You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones | acoustic
|
An acoustic guitar lesson on how to play "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones from their album "Let It Bleed" released in 1969.
When the Beatles released "Hey Jude" back in 1968, many people thought that the Stones were answering that with this tune. They're both repetitive and over seven minutes in length, unheard of for a single back then! Here's a quote from Mick: "I liked the way the Beatles did that with 'Hey Jude'. The orchestra was not just to cover everything up—it was something extra. We may do something like that on the next album." They wound up bringing in the London Bach Choir which had sixty voices. But even then they double tracked them so the choir sounds massive. Jimmy Miller, the producer played drums on this track as Charlie couldn't find the groove. Al Kooper, from Blood, Sweat and Tears played piano, organ as well as the french horn part in the intro. Most people think that Keith played this on the record in open E tuning, I'm not saying they're wrong but I couldn't find any definitive info to confirm it. All I know is that every time I've seen the Stones play this Keith's in open G, even going back to the earliest videos like this one from the David Frost show in 1969 and this one from the Rock and Roll Circus. Notice that Keith is just barring on the fifth fret instead of using a capo in the Rock and Roll Circus version, also you can see John Lennon in the audience at the very end of the video.
My lesson will show you how to play it in open G with the capo at the 5th as well as open E with the capo at the 8th. They're essentially the same just that the fingering on the open E version is down one string. Keith never plays the same thing twice and I'm sure that every take they did in the studio that day would have been different. Never the less we've been listening to that version for the last 49 years so that's how we want to play it right? I've tried to get the intro, 1st verse and chorus down exactly how he played it on the original recording. Well at least as best as I can. Hopefully you'll be able to get something from my lesson. The song is essentially two chords but the acoustic guitar part has a ton of subtleties and nuance. There's a few different patterns that you need to learn along with some variations. I had a lot of fun working this one out. Keith is always a tough guy to get down because his playing is so unique. I hope you enjoy the lesson and have fun playing this classic from the Stones. Cheers Andy |
If you find this video useful, please consider making a donation. Thank you.
