Tablature add it up - Violent Femmes

          



 #----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#

  #This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #

  #song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. #

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  #

  Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 22:16:49 -0500

  From: Bryson Meunier <meunier.1@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu>

  Subject: TAB:"Add It Up" by violent femmes

  

          What femmes fan doesn't love this song? This file is my best attempt

  at transcribing the guitar parts to this that is arguably the greatest of

  femmes songs. However, I am not the greatest of guitar players and so may

  have made some sort of error in transcribing. Furthermore, I'm not posting

  all of the guitar parts, only the most significant/audible ones. So,if you

  are the greatest of guitar players, or if you just have something that I

  neglected to add, don't hesitate to post. Questions or comments are welcome

  at meunier.1@osu.edu  Have fun with it.

  

                       "Add It Up"(Gordon Gano)

  

  Performed by the Violent Femmes on "violent femmes"(1982) 

  Guitar parts transcribed here performed on the album by Gordon Gano

  Transcribed by Bryson Meunier

  

     Day...after day

     I will walk...and I will play

     but the day...after today

     I will stop...and I will start

  

  The rhythm part of this song consists of basically two chords, B5 and A. It

  would be difficult and ultimately unnecessary for me to tab the whole thing

  because the rhythm is not that difficult to figure out. Just listen to the

  music and play along. The tabbed chords look like this though for those of

  you that don't know:

   

     E---------(2)-----|

     B--(4)-----2------|

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

     D---4------2------|

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

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

  

  Play them along with the lyrics like this:

  

     

     B5

     Why can't I get just one kiss(2x)

     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

  

  The rhythm is the same for the next verse which goes like this:

  

     Why can't I get just one screw(2x)

     believe me I'd know what to do 

     but something won't let me make love to you

  

  At this point there's a little interlude that's dominated melodically by the

  bass. The guitar in the background plays something similar to the verse

  figure. Feel free to post it if you want to take the time to figure it out.

  

     Why can't I get just one fuck(2x)

     I guess it's got something to do with luck

     but I waited my whole life for just one

  

   The chord progression for the chorus is similar to the verse:

  

     B5                       A                  B5

     Day...after day...I get angry...and I will say...that the day...is in my 

                            A               B5

     sight...when I take a bow...and say goodnight

  

  The next verse is the same chord progression, only palm muted

  

     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

  

  This is the guitar solo that they play on the first album. The version on

  "Add It Up(1981-1993)" is different, I know, in that this and the outro solo

  are a lot longer. If someone wants to figure out that version I'd love to

  see it. However, at present this is all that's available. You'll have to

  figure out the timing but I think you'll find that it's really not that tough.

  

     guitar solo(light distortion)-

                            (gradual release)

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

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

     G---9br--9br--9br---9--9b--9-9-9-9-9-r-7---9-9-9-9--7-|

     D-----------------------------------------------------|

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

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

  

                               (1/2 step)

  

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

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

     G-7--9-9-----7--9--7--------7b--5-------5-----5---7-7-|

     D---------------------9------------7-------7----------|

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

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

                       (1/2 step)

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

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

     G---5-----5-----5----9b--7-7--9-9--7--9------9--7-----|

     D------7-----7-------------------------------------9--|

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

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

  

     E----------7--|

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

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

     D-------------|

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

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

  

     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

  

     Said I'm giving you a decision to make

     Things to lose, things to take

     Just as she was about ready to cut it up

     She said wait a minute honey I'm gonna Add it up

  

     I'm gonna Add it up 

     Add it up

     See what you got you gotta

     Add it up

     Day after day

     I get angry and I will say

     that the day is in my sight

     when I take a bow and say goodnight

     goodnight

  

  The guitar part on the outro doesn't sound that difficult or significant.

  For the most part, it just sounds like the guitar is freely moving up and

  down the neck around the seventh fret on the E,B and G strings. This part is

  bass dominated anyway so it really shouldn't matter what you play.

  Regardless of what you end up playing, end the song on B5.  

       That's it. Have a great time playing it and e-mail me if you have any

  questions or comments.

  

  symbols used in transcription:

  b = bend

  r = release

  

  

  

  

  

   


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 Add it up, de Violent femmes 

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