In round 1 of my attack on Chronic Town, I would say it was a tie. Things I learned: 1) This album was meant for an electric guitar and a full band to be played at top speed, 2) I need an acoustic guitar with a built in pickup, 3) More rehearsal, 4) Always ask for more monitor.
I've created this mini movie of the night, or I should say, Flip created it. I am in the process of editing individual pieces to post in the coming weeks. All in all it sounds good. At the beginning of this first live presentation, I thought I would have a drummer, 2 singers, and another guitar, but that considerably thinned. In fact, up until the night before, I still had the other guitar player but the Nor'easter put the bollocks on that. That said, I am very pleased with the turn out and the performance and it encourages me to try to put up Chronic Town again by March. Special thanks to my friend Alan who, even though he has very little knowledge of early R.E.M., did a great job singing lead when I had my hands full ...
A transcription of R.E.M.'s catalog from Chronic Town to Collapse Into Now, song by song ...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
LIFES RICH PAGEANT: THE FLOWERS OF GUATEMALA
Lyrically, this song is fairly straightforward except for one thing: Amanita. Amanita is a mushroom, or rather numerous types in a family of mushrooms which are poisonous ... you know what that means druggies! A number of the shrooms also are used as hallucinogens. So how does that knowledge fit in with a song about pretty flowers? Guatemala. A turmoil filled country, particularly in the 70's and 80's with a lot of assistance from the CIA. Big surprise. In the 50's and 60's it seems like there was some coup or another every few years. So is the song about how a seemingly innocent transplanted mushroom (CIA) dominates landscapes and infiltrates a country. Or a song about a guy with a camera taking what he thinks are lovely pictures, but they turn out to be of poisonous fungus?
THE FLOWERS OF GUATEMALA
I took a picture that I’ll have to send
People here are friendly and content
People here are colorful and bright
The flowers often bloom at night
Amanita is the name
The flowers cover everything
The flowers cover everything
There’s something here I find hard to ignore
There’s something that I’ve never seen before
Amanita is the name they cover over everything
The flowers cover everything
They cover over everything
(Amanita is the name)
The flowers cover everything
Look into the sun
Look into the sun
The flowers cover everything
They cover over everything
The flowers cover everything
The flowers cover everything
(Amanita is the name)
They cover over everything
The flowers cover everything
There’s something that I’ve never seen before
The flowers often bloom at night
Amanita is the name they cover over everything
I have to tell you that I was lost on this one until I found the only video on You Tube of this song. It's not that good and it's from very far away, but you can clearly see Peter move his hand all the way up to the 12th fret. Bingo! I feel so much like a detective it's ridiculous. It also looks like he never goes to the first fret for the C chord live, but it sounds fuller to do so ...
THE FLOWERS OF GUATEMALA
THE FLOWERS OF GUATEMALA
I took a picture that I’ll have to send
People here are friendly and content
People here are colorful and bright
The flowers often bloom at night
Amanita is the name
The flowers cover everything
The flowers cover everything
There’s something here I find hard to ignore
There’s something that I’ve never seen before
Amanita is the name they cover over everything
The flowers cover everything
They cover over everything
(Amanita is the name)
The flowers cover everything
Look into the sun
Look into the sun
The flowers cover everything
They cover over everything
The flowers cover everything
The flowers cover everything
(Amanita is the name)
They cover over everything
The flowers cover everything
There’s something that I’ve never seen before
The flowers often bloom at night
Amanita is the name they cover over everything
I have to tell you that I was lost on this one until I found the only video on You Tube of this song. It's not that good and it's from very far away, but you can clearly see Peter move his hand all the way up to the 12th fret. Bingo! I feel so much like a detective it's ridiculous. It also looks like he never goes to the first fret for the C chord live, but it sounds fuller to do so ...
