Loudon Wainwright Iii – Motel Blues chords

The whole song follows the same pattern. Listen to the recording or videos for the flourishes and picking.

The original song is capo 5, but some live recordings on YouTube are capo 3. Standard tuning.

G                                     DIn this town, television shuts off at two

G                                 DWhat can a lonely rock and roller do?

A                    The bed is big, the sheets are clean, 

Asus4Your girlfriend said you were nineteen,

G                                  DThe styrofoam ice bucket's full of ice,

C             Em          DCome up to my motel room, treat me nice.


I don't want to make no late night New York calls,
I don't want to stare at those ugly grass matte walls,
Chronologically I know you're young, 
But when you kissed me in the club you bit my tongue,
I'll put a song for you and put it on my next LP,
Come up to my motel room, sleep with me.

There's a bible in the drawer don't be afraid,
I'll put up a sign to warn the clean up maid,
There's lots of soap and lots of towels,
Never mind those desk clerk scowls,
I'll buy you breakfast, they'll think you're my wife,
Come up to my motel room, save my life.