Sweet Virginia – The Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street
Released May 12, 1972
Most of the Exile on Main Street album was recorded in the south of France in the villa Nellcote, in Villefranche-sur-Mer, where Keith was living to be away from the English taxman.
This was a bad period for Keith and drugs. It’s amazing that the album turned out as well as it did. There are some great songs on the album (double album really) including Tumbing Dice, Happy, Rocks Off, Rip This Joint and Sweet Virginia.
Some facts about Exile On Main Street
– #1 on the UK album charts from June 10 – June 17, 1972
– #1 on the Billboard 200 album charts from June 17 – July 14, 1972
– returned to #1 on the UK album charts from May 23 – May 30, 2010 when it was re-released.
The musicians during the Sweet Virginia sessions were
Mick Jagger – Vocals and Harmonica
Keith Richards – Rhythm Guitar
Mick Taylor – Lead Guitar
Bill Wyman – Bass Guitar
Charlie Watts – Drums
Bobby Keys – Tenor Saxophone
Ian Stewart – Piano
Sweet Virginia Lyrics, Guitar Chords, Harmonica Tabs
Sweet Virginia music and lyrics are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes and personal use only.
The following is my transcription of my version of this awesome song.
Intro
G D G C G
Harmonica Solo
C A G
4 -4 4 -4 5 5 -4 4 -4
C A G
4 -4 5 5 -4 4 -4
C A G C
4 -4 5 6 5 6 7 -6 5
G D G C G
8 8 8 7 -8 -8 8 7 7 7
Sweet Virginia Lyrics and Guitar Chords
C A G
Wadin’ through the waste stormy winter,
C A G
And there’s not a friend to help you through.
C A G C
Tryin’ to stop the waves behind your eyeballs,
G D G C G
Drop your reds, drop your greens and blues.
Thank you for your wine, California,
Thank you for your sweet and bitter fruits.
Yes I’ve got the desert in my toenail
And I hid the speed inside my shoe.
But come on, come on down Sweet Virginia,
Come on, honey child, I beg of you.
Come on, come on down, you got it in ya.
Got to scrape the shit right off you shoes.
Sax Solo – Bobby Keys
I want you to come on, come on down Sweet Virginia,
I want you come on, honey child, I beg of you. .
I want you come on, honey child you got it in you.
Got to scrape that shit right off you shoes.
But come on, come on down Sweet Virginia,
Come on, come on down, I beg of you.
Come on, come on down, you got it in you.
Got to scrape that shit right off you shoes
Musical Instruments and Recording Setup
In the Sweet Virginia video, I am playing my Takamine EG Series Acoustic – Electric Guitar very similar to the picture to the left.
I’ve had this guitar for the past 10 years. I had heard alot of good things about Takamine guitars and had tried a couple which I really liked so when I needed an affordable stage setup, I bought the guitar, hard-shell case, fender deluxe 90 amp, and an assortment of accessories for under a thousand bucks.
I like the rounded profile that is narrow at the waist and broad behind the bridge. This creates a soundboard with balanced frequency response – deep bass, clear treble, and a sweet, round midrange that projects well.
It includes 3-band graphic EQ and built-in tuner which is really handy.
From Takamine, “Built to Takamine designs in some of the most modern guitar shops in the world, G-series instruments are priced for every budget. The G-series guitar is every bit Takamine, from its acoustic performance to the latest in pickup and preamp design. These guitars are crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods, hand-crafted by expert luthiers, all providing players with unmatched excellence and surprising affordability”
I know I’ve enjoyed every minute of mine
Hohner Special 20 Key G
The Hohner Special 20 has been my harmonica of choice for a long time. They are just easy to play, easy to bend and sound great. They are excellent harmonicas for someone just starting out but are also played by pros in all types of venues worldwide.
From Hohner, “The Special 20 is the go-to harp for harmonica players of any style, including blues, country, folk, or rock. The Special 20 delivers the coveted Marine Band sound and offers the benefits of its plastic comb: it doesn’t absorb moisture so it won’t swell, shrink, or crack; it lasts longer and is more airtight than wood combs that can become swollen, twisted, and warped; airtight construction provides increased responsiveness; plastic provides comfort and it’s smoother on the lips, preventing chafing”.
Video Editing
I used CyberLink PowerDirector for editing the video. It works great for synching audio and video as well as adding text and transitions between scenes. And it’s fast, so you get quality videos without alot of time spent.