THE FLOWERS OF GUATEMALA
Verse:
e|-------------------0-----------|
B|-------12----0----5---5--------|
G|---13----13------6---6-6-------|
D|-14--14----14---7---7----------|
A|-------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------|
Chorus:
e|-0---0-3-------0--0-----0----0---|
B|-5---1-3-------2---2-2-3-3-2--2--|
G|-7---0-0-------2-2--2-------2----|
D|-7---2-0--x3---2-----------------|
A|-0---3-2-------0-----------------|
E|-0---0-3-------0-----------------|
Middle Bridge:
e|-0---0---0---0-0---0---0---0------|
B|-0---0---0---0-0---0---0---0------|
G|-5---6---1---2-1---5---6---8------|
D|-6---7---2---2-2---6---7---9------|
A|-6---7---2---2-2---6---7---9------|
E|-4---5---0---0-0---4---5---7------|
Lead:
E-A
e|------------------------------2----|
B|-7-5-7-5-7>10-9-7------8-7----3----|
G|-----------------9-x3-----9-7-2----|
D|------------------------------0----|
A|-----------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------|
End:
e|--0----|
B|-12----|
G|-13----|
D|-14----|
A|--0----|
E|--0----|
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
LIFES RICH PAGEANT: UNDERNEATH THE BUNKER
I'm sure that this song didn't start out as an album track and it serves more as a bridge from Hyena to Flowers, kind of like the 'gettin' in the mood' doodling before Rockville. Still it definitely has charm. Check out the rare live version below:
UNDERNEATH THE BUNKER
I will hide and you will hide
And we shall hide together here
Underneath the bunkers in the earth
I have water I have rum
Wait for dawn and dawn shall come
Underneath the bunkers in the hole
Just a fun little lead ... if you're lazy like me you can play the 7-8 bit on the high e starting at the 12th note on the b string. Less distance to slide, so less chance to miss that 15th fret note.
UNDERNEATH THE BUNKER
Verse:
e|----------------------------------------------|
UNDERNEATH THE BUNKER
I will hide and you will hide
And we shall hide together here
Underneath the bunkers in the earth
I have water I have rum
Wait for dawn and dawn shall come
Underneath the bunkers in the hole
Just a fun little lead ... if you're lazy like me you can play the 7-8 bit on the high e starting at the 12th note on the b string. Less distance to slide, so less chance to miss that 15th fret note.
UNDERNEATH THE BUNKER
Verse:
e|----------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------------------|
G|-3-4-5-4-3-5-4--------------------2>4-2-0-----|
D|--------------4-5-7-5-4-7-5-5-4-1--------1-2--|
A|---------------------------------2------------|
E|----------------------------------------------|
Middle Bridge:
e|-7-8-10-8-7-10>15-12-15-14-12-------------------------|
B|-----------------------------15-13-13-15h-13-12-10----|
G|------------------------------------------------------|
D|------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------|
e|-------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-10-12-13-12-10-12-12-12-12-10-8-10-10-10-10-8-7>8<7-5-4b-5--|
G|-------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------------------------------|
End:
e|-0-0-0------|
B|-0-0-0------|
G|-4-4-4------|
D|-2-2-2------|
A|-2-2-2------|
E|-0-0-0------|
Friday, January 21, 2011
LIFES RICH PAGEANT: HYENA
This is an older song that had been played live and recorded since the time of Reckoning, and I seem to remember having a copy of them playing the song even earlier than that. Hyena is some kind of super spy, perhaps a superior link in a world that contains 'lower wolves.' The background vocals are notoriously difficult to understand and what I have placed here are estimations. Again, without the master tracks, it is impossible to hear what is really going on. However, I can state that Mills and even a little Stipe have overlaid at least two vocal tracks in the background, this is why sometimes you'll see a second parenthetical word within parenthesis. The tracks don't exactly match in rhythm or lyrically and create a cool choppy effect which almost sounds like an Auto-Tune correction by the end of the song.
On a separate note, I've always really liked this song but I can't point out why. Go figure.
