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Sister Golden Hair. America. Easy Guitar Songs

Sister Golden Hair

How to play Sister Golden Hair by America. Easy Guitar Songs.

See below for the rest of the teaching videos

On first listen, this sounds like one of those easy guitar songs to master, but listen carefully and you will hear a few chords that do not quite sound “standard.”

Andy found this out when working out the track and it became quite obvious that a “normal” major or minor wasn’t quite there when playing along with one of the many YouTube versions available, and had to resort to watching and listening to a live version of America playing the song to completely nail the correct chords.

Andy will teach you all these weird and wonderful chords and “attempt” to work out what they are called, so you can impress your friends. So this is a great song that will start to stretch you, help you become acquainted with different chord voicings, and add another classic to your already growing repertoire.

Sister Golden Hair was written by America singer/songwriter/guitarist Gerry Beckley. Lyrics were largely inspired by the works of Jackson Browne (who also collaborated closely with the Eagles).

He said that “Jackson Browne had a knack, an ability to put words to music that is much more like the L.A. approach to just genuine observation, as opposed to simplifying it down to its bare essentials…

I find Jackson can depress me a little bit, but only through his honesty; and it was that style of his which led to a song of mine, ‘Sister Golden Hair’, which is probably the more L.A. of my lyrics…It was one of the first times I used ‘ain’t’ in a song, but I wasn’t making an effort to.

I was just putting myself in that frame of mind and I got those kind of lyrics out of it.”

Although the song is a message from a man to his lover, explaining that he still loves her despite being not ready for marriage, the title was initially inspired by the mothers of all three members of the group, all of whom had (at least some) blonde hair.

And it is a good idea to listen to the lyrics by following the song structure we have produced. One of the lines says …”I’ve been one poor correspondent” NOT “I’ve been one war correspondent” as posted on one website. Watch our teaching video to see how much it tickled Andy!!!!

So now onto the song itself:

It has a relatively simple structure (thank goodness) with an intro (that repeats later on in the song), 3 verses, a couple of choruses and an outro, which is largely based on the chords used in the chorus. So, as a relative beginner, this is good news, because you should not have to listen to the song hundreds of times to understand the structure, feel and component parts that make up the track.

This means you will be able to concentrate on some of those “not so common chord voicings” you will be learning to play.

These “non standard” chords make use of common chord shapes but played higher up the neck and incorporating open strings to create a more unique sound.

When you listen closely enough you can hear where they appear – if not, we’ll tell you – they are the last three played chords of the chorus, where the lyric “Though I tried to fake it, I don’t mind saying, I just can’t make it” occur.

If you want to learn a great “camp fire” song we reckon (judging by the amount of request we have received) this really does fit the bill. Although, as we said earlier, it will certainly stretch some of you as well as introduce you to some new chords.

All the chords and song structure are laid out below….hope you enjoy!!

Sister Golden Hair Guitar Teaching Videos

The Song Intro

The Song Verses

Sister Golden Hair Chorus

Sister Golden Hair Guitar Chords

Sister Golden Hair Chords. Easy Guitar Songs

Is this song too challenging for you?

If you find this song a little too advanced for where you are right now, then try one of our other easy guitar songs, like Horse With No Name also by America, or Lyin Eyes by The Eagles

Sister Golden Hair Song Structure

Intro

C#m   A   E   E       G#m   G#m           C#m   B   A

 

Verse 1

A             E                                       G#m

Well I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed,

A                         E                 G#m

that I set my sights on Monday, and I got myself undressed,

A             F#m

I ain’t ready for the altar,

C#m G#m         A

But I do agree there’s times,

F#m11             A                 E Esus4 E

when a woman sure can be a friend of mine

 

Verse 2

E

Well I keep on thinkin’ bout you,

G#m

Sister golden hair surprise

A                       E

And I just can’t live without you,

G#m

Can’t you see it in my eyes?

F#m                   A

I been one poor correspondent

C#m       G#m   A

And I been too, too hard to find

F#m11

But it doesn’t mean

A                         E     Esus4 E! E!

You ain’t been on my mind.

 

Chorus

B

Will you meet me in the middle?

A                    E

Will you meet me in the end?

B

Will you love me just a little?

A                            E

Just enough to show you care,

E             F#m11

Though I tried to fake it, I

Emaj7/Eb               Asus2

don’t mind saying, I just can’t make it

 

Play Intro: C#m   A   E   E       G#m   G#m           C#m   B   A

 

Verse 3 (Repeat of Verse 2)

E

Well I keep on thinkin’ bout you,

G#m

Sister golden hair surprise

A                       E

And I just can’t live without you,

G#m

Can’t you see it in my eyes?

F#m                   A

I been one poor correspondent

C#m       G#m   A

And I been too, too hard to find

F#m11

But it doesn’t mean

A                         E     Esus4 E! E!

You ain’t been on my mind.

 

Chorus

B

Will you meet me in the middle?

A                    E

Will you meet me in the end?

B

Will you love me just a little?

A                            E

Just enough to show you care,

E             F#m11

Though I tried to fake it, I

Emaj7/Eb                Asus2

don’t mind saying, I just can’t make it

 

Outro:

B                                                        A                           E

Doo wop doo wop: doo wop doo wop: doo wop doo wop: doo wop doo wop – Repeat to fade.

 

 

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