BIG BOSS MAN
by Luther Dixon and Al Smith (1960)
Version by Jerry Garcia - Grateful Dead
This 1960 blues performed by Jimmy Reed has been covered by many including
Elvis Presley and B.B King (this latter sang it on the music of Billie
Jean!). The story of this famous tune is readable on Wikipedia here.
The tab and audio here are about the version by Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead.
Throughout the decades they have given various versions on stage that we can
now see on Youtube but my favorite one remains the one they recorded on
their live album Skull 'n Roses at Fillmore East on april 26 1971.
It was 4 years after the band illuminated the Summer of Love in San Francisco
with Jefferson Airplane.
Jerry Garcia has electrified and slowed down Jimmy Reed's guitar and knits a
new sound playing some sort of solo all along replying to the vocals. The
intro is also interesting in that it is a duet between two guitars before the second
starts the shuffling rhythm.
In the stage performance the tune consists of an intro , two sung verses, three
instrumental verses
( one with harmonica, one with a guitar solo
and one with harmonica again) and a last sung verse. The tab shows :
1. the intro
2. the first sung verse
3. the second sung verse
4. the guitar solo verse
5. the last sung verse
The two instrumental verses implying an harmonica have been omitted, since
of no particular interest in a guitar tab (and especially when Jerry Garcia
keeps silent in the background !).
I tabbed the 2 guitars. In each verse the bars are numbered from 1 to 12
just for you to know where you are. In my profile I joined the MP3 in which
I play the 2 guitars and the bass
LEGEND :
h : hammer-on
p : pull-off
/ : slide-up
\ : slide-down
^^ : let ring
X! : don't let ring
(n): optional
>>>: strum quickly
XbY : bend at the X fret until it sounds like Y ( X < Y )
XrY : release at the Y fret from the X sound ( X > Y :
you start from the bended position )
Xb : bend moderalety
n_ : linger on this note (rough way of noting rhythm !)
XtY : trill between X and Y (with ^^^^^)
Vo : vibrato
INTRO
Lead guitarE+----------------------4------------4------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+-----------------2/4_---4!---2/4------4!--+---2_------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+---0_------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+-----------------------------0h2---0------+---0_------------------------------------+A+--------------------------------------2---+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Lead guitarE+---------------------4----------4---------+--0---------2----------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----2-----------------------------------+G+---------------2/4_-----4!---4-----4!-----+---------2--------0h1--------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+---------------0h2--0h2-----0h2-0---------+-----0-------------2_--------------------+A+-----------------------------------2------+--2----2-0-------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+----------4-0----------------------------+
Lead guitar ^^^^^E+---------------4---------0----------------+-----------------------------------------+B+----------------------------2-------------+------2--0--2----------------------------+G+----------2/4-----4-----------------------+------2--0--2---------0t1----------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+----------------------2_-----------------+A+---------0----1--2--5_--------------------+-----0-----------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+--------4--0-----------------------------+
Lead guitarE+------------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+G+-------------------2_---------------------+D+------------------------------------------+A+----------0--1--2-------------------------+E+-------0----------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+D+-------------------1_---------------------+A+----------0--1--2-------------------------+E+-------0----------------------------------+
1st VERSE
Lead guitar 1 ^^ 2E+------------------------------------------+------------0----------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+---2-------------------------------------+G+-----------------------0h1------0h1-------+---2----0h1------------------------------+D+----------------------------2-------2-----+-----2-----------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
Big boss man_ Can't you hear me
Lead guitar 3 ^^ 4E+-----------------------4-----0-------2----+--------0--0-0------0_-------------------+B+-------------------------------2----------+--------3--3-3------3_-------------------+G+------------------2/4----4--------2-------+---0h1--1--1-1---------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
when I call
Lead guitar 5 ^^ 6E+------------------------------------------+-------5---------------------------------+B+------------------7---5------------7------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------7---5h6---5h6----7------+---5h6-----------------------------------+D+--------------------------------7-----7---+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------2--2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-------+---(2)2(2)2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-----------+A+------------0--0--0--0--0--0--0---0-------+------0---0--0--0--0--0--0---0-----------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Big boss man_ Can't you hear me
Lead guitar ^^ 7 ^^^^ ^^ 8E+-----------------------------4------2-----+--------------------0-0-0---2------------+B+------------------------------------------+--------------------3-3-3---0------------+G+-------------------2/4_--------4--2--2----+--0t1---------------1-1-1---2------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
