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Problem

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"The Problem" by J.J. Cale 
From the album "To Tulsa and Back"
Performance notes: True to the laid back "Tulsa Sound" 
he helped to create, Cale plays slightly behind the beat.
This can be accomplished by strumming down and up normally,
but accenting the upstroke only. All solos are played 
over the intro/verse chords, except for the last solo
where it passes through the Eb F Bb Ab Eb progression
toward the end of it.
[Intro] 
  Bb    Ab    Eb    Bb    Bb    Ab   Bb(2x)
BbHave you heard the Abnews, that's Ebgoing 'round herBbe
BbThe man in cAbharge has got to goBb  
BbCause he dances 'Abround, the Ebproblem, Bbboy
Bband the problem is the Abman in charge, you knowBb  
BbNow the young knows Abwhat, I'm a Ebtalkin' 'boutBb  
Bbit's a con in the Abold man's gameBb  
BbThe man in cAbharge he don't, Ebknow what he's doBbin'
BbHe don't know, the wAborld has changedBb  
The Ebpower seems to Fbe, Bbso Abfar Ebup
BbThe man on the sAbtreet ain't got a cluBbe
BbThe high top Abcats, rEbunnin' your lifeBb  
BbThinks the problem is uh, Abme and yoBbu
(piano solo)
BbBorn in a Abtime, Ebthat has gone bBby
BbThe old tell the Abyoung what to doBb  
BbHave you heard the Abnews, Ebthat's going 'rounBbd 
BbThe problem is the Abman in charge of you Bb  
BbThe problem is the Abman in charge of youBb  
(guitar solo)
The Ebpower seems to Fbe, Bbso Abfar Ebup
BbThe man on the Abstreet ain't got a clueBb  
BbThe high top Abcats, rEbunnin' your lifeBb  
BbThinks the problem isAb, me and youBb  
Eb  F  Bb  Ab  Eb
BbHave you heard the Abnews, Ebthat's a goin' 'round hBbere
BbThe man in Abcharge has to goBb  
BbThe man in Abcharge has got to goBb  
BbThe man in Abcharge got to goBb  

All chords in this song (4)

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Problem

by J.J. Cale

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

"The Problem" by J.J. Cale

From the album "To Tulsa and Back"

Performance notes: True to the laid back "Tulsa Sound"

he helped to create, Cale plays slightly behind the beat.

This can be accomplished by strumming down and up normally,

but accenting the upstroke only. All solos are played

over the intro/verse chords, except for the last solo

where it passes through the Eb F Bb Ab Eb progression

toward the end of it.

[Intro]

Bb Ab Eb Bb Bb Ab Bb

(2x)

Bb Ab Eb Bb

Have you heard the news, that's going 'round here

Bb Ab Bb

The man in charge has got to go

Bb Ab Eb Bb

Cause he dances 'round, the problem, boy

Bb Ab Bb

and the problem is the man in charge, you know

Bb Ab Eb Bb

Now the young knows what, I'm a talkin' 'bout

Bb Ab Bb

it's a con in the old man's game

Bb Ab Eb Bb

The man in charge he don't, know what he's doin'

Bb Ab Bb

He don't know, the world has changed

Eb F Bb Ab Eb

The power seems to be, so far up

Bb Ab Bb

The man on the street ain't got a clue

Bb Ab Eb Bb

The high top cats, runnin' your life

Bb Ab Bb

Thinks the problem is uh, me and you

(piano solo)

Bb Ab Eb Bb

Born in a time, that has gone by

Bb Ab Bb

The old tell the young what to do

Bb Ab Eb Bb

Have you heard the news, that's going 'round

Bb Ab Bb

The problem is the man in charge of you

Bb Ab Bb

The problem is the man in charge of you

(guitar solo)

Eb F Bb Ab Eb

The power seems to be, so far up

Bb Ab Bb

The man on the street ain't got a clue

Bb Ab Eb Bb

The high top cats, runnin' your life

Bb Ab Bb

Thinks the problem is, me and you

Eb F Bb Ab Eb

Bb Ab Eb Bb

Have you heard the news, that's a goin' 'round here

Bb Ab Bb

The man in charge has to go

Bb Ab Bb

The man in charge has got to go

Bb Ab Bb

The man in charge got to go

About Problem Chords by J.J. Cale

Learn how to play Problem by J.J. Cale with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Problem chords”, “Problem guitar chords”, or “J.J. Cale Problem chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Problem chords and for experienced players who want accurate Problem lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Eb, F, Bb, Ab.

FAQ — Problem by J.J. Cale

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What key is "Problem" in?

The chords for "Problem" show the original chord names (including Eb, F, Bb, Ab). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.