HYENA
Night time fell like the opening
In the final act of the beginning of time
Hyena take your role the stage is set
(Tearin’ out all of the rules)
The town is safe again till now
(What’d you get into?)
(I see your changes then)
Hyena
(You’re crawling through)
Hyena
(God knows (shows) you’re doing that, don’t you?)
Hyena
Hyena sister look to your hand
(The night I stood back and)
Man you serve communal interest
(There's some new romance)
She’ll tell you when and where and how and why and who
(Tellin’ how and who)
A beautiful young lady
(I see your changes then)
Hyena
(I’m crawling through)
Hyena
(God knows you’re doing that, don’t you?)
Hyena
The only thing to fear is fearlessness
The bigger the weapon the greater the fear
Hyena is ambassador to here
Night time fell like the closing
(Night time is my time)
Meager pay with recognition
(There upon the shelf)
Hyena crawls on his belly
(When you pass that hand upon to hers)
The town is safe again till now
(Tada, da,da,da)
(I see your changes then)
Hyena
(Goin’ far away)
Hyena
(I see you goin’)
Hyena
(Don’t know if I should stay (go))
Hyena
(I see you holding him (that))
Ha, Ha Hyena
(and all that I’ve crawled through)
Hyena
(God knows you’re doing that, don’t you?)
Hyena
This song is another example of why I write this blog. It's a very simple song once learned, but tricky to figure out. What is available online is close to the chords, but not the actual song. The song is meant to be played with a lot of open strings, so feel free to just strum away!
HYENA
On a separate note, I've always really liked this song but I can't point out why. Go figure.
HYENA
Night time fell like the opening
In the final act of the beginning of time
Hyena take your role the stage is set
(Tearin’ out all of the rules)
The town is safe again till now
(What’d you get into?)
(I see your changes then)
Hyena
(You’re crawling through)
Hyena
(God knows (shows) you’re doing that, don’t you?)
Hyena
Hyena sister look to your hand
(The night I stood back and)
Man you serve communal interest
(There's some new romance)
She’ll tell you when and where and how and why and who
(Tellin’ how and who)
A beautiful young lady
(I see your changes then)
Hyena
(I’m crawling through)
Hyena
(God knows you’re doing that, don’t you?)
Hyena
The only thing to fear is fearlessness
The bigger the weapon the greater the fear
Hyena is ambassador to here
Night time fell like the closing
(Night time is my time)
Meager pay with recognition
(There upon the shelf)
Hyena crawls on his belly
(When you pass that hand upon to hers)
The town is safe again till now
(Tada, da,da,da)
(I see your changes then)
Hyena
(Goin’ far away)
Hyena
(I see you goin’)
Hyena
(Don’t know if I should stay (go))
Hyena
(I see you holding him (that))
Ha, Ha Hyena
(and all that I’ve crawled through)
Hyena
(God knows you’re doing that, don’t you?)
Hyena
This song is another example of why I write this blog. It's a very simple song once learned, but tricky to figure out. What is available online is close to the chords, but not the actual song. The song is meant to be played with a lot of open strings, so feel free to just strum away!
