WWW.AZCHORDS.COM | Mean Chords – Taylor Swift | Version #4
[Verse]
Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
You, with your words like knives and swords
Cadd9
And weapons that you use against me
Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
You, have knocked me off my feet again
Cadd9
Got me feelin' like a nothin'
Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
You, with your voice like nails on a chalk board
Cadd9
Callin' me out when I'm wounded
Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
You, pickin' on the weaker man
[Pre-Chorus]
Dsus4 G Cadd9 Dsus4
Well you can take me down with just one single blow
Cadd9
But you don't know, what you don't know
[Chorus]
G Dsus4 Em7/G Cadd9
Someday I'll be livin in a big ol' city
G 2Dsus4 2Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
G Dsus4 Em7/G Cadd9
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
G 2Dsus4 2Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
G
Why you gotta be so mean?
*intermission hammering chords
G -- Open -- hammer on G chord
e|-----3-----0-------------h3--------------3--------|
b|-----3-----0-------------h3--------------3--------|
g|-----0-----0--------------0--------------0--------|
d|-----0-----0--------------0--------------2--------|
a|-----2-----0-------------h2--------------2--------|
e|-----3-----0-------------h3-----3---2----x--------|
G G Em7/G
You, with your...
[Verse]
Em7/G Dsus4
You, with your switching sides and
Cadd9 Cadd9
Your wild fire lies and your humiliation
Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
You, have pointed out my flaws again
As if I don't already see them
Em7/G Dsus4
I walk with my head down
Cadd9
tryin' to block you out
Cadd9
'cause I never impress you
Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
I just wanna feel okay again
[Pre-Chorus]
Dsus4
I bet you got pushed around
Em7/G Cadd9 Dsus4
Somebody made you cold
Dsus4
But the cycle ends right now 'cause
Cadd9
You can't lead me down that road
Cadd9
And you don't know what you don't know
[Chorus]
G Dsus4 Em7/G Cadd9
Someday I'll be livin in a big ol' city
G 2Dsus4 2Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
G Dsus4 Em7/G Cadd9
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
G 2Dsus4 2Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
G
Why you gotta be so mean?
*Use hammer chord riff
[Instrumental]
G (2 measures)
[Bridge]
Dsus4
And I can see you years from now in a bar
Em7/G Cadd9 Dsus4
Talkin' over a football game
Dsus4
With that same big loud opinion
Em7/G Cadd9 Dsus4
But no one's listening
Dsus4
Washed up and ranting about the
Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
same old bitter things
Dsus4 Em7/G Dsus4 Cadd9
Drunk and rumblin' all about how I can't sing
G Dsus4 Cadd9
But all you are is mean
Cadd9 G Dsus4 Cadd9
All you are is mean, and a liar, and pathetic
Cadd9 G Dsus4 Cadd9 Cadd9
And a low-life and mean, and mean, and mean, and mean
[Chorus]
*(slow)
G Dsus4 Cadd9
Someday I'll be livin in a big ol' city
G Dsus4 Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean...yeahh
*(back with rhythm)
G Dsus4 Em7/G Cadd9
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
G 2Dsus4 2Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
G
Why you gotta be so.. Someday
Dsus4 Em7/G Cadd9
I'll be livin in a big ol' city
G 2Dsus4 2Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
G Dsus4 Em7/G Cadd9
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
G 2Dsus4 2Cadd9
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
G
Why you gotta be so mean
How to play "Mean" by Taylor Swift on guitar
Chords Used:
- Em7/G chord: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your middle
finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret
of the high E string.
- Dsus4 chord: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, your ring
finger on the 3rd fret of the B string, and your pinky on the 3rd fret of the high E string.
- Cadd9 chord: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, your middle
finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string,
and your pinky on the 3rd fret of the high E string.
- G chord: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your middle
finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret
of the high E string.
Strumming Pattern:
The strumming pattern in the song provides a steady and rhythmic pulse:
Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
Feel free to add hammer-ons and palm muting to match the recording.
Progressions:
- Verse:
Em7/G, Dsus4, Cadd9 (repeated)
- Pre-Chorus:
Dsus4, G, Cadd9, Dsus4
- Chorus:
G, Dsus4, Em7/G, Cadd9
G, 2x Dsus4, 2x Cadd9
- Bridge:
Dsus4, Em7/G, Cadd9, Dsus4 (repeated)
- Outro:
G, Dsus4, Cadd9
Playing Tips:
- For Em7/G, press firmly to get a clean sound across all strings.
- In the bridge, let the chords ring out to match the lyrical emphasis.
- Add dynamics to the chorus, starting softer and gradually building in intensity.
Common Mistakes:
- Not playing the hammer-on riffs cleanly, leading to muted notes.
- Switching chords too slowly, especially between Em7/G and Dsus4.
- Overstrumming Cadd9, making it overpower other chords.
Song Meaning:
"Mean" is a defiant anthem addressing critics and bullies who try to bring others down.
The lyrics convey a message of resilience and optimism, promising success despite negativity.
The song's bright melody underscores Taylor Swift's empowering message.