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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | and the truth.." and other similar phrases about only needing to know 3-chords to play 100's if not 1000's of rock tunes.
Well I've been given a challenge to come up with a short list of 3-chord songs (all using the same three chords). They need to be popular tunes, that people have actually heard of, hence POPULAR.
Now initially I thought this would be pretty easy. I'm more into 80's metal, but I did my time in a 50's band... no problem.
I started with E A B or G D E... good as place as any right???
- Wild Thing... well.. technically it's a 4-chord song.
- Mustang Sally... again.. technically 4 chords
- Blue Suede Shoes.. 4 chords.
- Louie Louie (so far the only winner!!!)
- Kansas City (may qualify, but there should be a C# in there on the turn around.)
So all you 50's and 60's rockers... lets have'em. Now songs LESS THAN 3 chords may qualify, I just can't think of any. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Roll Over Beethoven and Johnny B. Goode seems to be a keepers |
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Location: North Carolina | Louie Louie's IV chord is a minor, so one would have to know a fourth chord. |
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Location: North Carolina | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Now songs LESS THAN 3 chords may qualify, I just can't think of any. Chain of Fools |
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Location: south east Michigan | Summertime Blues
Harry Nilson's "Coconut" song has only one chord.
C7.. B7... E7... whatever one you pick.
I prefer C7. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Chain of Fools = Rock... well... ok..
That actually brought back a few memories. It didn't have ANY chords when I played it. Mute the strings, distortion and wah-wah (a la Shaft-style)... let the horns, percussion and keys work out "the key".
Summertime Blues.... good one!!! thanks |
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Location: GA USA | Great topic at a great time. Here's a twist. I'm starting my free guitar class for children in January. I am looking for easy songs for absolute beginners. One beginner lesson I saw online had Peaceful Easy Feeling and Brown Eyed Girl as simple 3 chord songs to start with. But with little kids, I can't have them singing "I want to sleep with you in the desert tonight" or "Making love in the green grass behind the stadium". Help! |
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Location: GA USA | Did you see the movie Stranger Than Fiction? Will Ferrell knew he was going to die, so he bought a guitar and learned one song with 2 chords..
Whole Wide World by Reckless Eric |
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Location: closely held secret | "Why don't we do it in the road?"
"Bye, Bye Love"
"Hang on Sloopy"
"Wooley Bully"
"Twist & Shout"
"Travelin' Band"
and most any Chuck Berry song... |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | A whole lotta Ramones songs? |
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Location: SoCal | Everything I play...... |
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Location: Michigan | Hey are all of you burned out from the bad acid of the Sixties..
!!!!!!!THE GREATEST 3 CHORD SONG EVER!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! G L O R I A !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IM GONNA SHOUT IT ALL NIGHT
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! G L O R I A !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!YEAH YEAH YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
E D A CHORDS ..GWB |
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Location: Vernon CT | How about Dylan's "You ain't going Nowhere"
(G, Am , C) |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | How 'bout only TWO?!
"Horse With No Name" |
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Location: Omaha, NE | Really, just about any of the "British Invasion" songs fit this category, since they were largely re-packaging black USA blues songs.
And some of this depends on how literal you mean. For example, you can play Crossroads using literally just three chords. Same thing for I Saw Her Standing There, but in that case you will have to cut a couple of corners...still the basic structure of the song is the blues standard I-IV-V progression.
Lots of the old school country stuff (eg, Hank Williams, Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson) fits this pattern. Stuff like Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Your Cheatin' Heart and Blue Eye's Cryin' In The Rain.
Countless other songs come to mind...Maybe Pink Cadillac, Bad Moon Rising, Fulsom Prison Blues, etc, etc, etc.
For some really simple stuff, the folk world has lots to offer. I think about half the songs off of Peter, Paul and Mary's In The Wind album were played with two or three chords (eg, Long Chain On, Stewball). More contemporary artists (such as Tracy Chapman with Give Me One Reason) are possibilities too. |
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Location: closely held secret | "Tomorrow Never Knows" is also a 1 chord song. |
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Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
I started with E A B or G D E... good as place as any right???