From PCMag.com, 12/27/2010, “CyberLink’s PowerDirector has all the speed and all the advanced features an enthusiast video editor could want. As the first consumer video editing software to support 64-bit Windows, PowerDirector is taking a lead in the field. PCMag.com, December 7, 2010”.
Thanks for watching the video. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
If you have a specific request for a song, send it along and I’ll see what I can do.
Here’s to your musical success,
George
It’s good that people like you take the time to share great music like this. I have an old D-35 with 10/46 Strat strings I have played this on since forever, I enjoyed your tutorial and I agree we need more people playing music and less fighting as you said.
Thanks,
JP
Fabulous.
Thanks Craig-stonesmad
You pass for the audition.
thanks sooo much
Brilliant! Greetings from the UK! Thanks
Thank you, awesome job, trying to figure out the brain challenge on playing both instruments at the same time….. ah…. I can only do one or the other, but I am not worthy, but I guess practice makes perfect !
Perfect, I was just going to make up a lesson for this and figured someone else may have already did it. I thought you did a great tutorial for both guitar and harmonica, and explaining about the key change. Nicer bass runs in G to be sure.
GREAT, THANK YOU!!! Love having the harp help!!!
Hi George . .
I’m contacting you from Scotland after really enjoying your ‘Sweet Virginia’ lesson.
Do you have a copy of the backing track only without words? I am looking for a song for a new NASL soccer team in Virginia and would change the lyrics to something more suitable with no subtle references to drugs. http://www.facebook.com/NaslVirginia/posts/455422131188869?comment_id=4133129
Thanks
Bob
Merry Christmas!
Hi George . . .
I’m contacting you from Scotland. Enjoying your ‘Sweet Virginia’ instructions on YouTube
Do you have a ‘Sweet Virginia’ background track complete without lyrics?
I’d like to change the Stones lyrics and write something suitable for the new NASL Virginia Soccer Team. http://www.facebook.com/NaslVirginia/posts/455422131188869?comment_id=4133129
Sweet Virginia would become the team’s main anthem . . . alongside Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’ and ‘Heroes’ etc. as their walk-on songs.
Happy Christmas
Bob
Great video Thanks
You know it’s time for a trim when…
brilliant George,loving this one. i had to laugh as i keep plucking the hairs out of my top lip too.makes your eyes water for sure. thanks.
I dig your lessons alot. I have a song from tom petty ( You don’t know how it feels to be me) that I Would like to learn thank you
greger
Hi Greger. I need to do some Petty. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks Don
Standard tuning E, A, D, G, B, E
Cheers
Fantastic as usual George…thank you.
Peace bro, thanks 🙂
Hi George, I stumbled along your you tube posting of Sweet Virginia and stayed up most of the night learning it. I’m a tad dyslectic with my fingers so it took me a while, but I’ve got most of the tune down. After I get all the guitar bits down I’m going to tackle the harmonica parts.
Love most of the Stones older stuff Exile, Sticky Fingers, Beggars Banquet, Let it Bleed. I’d love it if you did a tutorial on any of the Stones country tunes from those albums.
It’s real interesting sharing what you use and how you went about putting the tutorial together.
Thx a million, great tutorial.
Shufflejog
Hi Shufflejog,
Thanks for the comment.
I’m like you, I love those Stones albums and have been wanting to do more from those.
I’ll see what I can come up with. Any song in particular?
Cheers, George
Great video man! This is one of my favourites stones songs, so thanks! just one question, my english it’s no so good so i can’t understand if you are tuning in standard or in open G or E like other stones songs. Thanks again.
hi george. Id like you to cover squeezebox by the who
I will. and you’re welcome.
Cheers, George
Rock on!
and thank you 🙂
You are welcome Craig
Great tutorial man thank you!
I hear ya Helge. I was just listening to Out Of Our Heads the other day. Brian Jones was awesome on those early Stones albums.
I like that you have mentioned all the members of the band! )) It would have been also great if you had said: “…The Rolling Stones founded by Brian Jones” =))
Hi George! good lesson! Is there something wrong with my computer or do you stop the lesson right in the middle of the song?
Hi Bob. Thanks for the comment.
In this particular lesson I did not jam through the entire song. Instead I go through a verse with harmonica to give the basic structure since all the verses/chorus are the same.
