Sure Know Something Bass Tabs - Kiss @ BigBassTabs.com

Sure Know Something

as performed by KISS
from the album DYNASTY
written by P. Stanley and V. Poncia
Transcribed by B. Priddle


This song is not too hard, but the bass riff that Gene Simmons plays is just
totally cool.  This is my first attempt at tab, so it may be a little rough.
You are going to have to listen to the recording for the 'feel.'  The song
begins with:


|——————|—————————————|—————————————|—————————————|—————————————|
|——————|—————————————|—————————————|—————————————|—————————————|
|—7———|——7—5———5—7——|——7—5————————|—————————————|—————————————|
|——————|——————7——————|——————7—3—5——|——5—3—0—3—5——|——5—3—0—3—7——|


|—————————————|—————————————|—————————————|
|—————————————|——7—5————————|——————————5——|
|——5—7—5——————|——————7—5—7——|————————5————|
|————————7—5——|—————————————|——3—5—3——————|
    

and this is repeated throughout the song (except for the opening slide).
This riff changes slightly just before the chorus, with the last bar in the
above changing to:

|———————————————————————————————————|
|———————————————————————————————————|
|——7—7—7—7—7—7—7—7—7—7—7—7—7—3—3—5——|
|———————————————————————————————————|

Simmons spices this up this riff by adding hammer—ons and slides in certain
places, but this is enough to start with.  From what I can tell, the chorus
riff is as follows:  


|—————————————|—————————————|———————————|———————————————————|
|—————————————|—————————————|———————————|———————————————————|
|——5—3—2—0—2——|——5—3—2—0—2——|——3—2—0————|——3—2—0———————(5)——|
|—————————————|—————————————|————————3——|————————3—(0)——————|

This is repeated 2 times (in the first chorus), and then the last time there
is a variation:

|—————————————|—————————————|—————————————|———————————|
|—————————————|—————————————|—————————————|———————————|
|——5—3—2—0—2——|——5—————0—2——|——3—2—0———3——|——5————————|
|—————————————|————0—2——————|————————3————|———————————|

He changes the order of the riffs in latter choruses, but I think you get
the point.  This may not be exact, but it is as close as I can come to the
actual riff.

The only other part of the song that is different is the 'ah—ah—ah' part and
the last verse.  All Simmons does here is pump on the root notes, which in
this case are E—A—B—A—E, where the E sounds like the low E.  Here are the
words (once again, they may not be exact!):


I've been up and down, I've been all around
I was mystified, almost terrified
But late at night I still hear you call my name
I've been on my own, I've been all alone
I was hypnotized, I felt paralyzed
But late at night I still want you just the same

CHORUS:
I've been a giver but I'm nobody's fool
And I sure know something (sure know something)
You showed me things they never taught me in school
And I sure know something (sure know something)
No one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, ah—ha

I was seventeen, you were just a dream
I was mezmerized, I felt scared inside
You broke my heart and I still can feel the pain
I've been carried out, I've had fear and doubt
I've been stored and I'm never satisfied
Cause late at night I still need you just the same

CHORUS

Ah—ah—ah...

I've been carried out, I've had fear and doubt
I've been stored and I'm never satisfied
Cause late at night I still need you just the same
(just the same)

CHORUS


Any questions, comments, or suggestions, please send them to me at
[email protected].

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------------------|
A|---3---------------|
E|-------------------|
            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5h7---------|
            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------7p5---------|
            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5/7---------|
            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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Kiss — Sure Know Something bass tabs