Arabian Night
View chords used in this chart
Em G C G
Shrieks of sheiks as they run across the movie screen
Em G C G
A thousand sand dune soldiers led by an Arabian queen
Em G C G
And the harem girls move like fancy dancers in my dirty dream
C G C G
And I wake up on the floor holding a bed lamp
Em G C G
Mama, she comes in and screams,"woo! You been out with that tramp again last night
Em G C G
That silver sequined ivory black bitch, you know, the one that Mama don't like"
Em G C G
You see, but, Mama, she sings me moon time melodies with this great Top 40 hook
Em G C G
But Mama don't care, Papa he just stares and says,
Em G C G C G
"Mary, look the girl's alright, yeah, look the girl's alright"
Em C G C G C G
And there's a tenseness in the air, don't you know, can't you feel
Em C G C G C
There's something hanging there, pull back the mist and reveal it
Em C G C
Even if you fear what you hear, try to conceal it
Em C G C C G
And if what Mama feels is too real, she just claims she don't feel it
C G C G C
So come out from behind your bunkers, the liftoff's been a bust
C G C G C
Papa's gone and Mama's dead and buried in my rocket dust'
D
You're alone now for the first time, but that's all right
Em C G
Because all fear will completely disappear come the Arabian night
Em C G C G C G
The soundman smiles and turns the dials to set the meter reading rising
Em C G C G C G
He pulls the singer's voice from out of his pocket to see how the audience likes it
Em C G C G C G
And in the very first row sits sweet Jenny Rue with a bell on her shoe, she wants him to mic it
Em C G C G C G
He flicks a switch but Jenny moves too fast and the audience sways to the sound of her shotgun blast
Em C G C G C G
The manager runs out, "Check the band's arms for bullet holes and make that man roll up his sleeves"
Em C G C G C G
The drummer shoots himself with cyanide then asked to be relieved
Em C G C G C G
And me, I say, "It's crazy in here, where is the stage door?
Em C G C
Which way is out? I gotta get up for work"
Em C G C G
The man says, "Well, once, once you're in they all lead out, what's the matter, ain't you heard?
C G C G C
There's a war going on outside and I'm paying you to sing like a bird
C G C G C D
So get in and get tough or get up and get out 'cause things aren't too tight"
Em
I said, "Don't worry, everything's gonna loosen up come the Arabian Night"
How to play Arabian Night
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Em. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.