Southern Rock chords
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Capo 4th fret
[Intro]
A G D A G D A
[Verse 1]
A D A
It was a limestone stone skippin' on a creek
A
It was a Cherokee arrowhead buried on the bank in the weeds
G D A
Like every red clay brick laid in that ten percent paid two-story cul-de-sac house
D G
Every piece of me is straight out of that ground
[Chorus]
A G
From the gravel on the road that I skinned my knees on
D A
Skynyrd on the radio, I cut my teeth on
G D
'68 Mustang, half rust, half paint, front yard cinder blocks
A G
Sung about it Sunday standin' sweatin' in a back pew
D/F# A
Threw 'em at her window, snuck her out half past two
G D/F#
It's who I am, where I stand, and I ain't forgot
N.C. A E D A
I was raised on Southern Rock
[Verse 2]
A G D/F# G
It was a backseat bottle poured on 'em, goin' straight to your head (Yeah)
A G D/F# G
It was a medicine bottle slidin' up a six-string neck
A G D/F# G
It was grandaddy's name chiseled in slate when the good Lord finally called him home
A G D/F# G
No, it ain't always pretty, but it's all I know
[Chorus]
A G
From the gravel on the road that I skinned my knees on
D A
Skynyrd on the radio, I cut my teeth on
G D
'68 Mustang, half rust, half paint, front yard cinder blocks
A G
Sung about it Sunday standin' sweatin' in a back pew
D/F# A
Threw 'em at her window, snuck her out half past two
G D/F#
It's who I am, where I stand, and I ain't forgot
G
I was raised on Southern
[Bridge]
A
Rock 'n' roll
G
Crush 'n' run backroads
D A
If you get it, then you get it, if you don't, then you don't
A
So, when my time's done on this one
G
God willin'
D
Play a little "Sweet Home," bury me down in it (Yeah)
[Guitar Solo]
A G D A G D
[Out-Chorus]
A G
From the gravel on the road that I skinned my knees on
D A
Skynyrd on the radio, I cut my teeth on
G D
'68 Mustang, half rust, half paint, front yard cinder blocks
A G
It's "Freebird" singin' from a bar crowd choir
D A
Preacher just a preachin' 'bout brimstone and fire
G D
Yeah, it's who I am, where I stand, no, I ain't forgot
A E D
I was raised on Southern Rock (Yeah)
A D A
I was raised on Southern, raised on Southern Rock
How to play Denning Travis' "Southern Rock" on the guitar
Playing style: Strumming aggressively and rhythmically to match the song's
intensity while using open chords.
Capo: 4th fret to maintain the original key of the song.
[Intro]
Chords: D, A, E, D, A, E, C
Play every chord with a firm downstroke on the rum.
Keep the tempo even to help establish the mood of the song.
[Verse 1]
Chords: A, D, G
Let A play for two measures and then change to D and G.
Example: "It was a limestone" Strum A on "It" and D on "stone".
Emphasize the lyrics by shifting chords to coincide with the start of each line.
[Chorus]
Chords: A, G, D, A, G, D/F#
Strum in a mix of some down and some up strums.
Emphasize the first beat of each measure to bring out the prominence of the melody.
Example: On "From the gravel on the road", strum A on "From", G on "gravel".
[Verse 2]
Chords: A, G, D/F#
Use the same strumming pattern as in the first verse.
Example: Play A on "It" and G on "bottle" for "It was a backseat bottle".
[Bridge]
Chords: A, G, D
Play the bridge by strumming steadily.
As an illustration, strum A on "Rock" and G on "roll" in "Rock 'n' roll."
[Guitar Solo]
Chords: A, G, D, A, G, D
Follow the same pattern as in the intro.
Work on the timing and chord changes.
[Outro]
Chords: A, G, D, A, G, D
Use the chorus's same chords.
Gently strum so you can give the song a soft ending.
Common Mistakes:
Hurrying the chord changes; practice slowly so that you are able to change smoothly.
Playing too hard or strumming inconsistently; keep the strumming solid and even.
Ignoring the capo placement; make sure it's on the 4th fret.
Song Facts: "Southern Rock," as performed by Denning Travis, is a full-throttle
country rock dance number. The lyrics reflect the background and cultural influences
of the artist. Being raised on Southern rock is embodied by Denning Travis.
The connection to music, family, and legacy is expressed in the words.
Denning's music regularly blends and switches between contemporary rock elements
and traditional country themes. His genuine voice and accessible words have a profound
effect on the crowd. Denning's skillful storytelling through song has been a defining feature of his career.