#----------------------------------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: steve@jackcomic.com
Date: Oct. 16, 2001
Dr. Worm
From the album "Severe Tire Damage"
by They Might Be Giants
Transcribed by Steven C. Klinksiek
Note: The recorded verision, for the sake of the horns, is in the key of G-flat.
(intro riff)
E--------7--|----------|-------7-|----------|-------|
B--8-8-8----|--------7-|-8-8-8---|--------7-|-8-----|
G-----------|-9--9-9---|---------|--7-7-9---|-------|
D-----------|----------|---------|----------|-------|
A-----------|----------|---------|----------|-------|
E-----------|----------|---------|----------|-------|
G Em C D G
They call me Dr. Worm. Good morning how are you? I'm Dr. Worm
Em C D
I'm interested in things. I'm not a real doctor but I
C G/Bb Em
Am a real worm I am an actual worm.
C D
I live like a worm
G Em
And I like to play the drums
C D G Em
I think I'm getting good but I can handle critisim,
C G
I'll show you what I know and you can
C G/Bb Em
Tell me if you think I'm getting better on the drums
C D
I'll leave the fron unlocked 'cause
Eb F
I can't hear the door bell
(intro riff)
G C G C G C G C
(alternate between G and C)
G C G C G C G C G C G C G C
When I get into it I can't tell if you are watching me twirling the stick.
Am C Em G
When I give the signal my friend
C Cm
Rabbi Bole will play the solo.
(Solo)
E-----|---------------|---------|-------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
B-----|-------0-1-0---|-------3-|-3--1--1--0--|-0------------|--------------|--------------|
G-----|-0--2----------|---------|-------------|----2---2---0-|--0-----------|--------------|
D--0--|---------------|---------|-------------|--------------|-----4--2--0--|--2-----------|
A-----|---------------|---------|-------------|--------------|--------------|-----3--2--0--|
E-----|---------------|---------|-------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|
(chords under solo)
| G/D5 | E5 | D/A5 | G5 | A/E5 | |
D-chord triplets
(intro riff)
Am C Em G
Someday somebody else besides me
C Cm
Will call me by my stage name they will
(guitar tacet - hold out Cm)
Call me Dr. Worm. Good morning how are you I'm Dr. Worm.
G (bass hit)
I'm interested in things. I'm not a real doctor but I
C G/Bb Em
Am a real worm I am an actual worm.
C D
I live like a worm
G Em
And I like to play the drums
C D G Em
I think I'm getting good but I can handle critisim,
C G
I'll show you what I know and you can
C G/Bb Em
Tell me if you think I'm getting better on the drums
C D
I'm not a real doctor but they
Eb F G (intro riff) G
Call me Dr. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooorm!
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
Daniel Average |
#1 by Daniel Rainbolt at Jun 15, 1970 at 8:28 PM EST |
| Not to be a joy kill or anything (and I gotta say that I did enjoy Canteen Dave's interpretation), but has anyone here stopped to consider that maybe the lyrics are being literal? Dr. Worm isn't a doctor, but he *is* a worm. An actual worm. He lives like a worm. Of course, he can't hear the doorbell! Worms don't have ears. He can only "listen" via vibrations. So, he finds a way of communicating - by drum sound waves. But worms tend to shy away from loud vibrations - it's a natural defense, so his mode of communication tends to draw criticism from his fellow-worms. I think this song might have more to do with evolution. He's pretending to be a healer -- his friend (the rat) is pretending to be a religious leader... these are both jobs that are admired, but regardless of his fantasy, he's still only a worm. Maybe, one day, he'll evolve, and people will realize that he's more than just his outward appearance -- one day, he wants people to ask him how he is, and to understand that he's got true feelings and interests. | |
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Rhythm Player |
#2 by riotsk8team001 (jason) at Jul 20, 1971 at 1:14 AM EST |
| who originally dird this??? | |
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Mike Average |
#3 by Mike heidkamp at May 16, 1972 at 1:05 PM EST |
| this song changed my life its just that damn good | |
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metal-cat Average |
#4 by metal-cat stepheria at Mar 25, 1973 at 2:53 AM EST |
| RIVALING EMILY DICKENSON!!? ROCK ON! anyway u guys are ruining tmbg, assuming other deep meanings to the obvious songs displaying their love for booze. beer+beer+beer=album... the tmbg way | |
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christian Average |
#5 by christian parnell at Dec 27, 1974 at 9:06 PM EST |
| I love you Canteen Dave. I love you so much. | |
