Chord/Tab song: Add It Up

Violent Femmes Add It Up Album Chords

Band: Violent Femmes

Album: ADD IT UP (1981 - 1993)

Transcribed by: NaTaS, 11/28/2007

1. Intro
2. Waiting for the Bus
3. Blister in the Sun
4. Gone Daddy Gone
5. Gordon's Message
6. Gimme the Car
7. Country Death Song
8. Black Girls
9. Jesus Walking on the Water
10. 36-24-36
11. I Held Her in My Arms
12. I Hate the TV
13. America Is
14. Old Mother Reagan
15. Degradation
16. Dance, M.F., Dance!
17. Lies
18. American Music
19. Out The Window
20. Kiss Off
21. Add It Up
22. Vancouver
23. Johnny

1. Intro

The Violent Femmes. The bring all their equipment on the bus. And you
can't fuck with the Violent Femmes. You can not fuck with this band.

2. Waiting for the Bus

Intro

e-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B--8--8--11--8------8----8-8-8-8-8--11--8------8----8-8-------------------|
G---------------10-------------------------10------------10--7--10--7--10-|
D-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
e-------------------------------------------------|
B--8--11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11~-----|
G-------------------------------------------------|
D-------------------------------------------------|
A-------------------------------------------------|
E-------------------------------------------------|

For that last part on the B String, It doesn't matter how many times you hit it as long
end on that hold note. Listen to the song and it'll be pretty easy to pick up.

CHORDS: Standard 'G' and 'C' chords.
(Bluesy 5th & 6th string chords will
also work well)

TURNAROUND: Play the following notes at the end
of each verse: D, C, B, A, G

[G] We got the mother and the kids
We got the guy and his date
We all get mad, we all get late.
Looks like somebody forgot about us,
Standin' on the corner, waitin' for the bus.

[C] Say, Hey Mr. Driver Man don't be slow
[G] 'Cause I got somewhere I gotta go.
[C] Say, Hey Mr. Driver Man drive that thing fast.
[G] My precious time keeps slippin' past.

[G] Lets call the mayor, lets complain
Looks like the city's done to us again
Tied up in traffic, what do ya know
The damn city bus moves so slow.

[C] Say, Hey Mr. Driver Man don't be slow
[G] 'Cause I got somewhere I gotta go.
[C] Say, Hey Mr. Driver Man drive that thing fast.
[G] My precious time keeps slippin' past.

(repeat 1st verse)
(repeat 2nd verse)

3. Blister In The Sun
[F]

intro e)------------------------------- (optional) -------|
b)------------------------------- -------|
g)------------------------------- xx--xx-|
d)------------------------------- xx--xx-|
a)---2p0-3-2---2-2-3-2---2p0-3-2- xx--xx-|
E)--3--------3---------3---------3 (drum part)xx--xx-|

[G] [C] [Em]

e)-3------0-------0---|
b)-0------1-------0---|
g)-0------0-------0---|
d)-0------2-------2---|
a)-2------3-------2---|
E)-3--------------0---|

Verse 1:

[G] [C] [G] [C] [G]
W[C]hen I'm a [G]walkin' I strut my stuff, then I'm so strung out.
[G] [C] [G] [C] [G]
I'm high[G] as a kite, I just might stop to check you out.

Chorus:
Let me go [Em]on, like a [C]blister in the sun.
Let me go [Em]on, big [C]hands I know your the [D]one.

[Em] [C] [Em]

G|--------------------------------------------------------|
D|---0^2----0^2-0^2-----------------------0^2----0^2-0^2--|
A|-------------------3-2-0--2-3-3-2-0---------------------|
E|-0------0---------------------------3--0-----0----------|

[C] [D]

G|-------------------------------------|
D|-----------3^4---3^4---4-------------|
A|-3-2-3-4-5-----5-----5---5-4-3-2-1-0-|
E|-------------------------------------|

verse 2: (same as verse 1)

Body and beats I stain my sheets,
I don't even know why.
My girlfriend she's at the end,
She is starting to cry.

repeat chorus:

bridge:
Figure A
Drums
Figure A
Bass Riff (shown below)

G|-4^2^0----------|
D|-------3^2------|
A|-----------3^2--|
E|----------------|

Figure A
Drums
Figure A
Harmonic

repeat Verse 1
repeat Verse 1
repeat Verse 2
repeat Verse 1
repeat Chorus
Figure A
Figure A

4. Gone Daddy Gone

Guitar:

e-------------------------------|
B-------------------------------|
G-2--2\5--5--5\7--7--7--5--5--5-|
D-------------------------------|
A-------------------------------|
E-------------------------------|

Bass:

G|-------------------------|
D|-------------------------|
A|-5-5-5---3-3-3---2-2-2-1-|
E|-------------------------|

Verse 1:
Beautiful girl, lovely dress
High school smile, oh yes
Beautiful girl, lovely dress
Where she is now I can only guess

Chorus:
'Cause it's

Bass:

