I Can't Make It Anymore chords by Richie Havens

Chords with lyrics

Playing in Open ‘D’

At first glance some of Richie’s chord fingerings look very difficult as barring with
the thumb is the main feature. However, as a complete beginner to the guitar in 2008, I
found I made much faster progress in Open D MajorD than in normal tuning. It’s easier to sit
while you play and barring with the thumb is made easier if you hold the guitar with the face
slightly open (i.e. at an angle of about 20 degrees so that you can see the strings and
frets) and angle the neck of the guitar slightly downwards. I know this is considered
bad form normally but it seems to work for Open D MajorD chords. I would also advise you to
track down a supply of the “taco chip” picks that Richie uses. They are made by Fender (355 Medium
I believe) and can be found quite easily on the internet at a few pounds per dozen.
Their extra size and flexibility are excellent for strumming.

Tuning	D MajorD	A augmentedA	D MajorD	F#F#	A augmentedA	D MajorD

I = 	Index finger
M =	Middle finger
T =	Thumb
L =	Little finger

Chords for the song

Dmaj7Dmaj7

 D MajorD	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD	 F#F#	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD
	 		 I			Fret 3
				 M	 M	Fret 4

EMaj7Emaj7

D MajorD	 A augmentedA 	 D MajorD	 F#F#	 A augmentedA 	 D MajorD
               I			Fret 1
    				 M	 M  Fret 2


These are the dominant chords in the song, but Richie varies these chords frequently to
add what he refers to as “colour”. Both of the above chords can have the following
variations to produce subtle changes

D MajorD	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD	 F#F#	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD
			  I 	 I
					 M

Drop middle finger to cover 1st fret only
D MajorD	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD	 F#F#	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD
               I    I
                        M
                        L
Add your little finger one fret up

Gmaj7Gmaj7

D MajorD	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD	 F#F#	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD
					 I Fret 4
T	 T	 T	 T	 T

Thumb bars bottom 5 strings 5th fret
Index finger holds down 1st string 4th fret


A7sus4A7sus4 (known by Richie as the “mystery chord”)

D MajorD	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD	 F#F#	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD
			  I 	  I	   I Fret 5
 -	 - 	 -	 -	 - 	 -
T	 T	 T	             Fret 7

Thumb bars bottom 3 strings 7th fret
Index finger holds down top 3 strings 5th fret
Difficult at first but a great chord

A7A7

D MajorD	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD	 F#F#	 A augmentedA	 D MajorD
                         I Fret 5
 -	 -	 -	 -	 -	 -
T	T	 T	 T	 T     Fret 7

Thumb bars bottom 5 strings 7th fret
Index finger holds down 1st string 5th fret


Strumming

Most of the song is comprised of a steady, rhythmic, varied strum with emphasis on the
downstroke. The A7sus4A7sus4 and A7A7 are played with much more gusto and of course there are
many occasions when Richie throws in four down-ups where previously there was one.

Intro

DM7 EM7 repeated with the variations mentioned above

I get too low		with no reason
Dm7Dm7				E minor 7Em7

They says it’s the moon 	or maybe the season
Dm7Dm7					E minor 7Em7

But something’s		not the same
Gm7Gm7				Dm7Dm7

And I won’t let my mind	believe
Gm7Gm7					Dm7Dm7

Baby something’s wrong
E minor 7Em7

All the feeling’s gone
Dm7Dm7

I can’t make it		anymore
E minor 7Em7				Dm7Dm7		E minor 7Em7


Lately I don’t		feel much like talking
Dm7Dm7				E minor 7Em7

Instead of going home		I just go out walking
Dm7Dm7					E minor 7Em7

And thinking		too much
Gm7Gm7				Dm7Dm7

And I’m longing for	your touch
Gm7Gm7				Dm7Dm7

Baby something’s changed
E minor 7Em7

I don’t feel the same
Dm7Dm7

I can’t make it		anymore
E minor 7Em7				Dm7Dm7

I can’t make it anymore		anymore
A7Sus4					A7A7		A7……..

Don’t know the reason why
Dm7Dm7

But I just can’t lie
E minor 7Em7

When I feel this way
Dm7Dm7

There are things I must say
E minor 7Em7

I can’t make it 		anymore. No No.
E minor 7Em7				Dm7Dm7

I can’t make it 		anymore
E minor 7Em7				Dm7Dm7		A7Sus4	A7……

Where did we go wrong?
Dm7Dm7

Where do I belong?
E minor 7Em7

Let me find out when
Dm7Dm7

Did it all begin?
E minor 7Em7

Why I’m losing you
Dm7Dm7


Why our love is through
E minor 7Em7

Why our love is through
Dm7Dm7

Why our love is through
E minor 7Em7					A7Sus4	A7A7

I can’t make it 		anymore (repeated 4 times)