Chords + Lyrics | Somebody Else’s Guy
Intro
| Abm9 (Am9) | Bbm9 Eb7#9 |
I… Can’t get off my high horse and I can’t let you go.
| Abm9 | Eb7#9 | Abm9 (Am9) | Bbm9 Eb7#9 |
You are the one, who, you are the one who makes me feel so real, yeah, yeah, yeah.
| Abm9 | Eb7#9 |
Oh, what am I supposed to do?
| Abm9 (Am9)| Bbm9 Eb7#9 |
Oh, what am I supposed to do, baby? When I’m so hooked up on you.
| Abm9 | Eb7#9 | Abm9 | Db9 | Db9 |
Then I realize, oh, I realize. That you are somebody else’s guy,
||: Abm9 | Bbm9 Eb7#9 :|| x5
Oh yeah. Why you wanna do this to me boy?
| Abm9 (Bb B C) | Db11 Db9 |
Somebody else’s guy.
Instrumental
||: B9 Bb9 | Eb7#9 :|| x4
Verse 1
||: B9 Bb9 | Eb7#9 :||
Can you remember the times we’ve spent together?
Sharing our days in the sun.
But then I found out that you were somebody else’s lover.
After all the plans we made, now they’re shattered.
Chorus 1
||: Abm9 (Am9) | Bbm9 Eb7#9 :||
But still, I can’t get off my high horse, I can’t let go.
You are the one who makes me feel so real.
Ooh, what a I supposed to do, when I’m hooked so on you?
| Abm9 (Bb B C) | Db11 Db9 |
Then I realize that you’re somebody else’s guy.
Verse 2
That day in September, I’m sure you can remember.
That’s when all this stuff hit the fan (that stuff hit the fan).
You told me a lie and you didn’t have an alibi.
But baby yet I still cared.
Chorus 2
You know I loved you so, baby that I can’t let you go, no no.
You are the one who makes me feel so real.
Ooh, what am I supposed to do when I’m hooked so on you?
Then I realize that you’re somebody else’s guy.
Solo
||: B9 Bb9 | Eb7#9 :|| x4
Chorus 3
You know I loved you so baby that I can’t let you go, no.
You are the one who makes me feel so real.
Ooh, what am I supposed to do when I’m hooked so you?
Then I realize that you’re somebody else’s guy.
Chorus 4
Oh, I can’t get off my high horse. And I can’t let go.
You are the one who makes me feel so real.
Ooh, what am I supposed to do when I’m hooked so on you?
Then I realize, that you’re somebody else’s guy.
Chorus 5
Ohhh, I-I-I-I- can’t let you go, no (I can’t get off my high horse and I can’t let go)
See you are the one who makes me feel, so real (You are the one, who makes me feel so real)
Ooh, what am I supposed to do, when I’m hooked so on you? (Ooh, what am I supposed to do, when i’m hooked so on you?)
Then I realize, I realize, that you’re somebody else’s guy (Then I realize, that you’re somebody else’s guy)
Breakdown
||: N.C | N.C :||
I can’t get off my high horse and I can’t let go.
You are the one who makes me feel so real.
Ooh, what am I supposed to do when I’m hooked so on you?
And realize that you’re somebody else’s guy.
Outro
||: Abm7 | Bbm7 | Abm7 | Bbm7 Eb7#9 Dm7 |
| Abm7 | Bbm7 | Abm7 | Db11 Db9 :|| repeat to fade
Ooh, what? Then I realize that you’re somebody else’s guy.
Ooh, what? Then I realize that you’re somebody else’s guy.
Ohh, oh baby, baby, baby, you are the one who makes me feel so real.
(Ooh, what?) What am I supposed to do when I’m hooked so on you?
Then I realize that you’re somebody else’s guy.
||: Oh, I can’t get off my high horse and I can’t let go.
You are the one who makes me feel so real.
Ooh, what am I supposed to do when I’m hooked so on you?
And realize that you’re somebody else’s guy. :||
Somebody Else’s Guy Backing Tracks | Chord Analysis
Above, you’ll find backing tracks to use when learning Somebody Else’s Guy. I’ve used stem separation to extract the guitar while keeping the drums, bass, keys, horns, and vocals intact.
