This song holds the record for longest time to complete the composition. I think I started it in 1998 – finished it some time in 2002. For what it’s worth, I think it is one of my best.
Capo at the 3rd fret and the chords are all of the usual suspects with the addition of C7 which creates the tension before the refrain at the end of the chorus.
Pretty much every time I sing ‘Late Night, Early Town’ whether it is at the end of the verse or the end of the chorus the melody and chords are the same so I’m calling that the refrain – pull on the 5th string from the open note to the first fret to go from C min9 to C min (I won’t write that every time – so when you see the C min, you know to pull on from the min 9), then Eb to Bb (which is the G shape with the 3rd fret capo).
Intro
(refrain) C min – Eb – Bb – Bb
Verse
Bb – F/A – Eb +9 – Eb +9
Bb – F/A – G min7 – Eb +9
Bb – F/A – G min7 – Eb +9
(refrain) C min – Eb – Bb – Bb
Chorus
Eb +9 – Bb – F/A – G min7
Eb +9 – Bb – F/A – G min7
C 7 – F (bass string run F/A – F/Bb – F/D)
(refrain) C min – Eb – Bb – Bb
Solo is over a chorus without a refrain, ending on a held (for however long depending on the mood) Eb +9
Final Chorus
Eb +9 – Bb – F/A – G min7
Eb +9 – Bb – F/A – G min7
C 7 – C7
Coda
Eb +9 – Eb +9 – Bb – F/A
round and round