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SONG TITLE: Walkin' On The Sun
ARTIST/GROUP: Smash Mouth
Ok, there are two guitars in this song, one clean and one incredibly
dirty. For that dirty sound, use a lot of distortion, use the bridge
pickup, and pick the strings real close to the bridge.
I'll divide the song into 4 or 5 riffs, then give you the lyrics.
I have the timing below all the riffs, because it's a bit tricky in
some places. I tried to say exactly where to play what, it may get
a little confusing in places. It's probably easier to just learn the
riffs and then listen to the song to hear when what is being played.
Oh yeah, and if you want to play along with the CD you have to tune
one note (half step) down, Smash Mouth are always tuned down.
RIFF 1: [This is the clean guitar.]
-------
E|---------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------|
D|-----2-----4---------5-----4-----|
A|-0---3-----5---------7-----5-----|
E|---------------------------------|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
RIFF 2: [This is the dirty, distorted guitar]
-------
E|----------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------|
G|----------------------------------|
D|----------4-4---------5---4-4-----|
A|----0-3-0-5-5-------0-7-0-5-5-----|
E|----------------------------------|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
RIFF 3:
-------
This is the clean guitar again. This is
what's used in the verses. Watch out for
the timing, it's a bitch.
E|----------------------------------|
B|------5-------7-------8-----7---7-|
G|------5-------7-------9-----7---7-|
D|----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
INTRO:
------
Clean guitar plays RIFF 1 two times,
then the dirty guitar comes in and plays
RIFF 2 two times. (At the same time the
clean guitar keeps playing RIFF 1)
VERSE 1: [clean guitar plays RIFF 3]
--------
It ain't no joke I'd like to buy the world a toke
And teach the world to sing in perfect harmony
And teach the world to snuff the fires and the liars
Hey I know it's just a song but it's the spice for the recipe
This is a love attack, I know it went out but it's back
It's just like any fad it retracts before impact
And just like fashion it's a passion for the with it and the hip
If ya' got the goods they'll come and buy it just to stay in the cliqe
[Ok, after he says cliqe the dirty guitar comes in,
plays this below and then goes straight into RIFF 2 for
the chorus.]
E|-------------------------------------|
B|-------------------------------------|
G|-------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------5-4-2----|
A|----------------------------------0--|
E|-------------------------------------|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1
|
chorus starts on this one.
During the chorus, the clean guitar plays the same notes as in
the verses, but he plays the rhythm a little differently. You don't
hear it much in the chorus, the dirty guitar is what's important
there.
CHORUS: [Dirty guitar plays RIFF 2 throughout chorus]
-------
So don't delay, act now
Supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive,
six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there maybe you're too hollow
But if the offer is shun
you might as well be walkin' on the sun
[You play RIFF 2 three times in the chorus and
then the 4th time you play it like this:]
E|----------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------|
G|----------------------------------|
D|----------4-4---------------------|
A|----0-3-0-5-5---------------------|
E|------------------0---------------|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
...might as well be walkin' on the sun
Then play RIFF 2 twice before starting verse 2.
VERSE 2: [play like verse 1]
--------
Twenty-five years ago they spoke out and they broke out
Of recession and oppression and together they toked
And they folked out with guitars around a bonfire
Just a singin' and a clappin' man what the hell happened?
Yeah some were spellbound some were hellbound some they fell down
And some got back up and fought back against the meltdown
and their kids were hippie chicks, all hypocrites
because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it
CHORUS: [play like previous chorus]
-------
So don't delay, act now
Supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive,
six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there maybe you're too hollow
But if the offer is shun
you might as well be walkin' on the sun
KEYBOARD SOLO:
--------------
This is a keyboard arranged for guitar:
(at the same time the dirty guitar is playing RIFF 2)
E|--------5------5-------5--------------------------------5-----5--
B|-----------------------------------------------------------8-----
G|-------------------------------7b8-7-5---------------------------
D|----7-------7------7-------7---------------7-7--7-7--7-----------
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------
E---8-8-8-8-5------5--------------------------------|
B---------------8-----------------------------------|
G-----------------------7-5----5-----------5--------|
D---------------------------7--------5--------------|
A---------------------------------------------------|
E---------------------------------------------------|
VERSE 3:
--------
[clean guitar playing RIFF 1]
It ain't no joke when a mama's hankerchief is soaked
With her tears because her baby's life has been revoked
[dirty guitar playing RIFF 2]
The bond is broke up so choke up and focus on the close up
Mr. Wizard can't perform, no God like hocus pocus
[clean guitar playing RIFF 3 (normal verse riff)]
So don't sit back, kick back and watch the world get bushwacked
Use the ten your neighborhood is under attack
Put away the crack before the crack puts you away
You need to be there when your baby is old enough to relate
|
|
The last line in this verse is played like this:
E|----------------------------------|
B|------5-------7-----8-8---8-8-----|
G|------5-------7-----9-9---9-9-----| Clean Guitar
D|----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------| ----|
|
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & |-- These are being played
| at the same time.