G|----------------------3--3---|
D|--------3--3-3--5--5---------|
A|-5--5-5----------------------|
E|-----------------------------|

gone daddy gone love is gone
(repeat)

The love is gone away

Verse 2: (same as Verse 1)
When I see you
I still turn blue
When I see you
A thousand eyes turning blue

Xylophone Solo:

Bridge:

drums
guitar:

e--------------------------------------------------|
B------17-----------17--------------17-------------|
G--19------19---17------19--17--19------19--17--17/|
D--------------------------------------------------|
A--------------------------------------------------|
E--------------------------------------------------|

drums
xylophone
drums
guitar:

e--18--15b-r-------------15--15--15----------------|
B--15--15b-r--15--18b-r--15--18--18--15--18b-r--15-|
G--------------------------------------------------|
D--------------------------------------------------|
A--------------------------------------------------|
E--------------------------------------------------|

I can tell by the way you...

e--------------------------------------------------|
B--18--15------------------------------------------|
G--------------------------------------------------|
D--------------------------------------------------|
A--------------------------------------------------|
E--------------------------------------------------|

I can see the way that you switch your walk
I can see the way that you baby-talk
I can know by the way that you treat your man
I could love you baby 'til it's a cryin....

repeat Chorus:

Verse 3: (same as Verse 1)

Beautiful girl, lovely dress
15 smiles, oh yes
Beautiful girl, lovely dress
Where she is now I can only guess

repeat Chorus:

Outro: (with Intro pattern)

Gone Away
Gone Away
Gone Away
Gone Away

5. Gordon's Message

Hello, this Gordon of the Violent Femmes and I've just been locked Inside
my house, so I can't go out and get my bus and stuff and get up there by one
o'clock. I'll...Someone's coming over to rescue me so... it wasn't my
fault, my parents locked me in. So I'll get there whenever I can.
Maybe I'll try calling Victor at his house or something like that.
O. K., ah bye

6. Gimme the Car

Intro: (with lead at end)

[Am] [C]
Lead:

e--------------------------------------------|
B--------------------------------------------|
G--2b-r---2b--r----2b\\\--(19)slide back up|
D--------------------------------------------|
A--------------------------------------------|
E--------------------------------------------|

[Am]Come on Dad,[C]
Gimme the car tonight.
Come on Dad,
Gimme the car tonight.
I got this girl,
I wanna

g------------6------|

^

Come on Dad,
Gimme the car.

Come on Dad,
Gimme the car tonight.
I'll tell you what,
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.
I'm gonna pick her up,
I'm gonna get her drunk,
I'm gonna make her cry,
I'm gonna get her high,
I'm gonna make her laugh,
I'm gonna make her shhhhhhhh...
woman, woman, woman,
Shit I know she's it.
Cuz I'm gonna touch her,
All over her body,
Gonna touch her,
All over her body,
Gonna touch her,
All over her body,
Gonna touch her,
All over her body.
And she can touch me,
All over my body,
She can touch me,
All over my body,
She can touch me,
All over my body,
She can touch me,
All over my body.

Time goes by,
I can feel myself growing old.
Burning inside,
Is making this boy turn out cold.

e-------------------------------------------|
B-------------------------------2-----------|
G-------------------------------2-----------|
D---2--3--2--3--2--3--2--3--2---2-----------|
A-------------------------------0-----------|
E-------------------------------------------|

What's wrong,
What's right,
Ya know I don't care,
When I hate my life.
What's wrong,
What's right,
Ya know people don't care,
When they hate their life.

But how can I explain,
Personal pain?
How can I explain,
Personal pain?
How can I explain,
My voice is in vain.
How can I explain,
The deep down driving,
Driving,
Driving,
We're driving,
We're driving,
We're driving.

Hey Dad,
Speaking of driving,
Come on Dad,
Give me the car tonight.

So much he don't understand,
Just might never make it to a man.

Solo:

e------------------------------------------|
B--------------------------------------0---|
G-----------------------2-----------0--0---|
D---2-2--0--------------2--0--------0--0---|
A-----------3-3--0---0--------3--3--0------|
E------------------------------------------|

hold,then slide

e------------------------------------------|
B--2\--(15)--------------------------------|
G--2\--(15)--------------------2\(12)------|
D--2\--(15)---------0----------2\(12)------|
A-------------0--3-----0---0-----------0--3|
E------------------------------------------|
e------------------------------------------|
B-----------2--2---------------------------|
G-----------2--2---------------------------|
D-----0-----2--2---------------------------|
A--3-----0--0--0---------------------------|
E------------------------------------------|

Come on Dad,
Give me the car tonight,
Come on Dad,
I ain't no runt,
Come on girl,
Gimme your

g------------6------|

^

Cuz I ain't had much to live for.
I ain't had much to live for.
You know, I ain't had much to live for.
You know, I ain't had much to live for.

