Video lesson
No PDF chord sheet exists for this lesson
As of now, I haven't made a printable PDF to accompany this video lesson. If you'd like to request that I make one, shoot me an email. I can't guarantee I'll make a PDF for every older lesson, but it's helpful to know which lessons have the most interest.
Here's a list of the 200+ lessons I have made PDFs for.
Capo 2nd fret
I recommend playing this with capo 2nd fret, which is how Troye Sivan (or his guitarist) plays it. It allows you to capture the same “high E string left open” sound that is characteristic of this song. That said, I also show a no capo version in my video above.
Chord progression for the entire song
Quite simply, with capo on the 2nd fret, this progression is repeated for the whole song!
C Em F G
Without a capo, these are:
D F#m G A
Chords tabs w/ capo 2
Here’s how it’s played on the album - you can also see the guitarist using these chords during Sivan’s SNL performance from January 2018. The main thing to note here is the high E string is left open for all the chords. Also note how the G chord is a slid-up version of the F chord (i.e., slide up 2 frets using the same chord shape). For the F and the G, I wrap my thumb around to play the low E string for each chord. This isn’t required, but is nice if you can pull it off.
E –––0––––0–––––0––––0–––
B –––1––––0–––––1––––3–––
G –––0––––0–––––2––––4–––
D –––2––––2–––––3––––5–––
A –––3––––2–––––3––––5–––
E ––––––––0––––(1)––(3)––
C Em F G
If you have trouble with the F and G voicings above, try these variants:
E –––0––––0–––––0––––0–––
B –––1––––0–––––1––––3–––
G –––0––––0–––––2––––4–––
D –––2––––2–––––3––––5–––
A –––3––––2––––––––––––––
E ––––––––0––––––––––––––
C Em F G
Chords with no capo
If you want to play it without a capo, use the chords below – and note how the 2nd fret of the high E-string is used in all chords. Again, this matches the droning note you hear played on the album. Technically, the G is a Gmaj7, and the A is an Aadd6.
E –––2––––2–––––2––––2––––
B –––3––––2–––––0––––2––––
G –––2––––2–––––0––––2––––
D –––0––––4–––––0––––2––––
A ––––––––4–––––x––––0––––
E ––––––––2–––––3–––––––––
D F#m G A
Strumming pattern
I prefer a “DOWN down-up-down-up” that repeats 4 times for each chord. Then, switch to the next chord and repeat it again 4 times. You’ll want to accent the first down strum of each sequence. Here’s how I’d write it out:
1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 +
D d u d u D d u d u D d u d u D d u d u
> > > >
If you have trouble, I recommend starting with playing only the first down strum of each 3-count sequence:
1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 +
D D D D
And from there, if you want, you could also just do a “up down up” to end each 3-count sequence. Which would look like this:
1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 3 +
D u d u D u d u D u d u D u d u
> > > >
Lyrics w/ chords
(capo 2nd fret)
INTRO
C Em F G
VERSE
C
I got the good side of things
Em
Left you with both of the rings
F
My fingers danced and swayed in the breeze
G
The change in the wind took you down to your knees
C
I got the good side of you
Em
Sent it out into the blue
F
The people danced to the sound of your heart
G
The world sang along to it falling apart
CHORUS
C Em
But I... sympathize, and I.... recognize
F G C
And baby, I apologize... that I got the good side, the good side of things
[ solo riff, with C-E-F-G progression ]
I got the good side of life
Travelled the universe twice
So many thoughts I wanted to share
But I didn't call because it wouldn't be fair
Then I got the good side of new
Found arms to fall right into
I know how it looked, it wasn't the plan
And some day I hope that you'll understand
That I sympathize, and I recognize
And baby, I apologize
That I got the good side
The good side of things
I'm sure we'll meet in the spring
And catch up on everything
I'll say I'm proud of all that you've done
You taught me the ropes, and you taught me to love
But I sympathize, and I recognize
And baby, I apologize
That I got the good side
The good side of things
Sympathize, recognize
Apologize
That I got the good side
The good side of things
Good luck!
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or feedback.
Get my lessons in your inbox!
Every couple weeks I send out an email newsletter with links to whatever new lessons I've made. Sign up here and stay in the loop!
Enjoy my lessons? Buy me a beer!
If this and my other lessons have proven helpful to you, please consider making a one-time donation to my tip jar. Contributions of any amount help make this project possible (including the many, many hours I put into it).
You can also support me on Patreon. For only $3/month you'll get access to a print-friendly PDF of my notes for each new lesson (view free sample).
Thanks!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!
Recent video lessons:
📝 My "song" PDFs are now individually purcasheable! I've arranged a licensing agreement with Musicnotes, a service that lets you buy sheet music. Patreon suppoters get 50% off each purchase. Get the latest info here » (last updated July 1, 2021)
November 24, 2021
Combining Strumming with Walk-downs (Key of C)
In this video I answer a patron question about how to add a walking bassline to a fully strummed chord (in the Key of C).
October 14, 2021
How to Tune Half-Step Down (E-Flat Tuning)
A quick guide to tuning all your strings down 1/2 step (E-flat tuning), which is a very common alternate tuning used in many songs.
October 2, 2021
F Chord Cheat Sheet! 7 Easier Ways to Play It
A quick inventory of 8 different ways to play the dreaded F chord, 7 of which are easier than the dreaded six-string barred version.
September 28, 2021
Beginner Riffs with Major 7th Arpeggios
A quick exercise where I share over 10 riffs based on a single arpeggio shape, using major 7th chord tones. Backing track included!
September 19, 2021
Key of C Major Cheat Sheet!
A deep dive into everything you need to know when playing in the Key of C: notes, chords, fretboard map, tips & tricks, easier ways to play the F chord, and plenty more.
September 12, 2021
Major Scale Positions & CAGED Chord Shapes
A deep-dive into the common positions of the major scale, and how they each relate to the CAGED chord shapes... which makes it all easier to understand!
Browse my all lessons
By lesson type
By song decade
By musical genre
By guitar technique
By musical key
By popular artist
- Johnny Cash
- Tyler Childers
- Tom Petty
- Neil Young
- Nirvana
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Willie Nelson
- John Denver
- Guns N' Roses