HYENA
Intro/Middle Bridge
e|-0--0--0--0--0---0--0--0--0--0-----|
B|-0-0-0--0--0--0--0-0-0--0--0--0----|
G|-9---------------9-----------------|
D|-9----9--9--9--9-7----7--7--7--7---|
A|-7---------------0-----------------|
E|-0---------------0-----------------|
Verse
e|-0---0-0-----------------------------------------------|
B|-0---0-0-----------------------------------------------|
G|-9---9-9-----------------------------------------------|
D|-9---7-9---11-12-12-12-12-12-11-9-11-11-11-11-11-9-7---|
A|-7---0-7-----------------------------------------------|
E|-0---0-0-----------------------------------------------|
Bridge to Chorus
e|--0-----|
B|--0-----|
G|--9-----|
D|-11-----|
A|--0-----|
E|--0-----|
Chorus
e|--0--0--0-0--0--0--0--0--0--0-0-0---|
B|--0--0--0-0--0--0--0--0--0--0-0-0---|
G|--9--9--9-9-12-12-12-11-11-11-9-9---|
D|-11-11-12---------------------------|
A|------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------|
Bridge to Verse
e|--0--0--0-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0---|
B|--0--0--0-0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0---|
G|--9--9--9-9-12-12-12-11-11-11--9--9---|
D|-11-11-12---------------------12-12---|
A|--------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------|
End on
e|-0----|
B|-0----|
G|-9----|
D|-9----|
A|-7----|
E|-0----|
Thursday, January 13, 2011
LIFES RICH PAGEANT: CUYAHOGA
Many fans find this song extremely endearing and count it as one of their favorites. I like it too, but I have to admit that I kind of glaze over it. It's a great song, don't get me wrong, but if put on the spot I wouldn't name it as one of my all time faves. However, in listening to this song, we get an idea of the direction of the band. There are so many layers to this song, the incidental piano, the flute, the subtle guitar feedback ... extremely well produced and mixed without getting too polished. Plus the words are perfect. A treatise on America without getting preachy, which is achieved through personal snapshots and the casting away of guilt ... genocide was never so well worded.
Our generations are powerless against the past. We can't take back years of oppression and greed and bad choices, and we can't burden ourselves with guilt either. All we can do is wake up everyday and treat as many people with respect as possible. And if a 4 minute pop song can make me think about that and keep rockin', I say ... success!
CUYAHOGA
Let's put our heads together and start a new country up
Your father's father's father tried, erased the parts you didn't like
Let's try to fill it in, bank the quarry river swim
We knee skinned it you and me, we knee skinned that river red
This is where we walked
This is where we swam
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We knee skinned it you and me, we knee skinned that river red
We gathered up our friends, bank the quarry river swim
We knee skinned it you and me, up underneath the river bed
This is where we walked
This is where we swam
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
Let's put our heads together and start a new country up
Up underneath the river bed and burn the river down
This is where they walked, swam
Hunted, danced, and sang
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
Rewrite the book, remove the pages, saving face, secured in faith
Bury burn the waste behind you
This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We are not your allies, we cannot defend
This is where we walked
This is where we swam
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
This song is the perfect example of why I do this blog in the first place. This is an easy song and a blast to figure out, but you can't find the correct way to play it. Except for here ... and soon Ultimate Guitar.com, if they ever post the other 5 songs waiting to be reviewed, so for now just here. It's easy to see why this song was resurrected during the Reveal tour ... it's really cool to play and if you're following this blog and picking up the guitar with each post, you'll know what I mean.
CUYAHOGA
Bass Intro and Break
Our generations are powerless against the past. We can't take back years of oppression and greed and bad choices, and we can't burden ourselves with guilt either. All we can do is wake up everyday and treat as many people with respect as possible. And if a 4 minute pop song can make me think about that and keep rockin', I say ... success!
CUYAHOGA
Let's put our heads together and start a new country up
Your father's father's father tried, erased the parts you didn't like
Let's try to fill it in, bank the quarry river swim
We knee skinned it you and me, we knee skinned that river red
This is where we walked
This is where we swam
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We knee skinned it you and me, we knee skinned that river red
We gathered up our friends, bank the quarry river swim
We knee skinned it you and me, up underneath the river bed
This is where we walked
This is where we swam
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
Let's put our heads together and start a new country up
Up underneath the river bed and burn the river down
This is where they walked, swam
Hunted, danced, and sang
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
Rewrite the book, remove the pages, saving face, secured in faith
Bury burn the waste behind you
This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We are not your allies, we cannot defend
This is where we walked
This is where we swam
Take a picture here
Take a souvenir
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
Cuyahoga
Cuyahoga gone
This song is the perfect example of why I do this blog in the first place. This is an easy song and a blast to figure out, but you can't find the correct way to play it. Except for here ... and soon Ultimate Guitar.com, if they ever post the other 5 songs waiting to be reviewed, so for now just here. It's easy to see why this song was resurrected during the Reveal tour ... it's really cool to play and if you're following this blog and picking up the guitar with each post, you'll know what I mean.
