Criminal Chords
by Fiona Apple
Criminal by Fiona Apple is a more advanced guitar song played in the key of C. It uses the chords Cm, C7, Cm7, C, Am, F7, Bb7, Ab7, G7, D#7 and B7. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
There may be one discrepancy (I'm aware of it) in re: to the Cm
pentatonic bass groove being played and the guitar playing a C7 over top
of it. I tried playing a Cm Cm7 chord but the C7 sounded better to me.
C minor pentatonic bass groove} x 8 Guitar: C7
I've been a bad bad girl
I've been careless with a delicate man
And it's a sad sad world
When a girl will break a boy
Just because she can
Don't you tell me to deny it
I've done wrong and I want to
Suffer for my sins
I've come to you ^Ñcause I need
Guidance to be true
And I just don't know where I can begin
What I need is a good defense
^Ñcause I'm feelin' like a criminal
And I need to be redeemed
To the one I've sinned against
Because he's all I ever knew of love
Heaven help me for the way I am
save me from these evil deeds
Before I get them done
I know tomorrow brings the consequence at hand
But I keep livin' this day like the next one will never come
Oh help me but don't tell me to deny it
I've got to cleanse myself of all these lies ^Ñtil I'm good enough for
him
I've got a lot to lose and I'm bettin' high
So I'm beggin' you before it ends
Just tell me where to begin
Chorus x1
C minor pentatonic bass groove} x 4 Guitar: C7
Let me know the way before there's hell to pay
Give me room to lay the law and let me go
I've got to make a play to make my lover stay
So what would an angel say
The devil wants to know
Chorus x2
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Verses: Am F7 x4
C7 Bb7 F7 x1
C7 Bb7 Am x1
C7 Bb7 Ab7 G7 F7 Ab7
Chorus: F7 C7 x2
F7 C7 Bb7 Ab7 G7 F7
Bridge: D#7 B7 Ab7 B7 D#7 B7 Ab7 x2
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footnote: I tried this version out with my band (we're a 3-piece: drums,
bass, & guitar-with a chick singer) and it worked out well! I think if
a band did this number "Unplugged" it would come across very 'cool' to
the audience.
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