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MelissA Average |
#6 by MelissA at May 31, 1976 at 12:15 PM EST |
| This song is about a musician who is merely average (I like to play the drums/I think I'm getting good/But I can handle criticism), but is hoping that he will get famous because of his stage name that he thinks is very clever (Some day somebody else besides me will call me by my stage name, they will call me dr worm). | |
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Jake Average |
#7 by Jake m at Nov 28, 1976 at 8:35 PM EST |
| I am a real worm! really i think this dude is trying to convey a message...he may be trapped in his subconcious to make him believe he is a worm, obviously he has issues of worms as a young child. He want someone to listem to him, yet no one does, he asks for attention and just wants to be heard! he changes his mind frequently to show hes not sure of wat it is he is...or wants in this cruel world of criticism...i also think he may be an oxyistylene worm. | |
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Ben Rhythm Player |
#8 by Ben Jammin at Feb 27, 1978 at 2:22 AM EST |
| Which is very weird, espically since the Johns have gone on record saying that they have never done drugs. | |
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Josh Average |
#9 by Josh Braun at Mar 15, 1978 at 6:35 AM EST |
| Symbolism and interpretations aside, this song is just enjoyable to listen to. And the mental picture of a worm dressed up as a doctor playing drums is kind of amusing... | |
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chris Wanna Be |
#10 by chris calle at Nov 13, 1978 at 12:55 AM EST |
| CanteenDave, you are BRILLIANT. I agree with almost all of your interpretation--let's say, 90% of it. The references to WWII are obvious (as in so many TMBG songs) but the worm in question is of course Dr. Mengele. As the song says, Mengele would eventually be revealed to be a worm. "Rabbi Vole" playing a solo probably refers to one of Mengele's conscripted inmate-nurses, who were forced to assist in his evil experiments. This song is part of the vast WWII-inspired song arc that runs through TMBG's music. I am surprised that CanteenDave is the only one who has recognized it. | |
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brock Average |
#11 by brock someone at Apr 27, 1980 at 11:49 AM EST |
| I like how people think that the Johns do drugs and drink nothing but alcohol. Guys, it's the coffee. Thanks. | |
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cody Average |
#12 by cody champion at May 8, 1983 at 2:41 PM EST |
| Obviously this song deals with the symbolism of World War II, and the potential of a nuclear war composing World War III. 'Dr. Worm' is a totalitarian dictator's lead General-Scientist for Research and Developement on Arms and Warfare. He conducts maniacal experiments, and feels empathetic towards his patients, apologizing that he is not a real doctor, but still interested to know whatever this particular experiment may pertain to. The drums then logically represent his warfare ideas, which he likes to use quite often. He comments on how he'll show you what he can do, but can take criticism. This is contradicted by the next statement, 'i can't hear the doorbell', with heavy metaphorical values pertaining and relating to the simple fact that he won't listen to the obvious answer, being at the door. The answer is obviously in religion, as he hands the stage over to his rabbi friend, allowing him a solo. His true dreams, however, come from his desire to be the real ruler of the world, the true totalitarian dictator, as is evident in the case, 'Some day somebody else besides me will call me Dr. Worm'. This may actually simply be his desire to become a real doctor, giving reason for others to name him 'doctor.' His use of 'some day' denotes his predictions for World War III's occurrence, and perhaps hopes then will be the time for his becoming a supreme dictator doctor. This is a prime representation of American Literature, rivaling that of even the great Emily Dickinson. Thank you. ~Canteen Dave | |
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michiel Wanna Be |
#13 by michiel adams at Nov 22, 1983 at 7:01 PM EST |
| this song is awsome, i dont think it means anything in piticular. Just about a worm whose not a docter who like to play the drums and is interested in things.thats all. anybody know what episode of kablam this was on? | |
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lewi Wanna Be |
#14 by lewi broadway at Mar 13, 1985 at 12:32 PM EST |
