The Rolling Stones · 1981 · Studio album
Tattoo You tuning.
E Standard, about 7 cents sharp (A ≈ 442), measured on the CD. 5 of 11 songs are tuned differently.
Album tuning
E Standard +7 ¢
About 7 cents sharp (A ≈ 442), measured on the CD.
MeasuredFrom tabs
Measured by TuneLit
7 ¢ sharp
| Source | Offset | Equivalent A | Songs | Spread | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD (ALAC rip; pressing not identified) | +6.5 ¢ | A 441.7 | 11 | +6.1 to +8.3 ¢ | High |
Before we measured, sources said: E Standard, with no pitch given (community).
Outtakes from 1972 to 1980 finished for release. Start Me Up is five-string open G, the rest standard tuning. TuneLit measured it about 7 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 441.7); Slave and No Use in Crying run about 28 ¢ sharp.
11 songs · 5 tuned differently
Every song, ready to tune
Tune opens the tuner in that song's tuning, pitch included. Play along opens the song player set to that tuning, so the track plays in yours. What the labels mean
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Notes
The riff is Keith Richards's five-string open G (G D G B D); Ronnie Wood's guitar is tabbed in standard tuning.
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2. Hang Fire
Different pitch
E Standard −7 ¢Measured
Notes
Standard tuning for most songs; Start Me Up is Keith Richards's five-string open G.
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3. Slave
Different pitch
E Standard +29 ¢Measured
Notes
Backing track from the Black and Blue sessions. About 29 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 447.4).
Standard tuning for most songs; Start Me Up is Keith Richards's five-string open G.
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4. Little T&A
E Standard +7 ¢Measured
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5. Black Limousine
E Standard +7 ¢Measured
Notes
The second guitar is tabbed in open G.
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6. Neighbours
Different pitch
E StandardMeasured
Notes
Standard tuning for most songs; Start Me Up is Keith Richards's five-string open G.
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7. Worried About You
E Standard +7 ¢Measured
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8. Tops
E Standard +7 ¢Measured
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9. Heaven
E Standard +7 ¢Measured
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10. No Use in Crying
Different pitch
E Standard +28 ¢Measured
Notes
Backing track from the Emotional Rescue sessions. About 28 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 447.1).
Standard tuning for most songs; Start Me Up is Keith Richards's five-string open G.
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11. Waiting on a Friend
E Standard +7 ¢Measured
Notes
Backing track from 1972, with Mick Taylor. The second guitar is tabbed in open G.
What the labels mean
- Measured
- TuneLit measured the pitch on an original CD or LP. The tuning name still comes from the sources.
- Official
- The band, a member, their producer or their guitar tech said it.
- Widely reported
- Trusted outlets, guides and tabs agree, but the band did not say it directly.
- From tabs
- From community tabs, or from players who tune along with the record.
- Disputed
- Sources disagree. The likeliest setting is shown; the notes name the other one.
Each song shows one label, the strongest it has, in this order. How we measure recordings →
Questions
What tuning is Tattoo You in?
The Rolling Stones recorded Tattoo You (1981) in E Standard, about 7 cents sharp (A ≈ 442), measured by TuneLit on the CD. 5 songs use other tunings or pitches, listed song by song on this page.
Why does Tattoo You sound out of tune with my guitar?
Slave sits about 29 cents sharp (A ≈ 447), so a guitar tuned to A 440 clashes with it. The Tune buttons on this page set the tuner's reference to match the record, song by song, so you only tune the strings.