Billie Jean by Chris Cornell – Guitar Tab
Why I Like This Tab
This tab is a great representation of Chris Cornell’s unique take on Michael Jackson’s iconic “Billie Jean”. What grabs me most is its rich chord progression, which incorporates some less commonly used chords like Bmadd11/A, Gadd11/A, Bm7/A, and Gadd9/E that add a depth and complexity to the song. It’s not just a simple strumming pattern, there’s a soulful, bluesy feel that really captures the essence of Cornell’s rendition.
Practice Tip
Take your time to get familiar with the chord transitions, particularly those less common ones. It’s worth drilling these transitions separately to build up your muscle memory before attempting the full song. Also, pay close attention to the rhythm and timing – it’s slower than you might think, and that’s part of what gives this version its unique feel.
Genre & Difficulty
This version of “Billie Jean” has a blues-rock vibe, which makes it a nice departure from the original pop version. It’s a medium to hard difficulty song, reliant on the guitarist’s familiarity with chord transitions and finger placements. It’s a suitable challenge for intermediate players looking to diversify their repertoire and even for beginners who are ready to push their boundaries.
Chords Used
Em - 022000
Am - x02210
C - x32010
B7 - x21202
Bmadd11/A - x04430
Gadd11/A - x0550x
Bm7/A - x0770x
Gadd9/E - 00000x
Full Tab
[Verse 1]
Em
She was more like a beauty queen from a movie screen
Am
I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one
Em
Who will dance on the floor in the round
Am Em
She said I am the one, who will dance on the floor in the round
She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Am
Then every head turned with eyes that dreamed of being the one
Em
Who will dance on the floor in the round
[Bridge]
C Em
People always told me be careful of what you do
C Em
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
C Em
And mama always told me be careful of who you love
C B7
And be careful of what you do before the lie becomes the truth
[Chorus]
Em Am Em Gadd9/E Em
Billie Jean is not my lover
Am Em Am Bmadd11/A
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
Gadd11/A Bm7/A Em
But the kid is not my son
Am
She says I am the one
Gadd11/A Bm7/A Em
But the kid is not my son
[Verse 2]
Em
For forty days and for forty nights. The law was on her side
Am
But who can stand when she's in demand. Her schemes and plans
Em
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round
Am Em
So take my strong advice, remember to always think twice
(Do think twice)
[Verse 3]
Em
She told my baby we'd danced till three, then she looked at me
Am
Then showed a photo my baby cried his eyes were like mine
Em
'Cause we danced on the floor in the round
[Bridge]
C Em
People always told me be careful of what you do
C Em
Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
C Em
Then she stood right by me. The smell of sweet perfume
C B7
This happened much too soon. She called me to her room
[Chorus]
Em Am Em Gadd9/E Em
Billie Jean is not my lover
Am Em Am Bmadd11/A
She's just a girl who says that I am the one
Gadd11/A Bm7/A Em
But the kid is not my son
Am
She says I am the one
Gadd11/A Bm7/A Em
But the kid is not my son
Am Em
So take my strong advice, remember to always think twice
(Do think twice)
Adapted for educational use. Based on public tab formatting. The commentary on this page is autogenerated as part of an ongoing test.