My Son discovered the Beatles last year at 16 years old. He’s playing a bunch of their tunes on guitar and piano. I turned him on to your channel and he’s thankful. Thank you for all you do.
James thank you for your videos im 64 years young and have been playing since I was 12 years old I retired in 2016 and can now devote more time to playing ,I have learned many things through your videos thank you keep on picking
Completely agree. I believe this was his best song. I can remember being so excited about what the Beatles could become again with McCartneys’ “Coming up” and Lennons’ “Watching the Wheels “
I grew up listening to the Beatles and my daughter has been loving them for a few years now also. Thanks for sharing these lessons! Great choice of guitars to play for this particular tune. Really missed Lennon over the years... 😢
well done as always James.. Got to say this is one of my favorites as well. hard to believe that John would be 80 today.. time goes by way to quick, got to enjoy it when we are here!
There's a story about when he brought his songs for his first solo album "Double Fantasy" and played them acoustically, who ever it was that he presented his songs to had said he could've released it as just an acoustic because it was and he was that good. When I remember that story it gives me goosebumps and I'm not one that gets goosebumps. RIP JOHN
.....actually was thinking about that story about four days ago..... I believe it was Jack Douglas the producer. John Lennon wants to put out new music for the first time in five years. All know he's been in the Dakota all that time being the house husband. He's turned down and the other three, up to 80 million for one show. Paul,George and Ringo have put out albums fairly consistently. Imagine that, Valentino getting that tape....placed in your hands. Yes, glad you felt the same vibe on that. Stay Safe-
Tab roughly based on this lesson. Thanks JJ! Watching the Wheels - John Lennon Intro: C(with low G) Fmaj7 C Fmaj7 People say I'm crazy Doing what I'm doing Well they give me all kinds of warnings C To save me from ruin F Dm When I say that I'm OK G GsusB G Well they look at me kind of strange F Dm Surely you're not happy now G GsusB G You no longer play the game C Fmaj7 People say I'm lazy Dreaming my life away Well they give me all kinds of advice Designed to enlighten me F Dm When I tell them that I'm doing fine G GsusB G Watching shadows on the wall F Dm Don't you miss the big time, boy G GsusB G You're no longer on the ball F G C Am I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round F Am Dm Dm7 I really love to watch them roll G G7 Am Am/G F#m7-5 No longer riding on the merry-go-round F Fm C Fmaj7 I just had to let it go C Fmaj7 People asking questions Lost in confusion Well I tell them there's no problem Only solutions F Dm Well they shake their heads and they look at me G GsusB G As if I've lost my mind F Dm I tell them there's no hurry G GsusB G I'm just sitting here doing time F G C Am I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round F Am Dm Dm7 I really love to watch them roll G G7 Am Am/G F#m7-5 No longer riding on the merry-go-round F7 Ab7 C F#/D7 I just had to let it go F7 Ab7 C F#/D7 I just had to let it go F7 Ab7 C7 I just had to let it go C: 332010 Fmaj7: x33210 Dm: xx0231 G7: 320001 G: 3x0003 GsusB: 3x0013 Am: x02210 Am/E: 002210 Dm7: xx0211 Dm7/C: x3x231 G/F: 1x0003 Am/G: 3x2210 F#m7-5: 2x2210 Ab7: 464544 F#/D7: 2x0212 C7: 8(10)89(11)8
Our response to songs is such a personal thing, so it's hard to reach agreement on whether one is better than another. I've read that Lennon himself worried that his songs from the Double Fantasy sessions weren't keeping up with more contemporary music such as Bowie's Ashes to Ashes, but I think a retrospective view reveals them to be timeless. This is one of my favourites and, I think, showed he was still a great songwriter. I'm Losing You was another great stand out track from those sessions, in my view.
James, strangely, even I thought this song was the best by Lennon in his superlative calatog! Nice to know that I am not alone. Usually, I am a Paul guy but in this song, he surpassed everyone. It's been my motto ever since I heard it.
Phenomenal lesson man. During the chorus I always used an Am and then hit the low G with pinky kind of a walk down thingy. Your way is much much better which is exactly like it’s supposed to be. This one as well as “Mind Games” are my all time favorite Lennon solo pieces.
