Lookin' Out My Back Door chords

by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Song Key: Bb Major → C Major

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 110 bpm


Guitar Tuning: D-G-C-F-A-d (De-tune each string 1 whole step to play with video)

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Chords in C Major → D Major: C, D, F, G, G7, A, Am, Bb, Bm, B

Arrangement Beginners Intro Tab Song Details
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
C chord Am chord F major chord G7 chord D Major chord Bm open chord Bm chord G Major chord A Major chord C barre chord B Major B Major barre chord Bb Major Bb Major barre chord
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
C-LH Am-LH F major-LH G7-LH Bm-LH D Major-LH Bm barre chord-LH G Major-LH A Major-LH C Major barre chord-LH B Major-LH B Major barre chord-LH Bb Major-LH Bb Major barre chord-LH
Performance Video
Speed: x0.1

Lookin' Out My Back Door

De-tune each string 1 whole step if playing with video

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
               C            C      Am    F     C    G7   C
Intro: 4/4 ‖      |  %  ‖       |      |    -     |    -    ‖
          (Muffled Strings)

   C                                Am
1. Just got home from Il-li-nois    Lock the front door, oh boy
   F          C            G7           
   Got to sit down, take a rest on the porch
     C                        Am
   I-mag-i-na-tion sets in    Pret-ty soon I'm sing-ing’
   F         C               G7          C
   Doo, doo, doo    Look-ing out my back door

             C                             Am
2. There's a giant do-ing cart-wheels    A sta-tue wear-ing high heels
   F               C                 G7
   Look at all the hap-py crea-tures danc-ing on the lawn
     C                     Am
   A di-no-saur Vic-tr-ola list’-nin’ to Buck O-wens
   F         C               G7          C
   Doo, doo, doo    Look-ing out my back door

        G                                 F               C
Chorus: Tam-bou-rines and e-le-phants are play-ing in the band
                              Am             G
        Won't you take a ride on the fly-ing spoon__ Doo, doo doo
        C                            Am
        Wond'-rous ap-pa-ri-tion pro-vi-ded by ma-gi-cian
        F         C               G7          C
        Doo, doo, doo    Look-ing out my back door

          C     Am     F     C     G7    C     Am     F     C     G7      C
Instr: ‖     |      |     -     |     |     |      |     -     |      -      ‖

        G                                 F               C
Chorus: Tam-bou-rines and e-le-phants are play-ing in the band
                              Am             G
        Won't you take a ride on the fly-ing spoon    Doo, doo doo
        C                           Am
        Bo-ther me to-mor-row    To-day, I'll buy no sor-rows
        F         C               G7          C
        Doo, doo, doo    Look-ing out my back door

                  C         C      C  B  Bb
          ‖             |                   ‖ ... Key change
          (Muffled Strings) 1+2+3  +  4  +

              A      G     D     D     Bm      A
          ‖       |     -     |     -      |       ‖

   D                                Bm
3. For-ward trou-bles Il-li-nois    Lock the front door, oh boy
   G               D                 A              
   Look at all the hap-py crea-tures danc-in’ on the lawn
   D                           Bm
   Bo-ther me to-mor-row    To-day, I'll buy no sor-rows
   G         D               A           D   
   Doo, doo, doo    Look-ing out my back door

           D         G      D     A     D
    ‖             ‖      -     |     -     ‖
   (Muffled Strings)

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature:
    Bb Major – 2 flats (Bb, Eb)
    C Major: no sharps or flats
  • Piano / Original Chords Set: Bb, C, Eb, F, F7, G, Gm, Ab, Am, A
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♩ = 110
  • Voice Range: C4 - A5

Beginner Guitarists:

  • Bb and B are just passing chords going into the new key.
    If you find them difficult to play, simply pause on the C Chord, wait for the passing chords to pass and then continue in the new key with easier chords.
  • We have included open voicing for B and Bb which are exactly the same shape except one fret apart.
    These become second-nature with practice, and you'll find yourself using them time and time again.
  • The open voicing for Bm is also fairly easy once you get used to it.
    Focus on playing each chord cleanly and fluently.
    Take time to study the charts and build confidence in your transitions.
  • Playing Along with the Video:
    If you are playing with the video, you will need to de-tune each string one whole tone. The alternative is to place a capo on the 10th fret which is not ideal in terms of fretboard space and the bright and high-pitched sound of each chord.
  • For the most authentic sound and comfortable playability, de‑tuning is the better choice. Use the capo method only if you have the fretboard space and prefer not to de‑tune your guitar.

Intro Tab:

This will suit Intermediate players that have experience with a range of strumming techniques and reading guitar tab proficiently. It's designed for 5 players, although the 5th guitarist is not mentioned in the Intro - simply strum the chords here.

Guitars 1, 2, 4 and 5 detune each string and play the chord symbols in parentheses, while the chords above are the actual sounding chords.

Guitarist 3 is playing a Dobro (resonator guitar) — an acoustic guitar with a metal resonator that gives it a bright, ringing sound. They are often played with a slide and usually tuned to open tunings - in this case open G tuning (low to high): D-G-D-G-B-D.

Lookin' Out My Back Door Guitar Tab

Song Details:

Cosmo's Factory Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: John C. Fogerty
  • Date: 1970
  • Lyrics Begin: Just got home from Illinois, lock the front door, oh boy!
  • Artists: Credence Clearwater Revival
  • Single:
    Released: July 25, 1970
    B-side: Long As I Can See the Light
  • Genre: Country rock
  • Album: Cosmo's Factory
    Recorded: 1969–1970
    Released: July 8, 1970
Song Key Chords
Cotton Fields A A, A7, Asus, D, E7, E7sus4
Down On The Corner C C, F, G
Midnight Special D D, G, G7, A7
Proud Mary D D, F, G, A, Bm, C
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