when I call
Lead guitar 9 ^^ 10E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+---------------------------4-----4--------+---2_------------------2/4-2-0-----------+D+---------------------------4-----4--------+---2_---------------------------2p0h2----+A+-----------------------------5h6----------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+-------------9--9-------------------------+---7--7----------------------------------+A+-------------9--9-11-11-12-12-11-11-------+---7--7--9--9-10-10--9--9----------------+E+-------------7--7--7--7--7--7--7----7-----+---5--5--5--5--5--5--5-------5-----------+
You ain't so big You're just tall that's just
Lead guitar 11 12E+---------------4-----0------2-------------+-----------------------------------------+B+-----------------------2------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+----------2/4----4--------2---------------+--0h1------------2_----------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------0--1-2------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-------0---------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+---------------2-----2-------2--------2---+-----------------1_----------------------+A+------------------5----5--4-----4--3----3-+----2_-----0--1--2_----------------------+E+-----------0------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
about all
2nd VERSE
Lead guitar 1 2E+---------------------------------------0^^+-----------------------------------------+B+-----------------2------------2-----------+-------2-----------------/3--3--2--------+G+-----------------2-0h1--0h1---2----0h1----+-------2-0h1-------------/4--4--2--------+D+----0-1-2!------------------2---2---------+-----------------------2-----------------+A+--2---------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
You got me working boss man working around the clock
Lead guitar 3 ^^^^ 4E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+-----------------------2---------2-2------+-----------------------------------------+G+-----------------------2-0h1-----2-2------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------2-----------+------0t2--------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
I want a little whisky You sure won't let me stop
Lead guitar 5 Vo 6E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----5---5--5----------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----4b5----5r4--2-----2--2-2------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------2--2-2------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------2--2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-------+---(2)2(2)2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-----------+A+------------0--0--0--0--0--0--0---0-------+------0---0--0--0--0--0--0---0-----------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Big boss man Can't you hear me
Lead guitar 7 8E+-------------------------4-----0------2---+-----------0--0--0-----------------------+B+---------------------------------2--------+-----------3--3--3-----------------------+G+--------------------2/4----4--------2-----+---0h1-----1--1--1-----------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
when I call
Lead guitar ^^ ^^ 9 10E+----------------7----------7--------------+--------5--------------------------------+B+--------------------9--7------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------/8------9--7h8----------------+---5h6------------2/4\2--0---------------+D+------------------------------------------+----------------------------2p0h2--------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+-------------9--9-------------------------+---7--7----------------------------------+A+-------------9--9-11-11-12-12-11-11-------+---7--7--9--9-10-10--9--9----------------+E+-------------7--7--7--7--7--7--7----7-----+---5--5--5--5--5--5--5-------5-----------+
you ain't so big You're just tall that's just
Lead guitar 11 12E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+----------12----12-12----12---------------+-----------------------------------------+G+----------11b13----13r11-13r11-11-9_------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-------9h11-9----9_----------------------+A+------------------------------------------+--------------11-------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+---------------2-----2-------2--------2---+-----------------1_----------------------+A+------------------5----5--4-----4--3----3-+----2_-----0--1--2_----------------------+E+-----------0------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
about all
3rd VERSE (SOLO)
Lead guitar Vo 1 Vo 2E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+-------------12---------------------------+------12--10-----9---------12----12-9----+G+--------9)---13r11---9--------------------+------13--12r11--9------9--11b13-11-9----+D+--(9-11-----------------------------------+--------------------9h11--------------11-+A+--------------------------/9---7----------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
Lead guitar Vo 3 4E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+--------------------9--12----12-9---------+--12----12-9------9------7--7------------+G+--------------------9--11b13-11-9---------+--11b13-11-9------9------7--7------------+D+-------------9-9h11---------------11------+--------------11-------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
