Dimestore Life
View chords used in this chart
C C D D
Ohhh I know it's hard to let go
G6 G6 Dsus9 Dsus9 Em Em C C
But these mistakes I gotta make, I gotta make on my own [see tab #1]
C C Bm [hold]
Ohhh, what a wonderful ride
C C Bm Bm
When all the happiness in the world
G D/F# Em Em
Is right here on the inside
G D/F# Em Em [pause]
Right here on the inside
[DOUBLE TIME:]
C Em D G C Em D G
[instrumental; see tab #2.]
C Em D G C Em D G
[instrumental]
C Em D G
She was sixteen, never knew more
C Em D G
Than the backporch swing and the counter at the dime store
C Em D G
What do you know
C Em D G
[instrumental]
C Em D G
She had dreams, dreams of many things
C Em D G
A life on the road and all that brings
C Em D G
Ohhhh, there's got to be more
C Em D G
Than this counter at the dime store
C Em D G
[instrumental]
D D C C
Ohhhh, what does this life have in store
G G C C
I need to know if there's any more
D D C C
I need to know
G D/F# Em C
Mama, won't you please let me go
G D/F# Em C D D D [stop.]
Mama, won't you please let me go
Wave goodbye at the end of spring
Drop down a graduation gown and a high school ring
Echo on the gym floor
[instrumental]
A life made from cards and sticks
The kind of broke that money can't fix
Ohhhh, this road'll take me somewhere
And I'll know it when I get there
[instrumental]
Ohhhh, what does this life have in store
I need to know if there's any more
I need to know
Mama, won't you please let me go
Mama, won't you please let me go
C Em D G C Em D G
[guitar solo]
C Em D G C Em D G
[guitar solo]
Em Em C C Em Em D [hold]
[guitar solo]
Day to day, and town to town
Mama writes, "I can never track her down"
She's gonna find what she's looking for
[instrumental]
Thirty-one when she finally makes it home
With the wisdom of the world, a woman fully grown
Oh I never needed more
Than this counter at the dime store
Than this counter at the dime store
[instrumental]
Ohhhh, what does this life have in store
I need to know if there's any more
I need to know
Mama, won't you please let me go
Mama, won't you please let me go
Mama, let me go...
[repeat and fade G D/F# Em C with ad lib vocals]
TAB:
[Both of these are probably a little off, mostly because they're played on
an electric guitar and I only have an acoustic. I know the notes are right,
but I might be playing them on the wrong strings, as usual.]
TAB #1:
C C C
E ----------------|----------------|----
B ----------------|----3-----------|----
G ----0---0---2=0/|4-------0=2=0---|----
D 0=2---2---------|----------------|0=2-
A ----------------|----------------|----
E ----------------|----------------|----
^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ .
TAB #2:
C Em D G C Em D G
E ----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
B ----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
G ----0-----------|----2-----------|----0-----------|----2---0-------|
D --2-------------|--4-------0=2=0-|--2-------------|--4-------------|
A 3---------2/5-5-|----------------|3---------2/5-5-|----------------|
E ------0---------|------3---------|------0---------|----------------|
^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ . ^ .
How to play Dimestore Life
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 C. 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.