Tweet

Lucille by Little Richard is one of those early rock and roll songs that influence a lot of musicians, including The Beatles. As a matter of fact, early Beatles songs include covers of Little Richard songs. Not sure if they did Lucille, but I do know they have Long Tall Sally.

Quick Fact:

Lucille: Little Richard went No. 10 in UK and No. 21 in USA in 1957.

In this post, we will dissect the classic guitar riff of Little Richard immortal rock and roll song – Lucille.

Since this is one of those early rock and roll songs, the chord progression is the I-IV-V type. For this song, its the C-F-G chords.

If you are already familiar with The Beatles‘ Birthday, Kansas City, She’s a Woman and all those songs, you will not have a problem with Lucille.

The video will explain how to play this riff note for note. Watch out for it!

How to Play “Lucille” riff


Lucille chords
Little Richard (live version)

C C7 4x
F 2x
C C7 2x
G
F
C C7
G

C7 C C C7 2x
Lucille, you won’t do your sisters will
F C C C7 2x
Lucille, you won’t do your sisters will
G F C G7
You ran out and married but I love you still

C7 C C C7 2x
Lucille, please come back where you belong
F C C C7 2x
Oh, Lucille, please come back where you belong
G F C G7
I’ve been good to you, baby, please don’t leave me alone

C
I woke up this morning, Lucille was not in sight
C7 C C7
I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight

C7 C C C7 2x
Lucille, please come back where you belong
G F C G7
I’ve been good to you, baby, please don’t leave me alone

C C7 4x
F 2x
C C7 2x
G
F
C C7
G

C
I woke up this morning, Lucille was not in sight
C7 C C7
I asked my friends about her but all their lips were tight

C7 C C C7 2x
Lucille, please come back where you belong
G F C G7
I’ve been good to you, baby, please don’t leave me alone . . . .