Last Train To Clarksville

The song was written by the songwriting duo of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Boyce has said that the song's opening guitar part (played by Louis Shelton) was an attempt to emulate the type of memorable and clearly identifiable riff that the Beatles had used in songs such as "I Feel Fine," "Day Tripper" and "Paperback Writer". The latter Beatles' song had reached number one on the U.S. charts three months earlier, around the time that "Last Train to Clarksville" was written and recorded. The lyrics, too, were inspired by "Paperback Writer": Hart misheard the end of that song on the radio and thought Paul McCartney was singing "take the last train"; Hart then decided to use the line himself, after he found out that McCartney was actually singing "paperback writer. (wikiwand) ·

Last Train To Clarksville is in the The Daily Ukulele — 365 Songs for Better Living book.

Strum a different song every day with easy arrangements of 365 of your favorite songs in one big songbook! The Daily Ukulele features ukulele arrangements with melody, lyrics and uke chord grids and are in ukulele-friendly keys that are particularly suited for groups of one to one hundred to play and sing.

The Daily Ukulele — 365 Songs for Better Living • INDEX of Songs

Chords

Theses and many other chords where covered in the Learn A Chord A Day series of lessons.

C Tuning Chords

Starting Melody Note and 1st Interval

INTERVALS: Root=note that begins a scale of the starting key; C is C, D is D, Am is a, Em is E, etc... m=minor; M=Major; P=Perfect; D=Diminished; A=Augmented. • ↑ is up/ascending; ↓ is down/descending;

Harmonic Analysis (HA)

A Harmonic Analysis (RMA/HA) and its worksheet are intended to show the function of the chords, the harmonic principles used, the keys and tonalities the song explores. And, can be used for scale selections and chord and scale substitutions.

A Harmonic Analysis Worksheet is NOT intended to be a leadsheet and minimal roadmap information such repeats, fines, D.S., D.C., codas have been used in preparing the worksheets to somewhat mirror the leadsheet in the Daily Ukulele book..

Sections, Verse, Chorus, 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks …

The worksheets will show 1st, 2nd Ending, turnbacks, etc. as in indicated the Yellow Book. You should start to recognize that 1st endings typically always return to a previous or verse or section. With a 2nd ending, a transition to a different section, a or chorus. Harmonic Principles are used for these repeats and transitions.

If turnbacks chord are not indication for the these 1st, 2nd Ending will indicate recommended chord(s) in parentheses or as an alternate harmony in Red . Typically the last measures or turnbacks will be a chord that resolves to and harmonically leads you to the next section or turning you back to the same section.

Harmonic Analysis (HA) Worksheet

Visit the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection series of lessons for information on creating a Harmonic Analysis Worksheet

C7

C7

C7

C7

I7

I7

I7

I7

F:

C Mixolydian

Although the key signature is in the Key of F, the first chord is C7 as a I chord, implying C Mixolydian , one of the modes of F Major. However the progression does not use the characteristic chords or scale note of the Mixolydian mode. I've noted it as if it's a simple I IV V in the Key of C Major , but using all sevenths chords using they corresponding Mixolydian/Dominant scale based on each chord root.

C7

C7

C7

C7

I7

I7

I7

I7

F7

F7

F7

F7

IV7

IV7

IV7

IV7

F7

F7

C7

C7

IV7

IV7

I7

I7

F Mixolydian

C Mixolydian

C7

C7

C7

C7

I7

I7

I7

I7

C7

C7

F7

F7

I7

I7

IV7

IV7

F Mixolydian

F7

F7

F7

F7

IV7

IV7

IV7

IV7

Fine

G7

G7

C7

C7

V7

V7

I7

I7

G Mixolydian

C Mixolydian

D.S. al Fine

C

C7

I7

I7

Nashville Number System (NNS)

Nashville Numbering System always uses four bars/measures per line, no bar lines, and default is each number of the number of beats per bar/measure based on the time signature. If multiple chords in same bar then they are underlined. It can be as simple as convert the Roman Numerals above to Arabic number.

Scale Selection

Once a Harmonic Analysis has been completed then scale selections can be made. These scale selections can be either vertical and horizontal choices. And, really only needed if you are going to take a solo or embellish the melody with added notes.

Scale Abbreviation Legend

Traditional Scales: Maj: Major (Ionian), Dim: Diminished, WT: Whole Tone, Har Min: Harmonic Minor,
Contemporary Scales: Minor Pent: Minor Pentatonic, Pent: Major Pentatonic, Blues,
Scale/Mode Names: Ion: Ionian (Major), Dor: Dorian (Minor), Phrygian: Phrygian, Lyd: Lydian, Mix: Mixolydian (Dominant), Aeol: Aeolian (Natural Minor), Loc: Locrian

Checkout LESSONSeries : Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection or download the Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection book. And the QuickStart Series of Scale and Arpeggio books.

Performance Notes

Lots of cool guitar stuff going on in the original recording that can be adapted to the ukulele. Turning this into a nice performance for your ukulele group.

The form of Last Train To Clarksville on the original record for is:

• Intro
• Verse 1
• Verse 2 with a 2 bar interlude on the I7 chord.
• Verse 3
• Bridge
• Verse 4
• Solo
• Verse 5 with a 2 bar interlude on the I7 chord.
• Outro (faded out on recording) on the I7 chord.

Intro

A cool simple intro that is also used over the C7 . I've spiced it up a bit to make it fuller.

C Tuning, Low or High G

C Tuning, Low or High G

Download the PDF for for the Intro and Solos.

Solos

The solo is simple two chord Mixolydian vamp of triads, C & Bb with a couple of slight variations adapted for ukulele Low or High G Tuning.

C Tuning, Low or High G

C Tuning, Low or High G

The background accompaniment chords for the solo are the same as the Interlude and the actual solo chords: C Fadd2 .

NOTE: The Yellow Book leadsheet does not include the Solo (Mixolydian) section.

The second part under the solo is a repeating two note eight pattern under the chords of the solo.

Interlude

The Interlude between the first and second verse is the first two chords of the solos, Mixolydian vamp repeated over and over: C5 to Bbadd2 .

NOTE: The Yellow Book leadsheet does not include the Interlude.

Links & Resources

• (wikiwand) Last Train To Clarksville
• SongFacts: Last Train to Clarksville •
• Last Train to Clarksville •
• "Last Train To Clarksville" guitar solo by Louie Shelton • In this video, Louie Shelton you was the guitarist on the original recording of Last Train To Clarksville goes over and shows you exactly what hie did. The original was in the Key of G. I've aapted the intro, interlude, and solos to the key that this lessons and the songs key that is in the Daily Ukulele book.