The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #54843 Message #851591
Posted By: Cluin
21-Dec-02 - 02:21 AM
Thread Name: Three chord songs
Subject: RE: Three chord songs
Looks pretty comprehensive there, Frank. If you want some more maybe I'd throw in the 2 chorder "Jambalaya" (in a nice 2-step Cajun rhythm), Blue Moon of Kentucky, maybe "Guantanamera", "Show Me the Way To Go Home" (could introduce 2 more chords to them later in this one, the II-7th and the VI-m), 3 chord versions of "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph" for the season. Like Bobert said, lots to choose from.
As far as people's familiarity with the songs goes, I don't think I know any more. I've launched into "Four Strong Winds" at sing-a-longs only to be met with blank looks. I thought everybody knew it around my neck-of-the-woods. They did when I was young, either from Ian & Sylvia or else Neil Young. And a couple of years ago I had a 13 year-old kid I was teaching mandolin lessons too. Was showing him as a primer "Doggie In the Window" because I figured he'd know how it should go. He looked at me and said he'd never heard the song before. I couldn't believe it. Figured EVERYBODY sang that as a kid. WE did, along with "Don't Fence Me In" and "Swing On a Star" and "High Hopes" Even though I grew up with Folk, Bluegrass, Country and Celtic. There were certain songs just everybody knew. Now it's just the Christmas Carols.