7. Country Death Song

This is the bass line throughout the entire song.
Every "-" indicates an eighth note

G|--------|--------|
D|--------|--------|
A|5---5---|5---5235|
E|--5---5-|--5-----|

The bassline starts, the after a few measures, the guitar kicks in with this...
[Dm]

e|--1---1-|
B|--3---3-|

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

A|--------|
E|--------|

This is the pluck/strum pattern that is consistent throughout the entire song, it is
just pluck the third string, then strum the entire chord, then pluck the fourth then strum
entire chord. The lead instrument in the song is the banjo.

[Dm]I had me a wife, I had me some daughters.
[Am]I tried so hard, I never knew still waters.
[Dm]Nothing to eat and nothing to drink.
[Dm]Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think.
[Dm]Nothing for a man to do but si[Am]t around and think.[Dm]

[Dm]Well, I'm a-thinkin' and a-thinkin', till there's nothin' I ain't thunk.
[Am]Breathing in the stink, till finally I stunk.
[Dm]It was at that time, I swear I lost my mind.
[Dm]I started making plans to kill my own kind.
[Dm]I started making plans to kill[Am] my own kind.[Dm]

(Banjo kicks in)

[Dm]"Come, little daughter," I said to the youngest one,
[Am]"Put your coat on, we'll have some fun.
[Dm]We'll go out to the mountains, the one to explore."
[Dm]Her face, it lit up, I was standing by the door.
[Dm]Her face, it lit up, I was sta[Am]nding by the door.[Dm]

[Dm]"Come, little daughter, I will carry the lanterns.
[Am]We'll go out tonight, we'll go to the caverns.
[Dm]We'll go out tonight, we'll go to the caves.
[Dm]Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves.
[Dm]Kiss your mother goodnight and[Am] remember that God saves."[Dm]

(For this verse, the guitar part is only a percussive raking of the strings, Gordon
just strikes on the quarter notes but sometimes he mixes it up and plays a few eighth or
beats)

I led her to a hole, a deep black well.
I said "make a wish, make sure and not tell
And close your eyes dear, and count to seven.
Know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven.
Know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven."

(No guitar for this verse)
I gave her a push, I gave her a shove.
I pushed with all my might, I pushed with all my love.
I threw my child into a bottomless pit.
She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit.
She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit.

(Continues with percussive quarter note strums.)

(The bridge for the guitar is the same as the first verse, I have listened to the song
closely and any leads or solos are banjo or bass, the guitar just strums)

(The next two verses are just percussive rakes of the strings)

Gather 'round, boys, to the tale that I tell.
You wanna know how to take a short trip to hell?
It's guaranteed to get your own place in hell.
Just take your lovely daughter and push her in the well.
Take your lovely daughter and throw her in the well.

Don't speak to me of lovers with a broken heart.
You wanna know what will really tear you apart?
I'm going out to the barn, with a never-stoppin' pain...
I'm going out to the barn, to hang myself in shame.

8. Black Girls

Intro:
drums
bass enters

Bass Line
[Am] [Em] [AmEmEm]

G|---------------|
D|---------------|
A|-0-------0-----|
E|-----0-----0-3-|

guitar and horns enter

Guitar: (play with bass line before each line of Verse)
[Am] [Em] [Am] [Em] [Em] [Am]
Verse 1:

I dig the black girls, oh so much more than the white girls
I was so pleased to learn they were faster
yeah guess guess guess guess guess who I'm after

Along comes little faggot white boy
Said look, look, look first kind of joy
They come around so queer and quiet
but inside rebel and riot

So I, dig the white boys
so much more that the black boys
I was so pleased to learn they're not smarter
Come on, give, give, give it to me harder, harder, harder, just say harder

Solo:

1:32
scale up:

G:|--------|--------|
D:|--------|------4-|
A:|0-2-3-5-|7-5-7---|
E:|--------|--------|

1:34
!scales



1:42
main solo pattern:

G:|--------|--------|--------|--------|
D:|7-55----|7-55----|7-55----|5-------| 2 times
A:|------7-|------7-|------7-|--7-8-7-|
E:|--------|--------|--------|--------|

1:49
!scales

2:05
main solo down an octave thing (ie: similar to verse):

G:|-------------------|
D:|-------------------|
A:|-------------------| 8 times

E:|5-33-00---|

2:13
down and up scale right after:

G:|----------------|----------------|
D:|7-5-------------|--------------4-|
A:|----8-7-5-7-5-3-|0-2-3-5-7-5-7---|
E:|----------------|----------------|

2:17 2:18
guitar and bass alternate. bass plays:

G:|--------|
D:|----2-0-| 4 times
A:|0-2-----|
E:|--------|

2:25
jazz thing

G:|--------| --------|
D:|7-5-----|77-5-----| 4 times
A:|----8-7-| ----8-7-|
E:|--------| --------|

2:33
scale down and up, i think guitar also plays this.

G:|----------------|----------------|
D:|7-5-------------|--------------4-| 2 times
A:|----8-7-5-7-5-3-|0-2-3-5-7-5-7---|
E:|----------------|----------------|

2:41
low octave (guitar is playing a jazzy riff here and is
loudest instrument. not sure bass is playing, but if it is, it is this).