Thanks for sharing this jam! Definitely not the best thing he ever wrote, but wonderful tune and you did a fantastic job performing it. Happy 80th Birthday to John!
I was in North Carolina in the airforce. Lived off base and had a black Ludwig drum set. I remember John came back on the scene with his album and this song. I thought the drums were phenomenal and I sat down and played it over and over. Then later....well we all know what happened.
Hey brother, been playing along with u for along time. I appreciate your teaching ability. Your for sure an inspiration. Sometimes it would be cool if you would sing some of the songs too,. I think you would do a really good job.... just let it it rip man.!!!!!!!🙂
As a beginner, the chorus is quite tricky to remember. The sequence is not a typical one and seems to chase its own tail. Like many of the songs by Lennon or McCartney, it has a unique chord progression. Part of what made The Beatles great.
Impressive the Am - Am/G - to D7/F# rundown end of chorus - into the F to F7 switch. Then the very end F7 - Ab7 - C - D7/F#. Don't usually like John's songwriting as much but the above is first class.
Hey James, I’m a new subscriber. Find your stuff extremely beneficial. You’re an amazing player thank you. I have started to attempt to learn by ear and I’m wondering when you started learning by ear yourself how did you know what you were playing was right, and how did you eventually get on to learning a full scale off a song you learned? Obviously I have the internet but I just wanted to know how you did it back then. Thank you hope all is well
James James love you. You know it, but ... I believe you’re missing the classic Beatles move F-Fm-C during the chorus. A rare criticism of an otherwise stellar educational site.
@@jamesjames9275 I have never had reason to question anything you've ever posted--because it's ridiculously spot on--but I'm with Chris on this one. It's also a classic walkdown (White Christmas, Somewhere over the Rainbow, All of me, etc.) BUT I won't say YOU'RE wrong--you're the man! As a pro I totally look to you first when I have to learn a new song with a band or for one of my shows. Love your videos, man
Hey too funny I just worked this one out too and was stuck on that had to let it go part so I cheated and looked it up and it was the F to Fmin that I wasnt getting cool song
![How To Play "Watching The Wheels" by John Lennon [Piano Tutorial + Chord Chart]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rUegy3_MocY/mqdefault.jpg)
![How To Play "Watching The Wheels" by John Lennon [Piano Tutorial + Chord Chart]](/img/tr.png)
My Son discovered the Beatles last year at 16 years old. He’s playing a bunch of their tunes on guitar and piano.
I turned him on to your channel and he’s thankful.
Thank you for all you do.
Just THANK YOU for posting all of these lessons and covers..I have become a much better guitar player because of you!!
That was fantastic! Thank you for doing it.
You captured it’s richness, coolness, and beauty. 👍
This is my favorite song to cover. You make it sound so crisp. You the man
James thank you for your videos im 64 years young and have been playing since I was 12 years old I retired in 2016 and can now devote more time to playing ,I have learned many things through your videos thank you keep on picking
Completely agree. I believe this was his best song. I can remember being so excited about what the Beatles could become again with McCartneys’ “Coming up” and Lennons’ “Watching the Wheels “
I grew up listening to the Beatles and my daughter has been loving them for a few years now also. Thanks for sharing these lessons!
Great choice of guitars to play for this particular tune. Really missed Lennon over the years... 😢
Thanks James ... I love this song. One of my favourite Lennon tunes. You’re awesome!!
well done as always James.. Got to say this is one of my favorites as well. hard to believe that John would be 80 today.. time goes by way to quick, got to enjoy it when we are here!
There's a story about when he brought his songs for his first solo album "Double Fantasy" and played them acoustically, who ever it was that he presented his songs to had said he could've released it as just an acoustic because it was and he was that good. When I remember that story it gives me goosebumps and I'm not one that gets goosebumps. RIP JOHN
.....actually was thinking about that story about four days ago.....
I believe it was Jack Douglas the producer.
John Lennon wants to put out new music for the first time in five years.
All know he's been in the Dakota all that time being the house husband.
He's turned down and the other three, up to 80 million for one show.
Paul,George and Ringo have put out albums fairly consistently.
Imagine that, Valentino getting that tape....placed in your hands.
