In this piano tutorial, I am going to teach you how to play Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin. I will teach you how to sing and play this amazing song on piano, complete with chords and an amazing sounding accompaniment strategy!
Lyrics and Chords for Me and Bobby McGee
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Me and Bobby McGee is one of those songs that everyone knows. Perfect for a singalong, or karaoke, most people think of Janis Joplin when they think of this song. It was written by country singer-songwriter (and actor in A Star is Born!) Kris Kristofferson and originally recorded by “King of the Road” Singer Roger Miller.
Before Joplin ever sang it, Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot made it a number 1 hit in the Canadian country charts. Around the time that Joplin’s version was charting in 1071, Jerry Lee Lewis was also enjoying success with it.
For this Me and Bobby McGee piano tutorial, I take you through our usual four step protocol for learning to sing and play songs.
Step #1: Learn the chords
Step #2: Learn the chording strategy
Step #3: Learn the groove
Step #4: Put it all together.
Song learning protocol
Step #1: Piano Chords to Me and Bobby McGee
Learn the chords (see lyrics and chords on the next two pages). The song was recorded by Percy Sledge and Michael Bolton in the key of Db, but for ease of playing we will do it transposed down a half step to C. (You’re welcome!)
Lyrics and chords to Me and Bobby McGee
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Step #2: Me and Bobby McGee Chroding Strategy
For this song, we will stick to inversions of chords. You’ll notice I use the second inversions of the C chord and C7/G.
Step #3: Me and Bobby McGee Piano Accompaniment Strategy
This is a variation of the “funky piano” groove I shared in an What's Up by Four Non Blondes.
Step #4: Put it All Together - Sing and Play Me and Bobby McGee
Remember that you can (and should!) customize this to fit your skill level. If the chord inversions are too challenging for you, then play them all root positiong. If you want to level it up, try altering the groove or adding some solo fills.
Try to avoid getting stuck in the little details! The goal is for you to learn to sing and play more songs - not drown in a pool of perfectionism. Have fun - it’s only music!
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