“Jet Plane in a Rocking Chair” – Richard and Linda Thompson

Incredible. I don’t have much else to say about this song except how good it is. Also, capo on 3.

INTRO:
G

VERSE:
NC             G
Jet plane in a rocking chair
               C
Roller coaster roll nowhere
Em       D        C
Deaf and dumb old dancing bear
     G
I'll change this heart of mine
     C          D
This time, this time

(repeat)
Sea cruise in a diving bell
Run a mile in a wishing well
Soft soap and none to sell
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time

CHORUS:
C
Here comes the real thing
          F  C     F   C  G 
I've been waiting, for so long
F   C  G
For so long
          C                    D
I've been looking for a love like you.

VERSE:
Crossed-line on the telephone
Crossed eyes and a canny moan
Cross fingers and head for home
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time

Play sick in a feather bed
Act cool when you're stone dead
I'm a fool with a size one head
I'll change this heart of mine
This time, this time

CHORUS:
Here comes the real thing
I've been waiting, for so long
For so long
I’ve been looking for a love like you

VERSE/OUTRO:
G
Jet plane in a rocking chair
               C
Roller coaster roll nowhere
Em       D        C
Deaf and dumb old dancing bear
     G                  
I’ll change this heart of mine
     C          D
This time, this time
C               D     
This time, this time
c               D
This time, this time

End on D, awesomely.

“Brothers” – Emmet Otter’s Jugband

The song that everyone’s been waiting for, just in time for the end of January when the Xmas season is so far away not a soul wants to think of it. “Brothers” isn’t in any way a holiday song, but those unfamiliar with the movie you’ll find it in should head over here and start reading. I’ll take anyone in a battle royale to the cold, grueling death over whether there’s a better Emmet Otter song. (“Riverbottom Nightmare Band” fans I’m looking in your directions.)

I’m not the sort of guitar player who does well with riffs and ditties, particularly in folksy/bluegrass/jugband genres. But lemme try to get the opener down to give you an idea:

e-----------5-3-|------------|
B-------5-------|-3-3-3-5---:|
G-5-7-5---5-----|---------5--|

F
How much alike we are! Perhaps we're long-lost brothers?
                        G7
We even think the same! You know, there may be others.
Am                                   C/G  C/A  C/Bb   C/B
                 We can always use a friend.
Am                                                         G  G7  Gadd6  Gadd5
This family just keep growing! This family doesn't have to end!
C
Brothers!
C
Brothers!


Verse 2:
So many things to learn! But we'll enjoy each lesson.
Problems don't worry us when half the fun is guessin'.
                 Live a lifetime of surprise.
We'll all become musicians, and leave the wonder in their eyes.
Brothers!
Brothers!

Then there’s a fancier ditty than the one that opens the song and a kind of G7-C ending. Note the ways the notes walk up and then down in the chorus.

“Drown in the Tears of Your 20s” – Charles Latham

This is the bleakest song I’ve heard since “Tom Traubert’s Blues” maybe. From what little I know, Charles Latham is from DC and now lives in Philly (via London). If I had the book with me, I’d quote in advance of the song I’m about to tab from Lorrie Moore’s A Gate at the Stairs, which in addition to being all-over incredible has a bit about tragedy as a luxury for the happy, healthy, and generally well-off. Much of my love for this song comes from its role as a kind of check or reminder, and needing such a thing’s a pretty nice position to be in. But at any rate that book’s in my campus office and I’m on my couch for the time being. (more…)

“New Dawn” – Withered Hand

Not even the lyrics for this one is anywhere online. A new-ish band. Another track from the inimitable Steve May, whose 8track.com mixes should be part of your daily music regimen.

The song’s in irritating Bb major, so do what I do and capo up a fret. All chords below are relative to the capo. If you’re not playing along with the music then just play whatever. Of course you know this. I’m not trying to tell you how to play your instrument. And once again, there are lyrics below that I’ve assuredly misheard. Mr. Withered Hand: the last time I did this, Vic Godard himself came onto my blog and posted the correct lyrics to his song (though he missed a verse…). I welcome you to rise to the challenge.
(more…)

“The Bathing Suit She Wore” – Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas

UPDATE: Fixed, thanks to commenter Jamie.

This is maybe my favorite song from this staple of my and my family’s holiday season. Well, there’s “Brothers”. Here: lemme talk a bit about one of the things that makes this movie so great. If you haven’t seen it, for shame. One of Henson’s best. The story?based on a book by Russell Hoban that I haven’t read but which would make (hint, hint) an incredible Christmas present?follows Emmet and his mother, who both destroy or sell each other’s money-making items in order to enter and hopefully win a talent contest. Their talents are both singing (though Emmet can also play the washtub bass), and they learn in the end that they’re only so-so unless they sing and play together.

Or maybe they learn that certain men who write a lot of bluegrass and roots music get mad that audiences fall so easily for effects-laden rock ‘n’ roll.
(more…)

“Stool Pigeon” – Vic Godard & the Subway Sect

I have a lot of work to do. I’ve been out of town for two weeks and work has piled up. But I don’t teach tomorrow, and there’s this song I can’t get out of my head and it’s by Vic Godard and so I needed to figure out the tab. Which I’ll share with you. Those Vic Godard fans out there who find this blog by searching for tabs can correct at will. Also, feel free to use these chords as a beginning to tabbing out the little guitar riffs during the verses. I don’t have quite the time for that.

But I got you the intro and interlude ones. That’s worth something?

Again, lyrics assuredly misheard:

INTRO:

e-------------------|-2------2-3-2-5-----|
B---------------2-3-|--------------------|
G---------0-2-4-----|------------------0-|
D-0--0--4-----------|----------------4---|

e-------------------|-2------2-3-2-5-----|----------------------------|
B---------------2-3-|--------------------|---2----2---------2----2--0-|
G-2-------0-2-4-----|------------------0-|-2----2----2----2----2------|
D-------4-----------|----------------4---|----------------------------|

VERSE:

D
Made a right track when the nude was bleeding.
E
Your new suit set me in motion.
G
I told everyone in my life.
A
Always betray when she's not my wife, and

D
all around town is a new decision.
E
The black fireworks are not as annoyed at me.
G
I'm told when the rockets fly
A
without wit or a reason to cry, like a

CHORUS:
D
Stool pigeon
E
Stool pigeon
G
Won't you take two and three?
A
Knock me around all over the place and then leave.

INTRO

VERSE:
Black and white lies appear the same to me.
Chant of voices on a wind so free.
Things are tough we can still picnic.
A nice bunny that became trees.

I and my money wrapped in dishonesty.
Feeling part of a page in a book.
Now rummage among the debris.
Me and my shadow in our eats, like a

CHORUS:
D
Stool pigeon
E
Stool pigeon
G
Won't you take two or three?
A                                           Bb
Knock me around all over the place and then leave


BRIDGE:
                          D
I once found a place in a sea.
Bb                                D
Roses, no one bothering me, and a view.
Bb                              D
sad expecting what was coming to me.
Bb                                A
Nothing right from anyone least of you

VERSE:
I and my money wrapped....

CHORUS TWICE