G:|-------------------|
D:|-------------------|
A:|-------------------| 8 times

E:|5-33-00---|

2:49
main solo pattern (I can't really tab the timing properly here, so have
gaps to indicate it's kinda fast in those bits :^)):

G:|-- ------|--------|--------|
D:|7-77755----|7-55----|7-55----|
A:|-- ----7-|------7-|------7-|
E:|-- ------|--------|--------|
G:|--------|--------|--------|--------|
D:|7-7-7-7-|7755----|7-55----|7-55----|
A:|--------|------7-|------7-|------7-|
E:|--------|--------|--------|--------|
G:|--------|--------|--------|--------|
D:|7-7-7-7-|7755----|7-55----|7-55----|
A:|--------|------7-|------7-|------7-|
E:|--------|--------|--------|--------|
G:|--------|--------|--------|--------|
D:|7-7-7-7-|7755----|7-55----|5-------|
A:|--------|------7-|------7-|--7-5-7-|
E:|--------|--------|--------|--------|

3:04
!low scales



scales to high A

G:|----------------|
D:|--------------4-|
A:|0-2-3-5-7-5-7---| ''
E:|----------------|

3:28
low octave

G:|-------------------|
D:|-------------------|
A:|-------------------| 8 times

E:|5-33-00---|

3:36
main solo

G:|--------|

D:|7775----|

A:|------7-| 3 times
E:|--------|
G:|--------|

D:|7-55----|

A:|------7-|
E:|--------|

3:42
down and up scale

G:|----------------|----------------|
D:|7-5-------------|--------------4-| 2 times
A:|----8-7-5-7-5-3-|0-2-3-5-7-5-7---|
E:|----------------|----------------|

3:59 4:01

G|-14-------14-14----14-----12----12----14--------|
D|-14-------14-14----14-----12----12----14--------| (horns)
A|-12-------12-12----12-----10----10----12--------|
E|------------------------------------------------|

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

4:03 4:05

G|-14---------14-----14---\---17----17----14------|
D|-14---------14-----14---\---17----17----14------| (conch shell)
A|-12---------12-----12---\---15----15----12------|
E|------------------------------------------------|

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

4:07 4:09

G|-14-14-14----14-14-14----12-12-12----14--------|
D|-14-14-14----14-14-14----12-12-12----14--------| (jaw harp)
A|-12-12-12----14-14-14----10-10-10----12--------|
E|-----------------------------------------------|

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

4:11 4:13

G|-14^------14^------14^------14^------14^--------|
D|-14^------14^------14^------14^------14^--------| (horns followed
A|-12^------12^------12^------12^------12^--------| by guitar solo)
E|------------------------------------------------|

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Verse 2: (drums only)

You know I love the Lord of hosts
the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
I was so pleased to learn that he's inside me
In my time of trouble he will guide me

(other instruments enter)
I dig the black girls
I dig the black girls
I dig the black girls
I dig the black girls

9. Jesus Walking on the Water

Play open chords with an alternating bass-strum.

[D]Oh my oh my oh my [G]what if it was [D]true
[D]Oh my oh my oh my [A]tell me is it true
[D]Did he did he did he [G]die upon that [D]cross
[D]Did he did he did he [A]come back a [D]across

chorus bit:

[G]Jesus walking on the water
Sweet [D]Jesus walking in the sky
[Bm]Sink in sand took my hand

Raised me up and he brought me up
G A (pluck first four strings from the bottom up)
I can hold my my my head high

Will I will I will I be true to my birth
Will I will I will I give what I'm worth
Oh yes sir yes sir yes sir I come when you call
Yes sir yes sir yes sir Jesus I fall in awe

Jesus Walking on the water
Sweet jesus walking in the sky etc.

10. 36-24-36

(guitar solos and lyrics)
Thirty-six...Twenty-Four...Thirty-Six!

See a girl walkin' down the street
Just the kind of girl that I'd like to meet
It ain't her hair, her clothes, her feet
Somethin' much more discreet

I ain't allowed baby I ain't proud
I just want what I'm not allowed
Move on up and help myself
It do a world of good for my mental health

36-24-36, somethin's broke and it needs to be fixed
I don't know how to tell you this but I'm gettin bored
and I need some kicks like 36-24-36!

guitar solo 1:

E---------------------------------------------------------------|
B---------------------------------------------------------------|
G------7b7-7r^h5---5----7--5--7h5---5-7b^h5-5--7--5--7--7b------|
D----------------7----------------7-----------------------------|
A---------------------------------------------------------------|
E---------------------------------------------------------------|

(You'll have to figure out the timing on your own but when played at the
same speed, with the same feel, this arrangement sounds very similar to the cd).

