The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Chords)

As far as I’m concerned, Mark Occhionero‘s arrangement of The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is the definitive ukulele version. You’d have to be crazy to want me to do a version. Which might explain why Heather requested just that.

My version of the chords is half way between Mark’s version and George Harrison’s version.

The intro is the chords that go over the, “You’ve got me in between…” section. One of the great things about Mark’s version is that he often changes the chords and picks out notes to follow the melody notes. For example, you could play these chords over, “De-vil and the deep blue sea,” With a chord or single note for each syllable of the lyrics.

Devil and the Deep Blue Sea ukulele chords

It’s a very effective way of playing. It’s well worth checking out Mark’s arrangements for more ideas.

The chords for the verse can be fancied up or dumbed down according to taste. You can replace the F#dim with a Dm chord (as George does) or you can change the F to an Fmaj7 for a more jazzy sound. Have a play around with different chords and see if you can find your own variations.

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11 Comments

  1. Heather April 24th, 2008 6:15 pm

    I’ll take that as a compliment.

    It’s my birthday today.

    Sing me happy birthday!

  2. Woodshed April 24th, 2008 9:26 pm

    Happy Birthday, Heather (I’m singing over here). Consider this your present.

  3. Heather April 24th, 2008 9:51 pm

    Thanks, Woodshed!

  4. ButterCup April 25th, 2008 4:12 am

    I think I have an hour or two left.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  5. Heather April 25th, 2008 5:50 am

    Thank you, ButterCup.

  6. Jeff April 26th, 2008 6:36 am

    I had fun playing through your chord selection. I don’t always have a feel for the number of strums per chord but they definitely make a sweet arrangement. I’ll bring this one to the next Berkeley Ukulele Club meeting.

  7. Anne September 10th, 2009 5:26 pm

    This may be a dumb question, but is it one strum down for each chord played? I can’t tell if it sounds choppy because I’m learning or because I’m learning and I have the incorrect strumming.

  8. Woodshed September 13th, 2009 10:13 am

    Anne: Try two down strums for most of the chords.

  9. Anne September 15th, 2009 5:44 am

    Thanks! Sounds much better. : )

  10. Amy July 11th, 2012 6:15 pm

    Awww, darn. Looks like the link to Mark Occhionero’s definitive version no longer works…

  11. Woodshed July 11th, 2012 10:55 pm

    Amy: Yeah, I think he’s taken down his free tabs. It’s a shame.

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