LIFES RICH PAGEANT: SUPERMAN

I debated about whether to include cover songs as part of this blog.  As a rule I suppose I will include the R.E.M. cover versions that they truly make their own.  That said, this version of The Clique's Superman is incredibly faithful to the original, but there is something to be said for the fact that this is the first cover R.E.M. enjoyed enough to put on an album.  There is also something to the earnest lyrics from Mike Mills and the slight tweaking of the guitar parts by Peter Buck that freshen up the Cliques version.  I've posted them both below so you can be the judge ...
  This is also the end of Life's Rich Pageant.  What have I learned?  Well, things are getting more intricate ... it's hard to transpose an album when all you have is an acoustic guitar ... and R.E.M. still have a penchant for sneaky lyrics and fun tablature.  They are still a very thoughtful recording group at this juncture and perhaps this was the album where they became comfortable in their skin.  Up next is a slight detour from major releases into Dead Letter Office.  There are cover songs abound so as I said above I will only transcribe the song if I feel the band has added something to the discourse of the original song.





SUPERMAN

(Very fast and in Japanese)
This is a special news report. Godzilla has been sighted in Tokyo Bay. The attack on it by the self-defense force has been useless. He is heading towards the city.

I am (I am)
I am Superman and I know what’s happening
I am (I am)
I am Superman and I can do anything

You don’t really love that guy you make it with now do you
I know you don’t love that guy cause I can see right through you

I am (I am)
I am Superman and I know what’s happening
I am (I am)
I am Superman and I can do anything

If you go a million miles away I’ll track you down girl
Trust me when I say I know the pathway to your heart

If you go a million miles away I’ll track you down girl
Trust me when I say I know the pathway to your heart

I am
I am Superman and I know what’s happening
I am (I am)
I am Superman and I can do anything (ho, ho)
I am (I am)
I am Superman and I know what’s happening (ho, ho)
I am (I am)
I am Superman and I can do anything

SUPERMAN

Intro:

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E|-0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0----|

Verse/Chorus:

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B|-0---2---2---0-------------|

G|-1---2---2---1---9-7-------|

D|-2---2---2---2------9-7-5--|

A|-2---0---0---2----CHORUS---|

E|-0---0---0---0-----ONLY----|

Middle Bridge:

e|-2-2-2-0-0-0----------------|

B|-3-3-3-2-2-2-5-5---5-5------|

G|-2-2-2-2-2-2----0-1---0-1---|

D|-0-0-0-2-2-2----------------|

A|-------0-0-0-----------x3---|

E|-------0-0-0----------------|

e|-2-2-2-0-0-0-|

B|-3-3-3-2-2-2-|

G|-2-2-2-2-2-2-|

D|-0-0-0-2-2-2-|

A|-------0-0-0-|

E|-------0-0-0-|

e|--0--0--0---0--0--0-0--0--0----0--0--0-|

B|---0--0------0--0----0--0-------0--0---|

G|-1--1--1---6-----------------1---1--1--|

D|-2---------7--7--7----7--7---2---------|

A|---------------------------------------|

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End:

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G|-2-2-2-2-2-2---9-|

D|-0-0-0-2-2-2---9-|

A|-------0-0-0---7-|

E|-------0-0-0---0-|