Guitar Man was written by David Gates of Bread as a tribute to the traveling musicians and their experiences on the road. It captures the passion and challenges of being a touring artist.
Key: G
Introduction:
G
C
D
D4
D
D2
D
x2
G
C
D
D4
D
D2
D
Who draws the crowd and plays so loud baby it’s the guitar man
G
C
D
D4
D
D2
D
Who's going to steal the show you know baby its the guitar man
Em
C
He can make you love, he can make you cry
Em
A
He will bring you down and he'll get you high
C7M
Bm7
Something keeps him going miles and miles a day
Am7
D
D4
D
D2
D
to find another place to play
G
C
D
D4
D
D2
D
Night after night who treats you right baby it’s the guitar man
G
C
D
D4
D
D2
D
Who's on the radio you go to listen to the guitar man
Em
C
When he comes to town and you see his face
Em
A
And you think you might like to take his place
C7M
Bm7
Something keeps him drifting miles and miles away
Am7
D
searching for the songs to play
Am
Am7M
Am7
D
D4
D
Then you listen to the music and you like to sing along
G
G/F#
Em
E7
You want to get the meaning out of each and every song
Am
Am7M
And you find yourself a message and some
Am7
D
D4
D
E
E4
E
C7M
words to call your own and take them home
Em
C
He can make you love, he can get you high
Em
A
He will bring you down and he may make you cry
C7M
Bm7
Am7
Something keeps him moving, but no one seems to know what it
D
is that makes him go
Am
Am7M
Am7
D
D4
D
Then the lights begin to flicker and the sound is getting dim
G
G/F#
Em
E7
The voice begins to falter and the crowds are getting thin
Am
Am7M
Am7
But he never seems to notice he's just got to find
D
D4
D
E
C7M
E
C7M
E
another place to play….........Fade away…..… got to play…