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ARTIST: Thrice
TITLE: The Melting Point Of Wax
TABBER: Luke Charman (luke@so.org)
ALBUM: The Artist In The Ambulance
GENRE: Hardcore
YEAR: 2003
BAND: Teppei Teranishi (Guitar)
Dustin Kensrue (Vocals + Guitar)
Eddie Breckenridge (Bass)
Riley Breckenridge (Drums)
---
This is played in Dropped C, as is the majority of newer Thrice stuff.
I think it's almost all here and almost all complete, I hope it is!
h = hammer-on, p = pull-off, x = muted note, / = slide
---
Intro (Guitar 2 - Dustin)
D|--4----5--|
A|--6----6--| (Strumming pattern is quite easy,
F|--7----7--| listen to the song and you'll get it).
C|--4----0--|
G|--4----0--|
C|--4----0--|
---
Intro (Guitar 1 - Teppei)
D|--17p14----------------------------|
A|--------14--------15p14------------|
F|-----------14--14-------14---------|
C|---------------------------16--16--|
G|-----------------------------------|
C|-----------------------------------|
---
Verse 1 (Guitar 2 - Dustin)
D|------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------|
F|------------------------------------------------------------|
C|------7-7----77-----7-7----77------6-6----66-----6-6----66--|
G|------------------------------------------------------------|
C|--444-----44----444-----44-----000-----00----000-----00-----|
... .. ... .. ... .. ... ..
D|------------------------------------------------------------|
A|------------------------------------------------------------|
F|------6-6----66-----6-6----66------4-4----44-----4-4----44--|
C|------------------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------|
C|--444-----44----444-----44-----000-----00----000-----00-----|
... .. ... .. ... .. ... ..
---
Verse 1 (Guitar 1 - Teppei)
D|------------------------------|
A|--9-10-9---------9h10p9-------|
F|---------9--------------9-----|
C|-----------11-11----------11--|
G|------------------------------|
C|------------------------------|
---
Pre-Chorus (Guitar 2 - Dustin)
D|----------------------------|
A|----------------------------|
F|----------------------------|
C|----------------------------|
G|--0---0--00-0--2---2--22-2--|
C|--0---0--00-0--2---2--22-2--|
---
Chorus (Guitar 2 - Dustin)
D|--4----5----10-----9--|
A|--7----6----12----10--| (Strumming is easy to work out again,
F|--6----7----11-----9--| change from one to the next on the words:
C|--4----0-----9-----7--| "safety", "wings", "find", and "means".
G|--4----0-----9-----7--|
C|--4----0-----9-----7--|
---
There's a violin part here, which I'm not tabbing, hehe. Sue me :p
---
Verse 2 Riff A - Guitars 1 and 2 (Teppei and Dustin)
D|-------|
A|-------| (OK, this verse kinda threw me, there are no typical
F|-------| notes or anything here. One guitarist takes each of these
C|--(4)--| two harmonics, play the one on the lower C string with
G|-------| light bending, and both of them need a lot of feedback).
C|--(4)--|
---
Verse 2 Riff B - Guitar 2 (Dustin)
D|----------------------------|
A|----------------------------| (Play this part when he sings the
F|----------------------------| words "Screaming out to me".
C|----------------------------| This is the same as the
G|--0---0--00-0--2---2--22-2--| pre-chorus).
C|--0---0--00-0--2---2--22-2--|
---
Verse 2 Riff C - Guitar 2 (Dustin)
D|--------------|--------------|
A|--------------|--------------|
F|--------------|--------------|
C|-----6--------|-----7--------|
G|--------7--4--|--------6--7--|
C|--4-----------|--0-----------|
---
Verse 2 Riff D - Guitar 1 (Teppei)
D|------------------------------|
A|--9-10-9---------9h10p9-------|
F|---------9--------------9-----| (This is the same as his riff
C|-----------11-11----------11--| from the first verse).
G|------------------------------|
C|------------------------------|
---
Then play Dustin's Riff B (which is the Pre-Chorus) one more time.
---
Pre-Chorus 2 - Guitar 2 (Dustin)
D|---------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------| (This sounded kinda right, but to be
F|---------------------------------| honest I think there's just more of the
C|---------------------------------| weird feedback noise from Verse 2 here.
G|--2----4----0----2----4----0--/--| It slides up at the end).
C|--2----4----0----2----4----0--/--|
---
Then repeat the chorus again, with Teppei playing his Intro riff over it.
---
Bridge - Guitar 2 (Dustin)
D|---0--|
A|--10--| (This is the last chord from the chorus, just play
F|---9--| it a whole load whilst Teppei plays the lead).
C|---7--|
G|---7--|
C|---7--|
D|--------|
A|--------|
F|--------| (If you listen to the song, it's very obvious to
C|--4--0--| tell when to change from the one above to the 4's,
G|--4--0--| and then to the 0's).
C|--4--0--|
---
Bridge - Guitar 1 (Teppei)
D|--------------------------------------|
A|--------------------------------------| (This bit plays right up
F|--11-11-11-11---9-9-9-9---9/14-14-14--| until the end of the
C|---x--x--x--x---x-x-x-x---x--x--x--x--| bridge, it changes slightly,
G|---9--9--9--9---7-7-7-7---7/12-12-12--| easy to figure out).
