The following transcription matches the key that Frank sang on the original studio Capitol recording
from the 1950's. Not sure about other recordings, live, etc.
I've included the following chord shapes that allow for simplified chord playing. The chord shapes
listed are in order as they are used in the song, and as you're playing, if a new chord shape is not
listed, revert to the previous shape. In some instances I've added new shapes of previously listed
chords that will be easier to play at the neck position you're at (A7#5, AM7). UG doesn't allow me to
easily distinguish various chord shapes for the same chord. Chord shapes below are in the order that
they are used.
[Gdim7] xx5656
[Bm7] x2423x
[E7] xx2434
[AM7] x0212x
[C#m7] x4645x
[F#7#5] xx2332
[A7] x02020
[A7#5] x02021
[DM7] x5767x
[Dm7] x5756x
[F#7] x9897x
[Bm7] x9777x
[Cdim] x3454x
[E7] x7675x
[A6] xx7675
D6 x5443x (or just play Bm - xx443x)
[D7] x5453x
AM7 5x665x (use thumb on 6 string)
A7#5 5x566x (use thumb on 6 string)
[Edim7] x7868x
A9 x4545x (just a held finishing chord to end with)
Verse 1
[Gdim7] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
The tables are empty, the dance floor's deserted
[C#m7] [F#7#5] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
You play the same love song - it's the 10th time you've heard it
[A7] [A7#5] [DM7] [Dm7] [C#m7]
That's the beginning, just one of the clues
[F#7] [Bm7] [Cdim] [E7] [A6]
You've had your first lesson in learnin' the blues
Verse 2
[Gdim7] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
The cigarettes you light, one after another
[C#m7] [F#7#5] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
Won't help you forget her, and the way that you love her
[A7] [A7#5] [DM7] [Dm7] [C#m7]
You're only burnin' a torch you can't lose
[F#7] [Bm7] [Cdim] [E7] [A6]
But you're on the right track for learnin' the blues
Chorus
[Gdim7] [D6] [D7]
When you're at home alone
[D6] [D7] [AM7]
The blues will taunt you constantly
[A7#5] [D6] [D7]
When you're out in a crowd
[D6] [D7] [E7] [Edim7] [E7]
The blues will haunt your memory
Verse 3
[Gdim7] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
The nights when you don't sleep, the whole night you're crying
[C#m7] [F#7#5] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
But you can't forget her, soon you even stop trying
[A7] [A7#5] [DM7] [Dm7] [C#m7]
You'll walk that floor and wear out your shoes
[F#7] [Bm7] [Cdim] [E7] [A6]
When you feel your heart break, you're learnin' the blues
Chorus
[Gdim7] [D6] [D7]
When you're at home alone
[D6] [D7] [AM7]
The blues will taunt you constantly
[A7#5] [D6] [D7]
When you're out in a crowd
[D6] [D7] [E7] [Edim7] [E7]
Those blues will haunt your memory
Verse 3
[Gdim7] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
The nights when you don't sleep, the whole night you're crying
[C#m7] [F#7#5] [Bm7] [E7] [AM7]
But you can't forget her, soon you even stop trying
[A7] [A7#5] [DM7] [Dm7] [C#m7]
You'll walk that floor and wear out your shoes
[F#7] [Bm7] [Cdim] [E7] [A6] [A9]
When you feel your heart break, you're learnin' the blues
