A Quick History, Sheet Music, Lyrics, Chords, Harmonica Tabs, Plus Musical Instruments and Recording Setup
Dead Flowers – The Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers
Dead Flowers Quick Facts
– Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
– Released on the 1971 album Sticky Fingers
Personnel
Mick Jagger – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Keith Richards – rhythm guitar, harmony vocals
Mick Taylor – lead guitar
Charlie Watts – drums
Bill Wyman – bass guitar
Ian Stewart – piano
Sheet Music
The Rolling Stones Fakebook (1963-1971) – including Dead Flowers
The Rolling Stones Fakebook includes 167 songs recorded between 1963 and 1971. All songs are arranged in complete professional-style lead sheets and all critical riffs and figures included. Plus, a special guitar-tab section featuring the pivotal guitar riffs and solos for 29 of their most legendary songs; an introductory essay; a full color ABCKO years discography (with album art); and 40 pages of classic early sheet music covers reproduced in full color make this the ultimate Rolling Stones songbook!
Dead Flowers – The Rolling Stones – Lyrics, Guitar Chords, and Harmonica Tabs
– my transcription. See above for the official version.
Verse Chord Progression
D A G D
Intro
D
6 6 -7 5 4
A
-4 -4 5 -4
G D
4
Well, when you’re sitting there
6 6 6 4 4 -4
In your silk upholstered chair
-4 -4 -4 -4 4 4 4
Talking to some rich folks that you know
6 6 -6 5 -4 5 -4 4 4
Well I hope you won’t see me
6 6 6 6 -6 4 -4
In my ragged company
-4 -4 -4 4 4 4
You know I could never be alone
6 6 -6 5 -4 -4 5 -4 4
Chorus
A D
Take me down little Susie, take me down
7 7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -6 6 6
A D
I know you think you’re the Queen of the Underground
-7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -6 6 6
G D
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
7 7 7 7 7 -8 7 -6 6 6 -4 5
G D
Send me dead flowers by the mail
7 7 -8 7 -6 6 6 -4 5
G D
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
7 7 -8 7 -6 6 6 -4 5
D A G D
And I won’t forget to put roses on your grave
5 5 5 5 -5 5 5 5 -4 -4 5 -4 4
Well, you’re sitting back
In your rose pink Cadillac
Making bets on Kentucky Derby Day
I’ll be in my basement room
With a needle and a spoon
And another girl can take my pain away
Chorus
A D
Take me down little Susie, take me down
A D
I know you think you’re the Queen of the Underground
G D
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
G D
Send me dead flower by the mail
G D
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
D A G D
And I won’t forget to put roses on your grave
Chorus
A D
Take me down little Susie, take me down
A D
I know you think you’re the Queen of the Underground
G D
And you can send me dead flowers every morning
G D
Send me dead flower by the US mail
G D
Send me dead flowers to my wedding
D A G D
And I won’t forget to put roses on your grave
The Rolling Stones lyrics are property and copyright of their owners.
“Dead Flower” lyrics provided for educational purposes and personal use only.
Musical Instruments and Recording Setup
In the video, I am playing my
Takamine EG Series Acoustic – Electric Guitar very similar to the picture to the left.
I bought this guitar in Charlotte, NC about 10 years ago at a great price. I had heard alot of good things about Takamine guitars and had tried a couple which I really liked so when I needed an affordable stage setup, I bought the guitar, hard-shell case, fender deluxe 90 amp, and an assortment of accessories for under a thousand bucks.
I like the rounded profile that is narrow at the waist and broad behind the bridge. This creates a soundboard with balanced frequency response – deep bass, clear treble, and a sweet, round midrange that projects well.
It includes 3-band graphic EQ and built-in tuner which is really handy.
From Takamine, “Built to Takamine designs in some of the most modern guitar shops in the world, G-series instruments are priced for every budget. The G-series guitar is every bit Takamine, from its acoustic performance to the latest in pickup and preamp design. These guitars are crafted from the finest handpicked tonewoods, hand-crafted by expert luthiers, all providing players with unmatched excellence and surprising affordability”
Harmonica – Hohner Special 20
The Hohner Special 20 has been my harmonica of choice for a long time. They are just easy to play, easy to bend and sound great. They are excellent harmonicas for someone just starting out but are also played by pros in all types of venues worldwide.
From Hohner, “The Special 20 is the go-to harp for harmonica players of any style, including blues, country, folk, or rock. The Special 20 delivers the coveted Marine Band sound and offers the benefits of its plastic comb: it doesn’t absorb moisture so it won’t swell, shrink, or crack; it lasts longer and is more airtight than wood combs that can become swollen, twisted, and warped; airtight construction provides increased responsiveness; plastic provides comfort and it’s smoother on the lips, preventing chafing”.
