Welcome to another edition of Connect The Chords! In this episode, we’ll break down Otis Redding’s only number one hit Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay, written with Stax session guitarist Steve Cropper in 1967. First, listen to the song making mental notes of where in the lyrics you hear the chord changes. You’ll notice from the chord progression the verse starts at the I, moves to the III then the IV and then walks right back down to the II. The chorus is a simple I-VI-I-II-I-VI and the bridge is a basic I-V-IV-I for three times and finishes with a bVII-V. Once you have the chords under your fingers hum the melody and play through the song slowly listening to the changes. After you’ve done this you’ll be ready to play along with the video at tempo by ear. Good luck and have fun!Key: G: I-G II-A III-B IV-C V-D VI-E VII-F#
Verse 1:
I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun
I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ come
I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ come
I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch ’em roll away again
And then I watch ’em roll away again
Chorus:
I-VI-I-VI
I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I-II-I-VI
Watching the tide roll away
I-II-I-VI
I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time
Wastin’ time
Verse 2:
I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the ‘Frisco bay
Headed for the ‘Frisco bay
I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
‘Cause I’ve had nothing to live for
And looks like nothin’s gonna come my way
‘Cause I’ve had nothing to live for
And looks like nothin’s gonna come my way
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
I-V-IV-I 3X bVII-V
Look like nothing’s gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can’t do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I’ll remain the same
Everything still remains the same
I can’t do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I’ll remain the same
Verse 3:
I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
Sittin’ here resting my bones
And this loneliness won’t leave me alone
And this loneliness won’t leave me alone
I-III-IV-(walkdown: III-bIII-II)
It’s two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home
It’s two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home
Repeat Chorus
Tags: Ear Training, Otis Redding, The Dock of the Bay
Jim, i took your 1 hour class at the Asilomar retreat this year. I’m hoping you’ll be giving a class at either the Strum Shop in Roseville Ca or Nichelson music in Folsom. I’d love to attend another of your workshops.
Thanks for what you do.
…t