Imagination is a Powerful Deceiver

Elvis Costello

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Chords in this song11

Song

"Imagination Is A Powerful Deceiver"

by Elvis Costello

tabbed by: Jim Ferraiolo (jmfguitartabs@gmail.com)

This is a great deep cut from Elvis Costello that appears on the Rykodisc reissue of "My Aim Is True"

and some of his earlier bootlegs. There are some particular voicings to take note of if you want

to sound more like the recording, so use the fingerings below.

Gmaj7 3x5542 or 3x554x

Bb 6x8766

Cmaj7 x3545x

D/F# 2x0232

Bb* x1xxxx (single bass note only)

There are also two walking bass type riffs. Riff 1 is played in the verse and Riff 2 CAN be played on the

first line of the chorus. If you listen to the recording, the first line of the chorus implies the chords

D, F#m, Bm, G, and back to D - but the guitar actually drops out and the bass carries things for a few bars.

You can play either Riff 2 to be "accurate" or the listed chords and either is fine depending on your level

of ability.

Riff 1

e|------------|
B|------------|
G|------------|
D|------------|
A|------------|
E|--2-3-4-5---|

Riff 2

e|----2-------------3------------2-------------|
B|----3-------------0------------3-------------|
G|----2-------------0------------2-------------|
D|----0-------------0------------0-------------|
A|--------4--2--0---2---0--2-------------------|
E|------------------3--------------------------|

On to the song!

[Intro Riff] (x2)

e|--12-12-12-12-12-10------------7-7-7-7-7-10-|
B|--12-12-12-12-12-10------------8-8-8-8-8-10-|
G|--12-12-12-12-12-11------------7-7-7-7-7-11-|
D|--------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------|

Verse 1

So you're trying to make connection, you heard whispers in the hall

She'll be out again this evening, when you come around to call

So, you dodge the lady-killer, who came creepin' 'cross the floor

F#m Bb* Bm Am D7 G

Then you caught up in a whirlwind, you got blown right out the door

Oh, yes it was a whirlwind, sweet romance was on your side

D (Riff 1) F#m Bm Gmaj7

If you wanna dance on my face, you must tell me why you lied

Chorus

Imagination is a powerful deceiver

When you try to believe her just a little too much

Imagination is a powerful deceiver

I'll go out of my mind, if I'm losing your touch

[Intro Riff] (x2)

e|--12-12-12-12-12-10------------7-7-7-7-7-10-|
B|--12-12-12-12-12-10------------8-8-8-8-8-10-|
G|--12-12-12-12-12-11------------7-7-7-7-7-11-|
D|--------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------|

Verse 2

I see the look of recognition, so well hidden in your eye

And your peepshow regulations, they just don't seem to apply,

Well, did I see you in the circus, in the ring without a hand

F#m Bb* Bm Am D7 G

Now you think that you can curse us, steal the show and stop the band

Oh, you can follow your dreams, oh but please don't lead me on,

D (Riff 1) F#m Bm Gmaj7

If you wanna bleed in my face, you were here and now you're gone

Chorus

Imagination is a powerful deceiver

When you try to believe her just a little too much

Imagination is a powerful deceiver

I'll go out of my mind, if I'm losing your touch

[Intro Riff] (x2)

e|--12-12-12-12-12-10------------7-7-7-7-7-10-|
B|--12-12-12-12-12-10------------8-8-8-8-8-10-|
G|--12-12-12-12-12-11------------7-7-7-7-7-11-|
D|--------------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------|