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Particle Man (live acoustic version)
They Might Be Giants
This is a great little tune by They Might Be Giants, but I haven't seen any tabs or chords
for it out there,
so I decided to do it myself :).
This is my first attempt at doing a song--sorry for any mistakes! (but it sounds pretty
close when I play it)
This was done from the live acoustic version on 120 Minutes on MTV, but it shouldn't be
too different
from the album version. Listen to the recording for strumming patterns, etc.
C
Particle man, particle man
C G
Doing the things a particle can
F C
What's he like? It's not important
C
Particle man
C F
Is he a dot, or is he a speck?
G C
When he's underwater does he get wet?
F G
Or does the water get him instead?
F C
Nobody knows, Particle man
(slight pause while acordian plays--guitar holds out C chord)
C
Triangle man, Triangle man
C G
Triangle man hates particle man
F C
They have a fight, Triangle wins
C
Triangle man
(bridge with acordian solo--the guitar just plays C for a while, then G then C)
C
Universe man, Universe man
C G
Size of the entire universe man
F C
Usually kind to smaller man
C
Universe man
C F
He's got a watch with a minute hand,
G C
Millenium hand and an eon hand
F G
When they meet it's a happy land
F C
Powerful man, universe man
(slight pause while acordian plays softly strum C)
C
Person man, person man
C G
Hit on the head with a frying pan
F C
Lives his life in a garbage can
C
Person man
C F
Is he a mess or is he depressed?
G C
Does he feel totally worthless?
F G
Who came up with person man?
F C
Degraded man, person man
(slight pause while acordian plays--guitar holds out C chord)
C
Triangle man, triangle man
C G
Triangle man hates person man
F C
They have a fight, triangle wins
C
Triangle man
(then the same accordian solo plays twice and the song ends)
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tabbed by Jimmy
jimmbotheman@hotmail.com
Brought to you by the GUITARMASTA - http://www.guitarmasta.net
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
TOm Wanna Be |
#1 by TOm HIrsch at Apr 3, 1970 at 1:26 PM EST |
| Anyone ever read the comic book Watchmen? This song parallels the story so closely that it really makes me wonder. Those of you who have read it, think about it: Particle Man = The Comedian Triangle Man = Ozymandius Universe Man = Dr. Manhatten Person Man = Rorshach The Comedian gets his ass kicked by Ozy at the beginning, Rorshach gets his ass kicked be Ozy at the end. Ozy has the whole Egyptian theme going on, what with a lot of pyramids and triangles and stuff. And Dr. Manhatten repaired watches as a hobby before he became a superhero. It's probably a coincidence, but the parallels are interesting. | |
|
No Picture
Andrew Wanna Be |
#2 by Andrew Long at Dec 27, 1970 at 4:46 AM EST |
| there is no possible way this song (and many othe TMBG songs) can exist without some deeper meaning. it's a cool and fun and novelty song, but seriously. there's a lot of philosophical analysis behind this song for a reason: it's probably meant to be picked apart. it doesn't matter what it's about though. art is subject to interpretation so you can think of this song any way you want. | |
|
No Picture
*Lee Average |
#3 by *Lee * at Mar 18, 1976 at 9:53 AM EST |
| Hey everybody!!! Flatland is so old it's in the public domain! Look it up on the net (Project Gutenberg has two copies) and we'll all listen for the collective DOH! when you "get" it. | |
|
No Picture
PunkJunky Wanna Be |
#4 by PunkJunky at Feb 6, 1977 at 1:50 AM EST |
| TMBG rule as we all know. This song tells the story of a few types of people but whether your big or small no-one really gives a damn. Triangle man illustrates the restrictions, boundaries and protocols we all follow. (Or just the combined power of Foster & Allan, these irish folk singers could kill us all!) | |
|
No Picture
massie Professional Badass |
#5 by massie at Apr 3, 1978 at 12:47 PM EST |
| ok i just thought it was about his "piece" not being able to become erect. Maybe i've just got a very childish mind but nevermind. | |
|
No Picture
Josh Average |
#6 by Josh Sanchez at Jul 27, 1978 at 8:42 PM EST |
| It's been suggested to me that the different "men" in this song represent different social forces - science, religion (the triangle for the Trinity), fate and the common man - and the conflicts between them (and how the common man always gets crapped on, no matter who's fighting or who wins). However, I think this is just one way to listen to this song - I like to listen to it and think of absurd, melodramatic pro wrestler personas. (Or is that personae?) | |
|
No Picture
josh Rhythm Player |
#7 by josh groocock at Jun 6, 1980 at 3:45 PM EST |
| Geez why does everybody try to analize tmng songs like this. I dont think this song has any real meaning its just a cool fun song. Lighten everybody. PEACE TO YOU ALL!! | |
|
No Picture
Jesus Professional |
#8 by Jesus at Aug 16, 1983 at 12:23 AM EST |
| wow, seriously, i mean i listend to that song with my broter and we loved it, in a STUPID way, my opinion is, you are either drunk or stoned, so i think its ridiculous to put a deeper thinking in there... ok maybe when you're stoned and drunk yourself it might make sense to you but it's only meant to be a funny song, c'mon guys! | |
|
No Picture
(DDD Bass Gu Rhythm Player |
#9 by (DDD Bass Guitar/Backup Vocals) Jeff Fritts at Sep 16, 1984 at 11:08 PM EST |
| Why are so many people opposed to analysing this song? My conclusion is that they are all freemasons, bent on keeping secret the hidden universal truths within Particle Man. It interesting to hear the opinions of those that actually have them. I always thought of this song as a social criticism, how triangle man beats down on those 'inferior' to him, yet keeps away from universe man who could obviously kick his ass. And how person man is unhappy because he recognises the sitution he is in. Of course, nothing bothers particle man. | |
|
No Picture
spencer Wanna Be |
#10 by spencer mccarthy at Jun 9, 1993 at 8:58 AM EST |
| Tiny Toons video here! -------> http://www.milkandcookies.com/keywords/tmbg | |
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No Picture
James Rhythm Player |
#11 by James T.H. at Feb 13, 1997 at 7:38 PM EST |
| haha i completely agree! although, i feel tmbg are genious's in desguise! | |
|
No Picture
ScumFucBondage Average |
#12 by ScumFucBondage bumsex at Dec 13, 1998 at 5:22 AM EST |
| It's from the point of view of the brain of someone who's been paralyzed from the waist down. | |
|
No Picture
Wacko Average |
#13 by Wacko Jacko at Jun 28, 2002 at 1:47 PM EST |
| I believe the first three "men" listed are in ascending order of dimensional complexity. The point, the plane and the time/space omniverse. Person man cannot see beyond himself, living his life in confined area that seeks no positive inputs only negative waste. The question, "who came up with person man?" is made not by the narrator, but by the person itself. This is why it is hated. Just like the particle asking about its relevance to other things. The question is inherently juvenile. These things are what they are. Universe man knows his place. Traingle man knows what he is. The better question for person man is how do I be? | |
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