Do you prefer having the jam along session at the end of the lesson?
Cheers, George
You’re welcome. Good luck and have fun
It’s a beautiful song, I’m trying to learn it…thank you=)
Great lesson! thank you man!
Right on. You’re welcome
great vid – really easy to follow ! What is the second hammer-on you do towards the end of the intro?
thats the best one on youtube. can you do country honk. thanks keep up the good work
Hey Thanks. I appreciate it.
Awesome job man! Great song I gotta get harmonica thing. Keep up the good work!
All right 🙂 Nice job on this song. Best on youtube btw 🙂
I just pulled out my Exile on Main Street album and the liner notes are crediting Ian Stewart with the piano on that one.
No doubt Nicky Hopkins is all over the album though
Actually Nicky Hopkins played the pianoes
You seem like a very nice man. Hope you have a nice life.
Prob. my favorite and the best video for how to really play SW. Thanks much!
I mention that very fact at about 4:40. Thanks for the comment
Dude i think your in the wrong key… The Key is A, or D mixolydian, you would need to put a capo on the second fret…
@keithjpark Thanks Man. I appreciate that
thanks man. clean and simple
[..YouTube..] thanks man. clean and simple
[..YouTube..] thanks man. clean and simple
[..YouTube..] @GeorgeGoodmanDotCom you’re a good teacher thanks.
[..YouTube..] @SUNNYRHOADES9 Man, that’s some great playing. Doing a lesson on Little Walter would take a whole series of videos and I would really have to get my chops together. It would sure make for a good exercise though.
Amazing lesson for an amazing song, thanks alot man . Could you do sweet black angel sometime? that’s another one of my favorite acoustic songs from exile on main st.
[..YouTube..] Amazing lesson for an amazing song, thanks alot man . Could you do sweet black angel sometime? that’s another one of my favorite acoustic songs from exile on main st.
Great Lesson thank you-I would love to learn Rollin And Tumbblin By Little Walter – The Harmonica Part Please ,This was a great lesson your a very good Teacher thank you from Canada.Could you show me how to play Rollin and Tumbblin The Harmonica Part -Cool Slide Guitar In This Song To.Thank You.
[..YouTube..] Great Lesson thank you-I would love to learn Rollin And Tumbblin By Little Walter – The Harmonica Part Please ,This was a great lesson your a very good Teacher thank you from Canada.Could you show me how to play Rollin and Tumbblin The Harmonica Part -Cool Slide Guitar In This Song To.Thank You.
[..YouTube..] Great Lesson thank you-I would love to learn Rollin And Tumbblin By Little Walter – The Harmonica Part Please ,This was a great lesson your a very good Teacher thank you from Canada.Could you show me how to play Rollin and Tumbblin The Harmonica Part -Cool Slide Guitar In This Song To.Thank You.
this is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
[..YouTube..] this is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
@TheSandwichyum I think the trick would be to start with just the chords. Make sure you can play them and switch quickly to the next chord. Once that’s down, work on your strumming to try to get a natural feel. The lesson is intended to give you the basics of the song to allow you to learn it and put together your own version.
[..YouTube..] @TheSandwichyum I think the trick would be to start with just the chords. Make sure you can play them and switch quickly to the next chord. Once that’s down, work on your strumming to try to get a natural feel.
The lesson is intended to give you the basics of the song to allow you to learn it and put together your own version.
[..YouTube..] @TheSandwichyum I think the trick would be to start with just the chords. Make sure you can play them and switch quickly to the next chord. Once that’s down, work on your strumming to try to get a natural feel.
The lesson is intended to give you the basics of the song to allow you to learn it and put together your own version.
can u make a lesson for us talentless guitar players? pretty please. i can’t keep up with u. 🙁
[..YouTube..] can u make a lesson for us talentless guitar players? pretty please. i can’t keep up with u. 🙁
[..YouTube..] can u make a lesson for us talentless guitar players? pretty please. i can’t keep up with u. 🙁
[..YouTube..] @jana9999 Thank you so much. I’m glad you liked it. Have a great one. Peace, George
[..YouTube..] @jana9999 Thank you so much. I’m glad you liked it. Have a great one. Peace, George
So glad I discovered you. Excellent instruction and talent. Thank you so much.
[..YouTube..] So glad I discovered you. Excellent instruction and talent. Thank you so much.