Shouldn't that be G C D :confused:
How about La Bamba? C F G
A Boy Named Sue ... plus a lot of the rest of the Johnny Cash catalog
In a related twist, Cover of The Rolling Stone
Takin' Care of Business
I think Tush would qualify
Free Fallin' is mostly two chords but adds a third during one break
Breakfast at Tiffany's for the younger crowd
My son's song "The Hardest Things" (just released on ToTheFallen Records, plug, plug) is only two chords -- E and A. But it may be a while before it qualifies as "popular" ;) |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by seesquare:
How 'bout only TWO?!
"Horse With No Name" Except that there's 4. |
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Location: Reno, NV | CCR ...
Down on the Corner |
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Location: indianapolis | Domino technically only has two chords (except for fancy people.)
Use Me by Bill Withers has two.
But we may be overlooking a fine three chord band - The Kinks.
Baba O'Reilly has three except for whatever the one is in the bridge.
Last Train to Clarksville is mostly three with a funky somethin else chord.
Cherry Cherry by Neil Diamond is three I think. |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Run Through The Jungle - 1 chord
Am |
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| "I'm a man" - Muddy Waters - one chord (there's a version of this out on YouTube somewhere with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and Keith Richards playing. You never saw 3 so bored people.) |
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Location: south east Michigan | It's amazing what you can get out of 3 chords.
And... Welcome to the board Mr. Funk. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I'm a man 1 chord A
segue's into Love is a Burning Thing A,D,E
Beach Boy's Do you wanna Dance Key of F#
segue into Before You Accuse Me, EAD
La Bamba, Los Lobos Version CFG7
seque into The Twist, Beatles Verson Same
Ton's of Hank Williams Tunes |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by seesquare:
How 'bout only TWO?!
"Horse With No Name" "For What It's Worth" can be done with Two, or so I am told.
And you can do "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" with three, but you'd be Wrong!
There is a whole bunch of YouTube lessons by ThreeChordGuitar.com but alot of the songs really have more than three chords.
[besides that website, if you go to YouTube and search ThreeChordGuitar you will get a bunch of videos] |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | This is interesting, although I'm seeing a lot of titles that are really 4-Chord tunes, not three.
I see some mentions of groups like CCR, Kinks and the Stones and I'd be curious of the tunes, cause the ones I know of/think of have way more than 3-chords.
Bobbo you are right, I typo'd the G C D.. |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
This is interesting, although I'm seeing a lot of titles that are really 4-Chord tunes, not three.
I see some mentions of groups like CCR, Kinks and the Stones and I'd be curious of the tunes, cause the ones I know of/think of have way more than 3-chords.
Bobbo you are right, I typo'd the G C D.. Me too, especially "Horse With No Name" being listed as 2-chords when I've always played it with 4.
Everytime I thought of posting some 3-chord songs I realized there were more.
Cherry Cherry definitely though and also Longfellow Serenade and I Am I Said. Probably lots of Neil Diamonds. |
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Location: indianapolis | Thanks for the welcome, Slipkid. (Big Who fan here too.)
Maybe we should be more specific about being less specific, and make this "songs that aren't necessarily three chords but can be performed well with two or three chords." |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by felonius funk:
Maybe we should be more specific about being less specific, and make this "songs that aren't necessarily three chords but can be performed well with two or three chords." Welcome FF.. We could change the rules a little, but this was a specific challenge given to me. I get something I really want if I can teach this person 3 Chords and give them a list of songs they actually may have heard of, that then can then play with those 3 chords.
My initial reaction was, like many here, that it would be a piece of cake.... Then I started playing or looking up the chords for what I thought were 3-chord tunes... and most were not.
Then, I find there are 3-Chord tunes, but making a list of songs that use those same 3-chords presents a challenge.