Yes, glad you felt the same vibe on that.
Stay Safe-
I believe it best song
Tab roughly based on this lesson. Thanks JJ!
Watching the Wheels - John Lennon
Intro: C(with low G) Fmaj7
C Fmaj7
People say I'm crazy
Doing what I'm doing
Well they give me all kinds of warnings
C
To save me from ruin
F Dm
When I say that I'm OK
G GsusB G
Well they look at me kind of strange
F Dm
Surely you're not happy now
G GsusB G
You no longer play the game
C Fmaj7
People say I'm lazy Dreaming my life away
Well they give me all kinds of advice
Designed to enlighten me
F Dm
When I tell them that I'm doing fine
G GsusB G
Watching shadows on the wall
F Dm
Don't you miss the big time, boy
G GsusB G
You're no longer on the ball
F G C Am
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
F Am Dm Dm7
I really love to watch them roll
G G7 Am Am/G F#m7-5
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
F Fm C Fmaj7
I just had to let it go
C Fmaj7
People asking questions
Lost in confusion
Well I tell them there's no problem
Only solutions
F Dm
Well they shake their heads and they look at me
G GsusB G
As if I've lost my mind
F Dm
I tell them there's no hurry
G GsusB G
I'm just sitting here doing time
F G C Am
I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
F Am Dm Dm7
I really love to watch them roll
G G7 Am Am/G F#m7-5
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
F7 Ab7 C F#/D7
I just had to let it go
F7 Ab7 C F#/D7
I just had to let it go
F7 Ab7 C7
I just had to let it go
C: 332010
Fmaj7: x33210
Dm: xx0231
G7: 320001
G: 3x0003
GsusB: 3x0013
Am: x02210
Am/E: 002210
Dm7: xx0211
Dm7/C: x3x231
G/F: 1x0003
Am/G: 3x2210
F#m7-5: 2x2210
Ab7: 464544
F#/D7: 2x0212
C7: 8(10)89(11)8
One of my favorites too...thanks!
Great tutorial!
I love the walk down chords on the chorus - really nice!!
John loved a descending chord progression.
Love Andy Newmark's drumming on this.
Our response to songs is such a personal thing, so it's hard to reach agreement on whether one is better than another. I've read that Lennon himself worried that his songs from the Double Fantasy sessions weren't keeping up with more contemporary music such as Bowie's Ashes to Ashes, but I think a retrospective view reveals them to be timeless. This is one of my favourites and, I think, showed he was still a great songwriter. I'm Losing You was another great stand out track from those sessions, in my view.
JJ, I intended to add that I love your interpretation of this song, and looking forward to giving this a try myself. Thanks.
Ya agree love the acoustic version too
James, strangely, even I thought this song was the best by Lennon in his superlative calatog! Nice to know that I am not alone. Usually, I am a Paul guy but in this song, he surpassed everyone. It's been my motto ever since I heard it.
I love the bass line on this song too, soooooo good
Lennon is so genius in making chords progression to fit the lyrics of the song. 🤘
Thanks for the lesson. Took me awhile but i finally got it down.
Looove this tune!
my favorite tune from John
Thank you James,happy birthday walrus
My favorite Lennon tune! The G#7 at the end there really sounds nice.
This might be my favorite john song too.
Really brilliant!!
Excellent. Again. Thank you so much!
Phenomenal lesson man. During the chorus I always used an Am and then hit the low G with pinky kind of a walk down thingy. Your way is much much better which is exactly like it’s supposed to be. This one as well as “Mind Games” are my all time favorite Lennon solo pieces.
One of my favs as well
There is an acoustic version John did at the Dakota. It’s on UA-cam.
I agree. My Dad hates it, but totally gets why I love it so much. Never performed it, so thanks for the reminder and a head start on learning it.
my favorite John Lennon song
¡Excelente, maestro! muy buen tutorial. Gracias.
Forever in our hearts John
Thanks for sharing this jam! Definitely not the best thing he ever wrote, but wonderful tune and you did a fantastic job performing it. Happy 80th Birthday to John!
I really love to watch them roll..
You know, it might just be... love it
Thank you! Fabulous!
