Last Train To Clarksville chords

by The Monkees

Song Key: G Major

Time Signature: 2/2

Tempo: 98 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner 🟢

Guitar Chords: G, G11, C7, D, Fadd9

Guitar Riff: TAB for the first 8 bars of Intro.

Chord Chart Legend
G Major G11 - V7 G7 C7 D Major Fadd9
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
G Major-LH G11-LH G7-LH C7-LH D Major-LH Fadd9-LH

Last Train To Clarksville

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key

              G     
Intro: 2/2 |     |  %  |  %  |  %  |  %  |  %  |  %  |  %  |
                                                        (Take the)   
             G                                           
1.  Take the last train to Clarks-ville

    And I'll meet you at the sta-tion
    
    You can be be here by four thir-ty
    
   'Cause I've made your re-ser-va-tion
             C7
    Don't be slow
    
    Oh, no, no, no
    
    Oh, no, no, no
    
             G
2.'Cause I'm leav-in' in the morn-ing  

   And I must see you a-gain
   
   We'll have one more night to-ge-ther
   
  'Til the morn-ing brings my train
              C7
   And I must go
   
   Oh, no, no, no
   
   Oh, no, no, no
       D                                    G
   And I don't know  If I'm e-ver com-ing | home |  %  |  %  |  %  |
                                                               (Take the)     
                 G
3. Take the last train to Clarks-ville

   I'll be wait-ing at the sta-tion
   
   We'll have time for cof-fee fla-vored kis-ses
                                C7
   And a bit of con-ver-sa-tion Oh
   
   Oh, no, no, no
   
   Oh, no, no, no
   
           G
Interlude: Do do do do do do do do  
           Fadd9
           Do do do do do do do do
           G                          Fadd9 
           Do do do do do do do do... Do 
           
           G
           Do do do do do do do do  
           Fadd9
           Do do do do do do do do           
           G                          Fadd9
           Do do do do do do do do... Do            
   
            G   
4. Take the last train to Clarks-ville

   Now I must hang up the phone
   
   I can't hear you in this
   
   Noi-sy rail-road sta-tion, all a-lone
                C7
   I'm feel-in' low
   
   Oh, no, no, no
   
   Oh, no, no, no
         D                               G
   And I don't know if I'm e-ver com-ing home
   
      G      G11    G    G11    G    G11    G    G11
   |  home |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |
                          Oh...
                        
      G      G11    G    G11    G    G11    G    G11 
   |       |     |     |     |     |     |     |  𝄑  |
      Oh...           
         
            G
5. Take the last train to Clarks-ville

   And I'll meet you at the sta-tion
   
   You can be be here by four thir-ty
   
   'Cause I made your re-ser-va-tion
            C7
   Don't be slow
   
   Oh, no, no, no
   
   Oh, no, no, no
         D                                 G
   And I don't know If I'm e-ver com-ing | home |  %  |  %  |  %  |
                                                               (Take the)     
   
                G
Outro: Take the last train to Clarks-ville
                G
       Take the last train to Clarks-ville
                G
       Take the last train to Clarks-ville
                G   
       Take the last train to Clarks-ville...(repeat to fade)

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: G Major - 1 sharp (F#)
  • Time Signature: 2/2 — Two half-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately in two
  • Metronome: h = 98 h represents a half-note)
  • Voice Range: E4 - F5

Guitar Tab - 8 Bar Intro

Bars 1-4:
N.C. (G)

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-----0-----------|-----------------|
D|-----------------|-3-----2-----0---| x2
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3---------------|-----------------|

Bars 5-8:

   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
e|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----0-----0-----|
G|-----0-----------|---0-----0-------|
D|-----------------|-3-----2-----0---| x2
A|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3---------------|-----------------|


Easy Chord Transitions

  • The easiest transition from G to G11, is to pay the G chord using fingers 2,3, and 4, and then simply place the first finger over the first 2 strings on fret-1 when playing G11.
  • There are many ways to play G11, but this voicing is perhaps the easiest in this situation.
  • The Riff is played over the G chord, during the Intro, Verses, and Outro - sounds great!
  •            G
    Interlude: Do do do do do do do do  
               Fadd9
               Do do do do do do do do... etc

    The G chord during the interlude can be played as: xx543x. The G and F chords are almost identical in shape with the addition of the pinkie on the first string-3rd fret when transitioning from G to F. It makes this section very easy to play. Here it is in Tab form:

    🎸  G    Fadd9  Fingers
    e|----------3---|  4th (only on Fadd9)
    B|---3------1---|  1st
    G|---4------2---|  2nd
    D|---5------3---|  3rd
    A|--------------|  
    E|--------------|
    

    G: Starts on the 3rd fret

    Fadd9: Keep the same shape and slide down to the 1st fret and add the pinkie

    G: Slide back up to the 3rd fret and drop the pinkie, but since you are not playing the 1st string, you can leave it there. In essence you are playing ethe same shape but starting on different frets. 🥳
  • All chords in this song are very easy to play including the Riff - a great song for beginners. 💪🎶

Song Details:

Last Train to Clarksville Single Cover
Single Cover
  • Songwriters: Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
  • Lyrics Begin: Take the last train to Clarksville and I'll meet you at the station.
  • Genre: Country rock, Folk rock, Jangle pop, Pop rock
  • Featured Artists: The Monkees
  • Single:
    Recorded: July 25, 1966
    Released: August 16, 1966
    B-side: Take a Giant Step
  • Album: The Monkees
    Recorded: July 5–25, 1966
    Released: October 10, 1966

The Monkees

Originated: Los Angeles, California, US

Members: Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork Davy, Jones

Years active: 1966–1970, 1986–1989, 1996–1997, 2001–2002, 2010–2021

Music Styles: Pop rock, rock, bubblegum, psychedelia

The Monkees were a popular American band formed in Los Angeles in 1966, initially for a television show of the same name. Comprised of members Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones, The Monkees quickly became a cultural phenomenon with their unique blend of music, comedy, and television antics.

While initially conceived as a manufactured group for the TV series, The Monkees soon proved themselves as talented musicians and songwriters. Their music ranged from upbeat pop-rock to more experimental and psychedelic sounds, influenced by the trends of the 1960s.

Their debut single, "Last Train to Clarksville," topped the charts in 1966, followed by a string of hits including "I'm a Believer," "Daydream Believer," and "Pleasant Valley Sunday." The band released a series of successful albums, showcasing their versatility and musical range.

Despite their initial success, The Monkees faced internal tensions and struggles with their manufactured image. They eventually disbanded in the early 1970s but continued to reunite for tours and recordings over the years.

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