January 21st, 2010 Posted by magneticfieldsfan. 4 Comments
I’m just starting to learn ukulele and I really want to learn “Ukulele Me” by Stephin Merritt on his Showtunes album. Does anyone know what chords are used? I have a terrible ear for these things and can’t figure it out. Thanks!
I’ve just posted on my website a Tablature of “Tiger Rag” inspired by the Recording of the Roy Smeck Version in the album “Roy Smeck And His Magic Uke”.
EDIT: I’ve uploaded a brief .mp3 with a bit of singing (very low in the mix and with reverb ladled over the top!) as a guide…cymbal rush
Thom Yorke – Cymbal Rush
From the album “The Eraser”
Here’s a bash at the main riff from this tune (think it’s played on a rhodes organ or something in the album version, but it’s a nice pitch for ukulele).
The main trick here is to tune the (high) g string down a semitone to an f# – this lets you play a bit of a droney backing to the chords and helps to fill out the sound a bit more.
Also, it helps if you think “bossa nova” while playing the chords against the f# string bit – stay with me on that one!
I haven’t figured out the instrumental break or anything – feel free to suggest how this might go or how I might change what’s already here…
Great album, for some reason I thought this one might be good to tackle on the uke – I haven’t figured out the instrumental outro bit yet, any help with this (or fixing any other bits) would be welcome!
and here’s the chorus (the “I am yours now” bit) not sure about the Em…
F C F D Em
a||-0-3-0-0-2-|
e||-1-0-1-1-3-|
c||-0-0-0-2-4-|
g||-2-0-2-2-0-|
and then the bit where the guy starts singing: a||----------------------------------------------|
e||-5-5/8-8/10--5-5\3-3\1--5-5/8-8/10--5 5\3-3\1-|
c||----------------------------------------------|
g||----------------------------------------------|
Here are the lyrics:
VERSE
I don’t have to leave anymore
What I have is right here
Spend my nights and days before
Searching the world for what’s right here
VERSE
Underneath and unexplored
Islands and cities I have looked
Here I saw
Something I couldn’t over look
CHORUS
F
I am yours now
C
So now I don't ever have to leave
F
I've been found out
D Em
So now I'll never explore
BIT WHERE THE GUY SINGS
See what I’ve done
That bridge is on fire
Going back to where I’ve been
I’m froze by desire
No need to leave
Where would I be
IF this were to go under
It’s a risk I’d take
I’m froze by desire
As if a choice I’d make
CHORUS AGAIN
I am yours now
So now I don’t ever have to leave
I’ve been found out
So now I’ll never explore