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Songs By The Doobie Brothers
On Acoustic

Welcome to my songs by The Doobie Brothers page. You'll you'll find a collection of sample videos, chords sheets, rhythm patterns, some song history and more.

Links to full lessons tutorials are below for a small fee if you need them.

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Songs By The Doobie Brothers
Chords, Lyrics, Rhythm Tips, Tutorials

1. Black Water

Black Water was only one of two songs that went to #1 in the US for this band (What A Fool Believes was the other). This happened in 1974 with the release of this single.

You'll find it on the album "What Were Once Vices And Now Habits".

Drop D Tuning: Yes
Capo: No
Rhythm: use a down up down up up down up with the use or arpeggio in this one
Picking :Yes
Chords: Am7, D, G, A#, A, Em

Chords & Lyrics

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2. China Grove

China Grove was recorded for the album "The Captain And Me" back in 1973. It reached #15 on Billboard but was about a fictitious place according to Tom Johnson.

But in reality, they had passed through China Grove on the was to a performance in San Antoine and the place name subconsciously stuck in his head.

Drop D Tuning = Yes
Capo = 2nd fret
Rhythm = in order to get that effect found in this song I'm playing down strokes and then switching to up and down strokes ... the full lesson will show other rhythm sections needed in this song
Picking = Yes
Chords = D, C, B, G, Bm, A, G#, A#, Em, Esus E, Gb

Chords & Lyrics

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3. I Keep Forgetting

I Keep Forgetting was actually a Michael McDonald released as a single in 1982 and from his debut solo album after The Doobie Brothers called If That's What It Takes.

The Doobies did play this on stage with McDonald before he left the group for good. The song peaked at #4 on the charts.

Drop D Tuning = No
Capo = No
Rhythm = down down down up down up
Picking = No
Chords = Em, D, Cmaj, Am7, Bm, D7sus, G#, G, Adim, Gbm

Chords & Lyrics

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4. Jesus Is Just Alright

Jesus Is Just Alright was written as a gospel song by The Art Reynolds Singers as was first released in 1966. The Byrds also released a version in 1969.

In 1972 The Doobie Brothers cracked the top 40 in 1972 with a bit of rock style added to the song from their "Toulouse Street" album.

Drop D Tuning = No
Capo = No
Rhythm = this one has a quick shuffle strum and some bass/lead in it
Picking = Yes
Chords = Am, E7, C, D7 ... (E7 can be played as B7 formation on 7th with b string on 8th) Slide means to slide everything up 1 fret except the b string – stay on 8 th)

Chords & Lyrics

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5. Listen To The Music

Listen To The Music was written by Tom Johnson in thinking about world leaders sitting on a hill, smoking some weed and forgetting about all the crap in the world and just listen to the music.

the song hails from the 1972 album Toulouse Street and was the bands first big hit reaching #11 in the US and #3 in Canada.

Drop D Tuning = Yes but optional
Capo = 3rd is original key
Rhythm = pretty much a steady shuffle ... a few stops and a few bass runs for effect
Picking = No
Chords = D, G, Bm, A, E, C

Chords & Lyrics

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6. Long Train Running

Long Train Running was released this song as a single back in 1973 from the album "The Captain And Me" and the song reached #8 on the US Rock Chart.

The Doobies were playing this for years as a warm up jam song with no meaning until Tom Johnson was encouraged to write lyrics and build it into an actual song. Good advice taken Tom.

Drop D Tuning = No
Capo = No - not in the original key
Rhythm = this one uses a quick shuffle and hammer on's as described in the video lesson
Picking = Yes
Chords = Am, Dm, F, Esus, E

Chords & Lyrics

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7. Rockin' Down The Highway

Rockin Down The Highway was a song written by Tom Johnson and recorded for the Toulouse Street 1972 album.

Two singles were released from the album, but this song was not one of them but is a fan fav at concerts.

Drop D Tuning = No
Capo = No
Rhythm = this one is pretty much a stead up and down except for a few picking sequences
Picking = Yes a little
Chords = A, G, D, F, E, Gbm, Dgm, Bm

Chords & Lyrics

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8. South City Midnight Lady

South City Midnight Lady is a track off of The Captain And Me album from 1973.

This song was never released as a single.

Drop D Tuning = No
Capo = No
Rhythm = a steady down up down up will work for this one
Picking = No
Chords = G, D, C, G6, A#, Am7, Eb, F

Chords & Lyrics

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Thank you for visiting my songs by The Doobie Brothers page and with sample videos, free chord sheets and some tips on playing various songs by The Doobies. I hope this info was helpful. Next time you're at a party and someone yells to play Doobie Brothers songs, you'll be prepared.