C|--------------------------------------|
---
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------|
F|--11-9-11----9-11-11-9-11----9-11--| (This is the little clean riff
C|----------11--------------11-------| at the end of the bridge).
G|-----------------------------------|
C|-----------------------------------|
---
Outro - Guitar 2 (Dustin)
D|-----|
A|-----|
F|-----| (Just play this lots of times, easy to see when
C|--0--| if you listen to the song).
G|--0--|
C|--0--|
---
Outro - Guitar 1 (Teppei)
D|-----------------------------------|
A|-----------------------------------| (The last four chords there are
F|--11----9----14----13----14----11--| played with the syllables:
C|---x----x-----x-----x-----x-----x--| "Miles a-bove the", and it's
G|---9----7----12----11----12-----9--| silent for the word "sea").
C|-----------------------------------|
---
Lyrics:
---
I've waited for this moment all my life and more,
And now i see so clearly what I could not see before.
The time is now or never and this chance won't come again,
Throw caution and myself into the wind.
There's no promise of safety with these second hand wings
But im willing to find out what impossible means.
A leap of faith.
Parody of an angel miles above the sea.
I hear the voice of reason screaming up to me.
"You've flown far too high boy now you're too close to the sun,
Soon your makeshift wings will come undone".
But how will I know limits from lies if i never try?
Theres no promise of safety with these second hand wings
But im willing to find out what impossible means.
Climb to the heavens on feathers and dreams
'Cause the melting point of wax means nothing to me.
Nothing to me.
Nothing to me.
I will touch the sun or I will die trying.
Die Trying.
Fly on these second hand wings,
Willing to find out what impossible means.
Climb to the heavens on feathers and dreams
'Cause the melting point of wax means nothing to me.
Nothing to me.
Means nothing to me,
Miles above the sea.
---
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? luke@so.org
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Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
kyle Professional |
#1 by kyle mcdonough at Nov 11, 1971 at 3:38 AM EST |
| i agree, its definitely the best song on the cd | |
|
No Picture
taris Average |
#2 by taris leoncho at May 28, 1972 at 10:57 PM EST |
| Sorry if this ruins the song for anyone, but - wax doesn't have a melting point. A melting point of a substance is the exact tempurature at which it melts. Since wax doesn't melt right away, and gets softer and softer before it's a complete liquid, it doesn't have a melting point. | |
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Sam Average |
#3 by Sam Ordway at Apr 3, 1975 at 3:06 AM EST |
| liebherk, dustin feels strongly about taking risks, he says that on the DVD, so i don't see how that line is out of character. | |
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Drennan Professional Badass |
#4 by Drennan Bragg at Feb 7, 1977 at 1:34 AM EST |
| This song has got to be the best on the cd. 'I will touch the sun or die trying' pretty much says it in a nutshell- Prove yourself in every way you can because you never know when your last chane will be. | |
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Dylan Average |
#5 by Dylan Ruiz at Sep 29, 1983 at 5:35 PM EST |
| well it is heavily influenced by the greek myth about icarus. but there are differences. in the myth icarus had too much pride and he became cocky because he could fly. and thats how he died. apparently thrice adapted the myth to their own version of constantly starving for knowledge. knowledge is the basis of most myths must i remind you. the song talks about wanting to know more, doing something nobody has ever done before. doing something others consider impossible and proving to the world that you could do it, even though it cost you your life. it is also about someone so infatuated by the idea of doing that "impossible" something they forget about the risks, they lose their mind, become obsessed | |
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rockman Average |
#6 by rockman the sequel at Oct 13, 1984 at 8:08 PM EST |
| Its actually about the greek myth Icarus ( i think thats how its spelled. The "artist" is offered a one time chance and realize that he must take it, or it will be forever lost. He realizes that he could fail and is able to come to grips with that and chance it all. "a leap of faith" As in the myth the boy ignores the warnings of his father and attempts to escape a life that is imprisoning and restraining him in order to reach the "sun" or the impossible. The melting point of wax means nothing to me, the sun will not stop him from achieving his dreams. By escaping what is restrainging him, he is able to become a better artist. | |
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keith Wanna Be |
#7 by keith mckinlay at May 16, 1985 at 11:37 PM EST |
| Many have been refering to this as a metaphor, but technically it is an apostrophe, or an extended metaphor that is used throughout an entire work. It is also an allusion. The allusion is to the myth of Icarus, and this myth is in turn used as the figurative context for the apostrophe used to portray the literal meaning of taking chances and what not. | |
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Austin Rhythm Player |
#8 by Austin at Oct 31, 1985 at 5:46 PM EST |
| Dustin has infused the myth of Icarus (from the flight of Icarus) and used it as a metaphor to emphasize the focus of the song (TAKING RISKS). It's mainly aimed towards the criticism they recieved/their decision to sign with Island. It's about striving to the most ultimate and extreme limits to reach your goal, regardless of the consequnces and showing no fear in doing so < There's no promise of safety with these secondhand wings But im willing to find out what impossible means. I'll climb through the heavens on feathers and Dreams. But The melting point of wax means nothing to me> They know there's risks involved and the possible consequences, but they can achieve it by overcoming all the criticism and doubt surrounding them because no matter what it results in, no matter what it takes, it'll be nothing without giving it their damned best shot. < How will I know limits from lies if I never try? > Where's the sense in failing knowing that you havent tried and tested your limits to the max? Better failing having tried, than having done nothing at all. I can't really explain it well, but If you grasp the basic concept then it's not at all difficult to analyze. | |