CUYAHOGA
Bass Intro and Break
e|---------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------|
G|--2-2---7-7-7---4-4---7-7-7-7----|
D|-0-0-2-5-5---5<2-2-2>5---5-------|
A|---------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------|
Verse
e|-----------------3------------------3--|
B|----------------3------------------3---|
G|-4-4-4-2-2-------------------2-2-0-----|
D|----------4-2-0-----2-2-2-4-4---4------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------3------------------3----|
Bridge to Chorus
e|-0-0---0-0----2-2-0--|
B|-0-0---0-0----3------|
G|-0-0---0-0----4------|
D|-2-0---2-0----4------|
A|-2-2---2-2----2------|
E|-0-2---0-0----2------|
e|-0-0---0-0----2-2--|
B|-0-0---0-0----2--2-|
G|-0-0---0-0----2----|
D|-2-0---2-0---------|
A|-2-2---2-2---------|
E|-0-2---0-0---------|
e|-0-0---0-0----2-2-0--|
B|-0-0---0-0----3------|
G|-0-0---0-0----4------|
D|-2-0---2-0----4------|
A|-2-2---2-2----2------|
E|-0-2---0-0----2------|
e|-0-0---0-0----2-2---|
B|-0-0---0-0----3--3--|
G|-0-0---0-0----2-----|
D|-2-0---2-0----0-----|
A|-2-2---2-2----------|
E|-0-2---0-0----------|
Chorus
e|-2-0-3-2-2---0---0-0---|
B|-3-0-3-3-3---2---0-2---|
G|-2-0-0-4-2---2---0-2---|
D|-0-2-0-4-0---2---0-2---|
A|---2-2-2-----0---0-0---|
E|---0-3-2-----0---0-0---|
e|-2-0-3-2-2-0-3----|
B|-3-0-3-3-3-0-3----|
G|-2-0-0-4-2-0-0----|
D|-0-2-0-4-0-2-0----|
A|---2-2-2---2-2----|
E|---0-3-2---0-3----|
Middle Bridge
e|-2---0---3---3---2---0---3---3---2--|
B|-3---2---3---3---3---2---3---3---3--|
G|-4---2---0---0---4---2---0---0---2--|
D|-4---2---0---0---4---2---0---0---0--|
A|-2---0---2---2---2---0---2---2------|
E|-2---0---3---3---2---0---3---3------|
End on D.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
LIFES RICH PAGEANT: FALL ON ME
Why does this song stand out on Eponymous? It's the lone representative from Lifes Rich Pageant and a lovely song. It's also the perfect bridge from These Days to Cuyahoga. At the time of recording Unplugged it was also Michael's 'favorite song in the entire R.E.M. catalogue.' It's also the beginning of extremely well crafted and recorded pop songs.
The middle verse is vexing. The background vocals are so far back that they're hard to make out and I saw all of the versions online and they are the same which tells me that they are from a specific source. I listened to the live show in Germany an the remastered track and frankly, I hear what is below.
FALL ON ME
There’s a problem, feathers, iron
Bargain buildings, weights, and pulleys
Feathers hit the ground before the weight can leave the air
Buy the sky and sell the sky and tell the sky and tell the sky
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
There’s the progress we have found
(In the rain)
A way to talk around the problem
(Two children)
Building towered foresight
(Keep your conscience in the dark)
Isn’t anything at all
(Melt the statues in the park)
Buy the sky and sell the sky and bleed the sky and tell the sky
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
Don’t fall on me
Well I would keep it above
But then it wouldn’t be sky anymore
So if I send it to you you’ve got to promise to keep it whole
Buy the sky and sell the sky and lift your arms up to the sky
And ask the sky and ask the sky
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
Don’t fall on me
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
This is a well thought out song. The acoustic work alone is great and the guitar line in the chorus mirroring the bass is really cool. I've added the doodle at the end of the first chorus to the guitar line which sounds like it actually came out of the picking of the F7 into the Dm on the acoustic. Also here is the transition in the last chorus that is slightly different than all the rest. I've also made the picked guitar in the middle bridge the owner of the walkdown when in reality it should be in the guitar line, I just figured, if it sounds good in the picking it should stay.