Man oh man oh man oh man
I got a red hot plan have you understand
It cannot fail it's plain to see
I'm havin' fun and makin' money
I know this summer's gonna be the best
If I don't die from lack of rest
"Experience" what my daddy said
That's what I got just like he said

36-24-36, somethin was broke but I got it fixed
I don't know if I should tell you this
but I's gettin bored and I got my kicks!
like 36-24-36

Something special, about her personality
Something special, about her physiology

Guitar solo 2:

E---------------------------------------------5----------------------|
B--10b-------7P5---5-5------------------------5------------11--10--9-|
G----------------7-----7b^P5-----5--7--5--7b--5--------/13-----------|
D----------------------------7--------------------0------------------|
A--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E--------------------------------------------------------------------|
E----------------------------------------------------|
B-7-----------------------------------2\-------------|
G-----10--9--8--7--6\-----------------2\-------------|
D----------------------8--7-6-5-4-3---2\-------------|
A-------------------------------------0--------------|
E---------------------------------------------0------|

(Again, you're on your own as far as timing is concerned. Also again, I know
this isn't exact but it definitely sounds similar when played correctly.
Don't follow the numerical indicators in the last part of this solo
verbatim. Just use them as a guideline and walk up the neck to a tune that
suits you).

36-24-36 I want lots of pretty chicks
36-24-36 I want lots of pretty chicks
36-24-36 I want lots of pretty chicks
36-24-36 I want lots of!

symbols used in transcription:
Bbend
rrelease
PPull Off
/slide

11. I Held Her in My Arms

Intro:
[A] [D] [A] [D] [A] [D] [A] [D]
Verse 1:
[A]I'm gnawing on the k[D]nowledge
That [A]I have been b[D]urnt
And I'm l[A]earning things that [D]I
Should've [A]already l[D]earnt
[A]Everyone I [D]ever knew
[A]Was so kind and c[D]oy
[A]I was with a g[D]irl
[A]But it felt like I was with a b[D]oy

Chorus:
[A]I can't even remember
[D] If we were lovers
Or [A]if I just wanted [E]to
But I h[A]eld her in my arms
I h[D]eld her in my arms
I h[A]eld her in my arms
But it wasn't y[E]ou

Verse 2:
[A]I will not k[D]ill
The o[A]ne thing that I l[D]ove
[A]In this world of wre[D]ckage
[A]I look ab[D]ove
[A]Help me L[D]ord
[A]Help me underst[D]and
[A]What it means to [D]be a boy
[A]What it means to [D]be a man

repeat Chorus:

Solo:
over A D A D A D A DA D A D A D A D

repeat Verse 1:
repeat Chorus:
repeat Chorus:

Outro:
[A] [D] [A] [D] [A] [D] [A] [D]
[A]

12. I Hate the TV

Intro:

e|--------------------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------------------|
G|---4---5---9---10---12---10---9---7---5---4-|
D|-0-------0---0----0----0----0---0---0---0---|
A|--------------------------------------------|
E|--------------------------------------------|

Verse 1:

I hate the [Am]TV
I hate the [F]TV
I hate the [Am]TV
I hate the [F]TV
You know that it is [Am]kill[G]ing [F]me
You know that it is [Am]kill[G]ing [F]me
You know that it is [Am]kill[G]ing [F]me
You know that it is [Am]kill[G]ing [F]me

Verse 2:

I hate the [Am]president
I hate the [F]president
I hate the [Am]president
I hate the [F]president
You know that he is [Am]kill[G]ing [F]me
You know that he is [Am]kill[G]ing [F]me

Verse 3:

[C]oh my l[G]ove, [C]do not fear
[G]Satan's [F]army will [C]always[G] win
[C]Oh my love, [Am]do not despair
[G]God is [F]with us
with us
He's killing me
He's killing me

Outro:
Solo over Am F

13. America Is

America is
America is
America is
America is

Chorus:
America is the home of the hypocrite
America is the home of the hypocrite
America is the home of the hypocrite
American dream's so full, full, full of it

Look at the indians
Look at the blacks
Look at the figures
Look at the facts
Look at the facts, the facts, not the lies
and you'll find out, a big surprise

(Chorus)

Check out the indians
Check out the blacks
Check out the figures
Check out the facts
Check out some facts, check out the facts, not the lies
and you'll find out, it's a big surprise
right between the eyes

(Chorus)

No desperation limit
No desperation level
Even though my nose don't work
I smell trouble
I smell trouble
No desperation limit
No desperation level
Murder, murder in the government
Say you're sorry
Say you're sorry
No desperation limit
No desperation level
Turn the key, turn the lock
Nationalism, you can suck my
No desperation limit
No desperation level
Watch how the world's progressing, everywhere
Agression, agression
Agression, agression
Agression, agression

14. Old Mother Reagan

Bass plays this lead in before each line of A. Guitar play similar, except
ending on an A chord instead of just the A note.

A|------0-|

E|-0-2-3--|

[A]Old Mother Reagan
[A]And her crew
[A]Took away
[A]From me and you
I hope she goes [D]far aw[E]ay
She better go f[D]ar a[A]way
[A]Y'know it ain't right
[A]When it's all wrong
[A]This is the Old Mother Reagan
[A]Protest song
[A]Old Mother Reagan
[A]She's so dumb
[A]She's so dangerous
How come she don't go f[D]ar a[E]way
she better go f[D]ar a[A]way
[A]Old Mother Reagan went to heaven
[A]But at the pearly gates
[A]She was stopped!

