Choo Choo Cha Boogie – On the Rocks

by Horton, Darling and Gabler :: Key of A ::

Choo Choo Cha Boogie is a popular song written by Vaughn Horton, Denver Darling, and Milt Gabler. The song was recorded in January 1946 by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five and released by Decca Records. It topped the R&B charts for 18 weeks from August 1946, a record only equalled by one other hit, The Honeydripper. The record was one of Jordan’s biggest ever hits with both black and white audiences, peaking at number seven on the national chart and provided an important link between blues and country music, foreshadowing the development of “rock and roll” a few years later. It was most recently recorded by Asleep at the Wheel.

[C] Well, I’m headed for the station with a pack on my back. I’m tired of transportation in the back of a hack. I [F] love the rhythm of the clickety clack. And [C] hear the lonesome whistle, see the smoke from the stack. [G] Pal around with democratic fellas named Mac. [C] Take me right back to the track, Jack.

[CHORUS] – – – – – [F] Choo choo, choo choo ch’boogie. [C] Whoo whoo, whoo whoo ch’boogie. [F] Choo choo, choo choo ch’boogie. [C] Take me right back to the track, Jack.

Well I [C] reached my destination but alas and alack. I need some compensation to get back in the black. I [F] take the morning paper from the top of the stack, and [C] read the situation from the front to the back. The [G] only job that’s open needs a man with knack. [C] So put it right back in the stack, Jack.

[CHORUS] – – – – –

I’m [C] gonna settle down by the railroad track. To live a life of Riley in a beaten down shack. And [F] when I hear the whistle I can peep through the crack. [C] See the train rollin’ when it’s ballin’ the Jack. I [G] love to hear the rhythm of the clickety clack. [C] Take me right back to the track, Jack.

[CHORUS] – – – – – REPEAT CHORUS THEN END