[Intro]
B E B F# E B
[Verse 1]
B
I lost my money to some dirty old bookie
E B
Way up in Philly, he was a bad man
B
But you can't bet your life on the table
E B
When you've got yourself a bad hand
B
So I went and got my good friend Mickey
E B
And we made ourselves a bold stand
F#
We wound up bleeding on the bar floor
E B
But we don't bet on birds no more
[Chorus]
F#
Where them bets are tough and bartenders meet
E B
The great American bar scene
B E B F# E B
[Verse 2]
B
A brother from Tulsa has got himself a warrant
E B
But he's on the run up in Cheyenne
B
They hammed me up and asked me some questions
E B
But I ain't no damn rat, man
F#
Put cuffs on so tight that he started bleeding
E B
From his wrist down to his right hand
[Chorus]
F#
Put "State Trooper" on on the record machine
E B
The great American bar scene
B E B F# E B
[Verse]
B
Neon lightnin', wooden floors, light leaves
E B
Her feet quietly slide across
B
Tough boys of all came and went
E B
She's a Heaven-sent and I'm at a loss
[Chorus]
F#
So if you've got the time, I've got the quarter
E B
And a two-steppin' song called "Hey Porter"
F#
Why does love always feel like a fever dream
E B
In the great American bar scene?
B E B F# E B
[Outro]
B
Try like hell to keep my health,
E B
treat others well, and understand,
F#
While I seek fair, uncertain, and mean
E B
In the great american bar scene
How to play "The Great American Bar Scene" by Bryan Zach on guitar.
This song draws on the storytelling tradition of Americana music, encapsulated through a
series of vivid narratives set against the backdrop of the American bar scene. Its chords
are straightforward, making it accessible for guitarists of various skill levels. The
song uses the chords B, E, and F#, creating a sound that's both robust and resonant.
[Intro and Verses Chord Progression]
The song kicks off with a chord progression that sets the stage for the storytelling:
B E B F# E B
This progression continues throughout the verses. The steady alternation between these
chords provides a solid foundation for the lyrics, which paint vivid pictures of life,
loss, and the pursuit of redemption in various American locales.
[Chorus Chord Progression]
The chorus introduces a slight variation, emphasizing the song’s central theme:
F#
Where them bets are tough and bartenders meet
E B
The great American bar scene
This progression captures the essence of the song, a homage to the complexities and
contradictions of American bar culture.
[Strumming Pattern]
A strumming pattern that complements the song's narrative style would be:
Down, down-up, up, down-up
This pattern allows for dynamic expression, matching the ebb and flow of the storytelling.
[Song Dynamics]
Pay attention to song dynamics; the verses should be played with a sense of anticipation,
building up to the chorus, which should be delivered with more intensity to highlight the
emotional climax of the song.
Lyrics Meaning:
"The Great American Bar Scene" is a reflective ode to the myriad stories that unfold
within the walls of American bars. It touches on themes of loss, resilience, and the
search for redemption, encapsulated through the lives of its characters. The song is a
tribute to the bar scene as a microcosm of American life, where every patron has a story
to tell, making it a repository of personal and collective histories. The imagery of
neon lights, wooden floors, and two-stepping songs evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing
for connection in an ever-changing world.
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