"Living Next Door to Alice" is a song co-written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Originally released by the Australian vocal harmony trio New World in 1972, the song charted at #35 on the Australian chart. The song later became a worldwide hit for the band Smokie.
Verse:
A D
Sally called and she got the word.
E A E
She said I suppose you've heard, about alice.
A
When I rushed to the window, and I looked outside
D E
I could hardly believe my eyes.
A E
And the big limosine pulled up, in alices drive.
Chorus:
A
Oh, I dont know why she's leavin,
or where she's gunna go
D
I guess she's got her reaons
but I just dont wanna know
E A E
cause for 24 years i've been living next door to alice
A
24 years just waiting for the chance
D
to tell her how I feel and maybe get a second glance
E E7 A E
Now I gotta get used to not livin next door to alice
Verse:
A D
We walked together, two kids in the park
E A E
We inscribed our initials deep in the bark me and alice
A
As she walks to the door with her head held high
D E
just for a moment I caught her eye
A E
As the limosine pulls out, of alices drive
Chorus:
A
Oh, I dont know why she's leavin,
or where she's gunna go
D
I guess she's got her reaons
but I just dont wanna know
E A E
cause for 24 years i've been living next door to alice
A
24 years just waiting for the chance
D
to tell her how I feel and maybe get a second glance
E E7 A E
Now I gotta get used to not livin next door to alice
Verse:
A D
And sally called back and asked how i felt
E A E
And she said I know how to help, get over alice
A
She said, now alice is gone, but im still here
D E
you know i've been waiting for 24 years
And the big limosine dissapeared.
Chorus:
A
Oh, I dont know why she's leavin,
or where she's gunna go
D
I guess she's got her reaons
but I just dont wanna know
E A E
cause for 24 years i've been living next door to alice
A
24 years just waiting for the chance
D
to tell her how I feel and maybe get a second glance
E E7 A E
Now I gotta get used to not livin next door to alice
If you’re uncomfortable swearing (or are singing around parents and/or more sensitive listeners) you can sing “I really messed it up this time, didn’t I my dear”
Original key is +5 or D minor, F, B flat, and C
This song nearly blew me kilt off. A great little song this be.
it’s easier to play and sound just as nice if you skip the Fmaj7.
i’m strumming in DDDUD for verses and just a down strum when necessary for choruses
am I the only one who heard this song from tonight alive?
-5 capo on 2nd fret
If you wanna play the short melody at the end of each verse, I suggest the following:
Play a C chord for one interval (with whichever strumming pattern you chose) and instead of the second time playing the C chord do this:
A |——————–
E |——0————
C |——————–
G |–2——-0—2–
What I did was:
A |–3—3—-3-3-3—————–|
E |–0—0—-0-0-0—-0———–|
C |–0—0—-0-0-0—————–|
G |–0—0—-0-0-0-2—-0—2—|
You can also keep strumming while doing this lick (holding the C shape).
Transpose it +5 to play in the right key. It’s a pretty easy tune.
sounds great, thanks 🙂
Beautiful song! I love it! This is the first song I learned to play as a beginner.