Capo 3rd fret
[Intro]
D Em G D
[Chorus]
D Em
Midnight cowboy ride
G D
Onward through the night
Em
Starry skies above his head
G D
'Front the headlights shine
Em G D
'Front the headlights shine
Em G D
In front the headlights shine
[Verse 1]
Em7
Trucker rolling tiles of floor
G D
City's on his mind
Em7
Left his woman, left his baby
G D
Now the road is mine
Em7
Trouble's on his mind
G D
Left them all behind
Em7 G D
Humming of the tiles satisfies his mind
Em7 G D
Satisfies his mind
Em7 G D
It satisfies his mind
[Chorus]
D Em
Midnight cowboy ride
G D
Onward through the night
Em
Starry skies above his head
G D
'Front the headlights shine
Em G D
'Front the headlights shine
Em G D
In front the headlights shine
[Organ Solo]
D Em D Em D
[Guitar Solo]
D Em G D Em G D
[Verse 2]
D Em
Yesterday he left
G D
His family in St. Paul
Em
Travelin' through the night
G D
And on through Omaha
Em
Music to his ears
G D
A trucker changin' gears
D
Drank his coffee
Em
Take his pills
G D
Drive on through the night
[Chorus]
D Em
Midnight cowboy ride
G D
Onward through the night
Em
Starry skies above his head
G D
'Front the headlights shine
Em G D
'Front the headlights shine
Em G D
In front the headlights shine
Em G D
'Front the headlights shine
Em G D
In front the headlights shine
[Outro]
D Em G D Em G D
How to play "Midnight Cowboy" by Crockett Charley on guitar
Tuning:
- Use standard tuning and place a capo on the 3rd fret to match the original
key of the song.
Chords Used:
- D, Em, G, Em7
Intro and Progressions:
- Start with the intro chords D, Em, G, D. This progression sets up the
driving, rhythmic feel of the song. Strum each chord firmly to convey
the sense of motion, matching the theme of the song.
Chorus Structure:
- The chorus uses the chords D, Em, and G. It's important to maintain a
strong, consistent rhythm here to echo the song's title and theme.
"Midnight cowboy ride, onward through the night," should feel almost
like a chant, propelled by the guitar strumming.
Verse Dynamics:
- In the verses, introduce Em7 along with G and D. The Em7 adds a slightly
melancholic tone, suitable for the storytelling part of the lyrics. Keep
your strumming pattern steady but dynamic, allowing the narrative to
unfold naturally.
Organ and Guitar Solos:
- For the organ solo, you might continue with a light strumming of D and Em
to keep the musical background consistent.
- The guitar solo should follow the same chord pattern as the intro and chorus
(D, Em, G, D). Here, you can add some simple melodic lines or emphasize
the strumming to make the solo stand out.
Common Mistakes:
- Not using the capo or placing it incorrectly can lead to playing in the
wrong key.
- Overpowering the melody with too aggressive strumming. Remember, the
strumming should support the vocals and not drown them out.
Lyrics and Theme Summary:
- The song captures the life of a "Midnight Cowboy," a truck driver riding
through the night. The lyrics explore themes of loneliness, freedom, and
the relentless passage of time seen through the eyes of a solitary traveler.
General Tips:
- Practice the transitions between the chords smoothly, especially from D
to Em and G, to keep the rhythm flowing without interruptions.
- Listen to the song to understand the mood and pacing better, and try to
emulate the emotional tone in your guitar playing.
- Regularly check your capo and tuning to ensure the best sound quality
during your practice or performance.
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