Guitar lesson for

Lookin' Out My Back Door

by Creedence Clearwater Revival • Lesson #261

Video Lesson

PDF Print-friendly chord sheet available for Patreon supporters

Get the PDF here -- after clicking and logging in to Patreon, look for the file attached to the bottom of the post.

Supporting me on Patreon gives you access to the PDF for this as well as 150+ other lessons. One month minimum ($3, cancel anytime) gets you access to everything... here's a free sample. Thanks for supporting me and this project!

Editor’s notes

Here’s a quick lesson for the CCR song “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” – performed fingerstyle with no capo. This is what I’d call an “easy” or “lazy” approach to this song, where I’m taking a very accessible route when it comes to the capo (not using one), fingerpicking (using an easy pattern), and key change (not bothering withit here). While not the stuff of virtuosos, this approach makes for a good campfire take on the song - which sometimes is all you need to feel the musical goodness.

I plan on eventually tackling a more thorough lesson of this song (complete with muted strumming, chord changes, a few guitar licks, etc) – but that will be for another day.

Lyrics w/ chords

** Capo 1st Fret

INTRO
    [muted strumming, then...]

    A ... F#m ... D . A . E . A .

VERSE
    A                            F#m
    Just got home from Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy
    D          A               E
    Got to sit down and take a rest on the porch
    A                    F#m
    Imagination sets in, pretty soon I’m singing
    D         A              E           A
    Doo, doo, doo... lookin’ out my back door

              A                         F#m
    There’s a giant doing cartwheels, a statue wearin’ high-heels
    D               A               E
    Look at all the happy creatures dancin' on the lawn
      A                  F#m
    A dinosaur Victrola, listenin’ to Buck Owens
    D         A              E           A
    Doo, doo, doo... lookin’ out my back door

CHORUS
        E                             D                A
        Tambourines and elephants are playin’ in the band
                  A           F#m           E
        Won’t you take a ride on the flying spoon? Doo, doo, doo...
        A                        F#m
        Wondrous apparition, provided by magician
        D         A              E           A
        Doo, doo, doo... lookin’ out my back door

    [instrumental verse w/ solo]

        [E] Tambourines and elephants are [D] playin’ in the [A] band
        Won’t you [A] take a ride [F#m] on the flying [E] spoon? Doo, doo, doo...
        [A] Bother me tomorrow, [F#m] today I’ll buy no sorrows
        [D] Doo, doo, [A] doo... lookin’ [E] out my back [A] door

KEY CHANGE - or keep using chords above after moving capo up 2 frets

        [muted strumming, then...]

        | F# . . . | E . B . | B . G#m . | F# . . . |

    B                            G#m
    Forward troubles Illinois... lock the front door, oh boy
    E               B               F#
    Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn
    B                   G#m
    Bother me tomorrow, today I’ll buy no sorrows
    E         B              F#          B
    Doo, doo, doo... lookin’ out my back door

OUTRO

    [muted strumming => E B F# B => end]

Other notes

Standard Tuning, Capo 1st Fret

This tab shows how to play this song using a capo (positioned on the 1st fret) in standard tuning. You only need to apply a capo (and play in the key of A major) if you want to play along with the album version. Otherwise, a capo is not required. Also, let me disclaim that I’m aware CCR may have played this song without a capo, starting in the key of Bb. If you’re looking for the exact tab to play in Bb, seek elsewhere. I’m primarily concerned with creating a tab that is accessible to the masses (and playing in the key of A is certainly easier than that of Bb).

Guitar Chords Used

Here is how to play the guitar used in this song. First, the chords used in the key of A:

e-|---0----2----2---0----
B-|---2----2----3---0----
G-|---2----2----2---1----
D-|---2----4----0---2----
A-|---0----4--------2----
E-|--------2--------0----
      A   F#m   D   E

After changing key to B, you’ll want to use these chords:

e-|--------4----0----2----
B-|---4----4----0----2----
G-|---4----4----1----3----
D-|---4----6----2----4----
A-|---2----6----2----4----
E-|--------4----0----2----
      B   G#m   E    F#

Note the Change in Key

Late in the song, note that the song modulates (changes key) up one whole step. Using the chords shown above, you’ll notice the change is from the key of A to the key of B. All chord progressions stay the same, as far as each chord’s relative position to the root. Ultimately, this change in key is by no means required when playing the song – but I wanted to make note of this for those interested in a faithful adaptation.

Enjoy my lessons? Buy me a beer!

If this and my other lessons have proven helpful to you, please consider making a one-time donation to my tip jar. Contributions of any amount help make this project possible (including the many, many hours I put into it).

You can also support me on Patreon. For only $3/month you'll get access to a print-friendly PDF of my notes for each new lesson (view free sample).

Thanks!

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!