I made my first harmonica holder out of an old wire coat hanger. It wasn’t beautiful but it worked and put me on the road to earning my McGyver certificate at an early age.
For me now, a comfortable and properly fitting harmonica holder is a must for hands free harmonica playing. This Hohner Harmonica Holder works great for me.
Another harmonica holder that you may want to try that has gotten great reviews is the
Lee Oskar Harmonica Holder. You can also check out other harmonica holders on my George’s Harp Shop page.
Video Editing
I used CyberLink PowerDirector for editing the video. It works great for synching audio and video as well as adding text and transitions between scenes. And it’s fast, so you get quality videos without alot of time spent.
From PCMag.com, 12/27/2010, “CyberLink’s PowerDirector has all the speed and all the advanced features an enthusiast video editor could want. As the first consumer video editing software to support 64-bit Windows, PowerDirector is taking a lead in the field. PCMag.com, December 7, 2010”.
Video Transcription
Hi, George from www.GeorgeGoodman.com here. Welcome to this video where I show you how to play Dead Flowers by The Rolling Stones on guitar and harmonica.
http://www.georgegoodman.com/music-lessons/the-rolling-stones-dead-flowers-how-to-play-on-guitar-and-harmonica/
Ok, the song is only 3 chords so it’s easy to go through.
We’re going to start of in D, then A, then G. Those are the only 3 chords in the song.
So for a strumming pattern, it’s 1 2 and and 4 and repeated. You can do that pattern through the whole song. So it’s down down up up down up; 1 2 and and 4 and.
Ok, so that’s the progression for the verse.
For the chorus, we can keep the same strumming pattern. It starts on A for 2 bars, then go to D and repeat.
Now it’s going to go to G, then to D. Repeat twice. Then stay on the D, to A, to G and back to D.
That’s the guitar part. It’s starts with an intro, then verse, chorus, verse, chorus and out.
For the harmonica, since we are in the key of D, I’m using a D diatonic harmonica. You can grab one from George’s Harp Shop at http://www.georgegoodman.com/georgesharpshop.
I like to put a little bit of harmonica in the intro and when we jam it out here next, I’ll put on a harmonica part and play the melody to the verse.
– Jam along section ensues –
http://www.georgegoodman.com/music-lessons/the-rolling-stones-dead-flowers-how-to-play-on-guitar-and-harmonica/
Alright, Dead Flowers.
So I’m adding a little bit of flavour to the chords sometimes. When I’m playing D, I just kind of add the melody there. I play D and add a G, which is 4th finger, 3rd fret, 1st string, which makes it a Dsus4 chord and then take it off.
I do the same kind of thing with the A. I put my 4th finger on the 2nd fret, 1st string. That an F# which make the chord a A6.
Those are just little embellishments that you can add.
So, I hope that helps you put the song together and create your own version. Thanks for watching the video. If you enjoyed the lesson, please leave a comment on Youtube or on my site www.GeorgeGoodman.com – like it, share it, spread it around.
Thanks alot, have a great day. Peace
Thanks George, great to have a harmonica part added too
George great job on this song and I know the lads in the band will have a
much better understanding of how this song is to be done, thanks again
Thanks, George! One of my favorites from Keith and Mick. Townes Van Zandt
also did a great version in his inimitable style, but, no matter how you
play it, Dead Flowers is a great song.
Thanks for this 😀
Townes Van Zandt’s version is way better, can be found on his “Songs for
the Road” album….and is played in “C”
George, great lesson.!! I signed up for the free cheat sheet and notes..
but couldn’t find it anywhere on your site. Can you tell me where to find
it? .. or is it not available? thanks : )
very cool
Nice bro
As a beginner, great to find a Stones’ song that is easy to learn. You
explain it really well and top rendition. Peace.
really good lesson. thanks
Excellent, thanks:)
thanks George…grateful…
Cool, very helpful indeed!
Explained well, and in a warm and friendly way.
Thanks George!
Thanks for share this. It`s easy and very well explained.
cool I like it ease to learn thank you
Great work and by a fellow canadian no less. I’ll be looking out for more lessons from you george. Consider yourself subscribed!
NIce, good playing
Thanks for your inspiration and guidance. I like to make some noise and –every once in a while– sneak in some music. This helps…
very helpfull nice one
Excelenteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Go Canada
Thank you very much George for …dead flowers ….and you are every time smily …fine .
Just a question : what about the tone of your harmonica (G …but ???)
First class lesson, George. I hope you’re still around…
Lowell
Great video George…thanks for taking the time to put it out here.
you rock
Very nice! You worked it out well. Sounds great! I’ve seen other people also do a bass on the G by hammering on. You might try that because you sure are good enough! Thanks for the strum most of all. Rock on Man!
you are the man!