Lead guitar 5 6E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+--------------------11--------------------+--------------12----------12----12-------+G+-----------------9--11--------------------+------------9!13r11-9-----11b13-13r11--9-+D+------------9h11--------------------------+-----7!-/11_---------11-9----------------+A+------------------------0-7h9--7----------+------7----------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-9/10------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------2--2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-------+---(2)2(2)2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-----------+A+------------0--0--0--0--0--0--0---0-------+------0---0--0--0--0--0--0---0-----------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Lead guitar ^^ 7 8E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+-------------12_---12-10--9--/12----------+------------9-9-9------------12----------+G+-------------13_---13-11--9--/13----------+----11--9---9-9-9----11p9----11b13-------+D+------------------------------------------+----11--9-----------------9--------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
Lead guitar Vo 9 10E+------------------------------------------+---------------12!-----------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-12------------------------13b14-12------+G+-------------11_--------------------9-----+-13r11-9-11-9!----11b12-11---------------+D+-------------------11p9----9--9h11--------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------11----------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+-------------9--9-------------------------+---7--7----------------------------------+A+-------------9--9-11-11-12-12-11-11-------+---7--7--9--9-10-10--9--9----------------+E+-------------7--7--7--7--7--7--7----7-----+---5--5--5--5--5--5--5-------5-----------+
Lead guitar 11 12E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+----12--------12---------------12---------+-----------------------------------------+G+----13r11-9_--11b13-11-9-------13r11------+-----------------------------------------+D+-------------------------11-9-------------+--9h11-9------9-9h11-9-------------------+A+------------------------------------------+---------11-9----------11-9-7\-----------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+---------------2-----2-------2--------2---+-----------------1_----------------------+A+------------------5----5--4-----4--3----3-+----2_-----0--1--2_----------------------+E+-----------0------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
4th VERSE
Lead guitar ^^ 1 ^^ 2E+-------------------------0----------------+----------0------------------------------+B+-------------------2-----------2----------+----2----------2-------------------------+G+-------------------2-0h1-------2-0h1------+----2-0h1------2-0h1---------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
I'm gonna find me a boss man one who's gonna treat me right
Lead guitar ^^ 3 ^^^^ 4E+-------------------------0----------------+-----------------------------------------+B+-------------------2-------------2-2------+-----------------------------------------+G+-------------------2-0h1---------2-2------+---0t2-----------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
I work hard in the daytime sure get stoned at night
Lead guitar 5 ^^ 6E+------------------------------------------+-----------4-----------------------------+B+------------------------4r3-2-------------+-----------------------------------------+G+----------------2-2--2--------------------+------2/4--------------------------------+D+----------------2-2--2--------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------2--2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-------+---(2)2(2)2--4--4--5--5--4(4)4-----------+A+------------0--0--0--0--0--0--0---0-------+------0---0--0--0--0--0--0---0-----------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Big boss man Can't you hear me
Lead guitar 7 8E+--------------------5-4--0-------0--------+----0--0--0------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+----3--3--3------------------------------+G+----------------------------0h1-----------+----1--1--1------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+-------------2--2--4--4---2--2--4(4)4-----+------2--2--4--4-----2--2--4(4)4---------+E+-------------0--0--0--0---0--0--0---0-----+------0--0--0--0-----0--0--0---0---------+
when I call
Lead guitar 9 10E+--------------7_------------------7---3_--+---------------------------0--3----------+B+----------------------------9-------------+-----------------------------------------+G+-----------/8---------------9--7h8--------+-----------------------------------------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+B+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+G+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+D+-------------9--9-------------------------+---7--7----------------------------------+A+-------------9--9-11-11-12-12-11-11-------+---7--7--9--9-10-10--9--9----------------+E+-------------7--7--7--7--7--7--7----7-----+---5--5--5--5--5--5--5-------5-----------+
you ain't so big you're just tall , that's just
Lead guitar 11 12E+---------5--0_------4----0-----2----------+-----------2--3--4----------0_-----------+B+---------------------------2-2------------+----------------------------3_-----------+G+----------------2/4---4------2------------+--0h1------2--3--4----------1_-----------+D+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+A+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+E+------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Rhythm guitarE+------------------------------------------+----------------------------0_-----------+B+------------------------------------------+----------------------------3_-----------+G+------------------------------------------+----------------------------1_-----------+D+---------------2-----2-------2--------2---+-----------------1_---------2_-----------+A+------------------5----5--4-----4--3----3-+----2_-----0--1--2_---------2_-----------+E+-----------0------------------------------+----------------------------0_-----------+
about all
