[Chorus]
G
Little less ice in the glass, bartender
F C
Leave some more room for the old No. 7
G
I wanna drink 'til I can't remember
F C G F C G F C
Why I came here in the first place
[Verse 1]
G
Well, the fish ain't bitin', me and baby been fightin'
F C
And the boss man, he's been ridin' my tail
G
Two more morning's 'til Sunday mornin'
F C
That's two more nights to raise some hell
[Chorus]
G
Little less ice in the glass, bartender
F C
Leave some more room for the old No. 7
G
I wanna drink 'til I can't remember
F C G
Why I came here in the first place
[Post-Chorus]
F C G F C
Yeah, why I came here in the first place
[Verse 2]
G
Between the bank and the budget and the paycheck money
F C
I'm strapped for cash to paint this town
G
Feel beat and bruised, can't win for losin'
F C
So fill it up, don't water it down
[Chorus]
G
Little less ice in the glass, bartender
F C
Leave some more room for the old No. 7
G
I wanna drink 'til I can't remember
F C G
Why I came here in the first place
[Post-Chorus]
F C G
Yeah, why I came here in the first place
F C G
Yeah, why I came here in the first place
[Bridge]
F C G
I'm tired of comin' in, comin' in last, yeah
F C
I'm tired of comin' in, comin' in last, yeah
[Chorus]
G
Little less ice in the glass, bartender
F C
Leave some more room for the old No. 7
G
I wanna drink 'til I can't remember
F C
Why I came here, yeah, why I came here
G
A little less ice in the glass, bartender
F C
Leave some more room for the old No. 7
I wanna drink 'til I can't remember
G F C G
Why I came here, yeah, why I came here in the first place
[Post-Chorus]
F C G
I'm tired of comin' in, comin' in last, yeah (Why I came here in the first place)
F C G
I'm tired of comin' in, comin' in last, yeah (Why I came here in the first place)
F C G
I'm tired of comin' in, comin' in last, yeah (Why I came here in the first place)
F C
I'm tired of comin' in, comin' in last, yeah
[Outro]
G
Little less ice in the glass, bartender
C
Leave some more room for the old No. 7
How to play "First Place" by Shane Elvie on guitar
Playing Style: This song is a spirited country rock tune that uses a standard
chord progression (G, F, C) to convey a theme of escapism and frustration.
It's upbeat yet carries a reflective message, making it an interesting piece
to perform.
Chorus and Verse Chords:
- The song revolves around the chords G, F, and C. The chorus starts with G,
shifting to F, and then resolving on C, which sets a rhythmic and melodic base.
- Strum these chords with vigor to capture the song's energetic and somewhat
defiant tone.
Strumming Pattern:
- A suitable strumming pattern for this upbeat song is Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up.
This pattern provides a strong backbeat which enhances the driving rhythm
typical of country rock music.
- Emphasize the downstroke at the beginning of each chord change to punctuate
the song's rhythm and help maintain its energetic pulse.
Post-Chorus and Bridge:
- The post-chorus and bridge utilize the same chords but focus more on the
lyrical content, which reflects the singer's feelings of weariness and the
desire to escape daily struggles.
- During these sections, you might opt for a slightly softer strumming approach
to contrast with the more robust chorus, giving the song a dynamic range.
Common Mistakes:
- Not maintaining consistent timing when switching between the chords G, F, and C.
Practice these transitions to ensure they're smooth and rhythmically sound.
- Over-strumming can overpower the vocals. Keep the strumming controlled to allow
the lyrics to stand out, especially during the narrative parts of the song.
Lyrics Meaning:
"First Place" articulates a longing to forget life's pressures and disappointments,
symbolized by the singer's repeated requests to the bartender. The repetitive
refrain of desiring less ice and more whiskey in the glass serves as a metaphor
for wanting fewer hardships and more freedom or relief in life.
This song is an excellent piece for both group play-alongs and solo performances,
offering guitarists a chance to explore dynamic strumming and emotive storytelling.
Remember to keep the energy up and let the song's message resonate through your
playing.
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