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Three chord songs, three of the best to me....

Discussion in 'Music to Your Ears' started by Thin white duke, Sep 19, 2019.

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  1. Sep 19, 2019 #21
    Skydog1010

    Skydog1010 Tele-Afflicted Platinum Supporter

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    Green onions - already mentioned

    Louie Louie
     
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  2. Sep 19, 2019 #22
    elihu

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  3. Sep 19, 2019 #23
    Rick330man

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    "I Fought the Law" with a lean towards the Bobby Fuller Four version. Acknowledging the sus, I'll say it is "fundamentally" a three chord song.

    "2000 Miles" by the Pretenders.
     
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  4. Sep 19, 2019 #24
    idjster

    idjster VERY grateful member Silver Supporter

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    Yes, this is such a good one. And blessings and peace to you, Puddin...
     
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  5. Sep 19, 2019 #25
    ping-ping-clicka

    ping-ping-clicka Tele-Afflicted Ad Free Member

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    OK maybe today I'll learn some thing new a song.
    :oops:I never learned any songs.
    I play slide in an open e tuning
    what are three barred chords in open.
    yes it is ok not to know,
    it is ok to ask for help.;)
     
  6. Sep 19, 2019 #26
    Straydogger

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    Yep....
     
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  7. Sep 19, 2019 #27
    Coop47

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    Clay Pigeons - Blaze Foley
    If I needed You - Townes Van Zandt
     
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  8. Sep 19, 2019 #28
    Wayne Alexander

    Wayne Alexander Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

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    Not the three chords you were expecting.....

     
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  9. Sep 19, 2019 #29
    Recce

    Recce Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

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    Can’t You See
     
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  10. Sep 19, 2019 #30
    Random1643

    Random1643 Tele-Afflicted

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  11. Sep 19, 2019 #31
    Dismalhead

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    I was gonna post Dead Flowers but it's already here. Great song to jam on when you're playing with people you've never met before.
     
  12. Sep 19, 2019 #32
    Random1643

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  13. Sep 19, 2019 #33
    Random1643

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    Okay you have to ignore the key change, but it's still a 1-4-5 song. Check out Mr Albert Lee on the high, lonesome first harmony; he's such a bad*ss.

     
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  14. Sep 19, 2019 #34
    Frickensmith

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    Buddy Holly had the uncanny ability to not only write a seemingly endless supply of unique three chord songs, but he could also sneak an alien fourth chord in a simple song that would transform it into something miraculous. The best example comes to mind in "Peggy Sue". He creates this charming melody working with A, D, and E, and then out of nowhere we hear a rogue F chord in the bridge ("Pretty pretty pretty pretty Peggy Sue"). He could have so easily gone to a D major chord in that same spot, but instead opts for the F chord which sets up more tension and gives a more satisfying release than the D chord provides. Simply genius.
     
  15. Sep 19, 2019 #35
    Frickensmith

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    Also - My submission for a great three chord song is this oft overlooked gem from Bill Withers.
     
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  16. Sep 19, 2019 #36
    Random1643

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    Ku'u Lei Awapuhi by the Hawaiian band, Hapa, in 1992. Some nice guitar work in here.

     
  17. Sep 20, 2019 #37
    willie ray

    willie ray Tele-Meister

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    Three for me...





     
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  18. Sep 20, 2019 #38
    Random1643

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    Ignore the embellishments and yet another key change; it's just another 3-chord song. From a tribute to the Louvin Brothers, Livin, Lovin, Losin.

     
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  19. Sep 20, 2019 #39
    DonM

    DonM Friend of Leo's Silver Supporter

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    When you look up “what is a three chord rock song?”, this is what you find.

     
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  20. Sep 20, 2019 #40
    trev333

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