C#m D
It's born from just one single glance
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E
But it dies and it dies and it dies
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A
A million little times
[Verse 3]
And you wanna scream
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A
Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby"
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F#m
Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me
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D C#m
You showed me colors you know I can't see with
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E
anyone else
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A
Don't call me "kid," don't call me "baby"
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F#m
Look at this idiotic fool that you made me
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D C#m
You taught me a secret language I can't speak with
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E
anyone else
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F#m E D
And you know damn well
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E
For you, I would ruin myself
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A
A million little times
How to play "Illicit Affairs" on guitar
Playing Style: The song features a delicate fingerpicking pattern which
focuses on the higher strings for a light, airy feel. The chords are
played in a pattern that emphasizes storytelling through melody.
Intro & Verses:
- Start with an A major chord. Pluck the A string, followed by a
sequential plucking of the G and B strings. The pattern repeats for each
chord.
- Transition to F#m by shifting to the E string at the second fret and
maintaining the same picking pattern on the G and B strings.
- For the D major chord, the pattern shifts slightly with the addition of
the D string at the beginning of the sequence.
- E major follows a similar pattern, emphasizing the A string on the
second fret.
Chorus:
- C#m to D transition: Move smoothly between these chords, keeping the
rhythmic pattern consistent to maintain the emotional tone.
- The phrase "It dies and it dies and it dies" should be played softly,
with a slow, deliberate strum to reflect the lyrical theme of fading love.
Bridge:
- Introduce a slight variation in your strumming pattern to reflect the
changing emotional intensity as the narrative of the song shifts.
- F#m, E, and D chords mark the progression here, with a focus on
expressive playing to match the lyrics' evocative nature.
General Tips:
- Maintain a consistent tempo throughout the song to support the lyrical
flow.
- Pay attention to the dynamics; play softly during the verses to bring
out the lyrics and increase your strumming intensity during the chorus
to drive the emotional impact.
- Practice the transitions between chords smoothly to maintain the
melodic continuity of the song.
Common Mistakes:
- Rushing through the fingerpicking pattern, which can disrupt the
melodic line and emotional expression.
- Not adjusting the dynamics according to the lyrical content, which is
essential for conveying the song's emotional depth.
Lyrics Meaning:
"Illicit Affairs" delves into the complexities and emotional turmoil of
secret relationships. The lyrics poignantly discuss the clandestine
moments and inevitable consequences of such forbidden engagements,
reflecting a journey from secrecy to heartbreak.