The Wire Theme: Way Down in the Hole
July 6, 2008
For those of you like the me of a few months ago who haven’t seen The Wire, each series has its own version of the Tom Waits song Way Down in the Hole.
Season 1: Blind Boys of Alabama
The first series’ theme was performed by The Blind Boys of Alabama. The album that this song comes from, Spirit of the Century, is absolutely fantastic. The highlight is the blues on the oud number Soldier.
Blind Boys of Alabama – Way Down in the Hole (Chords)
I’ve written up the chords as they appear in the theme tune, but there’s nothing in the full song that isn’t in this version.
At the end of each line there’s little little lick.
With this at the end of the verse.
The original Tom Waits version is one fret higher than the BBoA at Bm.
Season 3: The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers’ version is in the key of Am – which makes it the most suitable for the ukulele. My favourite way of playing the song is to use the key of Am and the bass lead in from this version and combine it with the lead parts from the Blind Boys’ version to get this:
Season 4: DoMaJe (Baltimore Boys Choir)
Back to the BBoA key of Bbm. I have to say, this is my least favourite version by a long way. For the fuzzy solo, bust out the Bb minor pentatonic scale.
As well as providing the theme for the final season and appearing in the show, Steve Earle’s Feel Alright was used for the end of season 2 montage (listen here if you don’t want any spoilers). It’s a great song. I was going to write it up for the uke, but it’s one of those rare songs that sounds better on the guitar.
Earle’s version of Way Down in the Hole is in Gm.
Steve Earl is something else.
He really is. Have you heard the album he did with the Del McCoury Band?
Yes I have. Great album.
excellent!
which season are you up to now?
I’ve just started on series 5. I miss the Barksdale gang. I thought series 2 and 4 were nowhere near as good as 1 and 3.
Waits is the man. And The Wire is ace.
Thanks so much for this Woodshed.
Any chance of any more Waits’ chords please?
It’s a possibility, I’ll add it to the list.
Wow! Now, I’ve followed this site for a long long time in silence, but now that you’ve combined two of the best things I’ve ever encountered I have to say thank you. Thank you!!
That’s me sorted for:
- the next couple of days
- future live gigs
- ever.
I know what you mean about 2,(and 1 & 3) but i think 4 was my favourite series
As a long-time jazz listener, I told my son that I didn’t think the Way Down in a Hole theme was a truly a real authentic jazz blues. Something is different, though (as a non-munician) I can’t say. It’s similar, but not exactly a blues.
But my son figures his poor old daddy is dead wrong — that The Wire theme most certainly is b.ues. (The Wikipedia says the aong is based on a blend of blues and gospel –which I can agree with)
The version by DoMaJe – who plays guitar? I think they sound like Santana – I’ve been searching the “net” and so far no luck with the musicians on this version.
As the video example you use for this is now broken…. would be delighted if you used our version (we used the tab to produce it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yra31O9WKzY
xXx
Ian: Oh, go on then.