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The Bottle Let Me Down

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[Intro]
A   A   A   A   A   A   D   D
[Verse 1]
Each Dnight I leave the barroom when it's over, not feeling any pain at closing Atime
But toAnight your memory found me much too sober; couldn't drink enough to keep you off my Dmind
[Chorus]
ToDnight the bottle let me down, and let your memory come aAround
The Aone true friend I thought I'd found; tonight the bottle let me Ddown
[Solo]
A   A   A   A   A   A   D   D
[Verse 2]
I've Dalways had a bottle I could turn to, and lately I've been turning every Aday
But the Awine don't take effect the way it used to, and I'm hurting in an old familiar Dway
[Chorus]
ToDnight the bottle let me down, and let your memory come aAround
The Aone true friend I thought I'd found; tonight the bottle let me Ddown
[Turnaround]
ToAnight the bottle let me DdownD  

All chords in this song (2)

The story behind the song

This song tells the story of a man grappling with a lost love, finding that even the bottle, once a source of comfort, can no longer dull his pain. It captures that moment of ultimate despair when even a familiar escape fails. Written and recorded by Merle Haggard and The Strangers, it was released in 1966 on the album Swinging Doors. It plays like a raw, honest confession of heartbreak that runs deeper than any temporary solace.

AI-written from these sources:The Bottle Let Me Down — Wikipedia ↗Merle Haggard — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

The Bottle Let Me Down

by Merle Haggard

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

A A A A A A D D

[Verse 1]

D A

Each night I leave the barroom when it's over, not feeling any pain at closing time

A D

But tonight your memory found me much too sober; couldn't drink enough to keep you off my mind

[Chorus]

D A

Tonight the bottle let me down, and let your memory come around

A D

The one true friend I thought I'd found; tonight the bottle let me down

[Solo]

A A A A A A D D

[Verse 2]

D A

I've always had a bottle I could turn to, and lately I've been turning every day

A D

But the wine don't take effect the way it used to, and I'm hurting in an old familiar way

[Chorus]

D A

Tonight the bottle let me down, and let your memory come around

A D

The one true friend I thought I'd found; tonight the bottle let me down

[Turnaround]

A D D

Tonight the bottle let me down

About The Bottle Let Me Down Chords by Merle Haggard

Learn how to play The Bottle Let Me Down by Merle Haggard with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Bottle Let Me Down chords”, “The Bottle Let Me Down guitar chords”, or “Merle Haggard The Bottle Let Me Down 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 The Bottle Let Me Down chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Bottle Let Me Down lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D.

FAQ — The Bottle Let Me Down by Merle Haggard

How do I play "The Bottle Let Me Down" by Merle Haggard on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Bottle Let Me Down" by Merle Haggard on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "The Bottle Let Me Down" by Merle Haggard free?

Yes. The chords for "The Bottle Let Me Down" by Merle Haggard are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Bottle Let Me Down" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Bottle Let Me Down" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Bottle Let Me Down"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Bottle Let Me Down" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Bottle Let Me Down" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Bottle Let Me Down" by Merle Haggard with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Merle Haggard below.

What key is "The Bottle Let Me Down" in?

The chords for "The Bottle Let Me Down" show the original chord names (including A, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.