15. Degradation

Ladies and gentlmen. The Violent Femmes. Come witness
the beauty of their degradation. Mothers bring you sons.
Mothers bring your daughters to this most educational
exhibit. The alternative has constitute has spared no
expense to bring these amazing freak babies to the Oriental
Theatre. Friday, March 29th. Eight o'clock. Tickets:
$8.50 in advance, $10 the night of the exhibition. Tickets
available at Oriental Box Office, Main Stream Records,
radio '', and the UWM bookstore. Violent Femmes.
Degradation. Violent Femmes. The Oriental Theatre.
Violent Femmes. THe 29th of March.

16. Dance, M.F., Dance!

CHORDS USED:

E 022100
G 320033
A x02220
C x32010
B x244xx
Asus x022x0
D x577xx
Bb x133xx

[E]Dance, yes Motherf[G]ucker [E]Dance
(repeat a few times, then)
[A]Dance, yes Motherf[C]ucker [A]Dance
(repeat a few times, then back to)

E (hold for a few counts...)

[B]Dance, d[D]ance, da[B]nce, dan[D]ce, da[B]nce, da[Bb]nce ,d[Asus]ance Whoooo
Your such an ugly motherfucker! [E]dance

17. Lies

Intro:
[C]
Verse 1:

[C]Well I'm reading this poem and it's so profound
And I like it's rhythm and I like it's sound
It's by a very famous poet no critic can criticise
And then I pause a moment and I start to realize
He's tellin'

Chorus:
[C]lies lies [F]lies lies
[C]lies lies [G]lies lies
[C]lies lies [F]lies lies
[C]lies [G]lies [C]lies

Verse 2:
[C]On the motel T.V. I dig the evangelist
He'll tell you all about that
And then he tell you all about this
He's preachin' up a storm by the sea of Galilee
He's mixin' up the truth with something funny
I start to see

repeat Chorus:

Verse 3:
[C]I never had this problem with nobody in the government
I guess I always figured they never mean what they meant
And GOD help us all not to be so stone surprised
When we wake up in the stars with the skies
In our eyes if we keep tellin'

repeat Chorus:

18. American Music

Spoken: "Can -- can I put in somethin' like ... this is 'American
Music', take one.... 1, 2, 3, 4!"

[C]Do you like Am[F]erican [G]music? [C] I like [F]America[G]n music
C F G C F G etc...
Don't you like American music, baaaabyyyy
I want you to hold me, I want your arms around me
I want you to hold me, baby
Did you do too many drugs? I did too many drugs
Did you do too many drugs too, baby

You were [Am]born too late, I was b[E]orn too soon
[F]Every time I look at that [G]ugly moon
It reminds me of [C]you, it re[F]minds me of y[C]ou
G
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

I need a date to the prom, would you like to come along
Nobody will go to the prom with me, baby
They didn't like American music, they never heard American music
They didn't know the music was in my soul, baby

You were born too soon, I was born too late
But every time I look at that ugly lake, It reminds me of meeee
(D'you like A[F]merican music) C
It reminds me of meeee
(D'you like A[F]merican music) C
It reminds me of meeee
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh

SOLO (At end, bend G to A, then hit and release back to G):

e|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
G|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
D|--2---------0-2----22-22-33-2-0--2--------0-2-0------------------|
A|---3-33-3-3-----------------------3-33-33-------3----------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------(5)\3---3----|

A cappella :
D'you like American music? (We like American music)
I like American music (Baaaabyyyyy)
D'you like American music (We like all kinds of music)
But I like American music best (Baaaabyyyy)

You were born too late, I was born too late
But every time I look at that ugly lake, it reminds me of me

It reminds me of meeee (do you like American Music)
It reminds me of meeee (I can hear the music)
It reminds me of meeee (sweet, sweet music)


19. Out The Window

[G]Life was fun, life was great
[C]til I made my big mistake
[G]oh no, it never happen to
[D]me

[G]life was short & life was sweet
[C]I was thinking as I hit the street
[D]I could hardly believe it, I could scarcely conceive it, I had

[C]Gone Out the Window I had
[G]Gone Out the Window I had
[D]Gone Out the Window[G]

[G]She look fine, she looked great
[C]and so we made our big mistake
[G]I swear I swear I swear it'd never happen to
[D]her

[G]But the pavement knocked her head around as she
[C]hit the solid concrete ground from
[D]thirty flights above and she was thirty something loving nothing

[C]Gone Out the Window She had
[G]Gone Out the Window She had
[D]Gone Out the Window[G]

