************************************************************************************************
The Velvet Underground - Heroin
************************************************************************************************
Modified By : Louis Cuthbert ,
Corrections / other questions : louis_cuthbert@hotmail.co.uk
Adapted From : http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/v/velvet_underground/heroin_crd.htm
: Big Thanks To Spazomaniac for this version.
Thanks for playing, please rate - and good luck learning.
************************************************************************************************
TUNING ( NOT STANDARD ) - ( LOWEST to HIGHEST : E A C# G B E )
This can be done without a tuner:
Play the 4th Fret on the A String and then tune down the D String slowly until they make
the same sound. ( It is not very far only 1 semitone / one fret down )
This is done so you can have a drone ( the C# string ringing ) all through the track .
************************************************************************************************
Tried to get it closer to the album version I have
Ideally - 1 guitar to play the riff and the second to strum the chords.
- But sounds good acoustic with one guitarist.
Chords :
| C# - xx0121 |
| C#2 [Version 1]* - xx0322 |
| C#2 [Version 2]* - xx5322 |
| C#2 [Version 3]* - 2x0322 |
*NOTE - The different versions of the chord can be used give the C#2 a building effect
similar to the way they do it on the track
ALSO NOTE - Neither the E String or the A String are played open in any chord.
Riff :
|: C# | C#2 :|
e |-------------------3p2--------------------------------------------------|
B |------------2----------2------------------2----2-h4p2-------------------|
G |---------1-----1---------1-------------3-----3--------3-----------------|
C#|-----0-----------0-0-----0----------0----------0-0----0---(let ring)----|
A |------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E |------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Here the drone is created by a pattern of strikes on the open C# String like : dum...
dum.dum... dum... dum.dum... etc.
Same Chords all the way through*, See above ^^ . Just listen to the track to get the timing.
Lyrics:
C# C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2
I don't know just where I'm going
C# C#2 C# C#2 C#
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can
C#2 C#
Cuz it makes me feel like I'm a man
C#2 C#
When I put a spike into my vein
C#2 C#
Then, I tell ya', things aren't quite the same
C#2 C#
When I'm rushin' on my run
C#2 C#
And I feel just like Jesus' son
C#2 C#
And I guess that I just don't know
C#2 C#
And I guess that I just don't know
C# C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2
I have made big decisions
C# C#2 C# C#2 C#
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
C#2 C#
Cuz when the blood begins to flow
C#2 C#
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/v/velvet_underground/heroin_crd_ver_2.html ]
C#2 C#
When I'm closing in on death
After this line, Morrison interjects with a riff B, which is to be repeated as necessary:
e |-----7---7---9---7--------|
B |-----8---8---10--8--------|
G |-----7---7---9---7--------|
C#|--------------------------|
A |--------------------------|
E |--------------------------|
C#2 C#
And you can't help me, not you guys
C#2 C#
Or all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
C#2 C#
You can all go take a walk
C#2 C#
And I guess I just don't know
C#2 C#
And I guess that I just don't know
C# C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
C# C#2 C# C#2 C#
I wish that I'd sailed the darkened seas
C#2 C#
On a great big clipper ship
C#2 C#
Going from this land here to that
C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2
Ah, in a sailor's suit and cap
C# C#2 C#
Away from the big city
C#2 C#
Where a man cannot be free
C#2 C#
Of all of the evils of this town
C#2 C#
And of himself and those around
C#2 C#
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
C#2 C#
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
C# C#2 C#
Heeeeeroin
C#2 C# C#2 C# C#2
Be the death of me
C# C#2 C#
Heeeeeroin
C#2 C#
It's my wife and it's my life
C#2 C#
Because a mainline to my vein
C#2 C#
Leads to a center in my head
C#2 C#
And then I'm better off as dead
C#2 C#
Because when the smack begins to flow
C#2 C#
Ah, I really don't care anymore
C#2 C#
About all the jim-jims in this town
C#2 C#
And all the politicians makin' busy sounds
C#2 C#
And everybody puttin' everybody else down
C#2 C#
And all the dead bodies piled up in Nam
Play riff B a few times
C#2 C#
Cuz when the smack begins to flow
C#2 C#
Then I really don't care anymore
C#2 C#
Ah, when that heroin is in my blood
C#2 C#
And that blood is in my head
C#2 C#
Then thank god that I'm good as dead
C#2 C#
And thank your god that I'm not aware
C#2 C#
And thank god that I just don't care
C#2 C#
And I guess I just don't know
C#2 C#
Ah, and I guess I just don't know
End on C#
