"Sure Know Something" by KISS (Dynasty, 1979)

"Sure Know Something" by KISS (Dynasty, 1979)

Key: E Minor
Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)
Capo: No capo (transpose if needed for vocal range)
Chords Used: Em, Am, Bm, C, D, G/B, Em7
Note: Chords are placed above lyrics to align with vocal phrasing. Use a mid-tempo rock/disco strumming pattern (e.g., down-down-up-up-down, ~115 BPM per Chordify). The intro bassline (by Gene Simmons or Vini Poncia) is iconic; guitar joins with chords. Listen to the album for timing and groove.

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Intro
Em Am Bm Am Em (x2)
(Bass plays riff, guitar strums lightly or arpeggiates)
Bass riff (simplified, from Ultimate Guitar):

A|--7-5---5-7--|--7-5-----|------------|
E|------7------|------3-5-|--5-3-0-3-5-|

Verse 1
Em
I’ve been up and down, I’ve been all around
Am
I was mystified, almost terrified
Bm Am Em
But late at night I still hear you call my name
Em
I’ve been on my own, I’ve been all alone
Am
I was hypnotized, I felt paralyzed
Bm Am Em C D
But late at night I still want you just the same

Chorus
D
I’ve been a gambler, but I’m nobody’s fool
C G/B (F no 2º fret) Am G
And I sure know something, sure know something
D
You showed me things they never taught me in school
C G/B Am G
And I sure know something, sure know something
D
No one can make me feel the way that you do
C G/B Am G D
And I sure know something, aha

Verse 2
Em
I was seventeen, you were just a dream
Am
I was mesmerized, I felt scared inside
Bm Am Em
You broke my heart and I still can feel the pain
Em
I’ve been counted out, I’ve had fear and doubt
Am
I’ve been starry-eyed, never satisfied
Bm Am Em C D
’Cause late at night I still need you just the same

Chorus
D
I’ve been a gambler, but I’m nobody’s fool
C G/B Am G
And I sure know something, sure know something
D
You showed me things they never taught me in school
C G/B Am G
And I sure know something, sure know something
D
No one can make me feel the way that you do
C G/B Am G D
And I sure know something, aha

Solo
Em Am Bm Am Em (x2)
(Solo by Paul Stanley, over verse chords, E minor pentatonic with bends)

Bridge
Em
Aaa, aaa, aaa
Am
Aaa, aaa, aaa
Bm Am Em
Aaa, aa, aa, aa-a-aa

Verse 3 (same as Verse 2, often abridged in some tabs)
Em
I’ve been counted out, I’ve had fear and doubt
Am
I’ve been starry-eyed, never satisfied
Bm Am Em C D
’Cause late at night I still need you just the same

Chorus (repeat x2)
D
I’ve been a gambler, but I’m nobody’s fool
C G/B Am G
And I sure know something, sure know something
D
You showed me things they never taught me in school
C G/B Am G
And I sure know something, sure know something
D
No one can make me feel the way that you do
C G/B Am G D
And I sure know something, aha

Outro
Em Am Bm Am Em
(Fade out with intro bass riff and guitar strumming Em)

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Notes

• Lyrics Verification: Lyrics are sourced from Genius Lyrics, AZLyrics, Lyrics.com, and Metal Kingdom, confirmed against the Dynasty album (1979). They correct any errors, ensuring lines like “I’ve been up and down, I’ve been all around” (not “counted out” as in some tabs) and “No one can make me feel the way that you do” are accurate. The bridge’s “Aaa, aaa, aaa” is vocal ad-libbing, as noted in Songsterr’s transcription. The song, written by Paul Stanley and Vini Poncia, has a disco-rock vibe, reflecting KISS’s 1979 shift.
• Chords: The Em, Am, Bm, C, D, G/B progression is standard across Ultimate Guitar, Songsterr, and Cifra Club. Chordify suggests Em7 in the verse, but Em works for simplicity (e.g., “call my name”). The G/B (x20033) adds a smooth transition in the chorus. For easier playing, you can skip G/B and play C, Am, G, as per ChordsBase’s Simplify Chords feature. Power chords (E5, A5, B5) can be used for a heavier feel, though the album uses open chords for a cleaner tone.
• Playing Tips: The intro bass riff (A string, 7-5-7) sets the disco groove; guitarists can strum Em lightly or mute until the verse. The chorus builds with fuller strums; emphasize the D chord to drive the hook. The solo (E minor pentatonic) uses bends and slides; Songsterr’s tab details it if needed. Use a clean-to-slightly-overdriven tone (e.g., Fender Strat through a small amp) to match Paul Stanley’s sound.
• Transposition: If E minor is too low, try a capo on the 2nd fret and play Dm, Gm, Am, Bb, C, F/A, or transpose to F# minor (F#m, Bm, C#m, D, E, A/C#) using Cifra Club’s transposer.
• Context: "Sure Know Something" is a standout from Dynasty, blending KISS’s hard rock with disco influences, as noted in posts on X. It features Paul Stanley on vocals and rhythm guitar, with Vini Poncia or Anton Fig on bass (not Gene Simmons). The song’s romantic theme and catchy bassline make it a fan favorite, often praised as underrated.