| Canteen Dave, i think you are crazy. you should definatly go to school, since you genius ways are deteriorating from your lack of maroon. although this song is obviously laying thick in symbolism, (says quite sarcastically while shaking her head "no"), i think you missed the boat completely. | |
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Sawyer Rhythm Player |
#15 by Sawyer Hildebrandt at Mar 22, 1989 at 3:36 PM EST |
| I agree with the people who said it's about a musician who wants to be famous. There are interpretations on www.tmbg.org and I've never heard of the Johns doing a bunch of drugs, and I've read a lot about em. | |
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♥brian Lead Player |
#16 by ♥brian♥ ******** at May 6, 1991 at 8:37 AM EST |
| YOU'RE ALL INSAAAANE!!!!!! This song was written by a bunch of kooky guys on drugs. PERIOD. No war references, no deep-ceited worm fears, just drugs. | |
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No Picture
wrath Average |
#17 by wrath child at Aug 3, 1993 at 10:32 AM EST |
| It's clear that the Johns are not completely drug-free. Look at a song like "Till My Heads Fall Off" for clear proof that they have drug references in their songs. But songs like "Drink!" demonstrate the dark side of drug abuse. I think it's clear that the Johns have used drugs, but I don't think it's the primary creative influence in their life. And I think they recognize the harm caused by drugs more than the benefits they offer. As Fizzward notes, coffee seems to be their drug of choice at the moment. The documentary Gigantic showed repeated consumption of massive amounts of coffee. In any case, the struggling musician interpretation makes the most sense to me. The drug explanation makes the least sense. And Sir Larrikin's theory is not at all a killjoy. Sometimes the literal explanation is the most offbeat of all. I have to admit that it never occurred to me to interpret Doctor Worm literally. | |
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nick Professional |
#18 by nick Sutliff at Mar 17, 1997 at 1:21 PM EST |
| doortodoor hit the nail right on the head. It's a song about a guy who plays the drums in his basement and dreams of becoming famous. The "I'm not a real doctor" line comes from a line of ads in the 70's. There was a TV actor who starred in some soap opera as a doctor who was hired to plug medicine. The commercial featured him sitting in a doctor's office with a white lab-coat on... however, there were scandals back in the early days of TV advertising because having a non-doctor in a white lab-coat pushing your product was seen by many as a form of deceptive fraud. Therefore, he opened the ad with the unintentionally hillarious line "I'm not a real doctor, but I play one on TV." | |
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Jer Average |
#19 by Jer at Mar 6, 1998 at 1:19 PM EST |
| Wow, more reviews than all the biggest TMBG hits. Canteendave, you are a superstar. I have to stop reading all this about John and John on drugs. Though their music is crazy and barely rational, I always thought it was just "stupid lyrics under great melodies." Dr. Worm strikes me as another example of that. One of my favorite TMBG songs, and boy do I like alot of them. | |
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chris Average |
#20 by chris ovari at Mar 20, 1998 at 3:59 AM EST |
| HEy, I jsut saw the video and heard this song on KABLAM! The song rocks but the video is what makes it complete...anyone have a link as to where I can download it? THANKS | |
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keith Wanna Be |
#21 by keith mckinlay at May 28, 2002 at 1:30 PM EST |
| cutest song ever | |
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steven Lead Player |
#22 by steven ratliff at Dec 23, 2003 at 4:45 AM EST |
| who cares? this song rocks! | |
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Joe Average |
#23 by Joe Montana at Jun 26, 2005 at 9:50 AM EST |
| I agree with bethazar, do none of you people know how many drugs the wonderful Johns were on at the time? That's the beauty of TMBG, they were on a lot of drugs and wrote some fairly crazy, but great tunes. Although, after reading what some of you people have to say about them, I'm not sure who's the crazy ones. | |
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metalis4ever Average |
#24 by metalis4ever at May 22, 2006 at 2:43 AM EST |
| This song was on Kablaam | |
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Tim Professional |
#25 by Tim Marchant at May 2, 2007 at 1:01 AM EST |
| Ha ha ha... Canteen Dave rocks... he's as mad as the song - he must be right!! | |
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