Tag Archives: how to play

“San Francisco” (Scott McKenzie) – Chords/Lyrics/How To Play : Ask the Musician

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By Jim Fusco:

On tonight’s edition of “Ask the Musician”, I have a YouTube email from Todd:

Hi, Could you please send me the tabs of “San Francisco”?  Thanks a lot, you are a great musician.

Thanks, Todd- with me, flattery gets you everywhere!  I don’t have the tabs (don’t really need them for this song), but here are the chords and lyrics: 

Start on G

Em        C        G       D
If you're going to San Francisco,
Em         C         G               D
be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
Em        G        C       G
If you're going to San Francisco,
G            Bm     Em               D
you're gonna meet some gentle people there.

Em            C       G       D
For those who come to San Francisco
Em     C         G             D
Summer-time will be a love-in there.
Em     G          C       G
In the streets of San Francisco,
G         Bm       Em               D
gentle people with flowers in their hair.

F
All across the nation,
F                         G
such a strange vibration, People in motion...
F
There's a whole generation,
F                       G                 D
with a new explanation, People in motion, people in motion.

Em            Am C    G        D
For those who come to San Francisco,
Em          C        G               D
be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
Em      G       C       G
If you come to San Francisco,
G         Bm     Em           G
Summer-time will be a love-in there.

Em     F#m     A     D     A
       If you come to San Francisco
A      C#m     F#m        A        F#m     A
Summertime will be a love-in there

______________________________________

Thanks again for the comment, Todd, and happy playing!

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“Younger Generation” (The Lovin’ Spoonful Cover)

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For Lovin’ Spoonful chords & lyrics, CLICK HERE!

By Chris Moore:

Hello and welcome to a mind-blowing edition of the Laptop Sessions.  You won’t believe that we haven’t recorded a cover song music video for this band’s category…

The Lovin’ Spoonful, best known for their early single “Do You Believe in Magic,” are an interesting sixties rock band that developed quite a history in less than a decade of work.  From their roots as a jug band, their connection to the folk movement genre, and their eventual electric sound, The Lovin’ Spoonful went on to release some great singles, such as the chart topper “Summer in the City.”

The song I’ve learned and recorded for tonight is from the 1968 album Everthing Playing.  I chose this song not because it was a favorite of mine, or even one that I’ve known for a long time.  I came across this song the other night, and it struck me as relevant to some life changes that one of my friends is going through.

You know who you are, and I wish you the best!

That being said, I spent a great deal of time researching and figuring out the chords to this song.  I compiled my chords post from two different sources, and I’m still not entirely happy with the final transcription.  I do think this is as close as I can come, and I think the chords sound good in the song.

“Younger Generation” was the final single of the John Sebastian-led incarnation of the Lovin’ Spoonful, and it is a compelling mediation on the relationships between parents and children, as well as the transition from youth to “maturity.”  Sebastian’s references to futuristic inventions are interesting, particularly the “videophone.”  We’re not too far off…

Well, it’s been a tremendously hectic day, so I’m off to sleep.  After getting up early, exercising, teaching, attending one meeting, rescheduling another, recording this session, and attending a football game at school to help at the concessions stand, I am happy to say that this day has been a very complete one.

See you next session!

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“Heavy Metal Drummer” (Wilco Cover)

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For Wilco chords & lyrics, CLICK HERE!

By Chris Moore:

Hello and welcome to another week of all-new material here at the Laptop Sessions blog, your source for excellent acoustic cover song music videos!

Well, it’s that and then some this week, as the next seven days are jam-packed with posts.

Let’s just say we’re partying like it’s 2008!

Here’s the low-down:  After my Chris Moore Monday post tonight, I’ll be back tomorrow with a full-length article.  Then, you can look forward to three videos in a row: an Original Wednesday post, Thursday’s regularly scheduled programming, and Friday’s Guest Session.  And the weekend isn’t a time of rest, as you can look forward to the second installment in the Saturday “Playlists on Parade” series and Sunday’s “Weekend Review.”

For my video tonight, I’ve gone back to one of my favorites: Wilco.  I heard this Yankee Hotel Foxtrot deep track on a colleague’s iPod over the weekend before band practice, and I took a moment to figure it out.  It’s a straightforward progression, which makes it a lot of fun to play and sing along to.  So, it was a no-brainer when I thought about my session for the week.  I’ve made it my business to cover a wide range of Wilco material.  Thus far, I’ve translated songs from their 1995 debut A.M., the following year’s Being There, Summerteeth (albeit a members-only video), Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and last year’s Wilco (the album).  I’ve also pulled from both collaborations with Billy Bragg, 1998’s Mermaid Avenue and 2000’s Mermaid Avenue Vol. II.  This leaves A Ghost is Born and Sky Blue Sky.

However, instead of filling in the gaps, I had to go with a fun track from one of my favorite albums of all time.  “Heavy Metal Drummer” starts with a beat machine, and builds up to an all-out rock song.  What I like about it is how well it evokes a sense of fond memories for one’s past, particularly with reference to music.  Now, my nostalgia is not for heavy metal bands and Kiss cover songs, but I will never forget the enjoyable outings my friends and I made to concerts, starting with my first Bob Dylan concert back in high school and on from there — Brian Wilson, Barenaked Ladies, and so many more…

…including an amazing two and a half hour performance by Wilco last summer!

So, it is with great pleasure that I bring you “Heavy Metal Drummer,” hoping to stir some of your own fond memories of the past.  It is, after all, inevitable that the years pass and our lives change.  Still, there will always be songs and experiences that we harken back to for years and years to come.  Which are yours?

See you next session!

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“Heavy Metal Drummer” by Wilco – Chords, Lyrics, & How to Play

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To see how it’s played in the cover song music video, CLICK HERE!

“Heavy Metal Drummer”
Wilco

D                                 D7
I sincerely miss those heavy metal bands
C                                    A
I used to go see on the landing in the summer.
She fell in love with the drummer, she fell in love with the drummer,
She fell in love…

Shiny, shiny pants, bleached blonde hair
A double kick drum by the river in the summer
She fell in love with the drummer, another then another
She fell in love…

G             A                      D                D7
I miss the innocence I’ve known,
G                              A                    D                D7       C       A
Playing Kiss covers, beautiful and stoned.

Unlock my body and move myself to dance
Into warm liquid, flowing, blowing glass.
Classical music, blasting, masks the ringing
In my ears.

Oh, I sincerely miss those heavy metal bands
I used to go see on the landing in the summer
She fell in love with the drummer, she fell in love with another,
She fell in love…

I miss the innocence I’ve known,
Playing Kiss covers, beautiful and stoned.

I miss the innocence I’ve known,
Playing Kiss covers, beautiful and stoned.
Playing Kiss covers, beautiful and stoned.
Playing Kiss covers, beautiful and stoned.

** These chords and lyrics are interpretations and transcriptions, respectively, and are the sole property of the copyright holder(s).  They are posted on this website free of charge for no profit for the purpose of study and commentary, as allowed for under the “fair use” provision of U.S. copyright law, and should only be used for such personal and/or academic work. **

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