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Editor’s notes
Hey friends! Here’s the lyrics, chords, and chord progressions for the song “Manhattan Island Serenade” – originally by Leon Russell (1972), but also covered by Vincent Neil Emerson (2020). I haven’t made a video lesson yet, but here’s an audio recording of me playing the verse and chorus:
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Lyrics and chords
INTRO
Em
VERSE
Em Am B7 Em (Em /D)
...Sitting on a highway in a broken van... thinking of you--- again
C G
...Guess I'll have to hitch hike to the station
C G B7
...With every step I see your face
Em Am B7 Em (Em /D)
...Like a mirror looking back at me... saying you're the only one
C G
...Making me feel I could survive
C G B7
...Am so glad to be alive
CHORUS
G D/F# Em Em (Em /D)
...Nowhere to run, there's not a guitar to play
C B7 Am C
...Messed up inside and it's been raining all day
G B7 Em (Em /D) C D G (G D/F#) Em
...Since you ran away................. Manhattan Island Serenade
Em Am B7 Em (Em /D)
...Sitting on a highway in a broken van... thinking of you again
C G
...Guess I'll have to hitchhike down the highway
C G B7
...With every step I see your face
Em Am B7 Em (Em /D)
...Like a mirror looking back at me... saying you're the only one
C G
...Making me feel I could survive
C G B7
...So glad to be alive
G D/F# Em (Em D)
...Nowhere to run, there's not a guitar to play
C B7 Am C
...Messed up inside and it's been raining all-- day
G B7 Em (Em /D) C D G G
...Since you ran away................. Manhattan Island Serenade
G B7 Em (Em /D) C D G [let final chord ring]
...Since you ran away................. Manhattan Island Serenade
Chord progressions
INTRO
| Em . . . | x4
VERSE (play twice)
| Em . . . | Am . . . | B7 . . . | Em . . /D |
| C . . . | G . . . | C . . . | G . B7 . |
CHORUS
| G . D/F# . | Em . . /D | C . B7 . | Am . C . |
| G . D/F# . | Em . . /D | C . D . | G . . . |
Listen to Vincent Neil Emerson’s version
Check it out here:
You also might want to check out Leon Russell’s original version, to see how it compares:
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