No Excuses Acoustic Chords

Half step down

C# = 9-11-11-10-0-0 C♯add9 ; or x46600

D = 10-12-12-11-0-0 Dadd9 ; or x57700

Progressions (with simplified rhythm and timing):

The chords don't get any easier than this. However, this song is all about rhythm and

feel. You will need lots of mutes and high-low strumming patterns to get the sound worked

out. But, the progressions below will help to get the basic timing going.

> = slide (dramatically!)

/ = strum

Intro/Verse - aka, "Main Riff"

1 – Basic: (you can use this as main progression throughout)

|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |

A/ > B/ / / / B/ / / / A/ / //

The following 2 alternatives represent the little overtone melodies you can hear going

on during the B parts of the main progression. These are probably a 2nd guitar, but I

think they work just fine and can be mixed in as needed to change things up.

1a – Alt, with mellower melody:

|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |

A/ > B/ / / / C♯/ B/ G/ A/ / //

play the chord bass notes to get down:

1b – Alt, with quicker/higher melody:

|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 .. 4 . |

A/ > B/ / / / C♯/ B/ D/ C♯/ B/ A/ //

For the purposes of tabbing below, I will show the words with the regular main riff, but

try to indicate where the alt riffs can be substituted in (they basically seem to

alternate during intro and verses).

Chorus

|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |

G/ / / / / / A/ / / / / /

B/ / / / / / B/ / / A/ / //

G/ / / / / / A/ / / / / /

E/ / / / / / E/ / / A/ / //

(With that in mind, here's the complete song...)

No Excuses (Unplugged)

Intro

|C.* | | *No chord, drums only

|C.* | A | *Still drums, but A kicks in before starting main progression

|A > B |B A | (1a)

|A > B |B A | (1b)

|A > B |B A | (1a)

|A > B |B A | (1b)

Verse 1

|1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. |1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. |

(C♯ B G A) (1a)

|A > B |B A |

It's al--right.......

(C♯ B D C♯ B A) (1b)

|A > B |B A |

There comes a time.......

(C♯ B G A) (1a)

|A > B |B A |

Got no pa---tience to

(C♯ B D C♯ B A) (1b)

|A > B |B A |

se-a-rch 4 peace of mi---i--ind.

Verse 2

(Alternate 1a and 1b, per Verse 1, if desired)

A > B B A

Layin' low...

A > B B A

Want to take it slow...

A > B B A

No more hi-ding...or

A > B B A

disguising truths I've sold.

Chorus

|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |

G E-ve-ry--Aday... something

Bhits me all so Bcold... A (I..)

GFind me sittin' bAy myself w/no ex-

-Ecuses that I Eknow. A

(Intro:)

|A > B |B A | (1a)

|A > B |B A | (1b)

|A > B |B A | (1a)

|A > B |B A | (1b)

Verse 3 & 4: (Alternate 1a and 1b)

A > B B A

It's o-kay...

A > B B A

Had a bad day...

A > B B A

Hands are bruised from

A > B B A

breaking rocks all day.

A > B B A

Drained and blue...

A > B B A

I bleed for you...

A > B B A

You think it's funny, well you're

A > B B A

drowning in it too.

(Chorus:)

G EveryAday, something

Bhits me all so Bcold. A

GFind me sittin' Aby myself with no

exEcuses that I Eknow. A

(Intro:)

|A > B |B A | (1a)

|A > B |B A | (1b)

(Solo: over chorus progression, played intensely)

G A

B B A

G A

E E A

Verse 5 & 6: (Alternate 1a and 1b)

A > B B A

Yeah, it's fine...

A > B B A

We'll walk down the line...

A > B B A

Leave our rain...a cold

A > B B A

trade for warm sunshine.

A > B B A

You my friend...

A > B B A

I will defend...

A > B B A

And if we change, well I

A > B B A

love you any-way.

(Chorus:)

G EveryAday, something

Bhits me all so Bcold. A

GFind me sittin' Aby myself with no

exEcuses that I Eknow. A

Outro

|A > B |B A | (1a)

|A > B |B A | (1b)

|A > B |B A | (1a)

|A > B |B A | (1b)

|A > B~ (end on a ringing B after slide)