You Don’t Mess Around With Jim Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn You Don’t Mess Around With Jim in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: E – A – E7 – A – E – E
How it goes
You Don’t Mess Around With Jim sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 6 chords: E is E, G# and B; A is A, C# and E; E7 is E, G#, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIAIVE7I7AIVEIEI
- EE · G# · B
- AA · C# · E
- E7E · G# · B · D
13 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Bossa seesaw
How it goes
Low-low, high-high in a laid-back Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-1-5-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 428 songs of the library.
Bossa seesawRoot–fifth bass · Bossa novaLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 145 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: E – A – E
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EAE

What chords are in You Don’t Mess Around With Jim?

The loop is E – A – E7 – A – E – E (I – IV – I7 – IV – I – IV) in E major, and the song ends on E – A – E.

What key is You Don’t Mess Around With Jim in?

E major, at about 145 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in You Don’t Mess Around With Jim?

Bossa seesaw: root–fifth 1-1-5-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is You Don’t Mess Around With Jim easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 6 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of You Don’t Mess Around With Jim?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.