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Gotta Serve Somebody

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Bbmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Cm F
Cm
[Verse]
CmYou may be an ambassador to England or France
CmYou may like to gamble, you might like to dance
CmYou may be the heavyweight champion of the world
CmYou may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.
[Chorus]
But you're goAmnna have to sFerve somebody, yes indeed
BbYou're gonna have to sCmerve somebody,
GmIt may be the devil or it maFy be the Lord
But you're gonna have to sCmerve somebody.F  
[Chorus]
CmMight be a rock'n' roll adict prancing on the stage
CmMight have money and drugs at your commands, women in a cage
CmYou may be a business man or some high degree thief
CmThey may call you Doctor or they may call you CBbhief.Eb  
[Verse]
But you're gonna have to sFmerve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to Cmserve somebody,
Well, Gmit may be the devil or it mFay be the Lord
But you're gonna have to seCmrve somBbebody.Am  Cm  
[Verse]
CmYou may be a state trooper, you might be an young turk
CmYou may be the head of some big TV network
CmYou may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame
You may be living in another country Dmunder another nEbame.
[Chorus]
But you're gonna have to sFerve somebody, yes
You're gonna have to seCmrve somebody,
Well, Gmit may be the devil or it mFay be the Lord
But you're gonna have to sCmerve somBbebody.Am  F  
[Verse]
CmYou may be a construction worker working on a hBbome
CmYou may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome
CmYou might own guns and you might even own tanks
CmYou might be somebody's lDmandlord you miCmght even own banks.
[Chorus]
But you're gonna have to sFmerve somebody, yes
You're Ebgonna have to seCmrve somebody,
Well, Gmit may be the devil or iFt may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to Cmserve somBbebody.Am  Cm  
[Verse]
CmYou may be a preacher with your spiritual pride
CmYou may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side
CmYou may be working in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair.
CmYou may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir.
[Chorus]
But you're gonna have to Fserve somebody, yes
You're gonna have to seCmrve somebody,
Well, Gmit may be the devil or Fit may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to seCmrve soBbmebody.Dm  Cm  
[Verse]
CmMight like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk
CmMight like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk
CmYou might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread
CmYou may be sleeping on the floor, sleeDmping Fin a kEbing-sized bed.
[Verse]
But you're gonna have to sFmerve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to Cmserve somebody,
Well, Gmit may be the devil or it mFay be the Lord
But you're gonna have to seCmrve somBbebody.Dm  Cm  
[Verse]
CmYou may call me Terry, you may call me JBbimmy
CmYou may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy
CmYou may call me R.J., you may call me Ray
CmYou may call me anything but no matter what you say.
[Chorus]
But you're gonna have to sFmerve somebody, yes indBbeed
You're gonna have to Cmserve somebody,
Well, Gmit may be the devil or it mFay be the Lord
But you're gonna have to seCmrve somBbebody.Am  Cm  
[Outro]
Cm

All chords in this song (8)

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Gotta Serve Somebody

by Mavis Staples

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

Cm F

[Verse]

You may be an ambassador to England or France

You may like to gamble, you might like to dance

You may be the heavyweight champion of the world

You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls.

[Chorus]

Am F

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

Bb Cm

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Gm F

It may be the devil or it may be the Lord

Cm F

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

[Chorus]

Might be a rock'n' roll adict prancing on the stage

Might have money and drugs at your commands, women in a cage

You may be a business man or some high degree thief

Cm Bb Eb

They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief.

[Verse]

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Gm F

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

Cm Bb Am Cm

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

[Verse]

You may be a state trooper, you might be an young turk

You may be the head of some big TV network

You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame

Dm Eb

You may be living in another country under another name.

[Chorus]

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Gm F

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

Cm Bb Am F

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

[Verse]

Cm Bb

You may be a construction worker working on a home

You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome

You might own guns and you might even own tanks

Cm Dm Cm

You might be somebody's landlord you might even own banks.

[Chorus]

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

Eb Cm

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Gm F

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

Cm Bb Am Cm

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

[Verse]

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride

You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side

You may be working in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair.

You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir.

[Chorus]

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Gm F

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

Cm Bb Dm Cm

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

[Verse]

Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk

Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk

You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread

Cm Dm F Eb

You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed.

[Verse]

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Gm F

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

Cm Bb Dm Cm

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

[Verse]

Cm Bb

You may call me Terry, you may call me Jimmy

You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy

You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray

You may call me anything but no matter what you say.

[Chorus]

Fm Bb

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You're gonna have to serve somebody,

Gm F

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

Cm Bb Am Cm

But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

[Outro]

About Gotta Serve Somebody Chords by Mavis Staples

Learn how to play Gotta Serve Somebody by Mavis Staples with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Gotta Serve Somebody chords”, “Gotta Serve Somebody guitar chords”, or “Mavis Staples Gotta Serve Somebody 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 Gotta Serve Somebody chords and for experienced players who want accurate Gotta Serve Somebody lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Cm, F, Am, Bb, Gm, Eb.

FAQ — Gotta Serve Somebody by Mavis Staples

How do I play "Gotta Serve Somebody" by Mavis Staples on guitar?

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Are the chords for "Gotta Serve Somebody" by Mavis Staples free?

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Can I transpose "Gotta Serve Somebody" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Gotta Serve Somebody" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Gotta Serve Somebody"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Gotta Serve Somebody" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Gotta Serve Somebody" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Gotta Serve Somebody" by Mavis Staples with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mavis Staples below.

What key is "Gotta Serve Somebody" in?

The chords for "Gotta Serve Somebody" show the original chord names (including Cm, F, Am, Bb, Gm, Eb). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.