George —– you are actually cool!!!
thank you very much .. more The rolling stones please ..
Greetings from Argentina (South America)
Can you please do Foo Fighters- Another round please
Excellent. You’re welcome
I just started learning to play guitar, and this was incredibly useful! Thank you!
great job its very very good thanks for showing . regards ralf from germany
Right on Roger, you’re welcome. I agree. Rhythm needs more emphasis.
Cheers, George
Hey George-thanks for including the strum pattern. Not a lot of videos take the time to review it.
Thank you Lowell. Definitely more Stones and Neil on the way.
Have a great one.
Peace, George
Nice jam, George! More Stones!! Neil Young!!
Right on Karl. Hope it helped. Cheers
Sweet. Thanks! easy and simple with diagrams works for me. Glad I stumbled upun this . I have an intrest In learning both instruments
Thanks Dirk.
Good job.
Right on. I will. Thanks.
Your videos are awesome. Please keep posting guitar with harmonica songs
A bunch are on the way
You’re very welcome. Thank you. Cheers.
Thank you George – I wanted to learn that song for awhile and you made it so simple + harmonica! That was the bomb! GG very nice combining the two you’re very talented
harmonica is great really nice job
great video like that you talked about the strumming pattern!!
Great work I might just buy one of those harmonica headgears haha
ThePoonce – right on, you’re welcome.
Cheers, George
great video thanks man
Great help. Thanks George.
Intermediate player here, and this song has been fucking with me, as I have been singing and playing it straight 4:4. Thanks for the clear straight forward strum patter explanation. Good Job! your voice sounds good on teh chorus. Heck, now I can even break out my “D” harmonica you’ve made is so simple.
Awesome! I really enjoyed this and you helped me a lot. What you think, it is possible if you do “As tears go by” lesson by the Rolling stones? I would be very grateful if you consider it. Sorry that my english is bad and greetings from Czech republic! 🙂
I love to add harmonica. Wild Horses is a great example of open tuning in G. I’ll definitely try to get to this soon. It’s on the list.
Thanks for commenting.
Cheers, George
Hello, i am just starting to learn guitar on a Yamaha acoustic. following your lesson for the Rolling Stones Dead Flowers song and finding it very helpfull indeed. Will you be able to put a lesson together for America’s Horse With No Name song, i need pretty easy ones at the moment cheers. You are now in my faverates list thanks Andrew
I like the helpful info you supply for your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again right here regularly. I am reasonably sure I will learn lots of new stuff right right here! Good luck for the following!
Right on man, i like these vids. Just learning to play and these are helping lots! Saving your stuff to my favorites!
[..YouTube..] Right on man, i like these vids. Just learning to play and these are helping lots! Saving your stuff to my favorites!
I just discovered your site. What a great one. I always love to find sites with songs I can just pick up right away thanks George. could you help me understand how to read your tabs, like 7 7 -8 7 -6 6 6 -4 5
Rich
Hi Rich, welcome.
I’m trying to keep the tabs as simple as possible. I’m not showing bends or note duration.
Anyways, you’ll notice along the top of the harmonica that each of the holes is numbered.
For the tabs, if there is a ‘-‘ sign in front of the number, then draw on that hole. Otherwise blow.
I hope that makes sense.
Cheers, George
Hi. Did you mean to say “4th finger, 2nd fret, first string” at 7:08? Had a hard time placing my pinky on the first fret for an A6…. almost broke it. Hehe. Kidding. Beginner guitar player here. Thanks so much for your tutorial… very clear. Keep up the good work! 🙂
[..YouTube..] Hi. Did you mean to say “4th finger, 2nd fret, first string” at 7:08? Had a hard time placing my pinky on the first fret for an A6…. almost broke it. Hehe. Kidding. Beginner guitar player here. Thanks so much for your tutorial… very clear. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Great song, thanks for the lesson.
Nice one mate got to be one of the best guitar/harmonica tutorials on here.
[..YouTube..] Nice one mate got to be one of the best guitar/harmonica tutorials on here.
Alright, thanks for that. Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] @orozvik Alright, thanks for that. Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] @orozvik Alright, thanks for that. Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] Brilliant!!! Hamonika even more Brilliant! Inspiration reeks here.
[..YouTube..] Brilliant!!! Hamonika even more Brilliant! Inspiration reeks here.
Hey Jessica. You’re welcome. Glad you liked it. Let me know if there’s other songs you’d like to see a lesson for. Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] @JessicaTennant44 Hey Jessica. You’re welcome. Glad you liked it. Let me know if there’s other songs you’d like to see a lesson for. Cheers, George
[..YouTube..] Absolutely brilliant, harmonica goes great with it. Helped to get the strumming right too, thanks a lot!
