INTRO:
ORGAN: (F C G)
GUITAR:
F C G
F C G F C G F C G
E -6-5-3---5-|-6-5-3---5br-3--|-6-5-3---5-|-6-5-3---5br-3--|-6-5-3---5-|-6-5-5br-3-|
B -------5---|-------5--------|-------5---|-------5--------|-------5---|-----------|
G -----------|----------------|-----------|----------------|-----------|-----------|
D -----------|----------------|-----------|----------------|-----------|-----------|
A -----------|----------------|-----------|----------------|-----------|-----------|
E -----------|----------------|-----------|----------------|-----------|-----------|
VERSE:
F C
Hey there, Mississippi
G
Looks like the waters gettin' rough
F C
I picked a hell of a day for fishin'
G
The way the wind keeps pickin' up
F C G
I know I look crazy on this muddy bank
F C G
But it's the only place I thought I wouldn't think
CHORUS:
F C
Hey there, Mississippi
G
I know a girl a lot like you
F C
I bet she's tearin' right through the country
G F
And there's nothin' I can do to slow her down
C G
Yeah, love's like a river,
F C
You can't stop it when it's runnin' out
G
And headed south
F C G
Like my Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
F C G
My Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
VERSE:
F C
I know all about the ones that get away
G
If I know anything
F C
So it's no surprise I didn't catch
G
The only bite I had all day
F C G
Well, I wonder if my luck will ever change
F C
Is the chance of her ever comin' back
G
Anything like the chance of rain?
CHORUS:
F C
Hey there, Mississippi
G
I know a girl a lot like you
F C
I bet she's tearin' right through the country
G F
And there's nothin' I can do to slow her down
C G
Yeah, love's like a river,
F C
You can't stop it when it's runnin' out
G
And headed south
F C G
Like my Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
F C G
My Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
CHORUS:
F C
Hey there, Mississippi
G
I know a girl a lot like you
F C
I bet she's tearin' right through the country
G F C
And there's nothin' I can do to slow her down, turn her around
G
Love's like a river,
F C
You can't stop it when it's runnin' out
G
And headed south
F C G
Like my Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
F C G
My Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
F C G
Said my Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
F C G
She's my Mississippi, hey, uh-huh
OUTRO:
F C G
F C G
F C G
F C G
How to play "My Mississippi" by Shane Elvie on guitar
Playing Style: "My Mississippi" features a soulful blend of country and blues,
utilizing the chord progression F, C, G throughout. The song's guitar parts
are complemented by an organ, adding depth to its bluesy feel.
Intro and Guitar Licks:
- The intro includes a memorable guitar lick played over the chords F, C, G.
The lick involves playing notes on the E string (6th fret down to 3rd fret)
and adding some bends for expression.
- Practice this lick slowly to ensure accuracy in the bends and transitions,
and then integrate it with the rhythm section.
Verse and Chorus Chords:
- The verses and choruses utilize a straightforward chord progression F, C, G.
This progression supports the storytelling narrative of the lyrics, providing
a solid foundation that allows the vocal melody to stand out.
- Emphasize the rhythm and maintain a consistent strumming pattern to keep the
song's driving country-blues feel.
Strumming Pattern:
- A recommended strumming pattern for this song is Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up.
This pattern allows for a dynamic range that can be played softly during the
verses and with more intensity during the choruses to match the emotional lift
of the lyrics.
- Ensure to accent the downstrokes to bring out the blues element of the song,
particularly on the first beat of each measure.
Common Mistakes:
- Not maintaining consistent timing when switching between the chords F, C, and G.
Practice these transitions to ensure they're smooth and rhythmically sound.
- Overplaying the guitar licks can overshadow the vocals. Balance your play so
that the lyrics remain clear and central.
Lyrics Meaning:
"My Mississippi" uses the metaphor of the Mississippi River to describe a
relationship that is both wild and uncontrollable, like the river itself. The
song reflects on the nature of love as an unstoppable force, drawing parallels
between the river's flow and the course of a relationship.
This song offers a blend of storytelling and musical expression, making it a
compelling choice for performers who enjoy conveying deep emotions through both
lyrics and guitar play. Focus on the feel and flow of the music as much as on
the technical aspects to fully capture the essence of the song.
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