04.06.2015 02:04 PM

The three chords that are the basis for all human achievement

Recorded on this day in 1963, a veritable gift from God Herself. Listen, know, and heed The Word: G, C, D.

15 Comments

  1. Iris Mclean says:

    I remember when that terrible song came out. Filthy lyrics, crude sexual beat, and obviously inspired by the devil! Pretty cool guitar break though. 🙂

  2. Michael says:

    All you need is a red guitar, three cords and the truth.

  3. Torontonian says:

    It’s actually a Dm in the Kingsmen version (though a major in the Richard Berry original).

    Plus, contrary to Iris’s post, the lyrics are not filthy at all. They recount the moving plight of a lovesick sailor trying to get home to Jamaica to see his love.

  4. Student501 says:

    Noooooooo…..you gotta have the A chord to have the best group bar song

    The Troggs – “Wild Thing” (A, D, E)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bKbtZLxMO0

  5. boopsie says:

    Guaranteed that, if I am at a wedding, I will request that one, and also Hollies, “Long Cool Woman” (in a red dress) and DJ always comes through.
    Gets them all up, whatever the age.
    Wish me Happy Seventieth tomorrow…

  6. Steve T says:

    I believe Blitzkreig Bop also has 3 chords (A, D, and E). Great minds think alike!

  7. smelter rat says:

    The FBI “investigated” the song for 31 months before determining that they couldn’t find anything wrong with the lyrics. Gov’t $$ at work.

  8. Craig McKie says:

    It was a wondrous time. The reins were off. All manner of things were possible. The Sky Pixie marginals were off the horizon for a brief while. Loved it then, love it now. Many happen returns should there be.

  9. terence quinn says:

    I was a catholic seminarian until the spring of 63 and that music was part of the decision not to go back in the fall. No regrets and still love the music. Ray Charles was the best although not really R&R.

  10. George says:

    How could you forget Dm, the “saddest chord”.

    (as immortalized in Spinal Tap):

    [Nigel is playing a soft piece on the piano]

    Marty DiBergi: It’s very pretty.

    Nigel Tufnel: Yeah, I’ve been fooling around with it for a few months.

    Marty DiBergi: It’s a bit of a departure from what you normally play.

    Nigel Tufnel: It’s part of a trilogy, a musical trilogy I’m working on in D minor which is the saddest of all keys, I find. People weep instantly when they hear it, and I don’t know why.

    Marty DiBergi: It’s very nice.

    Nigel Tufnel: You know, just simple lines intertwining, you know, very much like – I’m really influenced by Mozart and Bach, and it’s sort of in between those, really. It’s like a Mach piece, really. It’s sort of…

    Marty DiBergi: What do you call this?

    Nigel Tufnel: Well, this piece is called “Lick My Love Pump”.

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