[..YouTube..] Absolutely brilliant, harmonica goes great with it. Helped to get the strumming right too, thanks a lot!
@CRAIGARRR Thank you. I’m glad it helps
[..YouTube..] @CRAIGARRR Thank you. I’m glad it helps
[..YouTube..] @CRAIGARRR Thank you. I’m glad it helps
[..YouTube..] Nice tutorial!! Really will help having the chord names there! Very well done! Thank you!
[..YouTube..] Nice tutorial!! Really will help having the chord names there! Very well done! Thank you!
Great job, George. After several years of letting my guitar sit idle, I been trying to knock the dust of my version of “Dead Flowers” and you’re work here certainly helps. Thanks, man. Keep on keepin’ on!
Well that’s great. I glad it helped. Cheers
[..YouTube..] I really enjoy your tutorials- they have helped me a lot- how about a cover for Wild Horses?
[..YouTube..] I really enjoy your tutorials- they have helped me a lot- how about a cover for Wild Horses?
[..YouTube..] I really enjoy your tutorials- they have helped me a lot- how about a cover for Wild Horses?
[..YouTube..] @MrDorkusMaximus Excellent question.
The song is in the key of D and it’s not really a blues song though the chords are I, IV, V like a blues song. It’s more based on the major key. Most of the licks that Mick Taylor is playing in the original recording are based on the major pentatonic scale. You could play cross harp here with a G harp for soloing over the chords but run into a problem when trying to play the melody of the chorus which requires the note C# which is on a D harp but not G
[..YouTube..] Excellent tutorial.
So did I catch that right, that you are playing a D harp, which would be straight harp? Please, correct me if I’ve got it wrong. I’m just curious, why did you use straight harp instead of cross harp, (which I believe would be G)? Is it because you can’t “wah” the harp notes while your hands are busy playing the guitar?
Lastly, I don’t know how anyone without two brains can play the harp and guitar at the same time. I’ve tried many times, and given up many times. 🙂
Peace
@bobrifleman Right on. Cheers
[..YouTube..] @bobrifleman Right on. Cheers
u = the man
[..YouTube..] u = the man
Hi George.
Thanks for Dead Flowers and Heart of gold, both of which i am enjoying learning.
I was thinking Billy Joels Piano man could be another beauty if you could please squeeze it in.
Can’t thank you enough George.
Peace.
[..YouTube..] @belleray2 Alright, thanks. I hope it all helps. Cheers
[..YouTube..] @belleray2 Alright, thanks. I hope it all helps. Cheers
Thanks George. Very impressed. I am a harp nut and was pleased to see you explain how harmonica and guitar can compliment each other subtly. Into guitar now and will be following your instructions with pleasure.
[..YouTube..] Thanks George. Very impressed. I am a harp nut and was pleased to see you explain how harmonica and guitar can compliment each other subtly. Into guitar now and will be following your instructions with pleasure.
[..YouTube..] Thanks George. Very impressed. I am a harp nut and was pleased to see you explain how harmonica and guitar can compliment each other subtly. Into guitar now and will be following your instructions with pleasure.
[..YouTube..] Thanks George. Very impressed. I am a harp nut and was pleased to see you explain how harmonica and guitar can compliment each other subtly. Into guitar now and will be following your instructions with pleasure.
This is certainly a marvelous post. Thanks a lot for making the effort to detail this all out for folks. It really is a great guide!
[..YouTube..] @rastablues1 Good catch. I’ve got them there now. Thanks for super comment
[..YouTube..] @rastablues1 Good catch. I’ve got them there now. Thanks for super comment
[..YouTube..] George!! Another winner Brother…That harp sets you apart from the pack…Love your vocals as well.
One thing: I don’t see the harp tabs on your website.
Love yer lessons, Keep ’em comin man…..
Peace!
Lowell
[..YouTube..] George!! Another winner Brother…That harp sets you apart from the pack…Love your vocals as well.
One thing: I don’t see the harp tabs on your website.
Love yer lessons, Keep ’em comin man…..
Peace!
Lowell
[..YouTube..] George!! Another winner Brother…That harp sets you apart from thew pack…Love your vocals as well.
One thing: I don’t see the harp tabs on your website.
Love yer lessons, Keep ’em comin man…..
Peace!
Lowell
[..YouTube..] George!! Another winner Brother…That harp sets you apart from thew pack…Love your vocals as well. Keep ’em comin man…..
[..YouTube..] George!! Another winner Brother…That harp sets you apart from thew pack…Love your vocals as well. Keep ’em comin man…..