Song · Johnny Tillotson

Talk Back Trembling Lips by Johnny Tillotson

Pop1963IntermediateBarre chords7th chords🎸 Interactive

Talk Back Trembling Lips by Johnny Tillotson runs at 139 BPM in 4/4 and is in the key of A major. It is built on 6 chords — A, Bb, E7, F7, D, Eb. Released in 1963.

✓ Key sourced from the McGill Billboard Project's expert chord annotations — not auto-detected. See how we verify →

Talk Back Trembling Lips — Johnny Tillotson
Tempo 139 or 70 half-time
Key A major verified
Time 4/4 signature
Length 2:44 runtime
Released 1963 Pop
Chords 6 shapes below
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🎚 Tuning: This recording sits about 19 cents flat of concert pitch (A=435.2Hz, not 440Hz). Tune to the track or you'll fight it the whole way.
🎸 Tap a chord to hear it Every shape in this song, on a real fretboard.

What to watch for

At least one shape here is a full barre — one finger pressing all six strings, no open strings to lean on. Fret it unplugged first; if a string buzzes, it's the barre, not the chord. Listen for the 7th in these chords — it's the note doing most of the harmonic pull, and it's the first thing that disappears if you fret only the plain triad underneath it.

Practice at the right tempo

This song sits at 139 BPM. Start at 60% until the changes are clean — speed is a by-product of accuracy, not a goal.

🥁 Metronome 139 BPM · 100%

Learn the theory

Music TheoryThe Major Scale Music TheoryMajor 7, Minor 7 & Dominant 7

Play it on a live fretboard

Every shape, every voicing, and the scale that fits over them — on a board you can hear. Then just talk to it: Melody Monkey's personal music teacher controls the fretboard, so ask for a chord, a scale, a progression, or why any of it works, and watch it land under your fingers. Free to start.

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Frequently asked questions

What key is Talk Back Trembling Lips in?

Talk Back Trembling Lips is in A major, sourced from the McGill Billboard Project's expert chord annotations — not auto-detected.

What tempo is Talk Back Trembling Lips?

Talk Back Trembling Lips runs at 139 BPM (or 70 half-time).

What chords does Talk Back Trembling Lips use?

Talk Back Trembling Lips is built on 6 chords: A, Bb, E7, F7, D, Eb.

Does Talk Back Trembling Lips need barre chords?

Yes — at least one shape is a full barre (one finger across all six strings). Everything else on the page is a standard open shape.

What tuning is Talk Back Trembling Lips in?

This recording sits about 19 cents flat of concert pitch (A=435.2Hz, not 440Hz). Tune to the track or you'll fight it the whole way.