Santeria

by Sublime • Lesson #327 • Sep 18, 2020

Video lesson

Coming soon…

Looking for a Print-Friendly Guide?

This is one of my few lessons that doesn't have a printable song sheet / PDF available. If you'd like to request I make one, let me know by clicking the button below! If there's enough demand I'll bump it toward the top of the list.

Click to Request

Editor’s notes

In this lesson I’ll show you how I like to play a strummed, solo acoustic version of “Santeria” by Sublime (from their 1996 self-titled album). While originally played in the key of E, I’ll be playing in the key of C – which lets you utilize more traditional open chords. This makes it easier to play, as well as lending itself very nicely for the laid back acoustic vibe I’m going for with this arrangement. Add a capo 4th fret, and you’ll be able to play along with the Sublime version.

Lyrics and chords

Capo 4th fret to play along with Sublime

INTRO
    C   E   Am   G

VERSE
            C                          E
    I don’t practice Santeria, I ain’t got no crystal ball
            Am                           G
    Well, I had a million dollars but I..... I spent it all
       C                                   E
    If I could find that Heina... and that Sancho that she’s found
              Am                          G
    Well, I’d pop a cap in Sancho and I’d slap... her... down------

CHORUS
        F         G            C          Am
        ...What I really wanna know... my baby
        F               G            C         Am
        ...Hmmm, what I really wanna say.... I can’t define
        F             G              C      Am      F      G           
        ...Well, it’s love... that I need-----, oh..... my soul will have to

    C                            E                  Am                         G
    Wait 'til I get back, find a Heina of my own... Daddy’s gonna love one and all
          C                                     E
    And I feel the break, feel the break, feel----- the break
                         Am                  G
    And I got to live it out, oh---- yeah uh-huh... well, I swear that I

        F         G            C        Am     
        ...What I really wanna know, my baby
        F         G            C         Am
        ...what I really wanna say.... I can’t define
        F       G             C    Am     F     G                     C
        ...Got! Love! Make it go------ ..... my soul will have to...

    [ instrumental verse w/ solo ]

              F         G            C       Am    
        Ooooh... what I really wanna say, my baby
        F         G            C       Am       (F)
        ...what I really wanna say, is I've got mine
        F           G               C           Am   F             G           
        ...And I'll make it, oh yes I am coming up...... tell Sanchito that if...

    C                                 E                       Am                      G
    He knows what is good for him, he best go run and hide... Daddy’s got a new forty-five
        C                                        E
    And I won’t think twice to stick that barrel straight down Sancho’s throat
       Am                        G           
    Believe me when I say that I got something for his punk-ass

        F         G            C        Am      F     
        ...What I really wanna know, my baby, oooh...
               G            C      Am           (F)      
        what I really wanna say is there's just one
        F      G                C     Am             
        ...Way back... and I'll make----- it, yeah
        F     G                 C     G/B  Am  G  F     G     C7
        ...my soul will have to wait------------- yeah, yeah, yeah

Capo 4 to play along with the album version

Heads up! I like to play this song in the key of C, which means you’ll need a capo on the 4th fret in order to play with Sublime’s album version (which is in the key of E). I prefer the key of C because it lets you use more typical open chords, which works nicely for a chilled out acoustic version of this song.

Chord shapes needed

If played in the key of C, here’s the chords you’ll need. The trickiest one here is the F – which I’ll often play by only fretting the middle 4 strings (e.g., x3321x) – keeping the thinnest and thickest strings muted. This is easier than a barre chord F, but you can use that if you want.

[ See PDF for chord shape diagrams ]

Chord Progressions

If you play four beats per measure, using a tempo of 175bpm, the chord progression looks as follows. You could also use a 50% slower tempo (i.e. around 90bpm) but that requires you to strum along on 16th notes, which is trickier to explain. See my video lesson for details.

Verse (play twice):

| C  . . . | C  . . . | E . . . | E . . . |
| Am . . . | Am . . . | G . . . | G . . . |

Chorus:

| F . . . | G . . . | C . . . | Am . . . | x3
| F . . . | G . . . |                      x1

Strumming pattern

I prefer either of the following patterns for an acoustic version. One of them is doing all down strums on the quarter notes, with the “1” and “3” counts getting only the bass notes, and the “2” and “4” getting accents/emphasis. Or, you could do the more full strum I show – which requires a bit more of the right hand but sounds good I think.

[ See PDF for strumming diagrams ]

Faking the first line of the solo

Here’s the tab for the first 2 chords of the solo, if your goal is to mimic the notes being played in Sublime’s album version (which again, is in the key of E). This is just a fun, fairly do-able way to approximate the recognizable sound and maybe turn a few heads. For the remaining chords (Am-G), I don’t have the rest of the solo tab worked out – so I’ll just noodle around on those.

[ See PDF for the tab ]

Sublime’s album version

If you want to listen to how the sublime version actually sounds, here you go!

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Gain instant access to my library of 245 print-friendly cheat sheets! Also includes my extended video lessons, jam tracks, courses, and more.

Join Song Notes Premium

Have questions? Watch video tour »

Browse Related Lessons

Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!

Donate

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Interactive fretboard map! See the patterns behind every scale in any key.

View

Capo Captain

An easy way to calculate key & chord combinations, for any capo location!

View

Key Master

See and hear the notes, chords, scales used in each of the most common keys.

View

Blank Tabs

Free PDF templates to download, print, and write out your own guitar tabs!

View

Coming soon is Jambox – which shows all the video jam tracks I've made. It's note quite ready for the spotlight, but check it out if you like!


Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!


Recent Lessons

  • December 6, 2024

    "Our House" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

    Let's fingerpick this classic from CSNY! While it's originally a piano-driven song, I came up with a easy-going Key of C arrangement I think you'll enjoy.

  • November 28, 2024

    Thanksgiving Roundup: Improved Search, Vidami Coupon Code, and Melody Deep-Dives

    A collection of website & lesson updates from the past couple weeks, including a 20% discount code for Vidami pedals!

  • November 15, 2024

    "Scarlet Begonias" by Grateful Dead

    Let's dive into the 1974 classic from the Dead, with an acoustic-friendly arrangement using Key of G chords! I also show how you can include the catchy riffs wherever they occur, which is great way to channel the full spirit of this song.

  • November 12, 2024

    Does CAGED Help When Learning Songs?

    A quick audience Q&A video, where I talk about how CAGED helps (or does not help) when learning songs. Featuring the main riff from Scarlet Begonias by the Grateful Dead, which I'll be teaching soon!

  • November 8, 2024

    Rhythm Deep Dive: "Guitar Town" by Steve Earle

    Watch the process of me transcribing the rhtyhm of an incredibly tricky song! All shown in real time, in writing. Featuring "Guitar Town" by Steve Earle.

  • Nov 1, 2024

    Website Tour – November 2024

    A look at the state of the Song Notes website, as of November 2024. I've been working on more than just new lessons... check out the latest updates here!

  • Oct 24, 2024

    "Fast Car" - Strumming & Rhythm Guide!

    I've gotten a ton of emails asking how to strum Fast Car — here's a lesson showing 3 possible approaches! You can strum the whole song using what I teach, or combine this with the fingerstyle riff from lesson #494.

  • October 18, 2024

    CAGED - It's More Than Just Chords!

    Learn how each CAGED shape contains not only a chord, but also an arpeggio, pentatonic, and full diatonic scale! This is a must-know realization that'll level up any practice you do with these shapes.

Browse All Recent Lessons →

← back to homepage