Hi. I have posted Man on the Moon, so thought some of you might like this. When i was learning, I got fed up of songs that all I could do was strum strum strum, I wanted something with a signature riff. I found this! Its the last track on the fantastic album Automatic for the people. You may find that not many people know it, but who cares, its a terrific song to play and makes you feel like you are making music, not just randomly strumming chords. I will try, for the sake of any real noobies, to be as full in describing how to play this as possible. The other thing to note with this song, is that it isn't a typical Michael Stipe "Oh my I will never be able to sing that!!!" type of song, he just kind of gently sings his way through it. Try it capoed at 2nd fret, this seems to suit me best, and it might you, but play around! For those of you that are more experienced but want to play it, you can skip reading all my garbage descriptions of how to do it and just get on with it!
First the chords you will need. And trust me, they are easy. On the record one of the D chords has a G in the bass, but for the sake of this "lesson" (not ha ha) I have just changed this to suit the noobies .
D XX0232
Dm xx0231
Dsus2 XX0230 (D chord with finger off the high E string)
Dsus4 XX0233 (D chord with pinky added to high E 3rd fret)
G 320033 (can get away with normal 320003)
A X02220
Em 022000
Note to real beginners, do not be put off by complicated chord names, they are all versions of a normal D chord and after a while they'll be second nature to you, I promise!
Intro.
This is the signature sound and occurs elsewhere in the song, so get this sorted. It is SO easy even if you are not much good.
Right, straight into the intro, good place to start as any..... :wink:
-------2---------0----
----3--3------3--3----
--2----2----0----0---- x 2
0------0--2------2----
----------------------
----------------------
How to play this
Form a normal D chord. Starting with the open D string, and working down for another 2 strings, play each slowly with single downstrokes, then play a single strum on the D chord. Then remove your finger from the second fret G string, and place it on the string above it (the D string) and remove the finger from the high E string. Repeat the picking pattern as already described.
If you have the record, now would be a good time to put it on and see if you can hear what I am describing. That is easy yeah?
You should now here
single string pick x 3 working down the guitar
Strum D chord
change fingering
single string pick x 3 working down guitar
strum chord formed when you changed fingering.
The rest of the song is strummed, I can't remember the exact pattern but I think I use D/D/du/du. Maybe someone can help with this bit, but as its quite a slow song I am sure you'll find something suitable to fit it.
D Dm Dsus2 Dsus4 x 2
D Dm Dsus2 Dsus4/G
Hey now little speedy head, the read on the speedmeter says
D Dm Dsus2
you have to go the task in the city
D Dm
Where people drown and people serve,
Dsus2 Dsus4/G D Dm Dsus2
Don't be shy, your just deserve is only just light years to go.
G A D Em
Me, my thoughts are flower strewn, ocean storm, bayberry moon.
G A D
I have got to leave to find my way
G A D Em
Watch the road and memorize this life that pass before my eyes,
G A D
nothing is going my way
D Dm Dsus2 Dsus4/G x 2
D Dm Dsus2 Dus4/G
The ocean is the rivers goal, a need to leave the water knows.
D Dm Dsus2
We're closer now than light years to go.
G A D Em
I have got to find the river, bergamot and vetiver
G A D
Run through my head and fall away.
G A D Em
Leave the road and memorize this life that pass before my eyes,
G A D
nothing is going my way.
REPEAT INTRO RIFF
D Dm Dsus2 Dsus4/G
There's no one left to take the lead, but I tell you and you can see
D Dm Dsus2
We're closer now and light years to go
D Dm Dsus2 Dsus4/G
Pick up here and chase the ride. The river empties to the tide;
D Dm Dsus2
Fall into the ocean.
G A D Em
The river to the ocean goes, a fortune for the undertow.
G A D
None of this is going my way.
G A D Em
There is nothing left to throw of ginger, lemon, indigo,
G A D
Coriander stem and rose of hay.
G A D Em
Strength and courage overrides these privileged and weary eyes of
G A D
River poet search naivete.
G A D Em
Pick up here and chase the ride, the river empties to the tide.
G A D
All of this is coming your way.
Outro - REPEAT INTRO RIFF
AND GUYS HELP ME!! Why is my spacing all messed up, I can't get the hang of the (code) thing at all, I am copying from Word, please can someone talk me through how to do this!!!
Great song and great job!
Blame it on the lies that killed us, blame it on the truth that ran us down.
This is great,
You have put a lot of effort into this. I've had the same problems with the spacing in the past. Vic Lewis is the expert, I tend to put dashes between the chord letters. See his reply and Wes Inman's to my offering of Best Of My Love - The Eagles
Best regards
Chris
The guitar is all right John but you'll never make a living out of it! (John Lennon's Aunt Mimi)
slydog / dogsbody
Thanks a lot for your comments. I have sorted out how to do it now thanks to another forum member, Arjen. Thanks to him for helping via email.
What is it with you guys and dogs?....
All the best
Matt
