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Putting On The Style

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NOTE: 
The original single was a live version with a tempo of 228 bpm. 
A later studio version had a slower tempo of 198 bpm.
[Intro]
D
[Verse 1]
DSweet sixteen goes to church just to see the Aboys
Alaughs and screams and giggles at A7every little Dnoise.
DTurns her face a little, then D7turns her head aGwhile,
    AN.C.
but everybody knows she's only putting on the style.
[Chorus]
She's Dputting on the agony, putting on the Astyle,
Athat's what all the young folks are A7doing all the Dwhile.
And Das I look around me I sD7ometimes have to Gsmile.
Aseeing all the young folks a'A7putting on the Dstyle.
[Verse 2]
YDoung man in the hot-rod car, driving like he’s Amad
AWith a pair of yellow gloves he’s A7borrowed from his Ddad
He Dmakes it roar so lively just to D7see his girlfriend Gsmile
 AN.C.
But she knows he’s only putting on the style
[Chorus]
He's Dputting on the agony, putting on the sAtyle,
Athat's what all the young folks are A7doing all the Dwhile.
And Das I look around me I sD7ometimes have to Gsmile.
Aseeing all the young folks a'A7putting on a Dstyle.
[Verse 3]
DPreacher in the pulpit roars with all his Amight
Sing AGlory Hallelujah puts the A7folks all in a Dfright
Now Dyou might think he’s satan that’s a'D7coming down the Gaisle
          AN.C.     
But it’s only our poor preacher, boys, it’s putting on his style
[Chorus]
DPutting on the agony, putting on the Astyle,
Athat's what all the young folks are A7doing all the Dwhile.
And Das I look around me I sD7ometimes have to Gsmile.
Aseeing all the young folks a'A7putting on a Dstyle.
[Instrumental]
D      A
A      A7    D
D      G
 AN.C.
     La la la  Socks!
[Outro]
PDutting on the agony, putting on the Astyle,
Athat's what all the young folks are A7doing all the wDhile.
And Das I look around me I'm D7sometimes apt to Gsmile.
Aseeing all the young folks pA7utting on the Dstyle.
PDutting on the agony, putting on a Astyle,
Athat's what all the young folks are A7doing all the Dwhile.
And Das I look around me I'm sD7ometimes apt to Gsmile.
Aseeing all the young folks pA7utting on a sDtyle.

All chords in this song (5)

The story behind the song

"Putting On The Style" captures the playful observation of young people trying to impress each other. It's a lighthearted look at the theatrics of adolescence, where "sweet sixteen goes to church just to see the boys" and everyone is "putting on the agony, putting on the style." Lonnie Donegan, often called the "King of Skiffle," brought this American folk song to prominence, helping to define the sound of British skiffle in the mid-1950s. The song itself is a joyful, tongue-in-cheek celebration of youthful swagger and the universal desire to make an impression.

AI-written from these sources:Lonnie Donegan — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Putting On The Style

Putting On The Style

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Putting On The Style

by Lonnie Donegan

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

NOTE:

The original single was a live version with a tempo of 228 bpm.

A later studio version had a slower tempo of 198 bpm.

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

D A

Sweet sixteen goes to church just to see the boys

A A7 D

laughs and screams and giggles at every little noise.

D D7 G

Turns her face a little, then turns her head awhile,

N.C.

but everybody knows she's only putting on the style.

[Chorus]

D A

She's putting on the agony, putting on the style,

A A7 D

that's what all the young folks are doing all the while.

D D7 G

And as I look around me I sometimes have to smile.

A A7 D

seeing all the young folks a'putting on the style.

[Verse 2]

D A

Young man in the hot-rod car, driving like he’s mad

A A7 D

With a pair of yellow gloves he’s borrowed from his dad

D D7 G

He makes it roar so lively just to see his girlfriend smile

N.C.

But she knows he’s only putting on the style

[Chorus]

D A

He's putting on the agony, putting on the style,

A A7 D

that's what all the young folks are doing all the while.

D D7 G

And as I look around me I sometimes have to smile.

A A7 D

seeing all the young folks a'putting on a style.

[Verse 3]

D A

Preacher in the pulpit roars with all his might

A A7 D

Sing Glory Hallelujah puts the folks all in a fright

D D7 G

Now you might think he’s satan that’s a'coming down the aisle

N.C.

But it’s only our poor preacher, boys, it’s putting on his style

[Chorus]

D A

Putting on the agony, putting on the style,

A A7 D

that's what all the young folks are doing all the while.

D D7 G

And as I look around me I sometimes have to smile.

A A7 D

seeing all the young folks a'putting on a style.

[Instrumental]

D A

A A7 D

D G

N.C.

La la la Socks!

[Outro]

D A

Putting on the agony, putting on the style,

A A7 D

that's what all the young folks are doing all the while.

D D7 G

And as I look around me I'm sometimes apt to smile.

A A7 D

seeing all the young folks putting on the style.

D A

Putting on the agony, putting on a style,

A A7 D

that's what all the young folks are doing all the while.

D D7 G

And as I look around me I'm sometimes apt to smile.

A A7 D

seeing all the young folks putting on a style.

About Putting On The Style Chords by Lonnie Donegan

Learn how to play Putting On The Style by Lonnie Donegan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Putting On The Style chords”, “Putting On The Style guitar chords”, or “Lonnie Donegan Putting On The Style chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Putting On The Style chords and for experienced players who want accurate Putting On The Style lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D, A7, D7, G, C.

FAQ — Putting On The Style by Lonnie Donegan

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What key is "Putting On The Style" in?

The chords for "Putting On The Style" show the original chord names (including A, D, A7, D7, G, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.