FALL ON ME
Intro
The middle verse is vexing. The background vocals are so far back that they're hard to make out and I saw all of the versions online and they are the same which tells me that they are from a specific source. I listened to the live show in Germany an the remastered track and frankly, I hear what is below.
FALL ON ME
There’s a problem, feathers, iron
Bargain buildings, weights, and pulleys
Feathers hit the ground before the weight can leave the air
Buy the sky and sell the sky and tell the sky and tell the sky
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
There’s the progress we have found
(In the rain)
A way to talk around the problem
(Two children)
Building towered foresight
(Keep your conscience in the dark)
Isn’t anything at all
(Melt the statues in the park)
Buy the sky and sell the sky and bleed the sky and tell the sky
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
Don’t fall on me
Well I would keep it above
But then it wouldn’t be sky anymore
So if I send it to you you’ve got to promise to keep it whole
Buy the sky and sell the sky and lift your arms up to the sky
And ask the sky and ask the sky
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
Don’t fall on me
Don’t fall on me
(What is it up in the air for?)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(If it’s there for long)
(It’s gonna fall)
Fall on me
(It’s over it’s over me)
(It’s gonna fall)
This is a well thought out song. The acoustic work alone is great and the guitar line in the chorus mirroring the bass is really cool. I've added the doodle at the end of the first chorus to the guitar line which sounds like it actually came out of the picking of the F7 into the Dm on the acoustic. Also here is the transition in the last chorus that is slightly different than all the rest. I've also made the picked guitar in the middle bridge the owner of the walkdown when in reality it should be in the guitar line, I just figured, if it sounds good in the picking it should stay.
FALL ON ME
Intro
Guitar 1
e|-------------------------------------|
B|------8---10p8------8---10p8---------|
G|-------0------0------0------0--------|
D|-9-10h--10-----9-10h--10-----9-10-10-|
A|-------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------|
B|------8---10p8------8---10p8---------|
G|-------0------0------0------0--------|
D|-9-10h--10-----9-10h--10-----9-10-10-|
A|-------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------|
Guitar 2
e|---------------0----------------|
B|---------------1-3-1-0-1--------|
G|---------------0------0---------|
D|---------------2--------0-2h----|
A|---------------3----------------|
E|---------------0----------------|
Verse
F6-Am
e|--1--1--0-0--0--0------|
B|---3--3----1--1--------|
G|----2--2----2--2-------|
D|-3-------2-------0-----|
A|-----------------------|
E|-----------------------|
Bridge to Chorus
F6-G6-C-Am-F6-G6-G
e|--1----3-----0---0----1----3---3----|
B|---3----5-----1---1----3----5--3----|
G|----2>4--4-0---0---2----2>4--4-0----|
D|-3----------2---2----3---------0----|
A|-------------------------------2----|
E|-------------------------------3----|
Chorus
Guitar 1 (Acoustic)
e|------0-0-1-1-1-1-3-3----|
B|------1-1-3-3-1-1-3-3----|
G|------0-0-2-2-2-2-4-4----|
D|------2-2-0-0-3-3-5-5----|
A|------3-3-----3-3-5-5----|
E|------0-0-----1-1-3-3----|
Guitar 2
e|-----------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------3-3-5-5-3-0-------3-3-5-5-3-0-------3-3-5-5---|
A|--0-2-3-3-5-5-----------3-3-5-5-----------3-3-5-5----------|
E|-3---------------------------------------------------------|
End of Chorus
e|-1-1--1--0-0--0--0-------|
B|-1--1--1--1-1--1---------|
G|-2---2--2-2--2--2--------|
D|-3--------3--------------|
A|-3-----------------------|
E|-1-----------------------|
Guitar 2
e|--------------------------|
B|--------------------------|
G|------------0-2p-0--------|
D|-3-3-3-2-2-2--------------|
A|--------------------------|
E|--------------------------|
Middle Bridge
e|-0-0---1--1---0-0---0--0---0-0---1--1-----1-------3---|