The further I dig, it seems the sayings surrounding "3-chord ROck'nROll" or "It only takes 3-CHords to play 100's of tunes" are a bit exaggerated to say the least... |
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Location: Japan | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Originally posted by felonius funk:
Maybe we should be more specific about being less specific, and make this "songs that aren't necessarily three chords but can be performed well with two or three chords." Welcome FF.. We could change the rules a little, but this was a specific challenge given to me. I get something I really want if I can teach this person 3 Chords and give them a list of songs they actually may have heard of, that then can then play with those 3 chords.
My initial reaction was, like many here, that it would be a piece of cake.... Then I started playing or looking up the chords for what I thought were 3-chord tunes... and most were not.
Then, I find there are 3-Chord tunes, but making a list of songs that use those same 3-chords presents a challenge.
The further I dig, it seems the sayings surrounding "3-chord ROck'nROll" or "It only takes 3-CHords to play 100's of tunes" are a bit exaggerated to say the least... |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | And why doesn't Moody pipe in here with the definitive list?!? |
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| End of the Line – The Traveling Wilburys (D A G)
Down on the Corner – CCR (C G & F)
Proud Mary - CCR (skipping the intro & outro, D A Bm) |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by g8r:
Proud Mary - CCR (skipping the intro & outro, D A Bm) ...and without those bits, it's just Mary. |
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Location: NJ | funny, whenever we used t'do a Creedence song, we never referred t'them as "CCR" . . it was always "CGD" . . . |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | "The further I dig, it seems the sayings surrounding "3-chord ROck'nROll" or "It only takes 3-CHords to play 100's of tunes" are a bit exaggerated to say the least..." --Mr O quote-
I thought that was Punk Rock, that only needed three chords :confused:
And anyway, I read somewhere that to have a complete tune, you need three Majors, and one Minor.*
It is just my luck that it is usually a Bm!
*[I read that in a lesson about composing your own simple songs] |
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Location: indianapolis | It's so much harder to sing "three chords, an augmented seventh, a turn-around minor, and the truth."
Pink Houses - john mellonhead
What I like about you - Romantics (cheat the intro)
That's Alright Mama - Elvis & others
Probably a few more elvis now that I think about it. Hound Dog, Too Much, sort of Jailhouse Rock.
Now this is buggin me - I may be forced to pick up the guitar... |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by cliff:
funny, whenever we used t'do a Creedence song, we never referred t'them as "CCR" . . it was always "CGD" . . . I KNOW I'm gonna hate myself for this... but.. does CGD stand for the chords they used??? |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Coincidentally, I watched Bob Dylan 1963 - 1965 on PBS last night. Most of his songs were DCG, in some form or another. I know his guitar styling got more sophisticated as he got older and more experienced.
[I always watch guitarists fingers on TV]
But he's more of a poet than a musician. |
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Location: indianapolis | That's a really good point Arthur. There really are a ton of three chord songs. The three chord 145 progression is written in our DNA. What makes them really work after a century or so, are the embellishments and voicings around those three chords. Dylan is a really good example.
Anyway, still without picking up the guitar here's some more (I think).
Rosie - Jackson Browne
Shambala - Three Dog Night
Move it On Over - Hank Williams/Lonesome George etc..
Wherewolves (how DO you spell that)of London - Zevon |
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Location: big island | there are many songs that are played with a 1-4-5 progression but also modulate to another key if played as the original recording. two popular ones i can think of right away are: "mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys" and "the gambler". i suppose if the song changes key in the midst of it, it will not qualify though. |
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Location: indianapolis | Another good point. And frankly, I see nothing wrong with pausing in mid song to put on the capo!
Sweet Home Ambulanca - Skynyrd
Can't You See - Marshall Tucker
Dreams I'll Never See - Allman Bros.
Ramblin Man - Allmans |
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Location: Maple Shade, NJ. | What are the chords for Wherewolves of London? |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Some of the early Beach Boys . . . Fun, Fun, Fun; Surfin' Safari; Surfin' USA . . . |
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Location: enid, ok | Now you've done it! Goin' to get myself a big dish of beef chow mein! |
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Location: indianapolis | Wherewolf? Therewolf!