E|----------------------------------| ----|
B|----------------------------------|
G|----------------------------------| Dirty Guitar
D|----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------|
E|------------------0---------------|
CHORUS: [play like previous choruses]
-------
So don't delay, act now
Supplies are running out
Allow if you're still alive,
six to eight years to arrive
And if you follow there maybe you're too hollow
But if the offer is shun
you might as well be walkin' on the sun
OUTRO: [Dirty guitar plays RIFF 2 throughout...]
------
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
You might as well be walkin' on the sun
Brought to you by the GUITARMASTA - http://www.guitarmasta.net
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
Max Average |
#1 by Max Benton at Mar 16, 1974 at 2:06 AM EST |
| To me this song is about AIDS. It aint no joke. This is a love attack (AIDS) I know it went out but it's back./It's just like any fad it retracts before impact /And just like fashion it's a passion for the with it and hip (Hollywood types and their causes) So don't delay act now supplies are running out (people with it are dying) Allow if you're still alive six to eight years to arrive (Aids shows up 6 to 8 years after you get it) And if you follow there may be a tomorrow (You can live with it if you treat it) But if the offer is shun you might as well be walkin' on the sun (if you don't try to treat it, you might as well be dead) 25 years ago you didn't have to worry about getting it (free love, experiments with drugs) And their kids (Gen X) are hypocrites Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it ( it is not a trendy cause it is a disease) Mr. Wizard can't perform no godlike hocus-pocus (once you get it you got it, no turning back, no miracle drug) It is destroying the nieghborhood. Good song though | |
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geoff Average |
#2 by geoff at Jun 15, 1975 at 6:29 AM EST |
| I love this song it rocks enough said. | |
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Braxton Lead Player |
#3 by Braxton Overby at Nov 16, 1976 at 9:53 AM EST |
| The guy's trying to buy the world a clue, basically, because everyone's going crazy with what's cool, wanting to be part of the clique, and taking drugs, that's what they mean by "so put the crack away before it puts you ok, you gotta be there when your baby's old enough to relate" it's a generation gap song. The chorus is about coming together to get out the whole mess. | |
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Randy Lead Player |
#4 by Randy Lott at Jun 6, 1977 at 2:47 PM EST |
| I think the lyrics are basically saying "Whatever happened to 'hippy' ideals about love and peace?" That those ideals have gone away ("This is a love attack I know it went out but it's back"). So, don't sit back and let good ideals such as love dissappear! That's my take on it! | |
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goofy Rhythm Player |
#5 by goofy at Mar 25, 1980 at 5:40 AM EST |
| Ive been listening to smash mouth since i was 10, and ive never listened to fads, or what was in, so i always thought this song was abouthow every thing was good, reeal good, then big business started making everything that ws cool, and turning it into fads. But ive always felt that you can love smashmouth no matter which group you come from. Because they've been heard for so many resons. You dont have to make a commitmnt to them, and that what i think they are trying to say is "hey, you can love us for one song, for three, becauuse youve liked us since the beginning, or if your new to it." because music is not for only a certain type of "clique" or whatever. you can be a prepy rich kid, and its perfectly ok to like system of a down. Music is for everybody. So love it, live it, hate it, or pass it on. Just a warning, make sure you like it(or love it) for the right reasons. | |
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health risk Average |
#6 by health risk at Oct 5, 1980 at 11:44 PM EST |
| I really like this song. It has catchy lyrics and a 60ish beat. Great tune. To me this song means do not get caught up in all of the hype of today's fads and trends. For instance, crack is a big trend and it should be put away, before it puts you away. Also, the reference to Mr. Wizard refers to psychics and astrologers that have an immediate solution to your problems. They are deemed as God-like but truly are not. | |
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Jimmy Average |
#7 by Jimmy Dresbach at Nov 8, 1981 at 3:26 AM EST |
| the only true smashmouth cd (fucking sellouts) contained walkin on the sun- just a damn good rock # | |
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David Rhythm Player |
#8 by David Bradley at Nov 8, 1981 at 10:42 PM EST |
| this song is great | |
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†§ean† Average |
#9 by †§ean† at Feb 26, 1983 at 9:50 AM EST |
| I'm not sure where I got the thought from but I'm sure this song is about AIDs too. I guess it's another one of those songs where there's no set meaning, though, judging by other posts. | |
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Braxton Lead Player |
#10 by Braxton Overby at Apr 8, 1984 at 2:17 AM EST |
| Haha, yea i'm exactly w/ ya. It sounds almost like a commercial in the beginning, but I got no idea wt the song is about. And the music video doesn't help any either. | |
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jimmy Wanna Be |
#11 by jimmy rodrigues at Feb 13, 1985 at 4:03 AM EST |
| this is so cool, really catchy and i have no idea what the lyrics mean but hey! they're good too. love it and love smashmouth. hint from me: if you even remotely like this you will love All Star by smashmouth. :D Lou | |
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Trey Average |
#12 by Trey Davis at Dec 30, 1985 at 7:15 AM EST |
| i | |
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DemolitionLover Wanna Be |
#13 by DemolitionLover ^^v^^ at Mar 23, 1986 at 10:32 AM EST |
| this could very well be smash mouths best song in my opinion. its very catchy, like alot of their stuff but also has a very deep meaning and is a very well composed and quite intricate piece of work | |
