Bartender Blues
View chords used in this chart
[intro: ]E F#m7 E/G#
A A7
Now I'm just a bartender
D Bm7
And I don't like my work
E A E F#m7 E/G#
But I don't mind the money at all
A A7
I see lots of sad faces
D Bm7
And lots of bad cases
E A E F#m7 E/G#
Of folks with their backs to the wall
A A7 D Bm7
Chorus: But I need four walls around me to hold my life
E A E F#m7 E/G#
To keep me from going a-stray
A A7 D Bm7
And a honky-tonk angel to hold me tight
E A E F#m7 E/G#
To keep me from slipping away
A A7
I can light up your smokes
D Bm7
I can laugh at your jokes
E A E F#m7 E/G#
I can watch you fall down on your knees
A A7
I can close down this bar
D Bm7
I can gas up my car
E A E F#m7 E/G#
I can pack up and mail in my key
Chorus:
A A7
Now, the smoke fills the air
D Bm7
In this honky-tonk bar
E A E F#m7 E/G#
And I'm thinking 'bout where I'd rather be
A A7
But I burned all my bridges
D Bm7
I sank all my ships
E A E F#m7 E/G#
And I'm stranded at the edge of the sea
Chorus:
How to play Bartender Blues
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 E. 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.