After studying the chords and TAB, use my backing tracks to prepare for playing this tune with a band.
There is also a version with just drums, bass, and vocals to work out how to play this tune as a trio, as well as one without vocals but production left in.
Should you want to play along with the original recording instead, you need to tune your guitar down to 438Hz. In the backing track, I’ve done this job for you by tuning it to 440Hz.
After studying the chords and TAB, use these backing tracks to prepare for playing Somebody Else’s Guy with a band.
Chord Progressions – What’s Going On?
The whole tune revolves around a few key progressions, built around chromatic movement, extended chords, and funky phrasing.
Intro + Chorus
The intro and chorus centre on a II – III – VI turnaround:
||: Abm9 (Am9) | Bbm9 Eb7#9 :||
| Abm9 (Bb B C) | Db11 Db9 |
The chromatic bass line between Abm9 and Bbm9 (Bb–B–C) creates a slick lead into the Db11 – Db9 pair later in the chorus. When comping on guitar, focus on percussive, short stabs to complement the keys and leave space in the groove.
Keyboardists might debate the exact voicings, and you’ll often hear variations (like Eb7#9#5 or added extensions).
To get exact instructions on how to execute the chords for this and all other sections, check the TAB further down this guitar lesson.
Verse
Verses move to a IV – IIIx – VIx cycle:
||: B9 Bb9 | Eb7#9 :||
You’ll hear subtle rhythmic displacements and voicing changes from section to section, but these chords will get you going.
Outro
The outro introduces a smoother feel with min7 chords and an added Dm7 surprise.
||: Abm7 | Bbm7 | Abm7 | Bbm7 Eb7#9 Dm7 |
| Abm7 | Bbm7 | Abm7 | Db11 Db9 :||
When playing live, aim to locking in with the rhythm section and focus on dynamics. A little restraint here goes a long way.
Here’s a chord chart, share it with your band mates so everyone play the same chords for Somebody Else’s Guy,
Somebody Else’s Guy Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Above is a one-page chord chart to match the lyrics, structure, and backing tracks. Great for rehearsals or gigs where space is tight and communication is key.
→ Download PDF chord chart – Somebody Else’s Guy
→ Download iReal Pro File – Somebody Else’s Guy
The iReal Pro file lets you transpose the tune if needed, though in most cases this song sits right where it should. If there’s a keyboard player on the gig, let them handle the intro and concentrate on supporting the feel without stepping on their voicings.
Somebody Else’s Guy | TAB
The more I play and transcribe this tune, the more I discover—and perhaps that’s what makes it so great!
If you’ve successfully managed to outmanoeuvre the keyboard player, you could take on the free-time intro, perhaps like this:
Intro
Intro + Chorus
After the drums and bass have had their moment in the sun, you’ll need to start playing something. You might choose the part from the original recording, which later reappears in the chorus.
Notice how the Eb7#9 lasts for one beat, then two. The bass actually moves early both times, and as I’m not a massive fan of this original part, here’s an alternative idea you could try:
Intro + Verse + Solo
Next, we move to a new set of chords used during the intro, which later return for the verse and solo sections. I’ve got three ideas for you—here’s the first:
Here’s another version with more variation, best played without keys. Notice how it changes to Eb9 in the final bar.
If you do have keys, try this counterintuitive part for the verse and solo:
When you can play all the TAB, practice along with the backing tracks with only the chord chart as your guide.
A Modern Standard
This Jocelyn Brown classic has become a staple for soul, funk, and pop singers around the world. It’s one of those tunes that every band member is expected to know, especially in function and wedding sets.
Its status as a standard has grown largely thanks to vocal coaches, who across the world seem to have adopted Jocelyn’s powerhouse anthem as a go-to challenge for their students. Once enough musicians adapt a tune like this, it naturally becomes part of the shared repertoire.
If you’re anything like me, you might have spent years playing this song with the wrong chords. Revisiting the recording, I’ve tried to get as close as possible to what’s really going on. You’ll still hear subtle differences depending on the player, so keep your ears open and adjust as needed—especially when gigging with new musicians.
Somebody Else’s Guy Chords: Continue Learning
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