I love when I can find examples of someone taking 99% the same stuff and making a whole new song out of it…
Because I often talk about taking blues “puzzle pieces” and putting them together into whatever “picture” you want to create.
And that’s why something like my Blues Gig In A Box course is so useful… you’re learning how to play one of 5 songs in the course but you could easily turn it into many more.
So check this out… here’s a tune you probably already know and love:
And then here’s another version of basically the same song with a different lyric and a couple of different fills… but it’s remarkable how similar they are.
How cool is that? If you can play lesson 10 from Blues Guitar Unleashed… you get 2 songs for the price of 1 🙂
71 replies to "Making 2 Songs From 1"
Tennessee whiskey by Cris Stapleton and I’d rather go blind by Etta James or Fleetwood Mac are the same song different lyrics
A great discovery for me. Thank you
What occurred to me. is that a lot of Software (Object Oriented programming) and Hardware (VHDL) design is done the same way, or construction and architecture (pre-Engineered and built trusses): borrowing from your prior works (or someone else’s ) is the way a lot of things work…or perhaps even saving usable pieces in a library or catalog, as is done with VHDL and OO design in the digital electronics world. So are we creating a song when we write one or merely assembling it? Well, we’re creatively building it from our left brain using our right brain which recognizes the pieces and wants to logically fit them together, I guess. The idea of basic usable structure seems inherent in music — it’s probably one big reason why any of us can ever learn it at all! Good point and great blog, Griff. Thank you.
Hey Griff
Just an update to my message re: Strange Brew and Lawdy Mama being similar. I just reviewed and found it is “Lawdy Mama version 2” contained on some Disraeli Gears re- releases on CD. There’s another uptempo version that was released in the Cream days that isn’t what I was talking about. The original album does not contain Lawdy Mama version 2. I have a ton of Clapton. Hard to keep track. But you can find Lawdy Mama version 2 online easily. Even same intro as Strange Brew. Great example of sweetening a vocal to make a blues into a pop hit.
Hi Griff
If you need an incredible example of the same basic song, same arrangement, same licks, same rhythm track, same pause near the end with a restart drum lick compare Cream’s Disraeli Gears album’s Strange Brew and Lawdy Mama. Major difference is Clapton singing higher with different melody and words on Strange Brew. Almost sounds like they used the rhythm, bass and drum tracks from one for the other. Even licks are shared. Amazing they put both on the same album!
Thanks for all you do,
Will
Excellent lesson here Griff! This so important to know. And giving us all more encouragement. I also enjoyed reading many of the replies here. Thank you!
10/2/19
Hi Griff. This is spooky …. 30 minutes ago I was eating breakfast (it was 7:30am Tuesday here in Australia) and the song “Close to You” from The Sky Is Crying album just popped into my head. Then i sit down at the computer and you’ve sent us a couple of other Stevie gems. Maybe he was just saying Hi.
As a beginner just moving to intermediate guitar student- this helped make more sense of it all. Thank you so much.
Yeah I noticed the similarities between the two tunes, so similar was kind of surprised they were released on the same disc. Chuck Berry does the same thing with School Days and Riding Along in my Automobile.
Thanks Griff for putting Ime Crying on my radar. I kinda know SRV’s hits
but I must admit I don’t own the Texas flood album . I forgot how cool it is to
to find deep cuts in albums.
I hope some guy’s can help me out… It seems like it was written back in 1979.
I wonder which came first… P&J or lme lonely?
Of course, if you learn just one 12 bar blues song, you’ve learned thousands of blues songs as well as another thousand 50’s and 60’s rock songs. Only the melody is different, and not by much. If you learn the chords in several keys, you can play a 4 hour set easily with just the 12 bar format and 3 chords, from 70 bpm to 160 bpm. I know this because a made a career of doing just that for 10 years.
I did not know this recording existed . the two are very simuliar but not, very cool . Thank you cause Srv is a old time favorite . I felt soo blue to hear he died i even weep a tear for the guy . He is highly missed his future ended so tragically . I wish he had added more of his blues to hear .
Great way to reinforce the material in the lessons. Just started the BGU2 Pride and Joy lesson. And yes, it really sounds awkward at trying to memorize speed.
My background included a couple of years of Mel Bay guitar books – 1 to 4. Seems that I have always had a hard time learning songs by ear.
Since starting the Playing on the Porch, Solo Without Scales, and the BGU2 courses, my listening skills and playing have increased dramatically.
