Violent Femmes - Add It Up guitar tab

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

From: Bryson Meunier

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