B|-1--1--1---1--1--1--0---0--1--1--1---1----3-------3---|
G|-2---2-2----2-2---2-0----0-2---2-2-2------2-------0---|
D|-2-----3-3----2-----2-2----2-----3----3-2-0---2-3-0---|
A|-0-----3------0-----2------0-----3----------------2---|
E|-------1------------0------------1----------------3---|
End of Last Chorus Transition
e|-1--1-1-0-1h-0-0--------|
B|-1---1--------3-3-0-----|
G|-2-2--------------------|
D|-3----------------------|
A|-3----------------------|
E|-1----------------------|
Saturday, January 8, 2011
LIFES RICH PAGEANT: THESE DAYS
This is a favorite of mine. I think it's because of the Tourfilm performance, but it's such an uplifting and empowering song. If the album didn't have you at 'Begin The Begin' it gets you here. On 'Olympia' Stipe says that this song was important to him because it was written after a dark period and there is definitely a lightness to this song and the entire album. There's something joyful and optimistic going on here 'despite the times.'
I've put in a nod to the activist Carrie (or Carry) Nation here. I'm fairly sure I hear this from Mills on the first two verses, but by the end it sounds like carryations (not a word, but that hasn't stopped the band before). Carry Nation was an activist, primarily against alcohol. After a rough first marriage to a raging alcoholic she would hold demonstrations against bars and was known for going in with a hatchet and literally breaking up the bar. She definitely seems to exemplify this song, but if Mills was going to drop a reference like this on the background vocals, it seems like he would do it a little more openly, so for now the reference might be my wishful ears ...
THESE DAYS
Yeah I’m not feeding off you
I will rearrange your scales
If I can
And I can
March into the ocean, march into the sea
Had a hat I put it down and it sunk
Reached down yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gathered
Fly to carry each his burden
(Light and sing Carrie Nation)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever
I wish to eat each one of you and
You
Me
You
If I can, and I can
We have many things in common name three
(three, three, three)
I had a hat and it sunk
Reached down yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gathered
Fly to carry each his burden
(Light and sing Carrie Nations)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever you go
And I’m not feeding off you
I will rearrange your scales
If I can
And I can
I wish to eat each one of you and
You
Me
You
I had a hat and it sunk
Reached down yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gathered
Fly to carry each his burden
(Light and sing Carrie Nations)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever you
Carry each his burden
(Fly you sing Carrie Nations)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever you go
(Take away, scatter the bones of my meal)
This might be the most fun R.E.M. song to play ever, even when I used to play it incorrectly based on the internet info. Still fun. Couple of extras here ... the doodles at the end of the lead, and the cool ending. The lead is amazing, a nice mix of picking and riffing and leading ... only Buck could swing this. Keep in mind that in the verse, the E chord rings before the D to A. Also, notice the 'Wolves, Lower' G chord here? There is also a third guitar somewhere in the verse muting the power chords. Enjoy!
THESE DAYS
I've put in a nod to the activist Carrie (or Carry) Nation here. I'm fairly sure I hear this from Mills on the first two verses, but by the end it sounds like carryations (not a word, but that hasn't stopped the band before). Carry Nation was an activist, primarily against alcohol. After a rough first marriage to a raging alcoholic she would hold demonstrations against bars and was known for going in with a hatchet and literally breaking up the bar. She definitely seems to exemplify this song, but if Mills was going to drop a reference like this on the background vocals, it seems like he would do it a little more openly, so for now the reference might be my wishful ears ...
