Taylor Swift - Innocent Chords

Tuning: Capo 2

D A Em G  X2

D           A                  Em   G
I guess you really did it this time
D        A                Em    G
Left yourself in your warpath
D                 A         Em   G
Lost your balance on a tightrope
D              A               Em  G
Lost your mind tryin to get it back

D           A          Em           G
Wasn t it easier in your lunchbox days?
D       A          Em        G
Always a bigger bed to crawl into
D         A          Em                          G
Wasn t it beautiful when you believed in everything?
D             A             Em  G
And everybody believed in you?

D
It’s all right just wait and see
     A
Your string of lights is still bright to me
    Em                                    
Oh who you are is not where you ve been
G                        D A Em
You re still an innocent
G
You re still an innocent D A Em

D            A                     Em  G
There s some things you can t speak of
D                A              Em     G
But tonight you ll live it all again
D                  A                  Em   G
You wouldn t be shattered on the floor now
D                   A                   Em    G
If only you would sing what you know now then

D        A          Em              G
Wasn t it easier in your firefly-catchin days?
D            A            Em                       G
And everything out of reach someone bigger brought down to you
D         A            Em             G
Wasn t it beautiful runnin wild til you fell asleep?
D                     A          Em   G
Before the monsters caught up to you?

D
It s all right, just wait and see
     A
Your string of lights is still bright to me
    Em                                    
Oh who you are is not where you ve been
G                        
You re still an innocent

D
It s okay, life is a tough crowd
A
32 and still growin up now
Em
Who you are is not what you did
G                       D A Em G
You re still an innocent

D
Time turns flames to embers
A
You ll have new Septembers
Em                             G
Every one of us has messed up too

D
Lives change like the weather
A
I hope you remember
Em                       G
Today is never to late to
G           D A Em G
Be brand new

D A Em G

D
It s all right, just wait and see
  A
Your string of lights is still bright to me
    Em
Oh who you are is not where you ve been
    G
You re still an innocent


D
It s okay, life is a tough crowd
  A
32 and still growin up now
  Em
Who you are is not what you did
   G                       D A Em 
You re still an innocent
G                       D A Em
You re still an innocent

D     A             Em        G
Lost your balance on a tightrope
D     A               Em          G
I ts never too late to get back




How to play "Innocent" on guitar

Playing Style: This song is predominantly played with a gentle strumming pattern,
using a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original key. The chord progression
is straightforward and repetitive, providing a soft, melodic background that
complements the reflective lyrics.

Chords Used:
- D (D major)
- A (A major)
- Em (E minor)
- G (G major)

Verse and Chorus Structure:
- Begin with the sequence D, A, Em, G. Strum each chord gently, focusing on
a smooth transition between them. This chord progression repeats throughout
the majority of the song.
- The verses start with this progression, reflecting on past experiences
and the innocence of youth. Maintain a steady, comforting rhythm.

Chorus:
- The chorus uses the same chord progression but pay attention to the
dynamics. Strum slightly louder to emphasize the uplifting messages in the
lyrics, such as "Your string of lights is still bright to me" and
"You're still an innocent."
- Use a mix of down and up strums to create a richer sound during the chorus,
highlighting the song's themes of redemption and hope.

Bridge:
- The bridge ("It's okay, life is a tough crowd...") continues with the
same chords but focus on the emotional delivery. This part of the song
deals with growth and forgiveness, so your strumming should be expressive
and a bit more intense.

Outro:
- End with the same D, A, Em, G progression. This repetition reinforces
the theme of continual growth and the possibility of renewal. The outro
should be played softly, bringing the song to a calm, reflective close.

General Tips:
- Ensure your guitar is properly tuned with the capo on the 2nd fret to avoid
any off-pitch sounds.
- Practice the chord transitions to ensure they are smooth, particularly
between G and D, which can be pivotal in maintaining the flow of the song.
- Listen to the song to get a feel for the tempo and rhythm, and try to match
the emotional intensity of the vocals through your strumming patterns.

Common Mistakes:
- Overstrumming can overwhelm the vocals. Keep your strumming controlled
and in sync with the vocal lines.
- Not adjusting the strumming dynamics throughout the song. The emotional
delivery of the song should guide how softly or loudly you play.

Lyrics Meaning:
"Innocent" is a compassionate song about forgiveness and personal growth.
It suggests that past actions do not define one's entire life, and
emphasizes the potential for renewal at any stage. The lyrics offer
encouragement and support, portraying a message of hope and redemption.