The Midnight Oil
Sung by Barbara Mandrell
From the CD, Ultimate Collection---Barbara Mandrell
I think this is one of the great cheating songs in country music. It was a hit
single for Barbara Mandrell in 1973. As a bass player, I have indicated the walks to
the next chord. I use passing eighth notes before most of the chord changes.
They are E-F; A-Bb; B-C; F-F#; B-Bb; C-C#. Get the CD for feel and beat.
Intro: F Key: F then change to F#
F
That call was from the office
Bb F
And I guess I’ll have to burn the midnight oil again.
F C (walk)
And hon’ you know how much the boss depends on me to lend a helping hand.
F Bb F
I watch him in the mirror, as I lie and tell him I don’t know how late I’ll be.
F B C F
While I’m puttin’ on my makeup, I’m puttin’ on the one that really loves me.
F# B F#
The girls all got together and they called to see if I could have some fun tonight.
F# C# (Walk)
But you know me, the only thing I do is go to work and watch tv.
F# B F#
I watch him in the mirror, as I lie and tell him I don’t know how late I’ll be.
F# C C# F# (walk)
While I’m puttin’ on my makeup, I’m puttin’ on the one that really loves me.
Bb B F#
And tonight I’ll cheat again, and tomorrow I’ll be sorry.
F# C# (walk)
And I’ll feel kind of dirty ‘cause I’ll have the midnight oil all over me.
F# B F#
God knows his dream would shatter if he knew the devil had me and won’t set me free.
F# C C# F#
While I’m puttin’ on my makeup, I’m puttin’ on the one that really loves me.
F# C C# F# B F#
While I’m puttin’ on my makeup, I’m puttin’ on the one that really loves me.
(on the "my makeup" lines, the B is an eighth note count in B-C. The C is an
eighth note count in C-C#.)
The song is in the above keys on the CD. Here are the Nashville Numbers for other keys.
Enjoy, Aloha!
Intro: | 1 | 1 | /1/4/1/1/
/1/1/5/5/
/1/4/1/1/
/1/b5 5/1/1/
/1/4/1/1/
/1/1/5/5/
/1/4/1/1/
/1/b5 5/1/1/
/1 3/4/4/1/1/
/1/1/5/5/
/1/4/1/1/
/1/b5 5/1/1/
/1/b5 5/1 4/1/