#----------------------------------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. #
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
From: ryan@wrcs1.urz.uni-wuppertal.de (Roisin Ryan)
Motorcycle Emptiness
by
the Manic Street Preachers
(music James Dean Bradfield)
transcribed by Matt Bennett
5/7/94
Riff 1 x x x x x x Riff 2
-----|-------------|--------------------------------------|-------
-----|-------------|-2h4-4-4-4h6-6-6-6h8-8-8-8h9/11-------|-------
-----|-------------|--------------------------------------|-------
-9^9-|-7h9p7h9-9^9-|--------------------------------13^13-|-11h13p
-----|-------------|--------------------------------------|-------
-----|-------------|--------------------------------------|-------
twice twice
x x x x x x Riff 3
------------|----------------------------------|-------|-----------
------------|-2h4-4-4-4h6-6-6-6h8-8-8-8h9/11-8-|-------|-----------
------------|----------------------------------|-12^12-|-12h14p12--
11h13-13^13-|----------------------------------|-------|-----------
------------|----------------------------------|-------|-----------
------------|----------------------------------|-------|-----------
twice
----------|
----------|
h14-12^12-| ascending run as above
----------|
----------|
----------|
INTRO and FIRST verse
Riff 1 Riff 2 Riff 3
SECOND verse
Riff 1 Riff 3 Riff 2
CHORUS consists of simple chord progression based on E major
SOLO
----------------------------|------------------------------------
-12-(12)^12--9---9-12-15^15-|-14-(14)^14--12-10-10^10----------12
---------------9------------|-------------------------11-11/13---
----------------------------|------------------------------------
----------------------------|------------------------------------
----------------------------|------------------------------------
=
-------------------------/--15--\--------------------------------
-12-(12)^12--9---9-12--15--------15-----trill-section------------
---------------9-------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
OUTRO
----|-------------|----------------------------------------------
-12-|-12p10-------|----------------------------------------------
----|-------13-11-|-13-12^12--13-^-13-11h13p11h13-13^13----------
----|-------------|----------------------------------------------
----|-------------|----------------------------------------------
----|-------------|----------------------------------------------
x6
--------------------|-----------------10-10^10-p8h10p8--8h10p8h10
--------------------|-/10-12p10h12p10----------------------------
---9-6-9--9/11^11-9-|--------------------------------------------
-9------------------|--------------------------------------------
--------------------|--------------------------------------------
--------------------|--------------------------------------------
-10^10-|--------------------|-------------|
-------|--11-(11)-----------|-------------|
-------|--11^-9----------9--|------9-9----|
-------|------------9h11----|-9h11--------|
-------|--------------------|-------------|
-------|--------------------|-------------|
repeat over and over
NOTES: I transcribed this using a classical guitar, and
consequently had some problems with the fast, high neck section
at the end of the solo. It's just a matter of getting the
rhythm, so as soon as i get hold of my electric i'll complete
this part and send it in.
When i've seen this played live, James doesn't mute the
notes on the ascending part of the main riff. I actually think
it sounds better that way.
At a gig in Bournemouth a couple of years ago, i saw
Richey play the opening couple of bars of this song. Curious
because he was famed for just standing there pouting, and
playing air-guitar to a backing tape. Anyone know what his
playing is like these days?
TAB guide:
9^9 bend up one whole step and return
/
10 bend up one whole step
=
/
10 bend up one half step
9/11 slide from ninth to eleventh
x play noted 'palm-muted'
Reach me on temporary email - ryan@wrcs1.urz.uni-wuppertal.de
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
♥WeEzY Average |
#1 by ♥WeEzY♥ at Sep 27, 2007 at 5:03 AM EST |
| My interpretation is that no matter how much you buy, you can't buy happiness. "Motorcycle emptiness" reminds me of the feeling you can get on a motorbike, like everything's passing around you and you're just sitting there. It's a bit like the book Zen and the Art of Motorycle Maintenance describes - you can retreat into your innermost thoughts while the world whizzes by, part of it yet detatched from it. | |
|
No Picture
|
#2 by at Oct 12, 2007 at 12:11 PM EST |
| I could listen to this song all day. I've got nothing useful to say about the lyrics, but I just wanna endlessly praise the anthemic chorus, the amazing guitar widdling, the piano and string interludes, the upbeat tempo, and the general feelgood vibe. | |
|
No Picture
Josh Average |
#3 by Josh at Oct 15, 2007 at 1:26 PM EST |
| i liked this song a lot more when i didnt know the lyrics! | |
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