[C]Catch me I am f[G]alling
[C]catch me I am f[G]all[D]ing

[G]He was smart, he was wise
[C]He profoundly philosiphized
[G] [D]
[E]mpathy for all humanity
[G]One day by an open window there's a note that said
[C]"I've gone out the window, and I'm dead"
[D]He said yes to life for all his life but then one day he said
(no chord)
"No, I gotta go"

[C]Out the Window here I
[G]Go Out the Window here I
[D]go Out the Window[G]

[C]Catch me I am f[G]alling,
[C]catch me I am f[G]all[D]ing
[C]Catch me I have [G]fallen
[C]catch me I have [G]fal[D]len

(no chord, backing vocals in parntheses)

(Go out the window We all)
(Go out the window We all)
(Go out the window We all)
(Go out the window)

(Go out the window We all)
(Go out the window We all)
(Go out the window We all)
(Go out the window)

[C]Catch me we are
(Go out the window We all)
[G]Falling
(Go out the window We all)
[C]Catch me we are
(Go out the window We all)
[G]Falli[D]ng
(Go out the window)
[C]Catch me we are
(Go out the window We all)
[G]Falling
(Go out the window We all)
[C]Catch me we are
(Go out the window We all)
[G]Falli[D]ng
(Go out the window)

Bass solo:
(^X^ snare drum hit)

G-|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
D-|------------------------------------|----------------------------2^0----|
A-|---5----------------5-5-------------|-------------2-2---5-5-------------|
E-|-------3--0--3-3--------3-0-3-------|---2\3--3--------------------------|

^X^ ^X^

G-|---------------------------------------|
D-|---------------------------2-----------|
A-|---------------2-2--5-5-----5----------|
E-|----2\3--3-----------------------------|

^X^

G-|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
D-|------------------------------------|----------------------------2^0----|
A-|---5----------------5-5-------------|-------------2-2---5-5-------------|
E-|-------3--0--3-3--------3-0-3-------|---2\3--3--------------------------|

^X^ ^X^

G-|----------------------2^0--2-----------|
D-|---------2-2--4-4------------5--4-4----|
A-|---4-4---------------------------------|
E-|---------------------------------------|

^X^^X^

G-|--2-2-------2-2--------2-2-------2^0---------------------||
D-|--------4-4--------4-4-------4-4--------4^0----5---------||
A-|-----------------------------------------------------x---||
E-|-----------------------------------------------------3---||

^X^ ^X^

20. Kiss Off

Chords used:

Em 0 2 2 x x x
C x 3 2 0 1 0
D5/F# 2 x 0 2 3 x

vstrum down
^strum up

[Em]

e|-0---------|
B|--0--------|
G|---0-------|
D|----2------|
A|-----2-----|
E|------0----|

[Em]

e|---------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------|
D|-------2-------2-------2-------2-------------|
A|-------2-------2-------2-------2-------------|
E|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-------|

v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^

[Em]I need someone, a person to talk to
Someone who'd care to love
Could it be [C]you
Could it be [Em]you
Situation gets rough
Then I start to panic
It's not enough
It's just a habit
Hey kid [C]you're sick
Darling this is [Em]itC D5/F#
You can all just kiss off into the air
Behind my back I can see them stare
They'll hurt me bad but I won't mind
They'll hurt me bad they do it all the time
Yeah yeah, they do it all the time

[Em]I hope you know that this will go down on your permanent record
Oh yeah well don't get so [C]distressed
Did I happen to mention that I'm [Em]impressed

(Brian and Gordon do their own thing, sorry i can't
tab this part out)

Bass Arranged for Guitar

e|--------------------------------|
B|--------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------|
E|--0-x-0-0-x-0-x-0-0-(12/1)------|

x slap mute (for this part Brian plays with his left hand over the
neck of the guitar)

I take one one one 'cause you left me
And two two two for my family
And 3 3 3 for my heartache
And 4 4 4 for my headaches
An[Em]d 5 5 5 for my lonely
And 6 6 6 for my sorrow
And 7 7 7 for no tomorrow
And 8 8 8 I forget what 8 was for
And 9 9 9 for a lost god
And 10 10 10 for everything everything everything everything

[C]You can all just [D5/F#]kiss off into the air
Behind my back I can see them stare
They'll hurt me bad but I won't mind
They'll hurt me bad they do it all the time
Yeah yeah, they do it all the time (repeat)

End with Em (low E string ringing)

21. Add It Up

Intro:

Day...after day
I will walk...and I will play
but the day...after today
I will stop...and I will start

Figure A Figure B
[B5] [A5] [B5] [A5]

G|-----2-|----------------------------2---2-2-2---2-|
D|-----2-|-------------4-4-2-4-2------2---2-2-2---2-|
A|-2---0-|-2-----2-2-2------------2---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|
E|-------|---2-2--------------------2---------------|

Figure C
[B5] [A5]

G|--------------------------------------------------------|
D|---4-4-------4-4-2-4-2---------2-2-------2-2-0-2-0------|
A|-2-----2-2-2------------2----0-----0-0-0------------0---|
E|--------------------------------------------------------|

[B5]

