Leo Kottke - Louise Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
[Opening]
[G]They said Louise was not half [A]bad
It was [C]written on the [D]walls and window [G]shade.
And how she would act the little [A]girl
A de[C]ceiver, don’t be[D]lieve her, it’s her [G]trade
[verse 2]
And [C]sometimes, a [D7]bottle of [G]perfume
[C]Flowers, then [D7]maybe some [G]lace
[C]Men brought [D7]Louise ten cent [Em]trinkets
Their in[A]tentions, so easy to [D]trace
[verse 3]
And [G]everybody knew at times she’d [A]cry
But they said, [C]women like Lou[D]ise, they get [G]by
[verse 4]
And [G]everybody thought it kinda [A]sad
When they [C]found Lou[D]ise in her [G]room
Folks would always put her down below their [A]kind
Still some [C]cried, when she [D]died this after[G]noon.
[verse 5]
[C]Louise rode [D7]home on a [G]mail train
[C]Somewhere to the [D7]south, I heard them [G]say
Too [C]bad it [D7]ended so [Em]ugly
Too [A]bad she had to go, that [D]way.
[verse 6]
And the [G]wind is blowing cold outside [A]tonight
Good [C]night, Lou[D]ise, good [G]night.
[Closing]
Good [C]night, Lou[D]ise, good [G]night
How to play Louise on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Leo Kottke - Louise on guitar requires 6 chords and 10 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
Louise uses these transitions most often: D → G (9), C → D (7), and G → C (7). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - A chord transition.
1. G → A chord transition
To move from G to A;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 2.
2. A → C chord transition
To move from A to C;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.
3. C → D chord transition
To move from C to D;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
4. D → G chord transition
To move from D to G;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 3.
5. G → C chord transition
To move from G to C;
- Lift your index finger from A string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
6. C → D7 chord transition
To move from C to D7;
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Lift your middle finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from A string fret 3 to E string fret 2.
7. D7 → G chord transition
To move from D7 to G;
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 2 to fret 3.
8. D7 → Em chord transition
To move from D7 to Em;
- While playing D7, lift your index finger from B string fret 1.
- Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
9. Em → A chord transition
To move from Em to A;
- Lift your middle finger from A string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 2 to B string fret 2.
- Place index finger on D string fret 2.
10. A → D chord transition
To move from A to D;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 2 to fret 3.
Louise chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in Louise.
- Louise includes 51 chord transitions, 10 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- Louise contains 4 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how Louise connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After G, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
- G → C: 25%
- G → A: 6%
After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).- C → D: 11%
- C → D7: 1%