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Rich Average |
#9 by Rich Frazer at Oct 20, 1986 at 2:39 AM EST |
| i just have to say, this song took my breath away the first time i heard it. theres an artist, im at a loss for his name at the moment, but he basically made art out of colored paper and he had one piece called the flight of icarus, after the myth obviously. wonderful wonderful piece, you all should check it out...it inspired me to draw something like the flight of icarus, but its a female [the female form is much more beautiful] and in the background it has some of these lyrics....most excellent, if i do say so myself. | |
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Kevin Average |
#10 by Kevin turbyfill at Nov 16, 1987 at 9:42 PM EST |
| Beautiful song. I had no idea what it was about, I really like that it's focused on the flight of Icarus | |
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Berenice Average |
#11 by Berenice Issaris at Aug 5, 2004 at 6:05 PM EST |
| I know this is song is probably a reference to the greek myth but i would just like to quote some lines from the book FARENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury. When Montag's house is being burned for having books, captain beatty says, "Old Montag wanted to fly near the sun and now that he's burnt his damn wings, he wonders why." Bradbury was also probably refferring to the greek myth but I'd like to point out that thrice has two other songs with possible FARENHEIT 451 references: See you in the Shallows and Hoods on Peregrine. | |
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Rebecca Average |
#12 by Rebecca Lira at Oct 1, 2007 at 4:17 PM EST |
| super good song, i think it means we should take chances in life and live it to the fullest. no point in never trying. an inspiring song for me anyways.... | |
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kyle Average |
#13 by kyle sharpshooter at Oct 3, 2007 at 1:15 AM EST |
| the name of the story is acarius.i think that is the way u spell it. sorry if not. but yeah great song.it is pretty mush saying to take risks and go fot it. | |
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Ben Rhythm Player |
#14 by Ben Jammin at Oct 7, 2007 at 7:35 AM EST |
| has got to be one of my favorite songs on the album hands down...a song that basically states with help of a myth mixed with metaphor-NO GUTS NO GLORY... | |
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simon Average |
#15 by simon cody simon at Oct 11, 2007 at 2:15 AM EST |
| Icarus, actually. And I think they used the myth as a frameword to write a song about breaking thier own boundaries. He wants to know what his limitations are... it's a metaphor. Still. It's my favorite song on the album. | |
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Emdizzy foshizz Lead Player |
#16 by Emdizzy foshizzy at Oct 11, 2007 at 10:32 AM EST |
| The myth of Icarus, when I read it, seemed to be a warning. Listen to those around you and know the limits that are in place or you will suffer the consequences. What I love about this song is that Dustin took a myth that could be used in that somewhat negative way and turned the tables. He put himself in the same situation and said that he would do the same thing - test the limits. very inspiring... nothing should be taken for granted, we should always be in question of the limits that are placed on us. | |
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julian Average |
#17 by julian at Oct 12, 2007 at 4:26 PM EST |
| Ok first off... there is an error in the lyrics.. its "but how will i know limits from LIES" not life. dont believe me? go to thrice's website.. www.thrice.net, then go to discography, then artist in the ambulance, then melting point of wax and you shall see. This changes the meaning of that phrase from meaning that life is in itself a limit to the fact that reason was screaming up to him but that reason could be just a lie. second: wax does have a melting point. Everything gets soft before it melts, this does not mean it doesnt have a melting point. the melting point of a substance is the point at which it has completely gone from a solid to liquid state. For wax, that tempurature is about 120 degrees. how do i know this? Im a chem major at UT. nice try though mmik. THRICE ROCKS | |
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Aaron Wanna Be |
#18 by Aaron Frederick at Oct 12, 2007 at 11:26 PM EST |
| "But how will I know limits from life if i never try?" This line seems kind of out of character with Thrice's awesomely good philosophizing and whatnot. In the context of Icarus, this is just stupid. You'll know your limits, unfortunately it won't do you any good, because you'll be dead. I can see the better to try and fail than never try at all thing, but Dustin could at least have chosen a better analogy. | |
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jo_silverhawk Average |
#19 by jo_silverhawk at Oct 13, 2007 at 6:19 PM EST |
| i love this song. it's one of my favorites on the cd (the other would have to be Artist in the Ambulance). it's just so amazing and creative that Dustin would think to use Icarus as a metaphor. It just blows my mind away. | |
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Christian Wanna Be |
#20 by Christian Chavez at Oct 20, 2007 at 9:53 AM EST |
| the meaning of this song is clearly covered. I'd just like to add that Dustin is an extremely creative writer and flows everything perfectly with the rythm of the song. The Melting Point of Wax is an amazing example of this. | |
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