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health risk Average |
#14 by health risk at Nov 22, 1990 at 3:06 AM EST |
| WHOA, first off, is anyone aware that "toke" means to smoke marijuana? cuz it seems that most of you missed that. second, rogerstigers is right on the money. -now dont take that like i'm saying the other opinions are wrong, i can at least see where the aids arguement is coming from, but wow, i think A LOT of people missed the point of this song. (rogerstigers was the one who talked about the hippie movement in the 60's, just in case you dont feel like scrolling up) | |
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Ashley Rhythm Player |
#15 by Ashley 666 at Jul 18, 1992 at 2:41 AM EST |
| I don't normally like poppy happy bands like Smash Mouth, but well... they just rock. This song makes me feel really good. | |
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Dillon Rhythm Player |
#16 by Dillon H. at Aug 4, 1993 at 8:08 PM EST |
| i think it's about the world in general and how fucked up everyones become like with drugs and no one giving a shit about anything real these days...but he's also saying that the world just needs to relax and take a chill pill and see eveything for what it really is and not try to complicate everything with wars and what not | |
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The Random Rock Average |
#17 by The Random Rocker at May 19, 1995 at 11:00 PM EST |
| I heard this song was about the hippie movement being dilluted with companies selling hippie style clothing. e.g. "And their kids were hippie chicks all hypocrites Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it" | |
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TAMARA Musical Genius |
#18 by TAMARA at Oct 5, 1995 at 10:37 AM EST |
| Haha, yea i'm exactly w/ ya. It sounds almost like a commercial in the beginning, but I got no idea wt the song is about. And the music video doesn't help any either. | |
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Josh Average |
#19 by Josh Sanchez at Aug 25, 1996 at 10:05 AM EST |
| wow, the fact that the meaning is not obvious really makes the song ring true. 25 years ago was the mid to late 60s (well, when the song was first released, that is). The US was in the midst of the Vietnam conflict and a strong civil rights movement. Hippies stood up and strongly promoted the liberal movement and crusaded for the rights of everyone. Now the hippie movement is nothing but a passing fashion. Most of the kids that partake of it are only in it for the fashion and cool-factor. They take the drugs, but know nothing about shamanism or elightenment or any of the cultural things that started the drug craze. they wear the bell bottoms and tied dyed shirts, but know nothing about riding in a bus on a road trip with 15 other people who haven't showered for a week. This song is a testimony to the past and call to all of us to wake up and either get with the program or take a walk on the sun. Cheers!! | |
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adam Average |
#20 by adam humphreys at Sep 24, 1998 at 1:51 AM EST |
| Smash Mouth rulez and are kewl. If you don't listen to Smash Mouth, YA might as well be walkin' on the sun, bitch. bo bo bo booo boo yeah | |
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ben Rhythm Player |
#21 by ben kurkul at Nov 27, 2002 at 9:43 PM EST |
| the greatest song of smash mouth and there's no doubt about it. i listened to the song like thousand of times i still like as much as the first time i heard it. from my point of view this song is about being "cool" in every single, to find your own way, and take chances when u can. it also reminds u about past generation, like the hippies and what happened to them, so it makes u realize that times goes by, people changes, etc, (in a few words, the world is movin' all the time and u gotta live the present enjoying life all u can and let the future comes as u build your present. | |
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Basstard Professional |
#22 by Basstard at Jan 26, 2003 at 4:56 PM EST |
| I had an incredible coincidence occur during one of the first times I heard this song. I was looking at some wannabe wearing one of those awful 1990's tie-dyed t-shirts, the ones which you could tell from a mile away were actually printed rather than tie-dyed. Then the line 'Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it' blasted into my ears. Perfect timing! | |
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Avinash Average |
#23 by Avinash Dutta at Dec 29, 2003 at 3:27 AM EST |
| really not sure what this song's about, ha! | |
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jordan Porreca Lead Player |
#24 by jordan Porreca porreca at Feb 20, 2007 at 6:51 AM EST |
| really not sure what this songs about?!?!?!? are you crazy?! its about drugs and drug dealing and the dangers that come with it | |
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Renee Wanna Be |
#25 by Renee Saenz at Feb 24, 2007 at 4:50 AM EST |
| I think this song is about African Americans in US. "Twenty-five years ago they spoke out and they broke out Of recession and oppression and together they toked" - clearly a reference to civil rights movement. "And their kids were hippie chicks all hypocrites Because fashion is smashin' the true meaning of it" - about the current rap culture and fashion. "It ain't no joke when a mama's handkerchief is soaked With her tears because her baby's life has been revoked The bond is broke up so choke up and focus on the close up Mr. Wizard can't perform no godlike hocus-pocus So don't sit back kick back and watch the world get bushwhacked News at 10:00 your neighborhood is under attack" - calls on African Americans to take charge of their neighborhoods and curb the crime rates and gangs. "Put away the crack before the crack puts you away You need to be there when your baby's old enough to relate" - refers to high drug use alluding to stereotype that most cocaine users are African Americans (it is in fact white suburban kids). | |
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