Song: Roadhouse Blues
Artist: The Doors
Album: Morrison Hotel, 1970
URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadhouse_Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pEMd1SdkAE
Tempo: 4|4
Method: John Lee Hooker 'Rollin' Slow Blues' style (See NOTES 1)
Tuning: Standard
Chords: (Optional)
EADGBe EADGBe
022100 X79997
000100 X77797
A X02220 577655
X00020 X55655
X02020 575655
X21201 797877
X32310 81088988
020100 X79797
X4342X X46564
XX0212 X57575
XX1323 X68686
020102 XX2432
(Bass, Piano & Harp over)
Bass Riff 1:
()
Yeah, keep your eyes on the road and your hand upon the wheel,
Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel.
Yeah, we're goin' to the Roadhouse,
We're gonna have a real,
Good time.
Bridge 1:(Bass and harp over)
| | | | | | |(short dwell on A and back to )
()
Yeah, back at the Roadhouse they got some bungalows,
Yeah, back at the Roadhouse they got some bungalows.
And that's for the people,
Who like to go down slow.
()
Let it roll, baby, roll,
Let it roll, baby, roll.
Let it roll, baby, roll,
Yeah, let it roll, all night long.
JM: "Do it, Robby, do it!"
:: INSTRUMENTAL ::(Lead and harp over)
| | | | | | |(short dwell on A and back to )
Ah-ya - Right! (Exclamation)
Ah-ya - Yeah! (Exclamation)
()
You gotta roll, roll, roll,
You gotta thrill my soul, all right.
Roll, roll, roll, roll,
Feel my soul.
You gotta beep a, ya gotta a chu - cha,
Honk konk konk,
You gotta each you puna,
Each ya bop a luba.
Each yall bump a kechonk,
Eas - e sum konk,
Yeah, ride.
()
Ashen lady, (Ashen lady),
Ashen lady, (Ashen lady),
Give up your vows, (give up your vows).
Give up your vows, (give up your vows).
Save our city, (save our city),
Save our city, (save our city),
Right now.
()
Well, I woke up this morning, I got myself a beer,
Well, I woke up this morning, and I got myself a beer.
The future's uncertain, and the end is always near.
()
Let it roll, baby, roll,
Let it roll, baby, roll.
Let it roll, baby, roll,
Yeah, let it roll, all night long.
Riff:(After "...long.")
JM: "Yikes!" (Off mike)
[End]
NOTES:
1. In the verses the main chords are played and then alternate quickly to the 11th form of the chord in
a rolling motion. This continues throughout each verse and chorus. Even though scored as and
respectively, it keeps tempo with the bass line (i.e. in the verse = - , - , - , - ).
Lifting the second and third fingers off for the chord, as well as the second finger for the and
the first and second finger for the chord, on the alternate beats.
2. You can simplify the final chords in the Choruses to suit the speed and melody.
3. "...The song quickly became a concert staple for the group, a live version appearing later on the
posthumous album An American Prayer and that same version, which has been called "probably one of the best
live performances of any song", again on In Concert and Greatest Hits. During this version, Jim Morrison
talks for a short while to a female audience member about his Zodiac sign and, with a sudden, ironic twist
that causes the audience to erupt in laughter, denounces his beliefs in it. ..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadhouse_Blues
4. "...The sessions only took off on the second day, when resident Elektra guitarist Lonnie Mack
joined in on bass and harmonicist John Sebastian (appearing under the pseudonym . Puglese either
out of loyalty to his recording contract[5] or to avoid affiliation with The Doors after the infamous
Miami controversy) joined in on the sessions and Manzarek switched from his Wurlitzer electric piano
to a tack piano (the same used on The Beach Boys "Good Vibrations").[6] A studio version of the song with
John Lee Hooker sharing vocals with Jim can be found on the Stoned Immaculate: The Music of The Doors
album. ..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadhouse_Blues
5. This 'Take 15' version was a staple of many teenage bands in Australia, in the late 60's. For many
it was their first taste of the Blues.