THE AUTOMATIC BOX SET: CHANCE

  A fun little song in the box set with stream of consciousness lyrics from Stipe.  The track is largely electronic and looped, but there is some guitar.  The story seems to be the chance encounters two people share.  There is a point where it sounds like he says "Are you Holden?" as in Holden Caulfield, which is a nice reference to Catcher in the Rye, but I can't say for sure if this is accurate upon further listens.  I've kept the traditional notation here.  It is also difficult to make out what the name of the park is where the playgrounds meet, so I've put a sound alike in "Viewer's Park."  Other posts have Weaver's Park, but it doesn't quite fit unless Stipe is fouling up the pronunciation ...

CHANCE

Chance, chance, chance, chance

Friday bank card yours got stuck
I loaned you a phone quarter

Said "Good luck"
Where are you now?

Me in glasses

Saturday slump
You window shopping

I looked up
Our eyes met, mine are green
You had had a peroxide thing
Call now

Hook me up

Sunday walk

Viewer's Park
I was on the lakeside
Where the playgrounds meet
In bare feet
You said, "Mighty cold today"
You never see what I think
You didn't like your daytime job
I was born to travel

You were a camera

I dropped my keys
I on the northbound

You were asleep
I said, "Are you holding?"
"You wanna ride the silent sky?"
I wrote a story on the fly
You and the tabletop
I said, "I've had enough of this city"

I held a bag of apples
You at the last table
I had had a soy dog
Cafe street side

Tuesday bloom
You wanna be on fire

I said I’d hung the moon
Wednesday grocery

Corner of Vine
You were in the checkout line
I dropped my frozen dinners you helped pick them up

Thursday cab

Rush hour block
You with broken accent

My heart stopped
You laughed, I worried

Chance, chance, chance, chance
Swarming like a dozen crushing blows
All those glances

Midtown dances
Chance

I never looked it up
You hit the sidewalk talking
Said, "I'd read the ads"
Do you?
Where are you?

Will you read this?

Can I see?
Is the city moving faster than I can think?
A minute shy

A passing eye
I know I saw you there
Will you read this?

Can I see you?

What did I see?

Chance, chance, chance, chance
Swimming like a dozen crushing blows
All those midtown dances
Chance

Guys, this is very tedious

Stop

  I've added the notes from the accordion sound at the chorus ... 

CHANCE

Verse Repeat

e|------------|

B|------------|

G|------------|

D|--5-5-5-----|

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

E|-3-3-3------|

Verse Fill Repeat

e|------|

B|------|

G|------|

D|------|

A|------|

E|-1>3--|

Chorus Notes for Guitar

e|-----------------|

B|-----------------|

G|--4-5-7-2-4------|

D|-5---------3-5---|

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

E|-----------------|

THE AUTOMATIC BOX SET: FRETLESS

  This is kind of a dark one.  It's nice to have Kate Pierson again, but where's the party?  This track was also recorded during the Out Of Time sessions, but the tone is fairly similar to Me In Honey, so why force it on an album.  The song ended up on the soundtrack to the movie "Until The End Of The World."  The group played it live for a while and then chucked it.  In fact, most of the solutions for the lyrics came from an Unplugged live show.  The phrase "No need this friendship" is almost indiscernible on the recording, but on the Unplugged show ... clear as a bell!

FRETLESS

He's got his work and she comes easy
They each come around when the other is gone
Me, I think I got stuck somewhere in between
I wouldn't confide in the prodigal son
The die has been cast

The battle is won
The bullets were blanks

A double aught gun
I couldn't admit to a minute of fun

They come and they come and they come and they come
I accepted with a gentle tongue
No word spoken

No need this gift

Take it

Stomp twice

Ring the bell
Tether that ring in phrase
Enough with the rifle and talk already
We all know what it means
Take this conversation to your great divide
I can only swallow what I ate
And I don't hate him
And I don't hate her

They come and they come and they come and they come
I accepted with a gentle tongue
No heart broken

No need this gift

(Don't talk to me)
Don't talk to me about being alone
(Don't talk to me)
Don't talk to me about being alone
(Don't talk to me)
Don't talk to me about being alone

Reach for each other before you leave
Reach peace with a e-a-c
Don't threaten me with a gentle tease
Don't threaten me with angry
Please, please, please

(Please, please, please, please, please)
Don't try to tell me what I am

They come and they come and they come and they come
I accepted with a gentle tongue
No word spoken

No need this friendship

(Don't talk to me)
Don't talk to me about being alone
(Don't talk to me)
Don't talk to me about being alone
(Don't talk to me)
Don't talk to me about being alone
(Don't talk to me)
Don't talk to me

(Talk to me)
Don't talk to me
(Don't talk to me)

(Talk to me)

Don't talk to me

(Talk to me)
Don't talk to me about being alone

  Figuring out the picking chorus on this was icing on the cake.  The form is an unbarred G and F with the G String open, but live Buck just goes straight to the E and B Strings respectively.  Easier to play.  The pick out of the Bridge is great too ... same chord as Madonna of The Wasps intro by Robyn Hitchcock.

