Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Mercedes Benz chords

So this week in my guitar lessons I'm working on learning not just down strumming but up strumming too-- which is actually harder than I thought it would be. But before I move on to full guitar playing (or start taking the small steps closer in that direction), here's one of the other beginning songs I learned: Mercedes Benz by Janis Joplin.

Mercedes Benz is one of those songs I always saw myself playing when I would picture in my head what I'd look like as a guitar player, but it wasn't until I listen soooo closely to hear her strumming pattern that I realized, there's no guitar in the song!

But no matter! It's one I've always seen myself playing, so play it I will. And, because I've been playing this so much as I try to get better at it- the boys have learned the words and ISH will randomly break out into "Oh Lord won't cha buy me!", which I admit is way cuter than my version, so I've included it too (Geo sings with him in the recording as well because the moment I started recording, ISH declared he was shy).

The boys version:

Me:


And if you're interested in the chords, what I was able to find online other places didn't seem right when Derek was here helping me learn, so this is what he came up with:

   D                        G        D
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
    D                            D           A
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
        D                       G            D
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
      D                        A        D
So oh lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

     D                      G      D
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ?
   D                    D             A
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
  D                      G          D
I wait for delivery each day until three,
      D                        A     D
So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV ? 

   D                         G            D
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ?
    D                      D                   A
I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down.
  D                        G             D
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
     D                       A            D
Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town ? 

As performed by:


(oh and check this out if you've ever wondered what Dialing for Dollars is)

7 comments:

Maria said...

Just as soon as I get a minute, I'm going to listen to that song!


Loved the post!

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Hi!

Just got your e-mail about my Beautiful State of Mind Project :)

I'd love for you to be a part!! Can you e-mail me from your e-mail address so I can tell you more? The comment I got from you was from a no-reply address! Thanks so so much. I look forward to hearing back from you! xx

Donna said...

Oh, I am sitting on the balcony listening to this wishing I was there watching. This is SOOOOOO cute! Love those boys. Tears are in my eyes from smiling so hard.

JimBob Stafford said...

Very nice rendition! Would be more realistic if it was hardened by years of cigarette and alcohol abuse.

ComplyKated said...

Thanks Jim- I'll put that on my list of things to do. :)

Anonymous said...

Ermmm...I could just be playing it wrong, but when I played the chords like I was supposed to, it sounded horrible and nothing like the song...

Linda Grinnell said...

What is the strumming pattern that you are using, please.

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