Cruel Summer Nights
Taylor Swift

[Verse 1]
C          G             Am               F
The sun was high, but your love was low
C          G               Am              F
In the heat of July, you let me go
C          G           Am               F
Tangled in waves, I couldn't see
C          G               Am          F
You were slipping right through me

[Pre-Chorus]
Dm             G                  C            Am
We were dancing in the moonlight, till the truth came out tonight
Dm             G                      C            Am
All those secrets that you kept, couldn’t hide from the shattered light

[Chorus]
F                G              Am       C
Oh, it’s a cruel, cruel summer night
F                  G               Am       C
You left me here, heart frozen tight
F                  G                 Am            C
I was drowning in those star-filled skies
F                  G              Am         C
Now I’m lost in these cruel summer lies

[Verse 2]
C          G            Am              F
You said forever, but meant goodbye
C             G                  Am                F
Fireworks fading in the darkened sky
C           G        Am                F
Every kiss was a fleeting spark
C                G             Am            F
That couldn’t light this broken heart

[Pre-Chorus]
Dm             G                  C            Am
We were dancing in the moonlight, till the truth came out tonight
Dm             G                      C            Am
All those secrets that you kept, couldn’t hide from the shattered light

[Chorus]
F                G              Am       C
Oh, it’s a cruel, cruel summer night
F                  G               Am       C
You left me here, heart frozen tight
F                  G                 Am            C
I was drowning in those star-filled skies
F                  G              Am         C
Now I’m lost in these cruel summer lies

[Bridge]
Dm            G              C          Am
Memories burn like the summer sun
Dm              G              C             Am
Too hot to hold, but nowhere to run
Dm                G              C        Am
I thought our love was something real
Dm                 G               C           Am
But now it's just a scar I feel

[Chorus]
F                G              Am       C
Oh, it’s a cruel, cruel summer night
F                  G               Am       C
You left me here, heart frozen tight
F                  G                 Am            C
I was drowning in those star-filled skies
F                  G              Am         C
Now I’m lost in these cruel summer lies

[Outro]
C                  G                      Am              F
So here's to the nights we thought we knew
C                 G                       Am            F
And to the promises that never came true
C              G                    Am                 F
In the haze of a cruel summer's hue
C                G                Am     F
I lost myself when I lost you
```

Cruel Summer Nights - Drumming Guide

Tempo

• BPM: 80 (Ballad pace)

Beat Structure

To match the heart-wrenching ballad style, we'll go for a straightforward but emotionally dynamic rhythm. Think of a slow, steady beat that provides a delicate backbone to the song, allowing Taylor Swift’s storytelling and vocals to shine through.

Verse Beat

• Kick Drum: Beat 1 and beat 3
• Snare Drum: Beat 2 and beat 4
• Hi-Hat: Play eighth notes softly, closed (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &)

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
BD      SD      BD      SD
HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH

Pre-Chorus Beat

• Kick Drum: Beat 1 and beat 3
• Snare Drum: Beat 2 and beat 4, slightly stronger than in the verses for build-up
• Hi-Hat: Play eighth notes softly, closed
• Ride Cymbal: Introduce light cymbal swells into the transitions to elevate the tension

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
BD      SD      BD      SD
HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH
   RC  RC

Chorus Beat

• Kick Drum: Beat 1 and beat 3
• Snare Drum: Beat 2 and beat 4, emphasized for emotional impact
• Hi-Hat or Ride Cymbal: Play eighth notes, slightly louder and more open (if hi-hat)
• Crash Cymbals: On the first beat of each measure for emphasis

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
BD  CC  SD  CC  BD  CC  SD  CC
HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH

Bridge Beat

• Kick Drum: Beat 1 and beat 3
• Snare Drum: Beat 2 and beat 4, moderately emphasized for dramatic effect
• Hi-Hat or Ride Cymbal: Play eighth notes softly, closed to let the vocals and lyrics be more prominent

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
BD      SD      BD      SD
HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH

Outro Beat

• Kick Drum: Beat 1 and beat 3
• Snare Drum: Beat 2 and beat 4, reduced intensity to signal winding down
• Hi-Hat: Play eighth notes softly, closed

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
BD      SD      BD      SD
HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH  HH

Dynamics Tips

• Pay close attention to dynamic variations, especially in transitioning from the verses to the chorus and back.
• Use light cymbal swells and occasional fills to add depth to emotional peaks.
• Maintain a steady tempo to support the lyrical pacing and overall feel of the ballad.

By following these guidelines, you should be able to provide a supportive and emotionally resonant drum pattern for “Cruel Summer Nights.”