| Author: | Leonard | Latest revision: | March 18, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes: | In the process of compiling bonus material for the deluxe editions of Cat’s first albums with Islands Records, this song ultimately ended up on the cutting floor, but was unofficially released as a studio demo in 2016 on the no-label album 9 Lives: Solo Demos from Morgan Studios. Four years later the song appeared in official capacity as a bonus track on the Super Deluxe Edition of Tea for the Tillerman (2020). Regardless, this song is a rare gem which, as far as we know, must have been recorded around the time of taping Tea for the Tillerman. And who knew that a basic A and E major chord, no doubt propelled by Cat’s roaring vocal prowess, had so much power and so much to say about love? The break after verse 3 veers off into a swelling fanfare about first love-making. Cat plays a fantastic rhythm guitar on his Gibson J-180 on this track, and a second guitar, presumably Alun, sets in from Verse 2 on higher up the neck. | ||
| Each guitar tab is the author’s own work and represents his or her own interpretation of the song. Visitors may use the guitar tabs offered here only for private study, scholarship, or research. |
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"Can This Be Love?" (Studio Demo)
by Cat Stevens
recorded around 1970
from the Super Deluxe Edition of
TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN (2020)
Standard tuning
(bass to treble) E-A-D-G-B-E
in 4/4 time
Note: Cat continues with the spiel on
INTRO A4 and E7 to various degrees.
A A4 E E7
/ . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / .
d d u d u d u d u d d u u d u d u d
E| |-0-------0-----0-|-0-0-----0-0-0---|-0-------0-----0-|-0-0-----0-0-0---| |
B| |-2-------2-----2-|-2-2-----2-2-3-0-|-0-------0-----0-|-0-0-----0-0-3---| |
G|.|-2-------2-----2-|-2-2-----2-2-2-0-|-1-------1-----1-|-1-1-----1-1-1---|.| Repeat
D|.|-2-------2-----2-|-2-2-----2-2-2-0-|-2-------2-----2-|-2-2-----2-2-2---|.| once.
A| |-0-------0-----0-|-0-0-----0-0-0---|-2-------2-----2-|-2-2-----2-2-2---| |
E| |-----------------|-----------------|-0-------0-----0-|-0-0-----0-0-0---| |
VERSE 1
A E E7 A A4
Can this be love, is it what I have the symptoms of
E E7 F#m/C# D/A A* E
Can this be love giving me a ride, for if this is love
A E A E E7 F#m/C# D/A
Yes if this is love I'm gonna need so much more if this is love, promise not to hide
VERSE 2
(D/A) A* E E7 A A4
Can this be love, knowing that you just won't get enough
E E7 F#m/C# D/A A* E
Can this be love shining in my eyes, for if this is love
A E A E E7 F#m/C# D/A
Yes if this is love, I'm gonna need so much more if this is love, honey, make me wise
VERSE 3
(D/A) A* E E7 A A4
Can this be love, all what I've been hearing so much of
E E7 F#m/C# D/A A* E
Can this be love shining over me, for if this is love
A E
'Cause if this is love
BREAK
(E) A A4 E A A4
Let me find you every day, don't go, never break away
E A A4 E A A4
I need to feel you all around me, give me the chance to know you
E A A4 E A A4 E A A4 E A A4 D!
Love me yeah, love me, love me, you know it's the first time I've ever really loved
E A D E
You know it's the first time, so please be kind, don't treat me rough
A A4 E A A4
Don't treat me rough, don't treat me rough
E A E A E A A4
Oh you know, you know, you know you have to be soft, have to be soft, yeah
E A A4 E A A4 E A A4
So love me oh, love me, love me, love me, love me
E A A4 E A A4
I've been alone and longing for someone like you to come on in
E A E! A! E A
Now that you're here I have to be sure, you're not gonna be less, you're gonna be more
E A E A
You're not gonna be less, you're gonna be more, you're not gonna be less, you're gonna be more...
(A) E A E A E
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
A E A E A!
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
VERSE 4
(A) E E7 A A4
Can this be love, knowing that you just won't get enough
E E7 F#m/C# D/A A* E
Can this be love shining over me, for if this is love
A E A E E7 F#m/C# B/F#
Yes if this is love, I'm gonna need so much more if this is love, I'm gonna let it be
F#m/C# B/F# F#
I'm gonna let it be, I'm gonna let it be
CHORDS
======
A A4 E E7
x02220 x02230 022100 022130
--IMR- --IML- -MRI-- -MRIL-
F#m/C# D/A A* D B/F# F#
x44222 x00232 x0222x xx0232 xx444x 244322
-RLIII ---IRM --III- ---IRM --RRR- TRLMII
Chord fingering: T = thumb
I = index finger
M = middle finger
R = ring finger
L = little finger
Tablature notation: h = hammer-on
p = pull-off
~ = vibrato
[ ] = natural harmonic (Harm.)
/ = legato slide (gliss) up the fret
\ = legato slide (gliss) down the fret
! = accentuate part with great intensity
d = downward stroke
u = upward stroke
LYRICS ONLY
===========
Can this be love, is it what I have the symptoms of
Can this be love giving me a ride, for if this is love
Yes if this is love I'm gonna need so much more if this is love, promise not to hide
Can this be love, knowing that you just won't get enough
Can this be love shining in my eyes, for if this is love
Yes if this is love, I'm gonna need so much more if this is love, honey, make me wise
Can this be love, all what I've been hearing so much of
Can this be love shining over me, for if this is love
'Cause if this is love
Let me find you every day, don't go, never break away
I need to feel you all around me, give me the chance to know you
Love me yeah, love me, love me, you know it's the first time I've ever really loved
You know it's the first time, so please be kind, don't treat me rough
Don't treat me rough, don't treat me rough
Oh you know, you know, you know you have to be soft, have to be soft, yeah
So love me oh, love me, love me, love me, love me
I've been alone and longing for someone like you to come on in
Now that you're here I have to be sure, you're not gonna be less, you're gonna be more
You're not gonna be less, you're gonna be more, you're not gonna be less, you're gonna be more...
Can this be love, knowing that you just won't get enough
Can this be love shining over me, for if this is love
Yes if this is love, I'm gonna need so much more if this is love, I'm gonna let it be
I'm gonna let it be, I'm gonna let it be
Playing Cat Stevens 