Blue Marlin Blues chords - George Strait ♬ How to Play

Blue Marlin Blues chords

Capo 3rd fret.
 
[Intro]
D
 I got the blue marlin blues, I got the blue marlin blues
D
I got the blue marlin blues, I got the blue marlin blues
D
I got the blue marlin blues, I got the blue marlin blues
D
I got the blue marlin blues, I got the blue marlin blues
 
 
[Verse 1]
D
First one off the dock, long before dawn
                          A
Headed to the blue water, won't take long
  D                     G
A box full of ballyhoo, rigged just right
      D
Still hurting from that party last night
 
 
[Verse 2]

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D
Thirty miles later, get the call lines in
                                     A
Scramble' round the cockpit thinking we're gonna win
D                           G
Seven hours later, we still ain't caught a thing
D
Mood on this boat sure has changed
 
 
[Chorus]
A         D
I got the blue marlin blues from my hat to my shoes
D
I used to catch 'em in twos no matter which bait I'd choose
         A
How many more can I lose, they got me drinking the booze
          D    G      D    A
I got the blue marlin blues
 
 
[Pedal Steel & Piano Solos]
D    A    D G D A7
 
 
[Verse 3]
  D
I had one swimming right behind my bait
                  A7
All lit up man, I just couldn't wait
  D                           G
I picked up the rod, I put it in free spool
         D                A           D
Thinking I'll shake these blue marlin blues
 
 
[Verse 4]
D
He knocked it out of the clip and I fed him some line
                       A7
I locked it up and I began to wind
   D                               G
He came out of the water, spit the bait right at me
    D
And disappeared back into the sea
 
 
[Chorus]
D
I got the blue marlin blues from my hat to my shoes
D
I used to catch 'em in twos no matter which bait I'd choose
         A7
How many more can I lose, they got me drinking the booze
          D    G      D
I got the blue marlin blues
 
 
[Organ Solo]
D    A7    D G D
 
 
[Outro]
D    A7   D G D G D
D    A7   D G D    A7
D G D
X



How to play "Blue Marlin Blues" by George Strait on guitar

- Capo: Set a capo to the third string.
- Chords: The D, G, and A/A7 chords are mostly used in this song.

Intro:
- Play the D chord by strumming it steadily.
- Pay attention to precise timing and seamless transitions.

Verse 1:
- Proceed with the D chord.
- For "long before dawn," switch to A.
- Return to D for "Headed to the blue water."
- Move to G for "A box full of ballyhoo."
- Back to D for the last line.

Verse 2:
- Similar pattern to Verse 1.
- Let's begin with D.
- Go to option A instead of "thinking we're gonna win."
- For "we still ain't caught a thing," use G.
- The last line is back in D.

Chorus:
- Begin with A and go to D.
- Keep your focus on D during the phrase, "I used to catch 'em in twos."
- Change the answer to "How many more can I lose" to A.
- Close with D, followed by G, before going back to D for the final line.

Pedal Steel & Piano Solos:
- Follow the chord pattern: D, A, D, G, D, A7.

Verse 3:
- For the first two lines, use D.
- Use A7 instead of A6 for "All lit up man."
- Use D and G in that order.
- Conclude the last line with a D.

Verse 4:
- Let's begin with D.
- Go to A7 in place of "I locked it up."
- As in the previous verses, switch up D and G.
- "Disappeared back into the sea" is the final letter.

Chorus:
- Same structure as the chorus before it.
- Make sure A7 and D have smooth transitions.

Organ Solo:
- Follow D, A7, D, G, D pattern.

Outro:
- Play D, A7, D, G, D, G, D.
- Repeat and end on D.

Playing Tips:
- Strumming: Play in a continuous up-down rhythm.
- Transitions: Get comfortable effortlessly transitioning between D, G, and A/A7.
- Rhythm: Maintain a steady speed all through the song.
- Dynamics: Use a more forceful strumming pattern to highlight the chorus.

Common Mistakes:
- Strumming inconsistently, causing the rhythm to falter.
- Sloppy chord transitions, especially between A7 and D.
- Overlooking the importance of capo placement for proper pitch.

Song Facts:
George Strait's song "Blue Marlin Blues" captures a fisherman's anguish over
the elusive blue marlin. The song captures the spirit of fishing by describing
the highs and lows of the sport with vivid imagery. 

George Strait Biography:
George Strait, also known as the "King of Country," has enjoyed a successful
career since the 1980s. With multiple honors and chart-topping tunes,
his traditional country style has made him a popular figure in the genre.