Willow chords

by Joan Armatrading

Song Key: C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 120 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner (helpful tips below)

Guitar Chords: C, Csus4, F, F7, Bb, Am, G, G7, G13, Dm7, Em7

Experience: A rewarding song for guitar players of all levels

Chord Chart Legend
C Major Csus4 F Major F Major F7 Bb Major Bb Major Am G Major G7 G13 Dm7 Em7
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
C Major-LH Csus4-LH F Major-LH F Major barre chord-LH F7 barre chord-LH Bb Major-LH Bb Major barre chord-LH Am-LH G Major G7-LH G13-LH Dm7-LH Em7-LH

Willow

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
  
               C
Intro: 4/4 |       |... Bass Guitar for 6 bars

 F7                        Bb
 1. I may not be your best
  C                                            Bb
    You know good ones don't come by the score
 F7                                Bb
    You've got some-thing miss-ing
  C 
    I'll help you look, you can be sure
        Bb     F7
    And if you wan-na be alone
  Am 
    Some-one to share a laugh
         G
    What ev-er you want me to
                     G        G7     C    Csus4    C    Csus4    C        Am  G   
    All you got-ta | do is ask    |     |       |     |       |     | / /        |

  C          F7
    Thunder    Don't go un-der the sheets
  C             F
    Light-ning,  un-der a tree
  C                    G 
    In the rain    and snow
         Dm7                    Am  G
    I'll be your fire-|side / /        |

  C                  Em7 
    Come run-ning to me
 Dm7                         G       G7
    When things get out of | hand -     |
  C             Em7
    Run-ning to me
 Dm7                              G13      G7
    When it's more than you can | stand -     |

                        C         Dm7     Em7     Dm7
 Chorus: I said, "I'm | strong |...    |       |       |
       C             Dm7     Em7     Dm7
         Straight |...    |       |       |
       C           F          C
         Will-ing    To be a    Shel-ter in a storm"
              F             C
         Your wil-low    oh wil-low
                    F    C   F            C    Csus4     C    Csus4
         When the | sun  is  out |  𝄎  |     |        |     |        |
         
          G           F           C                Csus4
Instr: |     |  𝄎  |     |  𝄎  |     |  𝄎  |  𝄎  |        |

          G           F           C    Csus4
       |     |  𝄎  |     |  𝄎  |     |        |   

  F7                            Bb
 2. A fight with your best girl
  C                                 Bb
    Pret-ti-est thing you ev-er saw
  F7                      Bb
    You know I'll lis-ten
  C
    Try to get a mes-sage to her
        Bb      F7
    And if it's mon-ey you want
  Am
    Or trou-ble halved
         G
    What ev-er you want me to 
                   G        G7
    All you got-ta do is ask

           C                    Dm7     Em7     Dm7
 Chorus: I said, "I'm strong |...    |       |       |
       C             Dm7     Em7     Dm7
         Straight |...    |       |       |
       C           F          C
         Will-ing    To be a    Shel-ter in a storm"
              F             C
         Your wil-low    oh wil-low
                    F   C   F
         When the | sun is  out |  𝄎  |

         C
 Chorus: Shel-ter in a storm
              F           C
         Your wil-low, oh wil-low
                    F   C   F
         When the | sun is  out |  𝄎  |

         C
 Chorus: Shel-ter in a storm
              F           C
         Your wil-low, oh wil-low
                    F   C   F
         When the | sun is  out |  𝄎  |

         C
 Chorus: Shel-ter in a storm
              F           C
         Your wil-low, oh wil-low
                  F   C  F  
         When the sun is out...

Notes & Helpful Tips:

  • 4/4 |   C   |   𝄍   𝄍   Am   G   | 6 beats of C, 1 beat of Am and 1 beat of G
  • 𝄍 = repeat sign
  • This could have been written as
    |   C   |   C   C   Am   G   |
  • | G - G7 | or | G13 - G7 | means 2 beats on each chord
  • G13 is the same shape as B7 except each finger moves up by one string, and in this case iis played over the 2nd and 3rd frets, whereas B7 is played over frets 1 and 2.
  • P.N. You don't have to play G13.... G will do, but if you want to capture the drama, give it a try - a very easy chord to play.
  • Beginners: If you are not comfortable with barre chords, you can replace F7 with F.

Song Details:

Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: Joan Armatrading
  • Lyrics Begin: I may not be your best, you know good ones don't come by the score.
  • Performing Artist: Joan Armatrading
  • Genre: Folk, Jazz
  • Album: Show Some Emotion
    Recorded: 1977
    Released: September 1977
    Label: A&M Records

The song showcases Armatrading's versatile musical style. The song has been described as "beautiful," and is about being willing to share love with someone who may not have been aware of how much they mean to you. 💕

Songs by Joan Armatrading on this site:
Back to 70's Music Back To Top
Contact Me

A seasoned performer joyfully playing the guitar