[Intro]
E
[Verse 1]
E
I betcha Billy got there a little early
E
Cuz you can't pour 'crete when it's rainy
A
I clocked out at 4:30
A
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thirsty
E
Betcha they're sitting on ice
E
Waitin' on some blue collar guys
A
Who don't know nothing but work
B
Been sweatin' straight through their Carhartt shirt
[Chorus]
E
Give me a barstool, boys
A
And a bottle of something
B
If I'm gonna get drunk tonight
A
It oughta be a bar I get drunk in
E
With a neon on the wall
A
And a pretty flexible last call
B
Some honky tonk jukebox noise
A E
For me and my barstool, barstool boys
[Verse 2]
E
Bet they got a good game on the TV
E
Got country spinnin' on CD's
A
When I get a lot less sober
A
Bet your ass I'm gonna bet the over, and over
[Chorus]
E
Give me a barstool, boys
A
And a bottle of something
B
If I'm gonna get drunk tonight
A
It oughta be a bar I get drunk in
E
With a neon on the wall
A
And a pretty flexible last call
B
Some honky tonk jukebox noise
A E
For me and my barstool, barstool boys
A
Oh, barstool boys
[Chorus]
E
Me and my barstool boys
A
And a bottle of something
B
If I'm gonna get drunk tonight
A
It oughta be a bar I get drunk in
E
With a neon on the wall
A
And a pretty flexible last call
B
Some honky tonk jukebox noise
A E
For me and my barstool, barstool boys
A
Yeah, barstool boys
[Outro]
E A E
X
Chords to Know
The song is structured around three primary chords:
E Major: This is your home base for the song. It's a chord that resonates
with strength and warmth, perfect for country music. For E Major, you'll
place your fingers on the second fret of the A and D strings, and the first
fret of the G string.
A Major: This chord offers a bright, open sound. You can play it by pressing
down on the second fret of the D, G, and B strings. Some prefer to use
one finger across all three strings; others use three separate fingers.
B Major: This chord adds tension and release within the progression,
driving the song forward. It's often played as a barre chord with the index
finger across all strings at the second fret, combined with fingers on the
fourth fret of the D, G, and B strings.
Playing the Intro and Verses
Start the song with the E Major chord, strumming gently to set the tone.
The verses maintain this chord, allowing the lyrics and vocal melody to take
the forefront. Pay attention to the rhythm and feel of the original recording
to match the strumming pattern.
When transitioning to the A Major chord, let it lift the melody before moving
back to E Major, creating a sense of movement within the story being told.
The transition to the B Major chord adds a bit of tension, which is then
resolved by returning to E Major.
Chorus Progression
The chorus uses the same chords but focuses on creating a more upbeat
and celebratory mood. The progression E-A-B-A-E emphasizes the song's
themes and the communal feeling of being with the "barstool boys."
This is where you can strum more freely and with more force, mirroring
the energy of the lyrics.
Playing Tips Without Tabs
Listen closely to the song: Try to internalize the rhythm and how the
chords change with the lyrics. This will help you anticipate changes
and understand the song's structure.
Practice chord transitions: Moving smoothly from E to A to B and back
will make playing the song more fluid and enjoyable.
Feel the rhythm: Country music often emphasizes storytelling, so let the
strumming pattern follow the narrative's ebb and flow. This might mean
strumming more gently during verses and with more energy during the chorus.
Experiment with dynamics: Playing louder or softer at different song parts
an help convey the song's emotional content.