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100's Of Free Demos & Chord Sheets

Rodney Crowell Songs
On The Acoustic

Rodney Crowell Songs On The Guitar

Here on this Rodney Crowell songs page you'll find a collection of demo covers, free chord sheets and rhythm tips and full lesson tutorials available for purchase if required.

I'm using Rodney Crowell album covers below so you can identify which albums the songs I've covered below originated.

Jump links to quickly access the sections.


Rodney Crowell Songs
Lyrics, Demos, Chords, Tutorials

1. After All This Time

After All This Time is a country song that took Rodney Crowell four years to write was recorded in 1989 and by 1990 was a #1 hit. Andy Williams also recorded the song in 1991.

This song hails from the album "Diamonds & Dirt" and peaked at #1 on the country charts. The song also won a Grammy in 1990 for Best Song Of The Year and the music video picked up a nomination from the CMA's for best video of the year.

  • Drop D Tuning = Yes
  • Capo = 2nd fret
  • Rhythm = down down up down down down up and repeat will work for this one
  • Picking = just the riff
  • Chords = D, A, G, Bm, Em, Gbm
Chords & Lyrics

 

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2. Ain't Livin Long Like This

aintlivinlonglikethis

Ain't Livin Long Like This was written by Rodney Crowell and not Waylon Jennings that was first recorded by Crowell himself in 1978 for his album "Ain't Living Long Like This". The song was later covered by Waylon Jennings in 1979, and his version became a hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

The song tells the story of a criminal on the run, trying to evade the law and live life on the edge. The lyrics describe the character's outlaw lifestyle, including drug use, theft, and violence, and the chorus warns that "you don't stay alive by coincidence".

Musically, "Ain't Livin' Long Like This" is an up-tempo country-rock song with a gritty, bluesy edge. The track features electric guitar riffs and a driving rhythm section, as well as Crowell's distinctive vocals. The song has since become a country music classic, and it has been covered by numerous other artists over the years.

In addition to Waylon Jennings' cover, the song has been recorded by Emmylou Harris, The Highwaymen, and Brooks & Dunn, among others. The song has also been featured in various films, television shows, and video games, further cementing its place in popular culture.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = a steady down up down up and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = E, D7, A, E7
Chords & Lyrics

 

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3. Famous Last Words Of A Fool In Love

Famous Last Words Of A Fool In Love should not be confused with the song recorded by George Strait with a similar title entitled "Famous Last Words Of A Fool". This song is a track from country singer Rodney Crowell and his album entitled "Tarpaper Sky".

The song was written by Crowell,  however it was not released as a single from the album. As a matter of fact, there were no songs released as singles from this album. 

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = 7th fret
  • Rhythm = root down root up down up .. and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = Gmaj7, G#maj, G6, Am7/G, G, Am7, Gadd11
Chords & Lyrics

 

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4. I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried

I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried hails from the 1988 album Diamonds And Dirt album. When it was released it spawned this 2nd single and a #1 hit on the country charts for Rodney. The song was written by Crowell and was his very first #1 hit song.

It stayed on the country charts for 13 weeks. There was also a great music video created to promote this song.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = root up down up down up down up with some walking bass
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = C, F, G, Gaug/D, Am
Chords & Lyrics

 

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5. I'm Tied To Ya

I'm Tied To Ya is one of those Rodney Crowell Close Ties songs from his 2017 album "Close Ties".

It doesn't appear that there was a single release from this album nor any type of music video.

There are videos on youtube of the song, but no official video.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No but I'm using a capo 2nd fret
  • Rhythm = some arpeggio in the beginning then down down up down up down up and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = Dm, C, Gm, A#, A7, A7sus, G, A
Chords & Lyrics

 

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6. Leavin' Louisiana In The Broad Daylight

Leavin' Louisiana In The Broad Daylight was co-written by Rodney Crowell with Donivan Cowart back in the 1970's and because Rodney was playing in Emmylou Harris's band, she decided to record the song in 1978.

A year later The Oak Ridge Boys released their version which went to #1. The song was also featured by The Band in a 1981 episode of The Dukes Of Hazzard.

Oddly enough, Crowell himself never released the song as a single but he did play the song live and released a version on his album "Acoustic Classics" from 2018 along with an official video.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = root down root up down up and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = G, C, Em, D 
Chords & Lyrics

 

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7. Many A Long And Lonesome Highway

Many A Long And Lonesome Highway was released in 1989 from Crowell's "Keys To The Highway" album and when this single hit the airwaves it peaked at #3. It was co-written with Will Jennings.

The song did reach #1 in Canada on the country charts.

  • Drop D Tuning = Yes
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = root down root up down up and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = D, A, G, Bm, Em, Gbm
Chords & Lyrics

 

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8. Standing On A Rock

Standing On A Rock is found on two different albums and those are "The Essential Rodney Crowell from 2004 and "Rodney Crowell Greatest Hits" from 1993.

The song was written by Rodney Crowell and has been recorded by other artists as well. The song was for the soundtrack in the movie "The Thing Called Love" and that version was performed by River Phoenix.

  • Drop D Tuning = No 
  • Capo = 3rd fret
  • Rhythm = down up down up down up etc with a bit of walking bass
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = G, C, D, Em, D7, D, C7, A7
Chords & Lyrics

 

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9. Stars On The Water

Stars On The Water was from Crowell's 1981 album entitled "Rodney Crowell" and was one of two singles released. This song peaked at #30 on the US Country Charts while the other called Victim Or A Fool reached #34.

Not bad for a two chord song.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = down up down up etc in a rock n roll vibe
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = A, Gbm
Chords & Lyrics

 

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10. What Kind Of Love

What Kind Of Love is from Crowell's 1992 album "Life Is Messy". 

The song reached #11 in the US and #2 on the Country charts in Canada.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = 3rd fret = original key
  • Rhythm = root down up root up down up for the verse  and a shuffle root down up down up root up down up for the ch
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = G, Em, C, Am, D
Chords & Lyrics

 

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Rodney Crowell Official Website


Thanks for checking out my Rodney Crowell songs page. Hopefully you got some useful guidance from what I've presented here. And if you did and you'd like to share this page on your social media, please feel free to do so as it may be helpful to others who are learning Rodney Crowell songs on the acoustic. 


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