“Give Me the Simple Life”—Song as Sign—Words inside the notes carry a simple message

The good thing about knowing a song and its lyrics is that it doesn’t have to be sung out loud to hear it in your mind. When I walked into the Konocti room that fronts Clear Lake and hosts their weekend buffet, the Swingtones were playing this tune, “Give Me the Simple Life,” and I could hear the words as clearly as if there were a vocalist in front of the stylish trio, singing her heart out in a sequin sheath gown.

I took it as a sign to think further about the simple life. The trio, in their 60s and 70s all wore something with little icons related to the instrument they played…a piano necktie, a saxaphone pin, a drum vest…and all three were virtuoso, vintage players who more than knew their way around their instruments as they slid around this classic swing tune. –JGR

Give Me The Simple Life
Words & Music by Harry Ruby & Rube Bloom
Recorded by Julie London, 1959
Chords by the Guitarguy

Em7 A7 D B7
I don’t believe in frettin’ and grievin’;

C#m7-5 F#7 Bm D7
Why mess around with strife?

G Gm D Bm7
I never was cut out to step and strut out.

E7 Em7 A7
Give me the simple life.

Em7 A7 D B7
Some find it pleasant dining on pheasant.

C#m7-5 F#7 Bm D7
Those things roll off my knife;

G Gm D Bm7
Just serve me tomatoes; and mashed potatoes;

E7 A7 D
Give me the simple life.

Bridge:

Em7 A7 D
A cottage small is all I’m after,

Em7 A7 D
Not one that’s spacious and wide.

C#m7-5 F#7 Bm
A house that rings with joy and laughter

E7 Em7 A7
And the ones you love inside.

Em7 A7 D B7
Some like the high road, I like the low road,

C#m7-5 F#7 Bm D7
Free from the care and strife.

G Gm D Bm7
Sounds corny and seedy, but yes, indeed-y;

E7 A7 D
Give me the simple life.