FRETLESS

Verse

e|---0--2--3--2--2---0--2--3--3--3---|

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

G|-----------------------------------|

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

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

E|-----------------------------------|

Bridge 1

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

B|-4---4<2---3---0---4---4<2---3-----3-3---|

G|-4---4<2---2---1---4---4<2---2--------0--|

D|-4---4<2---0---2---4---4<2---0----5------|

A|-2---2<0-------2---2---2<0---------------|

E|-2---2<0-------0---2---2<0---------------|

Chorus Bridge into Chorus

e|---1------0--0--0--0---3------1------0--0--0--0-|

B|--1-1-1-0--0--0--0---3--3-3-1--1-1-0--0--0--0---|

G|-----0---0--0--0--0---0--0---0--0---0--0--0--0--|

D|-3-----2------------5------3------2-------------|

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

E|------------------------------------------------|

End on Em

THE AUTOMATIC BOX SET: IT'S A FREE WORLD BABY

  This track was recorded in studio and the group felt it didn't fit the feel of an album, but it's a good tune.  So, it was offered up to soundtracks.  It began it's life on the Coneheads movie soundtrack and eventually found its way to an episode of Friends and that show's soundtrack.  I always liked the idea/ motif of physical action in a song.  Particularly hitting one's head.  This is also visited in depth in the Mono Puff (John Flansberg) song: Unsupervised.




IT’S A FREE WORLD BABY

I was hungry when I said
I never got to sleep
You go ahead
You can get whatever you want
There's a feeling in my belly
It's the new tomorrow scene
It's an interesting job
It's the fireworks

I don't need it

(I don't need it)
I hit my head

(He hit his head)
I can't feel anything
You gave too much away
You came to say
It's a free world baby
And you gave too much away hey, hey

Get whatever you want

Give whatever you want

Me, I'm tired of this candy
My teeth ache my head
Boys in bed, girls in bed
All now go to sleep
Sleep, sweet dreams
Wake to a new today tomorrow

I don't need it

(I don't need it)
I hit my head

(He hit his head)
I can't feel anything
You gave too much away
You came to say
It's a free world baby
And you gave too much away
It's a free world baby

Get whatever you want

Give whatever you want

Boys in bed, girls in bed

(Get to get to get, give to give to give, take to take to take, want)
All now go to sleep

(Get to get to get, give to give to give, take to take to take, want)
Sleep, sweet dreams

(Get to get to get, give to give to give, take to take to take, want)
Wake to a new today tomorrow

(Get to get to get, give to give to give, take to take to take, want)
Sleep, sweet dreams

(Get to get to get, give to give to give, take to take to take, want)
Wake to a new today tomorrow

(Get to get to get, give to give to give, take to take to take, want)

I don't need it

(I don't need it)
I hit my head

(He hit his head)
I can't feel anything
You gave too much away
You came to say
It's a free world baby
And you gave too much away
It's a free world baby

It's a free world baby

Boys in bed, girls in bed
All now go to sleep
Sleep, sweet dreams
Wake to a new today tomorrow
Sleep, sweet dreams
Wake to a new today tomorrow

  A really cool song to play.  For some reason the muted part was really hard to figure out, but in the end was worth it.  

IT’S A FREE WORLD BABY 

Verse

Muted Guitar (B Power Chord)

e|-------------------------|

B|-------------------------|

G|-----4---2---4-------2---|

D|----4-4-4-4-4-4---4------|

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

E|-------------------------|

Full Notes (At end of muted part)

e|-7------|

B|---7----|

G|-----7--|

D|--------|

A|--------|

E|--------|

Chorus

e|----2------2------3------3------|

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

G|---2--2---2--3---0--0---0--0----|

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

A|-----------------------------x2-|

E|--------------------------------|

e|-0---------3---------0---------3-0--|

B|-0---------3---------0---------3-2--|

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

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

A|-2---0-2h--2---0-2h--2---0-2h--2-0--|

E|-0---------3---------0---------3-0--|

End Whammy Chords

e|-7----------|

B|-7-----5-5--|

G|-7-----7-7--|

D|--x2--------|

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

E|------------|

AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE: FIND THE RIVER

  Here is the final track of the album.  What I like most of all is that the feeling of the track is optimism and it creates a feeling that there is something next ... I mean, what is coming my way?  It makes you want to listen to the album again.  The lyrics and delivery of the lyrics here are very careful and descriptive, almost Robert Frost as song writer.  It's almost unfair how effortless this song seems.  Years ago this was voted by fans as their #1 favorite R.E.M. song.  A surprise for sure as it was not a huge hit, it didn't even chart on Billboard, but it speaks to the dedication of the R.E.M. fan.
  The backing vocals in particular drive this song, according to Mills, he and Berry went in and recorded without hearing the other.  The result is fairly emotional.
  Next, I will tackle some tracks that were recorded for release with the "Automatic Box" before moving on to Monster.