THESE DAYS
Yeah I’m not feeding off you
I will rearrange your scales
If I can
And I can
March into the ocean, march into the sea
Had a hat I put it down and it sunk
Reached down yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gathered
Fly to carry each his burden
(Light and sing Carrie Nation)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever
I wish to eat each one of you and
You
Me
You
If I can, and I can
We have many things in common name three
(three, three, three)
I had a hat and it sunk
Reached down yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gathered
Fly to carry each his burden
(Light and sing Carrie Nations)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever you go
And I’m not feeding off you
I will rearrange your scales
If I can
And I can
I wish to eat each one of you and
You
Me
You
I had a hat and it sunk
Reached down yanked it up, slapped it on my head
All the people gathered
Fly to carry each his burden
(Light and sing Carrie Nations)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever you
Carry each his burden
(Fly you sing Carrie Nations)
We are young despite the years
We are concern, we are hope despite the times
All of a sudden these days
Happy throngs take this joy wherever, wherever you go
(Take away, scatter the bones of my meal)
This might be the most fun R.E.M. song to play ever, even when I used to play it incorrectly based on the internet info. Still fun. Couple of extras here ... the doodles at the end of the lead, and the cool ending. The lead is amazing, a nice mix of picking and riffing and leading ... only Buck could swing this. Keep in mind that in the verse, the E chord rings before the D to A. Also, notice the 'Wolves, Lower' G chord here? There is also a third guitar somewhere in the verse muting the power chords. Enjoy!
THESE DAYS
Intro/ Bridge to last verse
e|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-5-3-0-----0----|
B|-5-5-5-5-5-0-0-0-0-0-5-5-5-5------3b-0-0----|
G|-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-----------1----|
D|-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-----------2----|
A|---------------------------------------2----|
E|---------------------------------------0----|
Verse
e|-0---0-0-0-0---0-0-0-3---3-3-3---3---3-3-3------|
B|-0---3-2-0-0---3-2-0-3---3-3-3-3-3---3-3-3-3----|
G|-1---2-2-0-1---2-2-0-4---5-4-5---4---5-4-5------|
D|-2-------0-2-------0----------------------------|
A|-2-------0-2-------0----------------------------|
E|-0-------0-0-------0----------------------------|
Guitar 2
e|------------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------3---------3-----|
G|---------------4>5-4-2-0---5-4-5-0---5-4-5------|
D|------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------|
Bridge to Chorus
e|-2------|
B|-4------|
G|-4------|
D|-4------|
A|-2------|
E|-2------|
Chorus
e|-0-0-3-2-0---0-3---0-0-3-2-0---0----|
B|-0-0-3-3-2---3-3---0-0-3-3-2---0----|
G|-1-3-0-2-2---2-0---1-3-0-2-2---2----|
D|-2-4-0-0-2---2-2---2-4-0-0-2---2----|
A|-2-4-2---0---0-3---2-4-2---0---0----|
E|-0-0-3---0---0-0---0-0-3---0---0----|
End of Chorus
e|-0-0-3----0-0--|
B|-0-0-3----2-0--|
G|-1-3-0----2-1--|
D|-2-4-0----2-2--|
A|-2-4-2----0-2--|
E|-0-0-3----0-0--|
Lead
e|---0--0--0---0---0--0-0--0--0---|
B|--0-0---0-0---0---0----0--0-----|
G|-4---7-6---12--11--9-7--9--9----|
D|--------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------|
Guitar 2 at end of lead
e|----12---12-------------------|
B|--12-------12-----------------|
End
e|-0-0-3----2-0-0-0--|
B|-0-0-3----3-2-3-0--|
G|-1-3-0----2-2-2-1--|
D|-2-4-0----0-0-0-2--|
A|-2-4-2----------2--|
E|-0-0-3----------0--|
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)