Help with chords / tab

Cafe Society
1

I’m sure these aren’t too difficult but I can’t seem to understand what he’s playing. The (original) song is She’s Not There by The Zombies. This is a YouTuber cover.

According to Tunebat, the original is in E minor (which doesn’t make sense to me - I never understand keys). Anyway, as originally recorded it starts on Am and then goes to D. But this guy looks like he’s starts on Em (key of D?), but if that’s true shouldn’t he then go to A?

I like his version and would like to ‘campfire’ it so if anyone can tab the chords, I’d be highly appreciative.

2

That second chord is not D, but A sus 4. Imagine playing an standard D, but instead of fingering the 2nd fret on the high E, leave that open.

3

Figuring out what was done on the original recordings sure is a lot easier than it used to be. Keep in mind many tunes were not recorded in standard pitch, perhaps some weird off-brand tuning, and a capo.

4

Actually the original recording isn’t that hard to figure out, it’s this guy’s version. I think he’s playing it in a different key probably to fit his voice. But like PR mentioned, he looks like he’s playing sus chords or something that’s not on the original.

5

Looks like there’s an Am in there. So, I think, Em Dsus2 Am Dsus2. Sounds a lot like the slow acoustic version of Layla, to me.

6

[Tangent]

Don’t forget, if you’re trying to replicate the original studio version, you have to audibly suck air between lines:

Well, let me tell you 'bout the way she looked (breath)
The way she’d act and the color of her hair (loud breath)
Her voice was soft and cool (loud breath)
Her eyes were clear and bright (desperate breath)
But she’s not there…

I swear, it sounded like (vocalist) Colin Blunstone was drowning, and coming up for air every few words.

[/Tangent]

7

Well, I posted in a hurry, but as I was driving to work I got to thinking visually it looks like a D shape, but harmonically it’s probably functioning as an Asus4.

8

You’ve been here, right? I like how I can just transpose until I find chords that agree with my abilities.

9

I mentioned that above. Admittedly I only watched the video on an iPad so the audio is a little compromised, but as I was playing along, it sounded exactly like the Asus4 I was playing.

10

Yep, I’ve been there. But a straightforward transcription of that would be an Em for the Am and an A for the D - but he’s clearly not playing an A as the second chord. That’s the part that is confusing me.

ETA: after playing at again, I think Pork_Rind is correct.