Misery
by Bob Wills
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Instructor Kate Power © 2015
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BEHIND THE SONG: (Kate) I learned this song from a Merle Haggard album with the Texas Playboys. Merle made "The Best Damn Fiddler in the World" album in tribute to Bob Wills. "Misery" is just one of the many lesser known chestnuts on that album. In fact, I've never heard it anywhere else since. The simplicity of the song form in "Misery" is a study in how effective a simple - one verse, one chorus - song can be without the bells and whistles of more complex chords, added verses or developed structure. Instead, this song speaks to the heart of country music with evocative simplicity that I find beautiful. The release of the chorus after the tension of the verse is very satisfying to play. We like to call this our "third drink song" because it expresses the feelings inherent in the loss of a lover.
PLAYING THE SONG: The uke tab above is the verse section of Kate's pinch-picking on ukulele. This line is used throughout in the intro, verses, and outro to the song. The chorus is different, and a perfect release to the tension of the verses. Tab for the chorus will be added later...