It's just DCG over and over and over for a long time. Incidently it contains the hardest line to sing in all of music. "Little old lady got mutilated late last night." I always mangle that.
I always feel so incredibly guilty when I overlook Brian Wilson. |
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Location: Reno, NV | Maybe instead of jsut 3 chord songs. We should look into 1st postion open chord songs. Personally, when I was new, I was totally OK with A,Am,E,Em,G,C,D, Cowboy F, ...no B though. |
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Location: Atlanta GA | Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want... D,G & E |
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Location: Chicago | My 7th grade music director was rather mean was rather mean(Covington, Los Altos CA; 1969). He cheerfully asked if I'd like to audition as guitar accompanist for choir: you know, the occasional strum-along voice-cum-guitar thing. Well he put the full chart of "Good Morning Starshine" in front of me. I remember thinking WHERE ARE THE THREE CHORDS???? I got through it, but is sounded like Ewok doo-doo. Only later did I appreciate what a cool composition that tune really is, despite the bubble-gum factor. |
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Location: Omaha, NE | Found the perfect book. Check this out.
If you look close, you will see that that's an O on the cover. What could be more perfect? |
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Location: NW Washington State | An old thread, but here's a book that looks like it's at my level:
3-Chord Rock |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | In a way , this thread , (albeit 1 very good 1) reminds me of Brad`s post " Evil Metronome" , there we were about -precision- , just like here , wether the song was/is 3 or whatever chord(s) it is also about precision , ..so how about the " short cuts " , and.. , do I sense a "Fatherly" encouragement here , ( after all we`re entering a new year with prospects and opportunities ) , or a mere caring , " footprint on one`s backside " , like , get on with it , u lazy git , put that " fake-book " together :)
Vic |
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Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by maxdaddy7271:
Now you've done it! Goin' to get myself a big dish of beef chow mein! But is your hair perfect??? |
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Location: Jet City | Originally posted by felonius funk:
Cherry Cherry by Neil Diamond is three I think. Aren't all Neil Diamond songs 3 chords? |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Hmmm now this is interesting..
felonius funk listed a good song, one of my favorites by one of my favorites..
He said it's DCG over and over..
I'm unfortunately not good with theory so bear with me.. but isn't it really
D6 add9 to D
C#6/E to C
G alternating to G6 and back to G
Or something similar which is SIX chords. |
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Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan | GEt your kids to sing "Workingman's Hero" heh heh... :cool: |
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Location: Brisbane Australia | "Pagan Baby" CCR E A and D
AJ |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Did we mention:
Jambalaya - Hank Williams (2 chords!) A E
Working Class Hero - Lennon ('nother) Am G |
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Location: Yorkshire, England | OK, What about Mr. Springsteen's `Born In The USA' (One Chord) Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart, (Two chords) and a big hit over here by the Mavericks - Dance The Night Away (Two chords)
One of the Electric Light Orchestra's early hits, Showdown, was also only three chords I believe. There must be quite a few early Rock 'n Rollers as well, Elvis's Mystery Train must qualify as a three chorder. |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | and.....just to give credit where credit is due..
"Country music is three chords and the truth."
— Harlan Howard
(1927-2002) U.S. songwriter - has written more than 4,000 songs spanning five decades; believes country music is mostly about lyrics, about 90 percent words and 10 percent melody. |
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Location: CA | A Guitar Player mag several years ago listed the "100 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time". Short bios on each, along with what axes they played and a significant quote. Billy Gibbons quote was a response to the question "To what do you owe the success of the ZZ Top sound." His answer: "Never add a fourth chord." |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | "Working Class Hero - Lennon ('nother) Am G" [Q fillhixx]
Thank You kindly... I hadn't thought of that song in years, and I think I can play it! :cool: |
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Location: big island | here's my sample of the "shameless nameless horse" using 4 chords. i post this for the folks using only two chords, just FYI:
shameless, nameless horse in 4 chords |
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Location: big island | schmedit. |
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Location: Tennessee | Randy, which guitar did you play? |
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Location: big island | the tak bluegrasser |
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"All you need are 3-chords.."