At first, I was worried if these courses would be a waste of money. Now, it seems like the investment is paying off.
For some reason could not play second video to compare the two songs…oh well.
I had the same problem. what i did was just google
srv ime crying and found it.
Oops I am sorry… I forgot to mention.. when I said
I googled srv ime crying… the video that came up
had a picture of SRV playing his red strat… that was
probably the original version back in 1979.
But after I got into youtube.. I searched again srv ime crying
and the texas flood studio version came up.
Tks Griff , I was able to play both videos . I’ve never heard the last one before and I’m a big SRV fan. As a matter of fact I grew up a couple of miles from Stevie in Dallas unfortunately never got to meet him personally but I do recall a kid a few years older than me comming to school and playing his guitar . I like to think that might have been him back in 1967.
Thanks for all you do.
Referring to 1st video, seems like Minor pentatonic is being played over the dominant 7th Chords progression. If that’s so, pls let me know as I’m learning. Thanks.
I cant open 2nd video says no longer available first one is awesome!!
All the best for 2018 to guitarists everywhere
both played with no problem,i play SRV for inspiration all the time, thanks for all the help
Great lesson as usual Griff……inspires me to get back to your BGU course (have had for 2 yrs now) and restart my training/learning. Merry Christmas!!
Unfortunately the second clip is no longer available
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR to you & yours Griff!
Thanks for the encouragement & keeping all of us striving to move forward by showing not only is there a light at the end of the tunnel but it shines even brighter than we thought it does.
No go on the second video
2md video played fine for me,,might be your area won’t allow it ?
Yeah…but it sounds so damn good.
That’s the beauty of the blues. You can show up to a blues jam and fit right in without too much trouble.
Hay Griff/ I am still playing 50 plus years I guess. U and your family have a great Christmas keep up the good work.
Hey Griff,
Just wondering if 12 Bar Blues also applies to Minor Chords Progression or is it just limited to Major Chords?
Hey Ravi,
Yes, 12 bar blues applies to both minor cord progressions as well as major cord progressions. Consider “All Your Love I Miss Loving” as played by SRV. It’s Gm, Am, Bm for much of the song.
MoreFreedom,
Many Thanks. Much appreciated.
I was having an eye exam and was reading a guitar book when the doctor came in.
She saw the mag and told me that her father played blues guitar for years and all the music seamed the same to her.
And with these videos you have proven her to be correct 🙂
The doc’s father probably played the same song. LOL
Really, don’t you hear substantial differences between say Pride and Joy, T-bone Shuffle, Jump Jive and Wail, and Tin Pan Alley?
Maybe the “Eye Dr.” needs to se an Audiologist. Lol
I can’t open the second video
For some reason Griff I can’t open the 2nd vid? Heyho!
Happy Christmas!!
I’ve always wondered why I have a tendency to go from one lyric and into another.it sounds right but are different songs. There must be hundreds of songs like this. When I play a lick or chord progression that I think is pretty cool, I wonder has anybody else ever played or heard that. Of course they have there are only so many notes and keys. It’s the feel you put into your playing that is infinite. Thanks for pointing this out Griff. It’s small but useful info.Love your daily blogs. MERRY Christmas B-)!
I’m also feeling fortunate having Blues Guitar Unleashed, V.2 & Acoustic Blues Guitar.Soloing with out Scales is a good easy to learn & digest.If I have nothing except U Tube, I tend to run my own race . With these books I have a Structure to work with. Thank you Griff.
It’s so true Griff. Especially if you stay with the same artist. No matter how hard I try, every time I do Bright Lights, Big City (Jimmy Reed), I end up transitioning over to Peeping & Hiding. (Smile)
Hope y’all have a Merry Christmas and keep on chooglin’.
Lucky me I have both BGU courses, BGU V 2 and the BGUIAB V2, also I have the videos you sent out a while back of Great Guitar Players to watch and SRV was one of them, still in my library. Do you have a library of Blues Songs with their Tab sheets? I know a lot are in the Courses but it would be good if you could provide a list of your top 10 that are in the 12 Bar Blues Format. That will help us all when we start to Jam.
Great Video as always.
Michael- Sydney- Australia
this is awesome griff
cool stuff
I second your suggestions.
I second your suggestion.
This is the kind of blues I really like and enjoy. It grabs you and makes you want to move or dance. Good lesson also.
I hope you and your’s have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
What a treat! Griff wisdom and SRV jams with my coffee!