FIND THE RIVER

Hey now, little speedy head
The read on the speed meter says
You have to go

The task in the city
Where people drown and people serve
Don't be shy

Your just deserve is only just light years to go

Me, my thoughts are flower strewn
With ocean storm

Bayberry moon
I have got to leave to find my way
Watch the road and memorize
This life that pass before my eyes
Nothing is going my way

The ocean is the river's goal
The need to leave the water knows
We're closer now than light years to go

I have got to find the river
Bergamot and vetiver
Run through my head and fall away
Leave the road and memorize
This life that pass before my eyes
Nothing is going my way

There's no one left to take the lead
But I tell you and you can see
We're closer now than light years to go
Pick up here and chase the ride
The river empties to the tide
Fall into the ocean

The river to the ocean goes
A fortune for the undertow
None of this is going my way
There is nothing left to throw
Of Ginger, lemon, indigo
Coriander stem and rose of hay
Strength and courage override
Two privileged and weary eyes
Of river poet search naivete
Pick up here and chase the ride
The river empties to the tide
All of this is coming your way


  This is a nice, simple song.  The highlight for me is the end, but I particularly like how Buck changes an Em7 to an A7sus4 with one finger change ... 

FIND THE RIVER

Intro/ Break:

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

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

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

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

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

E|-------------------------------|

Verse

e|-2---1---0---3---2---1---0--------|

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

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

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

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

E|---------0---3-----------0--------|

Chorus

e|-3---0---2---0---3---0---2---2---|

B|-3---2---3---3---3---2---3---1---|

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

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

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

E|-3---0-------0---3---0-----------|

End

Guitar 1

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

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

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

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

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

E|---------|

End

Guitar 2

e|---5---|

B|--7-7--|

G|-7-----|

D|-------|

A|-------|

E|-------|

AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE: NIGHTSWIMMING

What is there to add to this song?  There is an honesty and beauty here that is at the core of many R.E.M. tracks.  It is also the first song that made me aware of Stipe's photographic mind.  He mentions the photograph which brought to my attention that most of Stipe's observations are snapshots of life.  His references and illusions fly by like the pages of a photograph album.  This is what makes him so successful as an enigmatic writer.  His lyrics for each song are like a great collage that has separate meaning in each individual picture.  Also, unlike any other lyricist he seems to be able to draw the same effect out of his listeners as a photograph or painting.  It is easier for the listener to arrive at their own conclusion about what the song is about or what it means to them personally.
  The song luckily speaks for itself so I won't have to.

NIGHTSWIMMING

Nightswimming

Deserves a quiet night
The photograph on the dashboard,

Taken years ago
Turned around backwards so the windshield shows
Every streetlight

Reveals a picture in reverse
Still it's so much clearer
I forgot my shirt at the water's edge
The moon is low tonight

Nightswimming

Deserves a quiet night
I'm not sure all these people understand
It's not like years ago
The fear of getting caught
Of recklessness and water
They cannot see me naked
These things they go away
Replaced by everyday

Nightswimming

Remembering that night
September's coming soon
I'm pining for the moon
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun?
That bright, tight forever drum
Could not describe nightswimming

You, I thought I knew you
You, I cannot judge
You, I thought you knew me
This one laughing quietly

Underneath my breath
Nightswimming

The photograph reflects
Every streetlight a reminder
Nightswimming

Deserves a quiet night

Deserves a quiet night

As with Perfect Circle, this song could be played even if you don't know how to play piano and read music.  There are no chords and it doesn't require a heck of a lot of coordination.  Just start banging along to the song and you'll be playing in no time. The following tab is piano tab, you can also find standard transcription online.  If you want more specific instructions they are at tabnabber.com, but here are the basics:

1. L and R is Left hand Right hand
2. The numbers on the right are the octave groups. Middle c is octave 4. All octaves start on c.
3. The lowercase letters are the whole notes- white keys.
4. The uppercase (In this case only 1) is a sharp note- black key.
5. This symbol (>) means sustain the note. (I didn't use here)
6. This symbol (|) separates the measures.

Intro/Break:

L 2|g---g-b-|-------|g---g-b-|--------|

L 3|--------|c------|--------|d-------|

R 4|d-gab-g-|g------|d-gab-g-|d-------|

Verse: 

L 2|g--g-b--|--------|g--g-b--|----a---|

L 3|-------d|c---d---|-------d|c-------|

R 4|-gbg-gg-|---bbaFe|-gbg-gg-|---bbage|

R 5|-------d|dcc-----|-------d|dcc-----|

L 2|---g--|----a-b-|

L 3|c---c-|d----d--|

R 4|gaegae|gadggFeF|

End on g.

I've also included ultra easy guitar chords to play along with, although there is no guitar in the song.

Intro:

e|-3---0---3---2--|

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

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

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

A|-2---3---2------|

E|-3---0---3------|

Verse:

e|-3---0-2---3---0-0-0---3-2--|

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

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

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

A|-2---3-----2---3-0-3--------|

E|-3---0-----3---0-0-0--------|