Happy birthday John!!!
I think the D7 with the open E and F# bass is called D9.
Rip John Lennon 🙏✌️
Agree on that JJ... along with a few others on Double Fantasy
I was in North Carolina in the airforce. Lived off base and had a black Ludwig drum set. I remember John came back on the scene with his album and this song. I thought the drums were phenomenal and I sat down and played it over and over.
Then later....well we all know what happened.
This one gives me that emotional rush kinda like ' Cruel to be kind'.
Hey brother, been playing along with u for along time. I appreciate your teaching ability. Your for sure an inspiration. Sometimes it would be cool if you would sing some of the songs too,. I think you would do a really good job.... just let it it rip man.!!!!!!!🙂
Happy 80th John!
happy 80th birthday John
Happy Birthday John, you would've turn 80 (10-9-40)
He wrote a lot of good ones but I’m with you on this one being his best
It's my fav too
As a beginner, the chorus is quite tricky to remember.
The sequence is not a typical one and seems to chase its own tail.
Like many of the songs by Lennon or McCartney, it has a unique chord progression.
Part of what made The Beatles great.
Great cruising song
Thank you 👍🏻
F7 to A flat 7 , love that bit.
I just had to let it go. Is F to Fm, Fm on the word "had" thanks for the D7 with F#bass, I've been looking for that chord.
thx J good tune
great ending too
I agree that this is Lennon’s best tune!
Thank you
It's Definitely top 3 !!!!
Isn't there a dulcimer in it, too? I miss John. And George.
Hammered Dulcimer. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watching_the_Wheels?wprov=sfti1
Personnel
John Lennon - vocals, piano, keyboards
Earl Slick, Hugh McCracken - lead guitar
Tony Levin - bass guitar
George Small - keyboards, piano, Fender Rhodes
Eric Troyer - Prophet-5
Andy Newmark - drums
Matthew Cunningham - hammer dulcimer
Arthur Jenkins - percussion
Michelle Simpson, Cassandra Wooten, Cheryl Mason Jacks, Eric Troyer - backing vocals
Impressive the Am - Am/G - to D7/F# rundown end of chorus - into the F to F7 switch. Then the very end F7 - Ab7 - C - D7/F#.
Don't usually like John's songwriting as much but the above is first class.
Where do you get your shirts? I want that Buddy Holly shirt
I got that at a performance of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.
Hey James, I’m a new subscriber. Find your stuff extremely beneficial. You’re an amazing player thank you. I have started to attempt to learn by ear and I’m wondering when you started learning by ear yourself how did you know what you were playing was right, and how did you eventually get on to learning a full scale off a song you learned? Obviously I have the internet but I just wanted to know how you did it back then. Thank you hope all is well
I started learning by ear in 1982. And to this day, I don't know if what I'm playing is right. But I don't care, I just like to play.
I fucking love this UA-cam video
Thanks for the video dude
The piano lesson to see the notes: ua-cam.com/video/xBgsFce4ZbU/v-deo.html. Sheet music and lesson: ua-cam.com/video/Rl-_TRj7SqA/v-deo.html
Holy crap it's "Band on the Run"!
James James love you. You know it, but ... I believe you’re missing the classic Beatles move F-Fm-C during the chorus. A rare criticism of an otherwise stellar educational site.
Hmm. I don't hear that. But I won't say you're wrong.
@@jamesjames9275 I have never had reason to question anything you've ever posted--because it's ridiculously spot on--but I'm with Chris on this one. It's also a classic walkdown (White Christmas, Somewhere over the Rainbow, All of me, etc.) BUT I won't say YOU'RE wrong--you're the man! As a pro I totally look to you first when I have to learn a new song with a band or for one of my shows. Love your videos, man
Same chords as Imagine.
Best J.L. song except for the others
This song is similar to “imagine “
🤗
Hey too funny I just worked this one out too and was stuck on that had to let it go part so I cheated and looked it up and it was the F to Fmin that I wasnt getting cool song
Yer no longer on the ball riding the merry go round...here come ol flatop...
I think in this song you has singing a lot hahaha and youre ok. Not be shy.. just try to feel that is fine seek the tune.
😴😴😴😴😴😴🎸