Hi Griff I really like your teachings. I would really like to learn how to play ‘Lenny’ by Steve Ray. Would you be teaching that in the future?
Hi Griff!
I’ve known this for quite some time now, there are only so notes and so many templates so it was inevitable this would occur. But thanx for pointing it out so that we all can be on the same page together.
LOL! I played with a bass player who finally got this phenomenon and started pointing out the similarities with many other pieces of music, mainly the 1-iv-v items. LOL! But it is good that at least he recognizes this so that we don’t have to learn 1-iv-v over and over again. LOL!
I truly appreciate your efforts Griff, I’ve learned so much from you!
Best regards,
steve
What a shame! The 2nd video has a notice across it “this video is not available.”
This may be due to the different location, U.K.
Seasons greetings, Jim.
Hey Griff… I played both videos together and it was CRAZY!
thanks or saying you played both at same time started I’m cryin first and it’s cool ! thanks Griff great info!!
Cheers Miro a great link
The second video is not loading for me either
Try second video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKv-p1slJ28
Thanks … that works!
WOW! Perfect timing! I’ve been working on Pride & Joy. After hearing the two SRV’s tunes together, it showed me I’m playing P & J at the Cryin tempo (too slow!).
This “puzzle” theory also works with good ol’ 50’s rock n’ roll – a close cousin to the blues! Listen to the intro to Johnny B. Goode and the Beach Boy’s Fun, Fun, Fun. And I always thought La Bamba and Twist and Shout were very close. There’s probably hundreds of examples. Bottom line, 90% of these two genres of music use the I IV V chord progression. That’s why when people ask me if I play guitar my answer is always: yeah, but I really only know 3 chords!
Jim:
I agree with you, especially with T&S and La Bamba. If you listen to the Rolling Stones, check out “I Got The Blues” from Sticky Fingers and compare to their arrangement of Robert Johnson’s “Love in Vain” from Let It Bleed or Get Yere Ya Yas Out live album. Keith uses many of the same licks and riffs, in fact he uses many riffs and licks over and over again.
Try these oldies, same basic chords all. Heart and Soul, Dream Dream Dream, Oh Donna, Shaboom Shaboom. You’ll find many more 50’s and 60’s tunes using the identical chord pattern.
Very good Griff. This “Common Denominator” stuff is an excellent way to bring up our awareness. Thank you!
Error message on video 2 for me also.
Using different inversions and positions of the same three chords adds even more color and flexibility. Uses more fretboard and adds more interest.
Second video showed an error message saying video not available.
I kept fiddling with the videos until I had both of them in sync. It will smoke your brain how well they play over each other.
WE ALL OFTEN LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THERE ARE ONLY 12 NOTES IN MUSIC! BUT, DESPITE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SOME TUNES, SPOTIFY WITH IT’S 13 MILLION PLUS REPETOIRE TESTIFY’S TO THE FLEXIBILITY AND VERSATILITY OF STUFF WE TRY TO MANIPULATE. IT’S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND SHOWS NO SIGN OF DIMINISHING.
Not 12 notes in music 12 Keys in music.
Griff I have never heard this song Im cryin . Yes they are simuliar . D C and G trick ever heard of that there are at least more than a dozen songs done in that progression . Little slight various changes and you got another song . I prefer doing a E A B thang . Or a A D E thang . See where that can go lots of miliage there . Sister hazel all for you is alot like something very simular to run around but one thang missing a capo on the first fret. I have seen variables of these tunes maybe too many . Thanks for the SRV tune dont own a copy .
Cool stuff (as usual). I noticed this comenality years ago. Leave it to Griff Hamlin to turn it into a music lesson. In its earliest form, the Blues was a feeling with few “puzzle pieces”. Now look at the art work over time. Like colors on a painters pallet, the Blues is created by talented (and not so talented, like me) musicians who have brought the genre to what it is now. You really have to admire it. Thanks Griff. Cool indeed.
no video in the second box…..?
Hi Andrew,
Great to start to know a few BGU members in Australia. Are you in Sydney. If you are a member of the BGU Forum my Username is Blues Dude Oz.
I have already two other Guys in Sydney about the same level of just below Intermediate and we are arranging a Jam together to practice.
Let me know if you would like to make contact through the BGU Forum which is better to start with.
Michael -Sydney- Australia
Second video not loading for me.
They are darn near they same things change up a few things and wham two songs both well done from a true master of the
Cheers Griff
Had problems with how to mute on lesson 10 it’s getting better not sounding so messy now
Just more practice