G|-----------------|
D|------4----------|
A|-2-2-2---2-----0-|
E|-----------0-2---|

B5(with Figure A Bass Line)
Why can't I get just one kiss
[B5]Why can't I get just one kiss
[A]believe me there'd be some things that I wouldn't miss
B5 (stop abruptly)
but I look at your pants and I need a kiss

Why can't I get just one screw
Why can't I get just one screw
believe me I'd know what to do
but something won't let me make love to you

Bass Solo:
over B5 B5 A5 B5

Why can't I get just one fuck
Why can't I get just one fuck
I guess it's got something to do with luck
but I waited my whole life for just one

B5 (with Figure B Bass Line)
Day
[B5]after day
I get [A]angry
and I will s[B5]ay
[B5]that the day
[B5]is in my sight
when I take a b[A]ow
and say goodn[B5]ight

(with Figure C Bass Line)
Mo my momma momma mo my mum
Have you kept your eye your eye on your son
I know you've had problems your not the only one
but when your sugar left he left you on the run

Mo my momma momma mo my mum
take a look now what your boy has done
he's walking around like he's number one
he went downtown and he got him a gun

Don't shoot shoot shoot that thing at me
You know you got my sympathy
but don't shoot shoot shoot that thing at me

Don't shoot shoot shoot that thing at me
You know you got my sympathy
but don't shoot shoot shoot that thing at me

guitar solo(light distortion)-(with Figure A Bass Line)

E----------------|-----------------------------------x-x-x-|
B----------------|--------5---7-5-------5--(5)-------x-x-x-|
G----------------|--------5---7-5-------5--(5)-------x-x-x-|
D--11b--r-11b--r-|--5h7-7---------5h7-7---7----7\9-9-------|
A----------------|-----------------------------------------|
E----------------|-----------------------------------------|

stay at 12th fret until...

E-x--------------------------0-----------------------------|
B-x-7-7-9\12-12~~~~12~~~~12-12-12-12-12-12-12-\(18)/12-----|
G-x-7-7------------------12----12-12-12-12-12-\(18)/12-----|
D----------------------------------------------------------|
A----------------------------------------------------------|
E----------------------------------------------------------|

bends, alternate until...

E------------------------|---------------------------------|
B-\17-17-17-18-18-17-17--|----------5-5--------------------|
G-\17-17-17-18-18-17-17--|----------5-5---5-7b-r-5---5-----|
D------------------------|---\7-7-7-----7----------7---7---|
A------------------------|---------------------------------|
E------------------------|---------------------------------|
E----------------------------------------------------------|
B------8-8---8-8----------------------------------10-------|
G------8-8---8-8--10b-r(8)10b--10--10-10-r--------10b-10r--|
D-\9-9-----9-----------------------------------------------|
A----------------------------------------------------------|
E----------------------------------------------------------|

P.H. continue until...

E---------------------------------------------|-------------|
B-----------10b-10-10r-10-10-10r--------------|-------------|
G-10-10-8------------------------8-10-8-------|-11b-r-11b-r-|
D---------9-----------------------------9-7-9-|-------------|
A---------------------------------------------|-------------|
E---------------------------------------------|-------------|
E----------------------------------------------------------|
B------------------18-18-18-18--18-18-18-18-18-----18------|
G--\20-20b-r-20b------------20b-20-20-20-20-20b-r--20b-r---|
D----------------------------------------------------------|
A----------------------------------------------------------|
E----------------------------------------------------------|
E------------------|----------------------------------------|
B------------------|----------------------------------------|
G-(18)-20b-r-20b-r-|--20b-20r-20-20-19-19-19-19b-r-19-18b-r-|
D------------------|----------------------------------------|
A------------------|----------------------------------------|
E------------------|----------------------------------------|

(this part's fairly sketchy)

E----------------17-17-17-17-17-17-------------------------|
B--19--19-19-19--17-17-17-17-17-17--/----------------------|
G-\21b-21-21-21--20-20-20-20-20-20r-/------------9b-----r--|
D------------------------------------------------9b-----r--|
A---------------------------------------7--9---------------|
E---------------------------------------5--7---------------|
E--------------\17~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~------------------|
B--12/-----------------------------------------------------|
G--12/-----------------------------------------------------|
D--12/-----------------------------------------------------|
A----------------------------------------------------------|
E----------------------------------------------------------|

(with Figure C Bass Line)
In your broken down kitchen at the top of the stairs
Can I mix in with your affairs
Share a smoke
Make a joke
Grasp and reach for a leg of hope

Words to memorize
Words hypnotize
Words make my mouth exercise
Words all fail the magic prize
Nothing I can say when I'm in your thighs

Mo my momma momma mo my mother
I would love to love you lover
The city's restless it's ready to pounce
it go here in your bedroom ounce for ounce

Mo my momma momma mo my mother
I would love to love you lover
The city's restless it's ready to pounce
it go here in your bedroom ounce for ounce

(with Figure A Bass Line)
Said I'm giving you a decision to make
Things to lose, things to take