[..YouTube..] So glad I discovered you. Excellent instruction and talent. Thank you so much.
[..YouTube..] @345tennis I’ll have to add this to my list. I’ve got a few requests before this but I’ll try to get to it soon
[..YouTube..] @345tennis I’ll have to add this to my list. I’ve got a few requests before this but I’ll try to get to it soon
[..YouTube..] HEY! GEORGE. i really could you your help. Could you please show me how to play the solo harmonica part of Mountain of Love by Johnny Rivers. Everyone i ask so far either doesn’t know how, or doesn’t want to take the time. Thank You
[..YouTube..] HEY! GEORGE. i really could you your help. Could you please show me how to play the solo harmonica part of Mountain of Love by Johnny Rivers. Everyone i ask so far either doesn’t know how, or doesn’t want to take the time. Thank You
Thanks for posting this. Made everything a lot clearer for me. Easy to follow and delivered at an understandable pace 🙂
[..YouTube..] Thanks for posting this. Made everything a lot clearer for me. Easy to follow and delivered at an understandable pace 🙂
[..YouTube..] Thanks for posting this. Made everything a lot clearer for me. Easy to follow and delivered at an understandable pace 🙂
[..YouTube..] bravo
man, i wish this sucky internet would let me watch this.. this is a wonderful song… i just wanna say you look badass… could you please give me some guitar tips? i’d greatly appreciate it.. welp adios.. thanks for trying to teach us =]
[..YouTube..] man, i wish this sucky internet would let me watch this.. this is a wonderful song… i just wanna say you look badass… could you please give me some guitar tips? i’d greatly appreciate it.. welp adios.. thanks for trying to teach us =]
just found your site George, thanks for the great lesson
[..YouTube..] just found your site George, thanks for the great lesson
[..YouTube..] just found your site George, thanks for the great lesson
Just found your site George,What a great lesson thanks
[..YouTube..] Just found your site George,What a great lesson thanks
@wynorton You’re welcome. Thank you
[..YouTube..] @wynorton You’re welcome. Thank you
[..YouTube..] @wynorton You’re welcome. Thank you
[..YouTube..] Great video thanks!
[..YouTube..] @Nednik4324 You bet. Glad it helped
@Nednik4324 You bet. Glad that helped
[..YouTube..] @Nednik4324 You bet. Glad that helped
[..YouTube..] thanks for the awesome tutorial! you made that so much easier for me, keep posting tutorials plz 🙂
[..YouTube..] @Gibson1013 I’m glad it helped
[..YouTube..] @Gibson1013 I’m glad it helped
[..YouTube..] @poupeeloverugby You’re very welcome
[..YouTube..] @poupeeloverugby You’re very welcome
[..YouTube..] Super merci beaucoup 🙂
[..YouTube..] Super merci beaucoup :)
Thanks a lot, George. Very good work.
[..YouTube..] Thanks a lot, George. Very good work.
[..YouTube..] Thanks a lot, George. Very good work.
[..YouTube..] @dadyeve glad you liked it
[..YouTube..] @dadyeve glad you liked it
cool man…!
[..YouTube..] cool man…!
[..YouTube..] cool man…!
[..YouTube..] brill lessons keep up the good work 5 star
[..YouTube..] brill lessons keep up the good work 5 star
[..YouTube..] @karlmopmod13 Right on, that’s what I want to hear. Keep it up. Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] @karlmopmod13 Right on, that’s what I want to hear. Keep it up. Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] thanks great vid only got my harmonica yesterday and can already play some of this rockin song
[..YouTube..] thanks great vid only got my harmonica yesterday and can already play some of this rockin song
[..YouTube..] This guy is blazed!
Quality stuff man, one of my favourite songs made easy!
[..YouTube..] Quality stuff man, one of my favourite songs made easy!
@legatotechniques Much appreciated
[..YouTube..] @legatotechniques Much appreciated
[..YouTube..] George,
You don’t get near enough views…You should put “Beginner Guitar Songs” at the beginning of your titles. You rock!
[..YouTube..] @belikewater001 Keith and Mick have written some awesome songs. Sweet Virginia’s great for harp and guitar. Thanks for suggesting it.
excellent
[..YouTube..] excellent
[..YouTube..] This is an incredible lesson, George! Concise and easy to follow, and captures all the key components for a solo artist to really rock this song. Thanks very, very much.
Lowell
Jensen Beach, FL