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Dirty Water (Boston you're my home) The Standells

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(@wes-inman)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 5582
Topic starter  

Here is an old song, but it's super easy to play and sounds great. I believe it was recorded by the Standells in the mid 60's. The older players will know it.

What is really great sounding in this song is an old Blues trick of using open strings along with fretted notes for a drone sound. You can especially hear this on the opening chords of the main riff. Here you fret a D power chord at the 5th fret. But you also strike the open E string. You quickly slide into the E power chord at the 7th letting the open E string ring or sustain. This has a marvelous sound.

*The notes in parenthesis are just the notes that are held and sustained from the slide. You do not pluck your strings on these notes.

The chorus chords are simply barre E7 type chords.

This song sounds great on acoustic or electric, but sounds awesome with just a little mild overdrive. This song still Rocks.


Chords used in this song

D/E E A D B7 Bb7 A7

e-----------------------------------------------------
b-----------------5i-----7r---------------------------
g-----------------6m-----7r------8m------7m------6m---
d---7r-----9r-----7r-----7r------7i------6i------5i---
a---5i-----7i-----0------5i------9r------8r------6r---
e---0------0---------------------7i------6i------5i---

Riff #1 Played throughout verses

D/E E A D A

e----------------------------------
b------------------5----7--7----5--
g------------------6----7--7----6--
d---7/--(9)---9----7----7--7----7--
a---5/--(7)---7----0----5--5----0--
e---0---(0)---0--------------------

Rhythm Pattern for Riff #1

and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and (Repeat)
/ (/) / / / / /--------- /
(sustain)

Riff #2 Played over the chorus

B7 Bb7 A7

e--------------------------------
b--------------------------------
g---8--8--8--8--8--8--8--7--6----
d---7--7--7--7--7--7--7--6--5----
a---9--9--9--9--9--9--9--8--7----
e---7--7--7--7--7--7--7--6--5----

Rhythm Pattern for Riff #2

Straight quarter notes

Lyrics-

Dirty Water

Riff #1 repeat over and over

(spoken:)
I'm gonna tell you a story
I'm gonna tell you about my town
I'm gonna tell you a big bad story, baby
Aww, it's all about my town

Verse 1- Riff #1 repeat over and over

Yeah, down by the river
Down by the banks of the river Charles (aw, that's what's happenin' baby)
That's where you'll find me
Along with lovers, fuggers, and thieves (aw, but they're cool people)

Chorus- Riff #2

Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, you're the Number One place)

Verse 2- Riff #1 repeat over and over

Frustrated women (I mean they're frustrated)
Have to be in by twelve o'clock (oh, that's a shame)
But I'm wishin' and a-hopin, oh
That just once those doors weren't locked (I like to save time for
my baby to walk around)

Chorus- Riff #2

Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, yeah)

Repeat Verse 1- Riff #1 repeat over and over

Chorus- Riff #2

Because I love that dirty water
Oh, oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, yeah)

Repeat Riff #1 over and over and fade

Well, I love that dirty water (I love it, baby)
I love that dirty water (I love Baw-stun)
I love that dirty water (Have you heard about the Strangler?)
I love that dirty water (I'm the man, I'm the man)
I love that dirty water (Owww!)
I love that dirty water (Come on, come on) [fade]

If you know something better than Rock and Roll, I'd like to hear it - Jerry Lee Lewis


   
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(@teleplayer324)
Noble Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 1506
 

Great tune Wes, haven't heard this in years. Can't wait to get home and give it a go

Immature? Of course I'm immature Einstein, I'm 50 and in a Rock and ROll band.

New Band site http://www.myspace.com/guidedbymonkeys


   
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(@slothrob)
Reputable Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 472
 

The theme song for the second greatest city in the country (to avoid debate), the one I chose for my home.
Roadrunner being more a theme for Massachusettes than Boston.

I hear this song in my head just about every day.

Thanks.


   
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