Rivermaya - Rodeo Chords

E
Rhinestone kid on a freeway star
F#
An '87 pickup and a red guitar
B
Playin' like an angel with a broken wing
A
A song of true love for his girl Darlene

E
They haven't seen each other for a year or so
F#
Man, he misses her like we all miss that TV show
B 
Where he first performed that love song 'bout a year ago
A
Well, if ya haven't heard it yet then this is how it goes...

E/F#              F#/A# 
RO-DE-O-uh-oh-oh-oh
B
Like the buffalos do it by the wishing well
                 A
'Cause they haven't got no money for a cheap motel
E/F#              F#/A#
RO-DE-O-uh-oh-oh-oh
B
What sweeter thing could happen to a boy an' a girl?
          A
We gotta do it like mechanical rabbits from hell, yeah

Repeat chords throughout  entire song...

It was the sweetest song playin' on the radio
It was a number one hit but Darlene didn't know
Whom her fav'rite song was fo'

But everytime she hears it, her heart, like a gong
Would tremble for the man for whom she longs
...For whom she longs...
And 'en she starts to sing along...

RO-DE-O-uh-oh-oh-oh
We gotta do it for a reason, gotta do it for fun
We gotta sparkle like tequila in the hot...hot sun, yeah!

RO-DE-O-uh-oh-oh-oh
We gotta do it like Sinatra used to do "My Way"
An' in the background there's that Beck dude singin' Odelay



How to play "Rodeo" by Rivermaya on guitar

This song utilizes a sequence of E, F#, B, and A chords, following a common 
progression that's great for beginners to practice chord transitions and 
rhythm.

- Chords used: E, F#, B, A
- Capo: No capo required
- Tuning: Standard tuning (E A D G B E)

Playing Style: This song has a straightforward strumming pattern which can 
be a great practice for maintaining rhythm while switching chords smoothly.

Chorus:
Strumming Pattern: This song uses a simple down-up strumming pattern. Emphasize
the downstrums to drive the rhythm, especially on the first beat of each 
measure to keep the energy of the song consistent.

Transitions: 
- Practice the shift between E and F# as it starts the chord progression.
This transition is foundational, as it sets up the rest of the sequence.
- B to A transition involves a full step change which might need some practice
to execute smoothly.

Verse:
- Maintain the same strumming pattern and chord progression. The storytelling
in the lyrics should flow seamlessly with the steady rhythm of the guitar.

Bridge and Solo:
- There's no specific solo or bridge section mentioned, but you can use the
same chords to improvise or create a break in between verses.

General Tips:
- Tuning: Ensure your guitar is in tune to avoid dissonance, especially when
playing simple chords.
- Tone: Aim for a clean tone on your amplifier or through your effects unit 
to match the clarity needed for this song.
- Practice: Start by playing slowly, ensuring you can switch chords without
pausing. Gradually increase your speed to match the song's original tempo.

Common Mistakes:
- Not giving enough emphasis on the rhythm can make the song feel flat.
Ensure you keep your strumming hand moving consistently.
- Rushing through chord transitions without letting each chord ring out can 
muddle the sound, especially with the E and F# chords.

Song's Lyrics Meaning:
"Rodeo" tells a nostalgic tale of a musician reminiscing about his love,
Darlene, and their shared memories, often tied back to music and simpler times.
It explores themes of longing and the joy of youthful, carefree adventures.