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Velvet Underground
Heroin Live?
Tabbed by: Miles
Only two cords used throughout the song
D G
|-2-------------|-3-------------|
|-3-------------|-0-------------|
|-2-------------|-0-------------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|
This tabs if for the live version, I think if not oh well. Guitar 1 comes in at
:04
D G D G
|-2-------------|-3-------------|-2-------------|-3-------------|
|-3-------------|-0-------------|-3-------------|-0-------------|
|-2-------------|-0-------------|-2-------------|-0-------------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------| x 2
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------| x 2
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
I don't know just where I'm going
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
but I'm gonna try for the kingdom if I can
Strum cords, pattern that can be used: Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up
D G D
Cos it makes me feel like I'm a man
G D
When I put a spike into my vein
G D
And I tell ya things aren't quite the same
G D
When I'm rushing on my run
G D
And I feel just like Jesus' son
G D
And I guess that I just don't know
G D
And I guess that I just don't know
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
I have made a big
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
decision
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
I'm gonna try to
Strum cords pattern that can be used Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up
D
Nullify my life
G D
Cos when the blood begins to flow
G D
And it shoots up the dropper's neck
G D
When I'm closing in on death
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-----3--3--3---3---|-8----8-----10----8-|
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------| x 2
1 2 and 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 (note don't play first beat)
strummed (same pattern)
D G D
You can't help me not you guys
G D
Oh, all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
G D
You can all go take a walk
G D
And I guess that I just don't know
G D
And I guess that I just don't know
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
I wish that I was
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
born a thousand years ago
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
I wish that I'd sailed the
Strummed
D
darkened seas
G D
On a great big clipper ship
G D
Going from this land here to that
G D
Oh, in a sailor's suit and cap
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-----3--3--3---3---|-8----8-----10----8-|
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------| x 2
1 2 and 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 (note don't play first beat)
Strummed
G D
Away from the big city
G D
Where a man can not be free
G D
Of all the evils of this town
G D
And of himself and those around
G D
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
G D
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
Her______________________________oin it'll be
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
the death of me
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
Her_____________________________oin it's
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
my wife and it's my life
Strummed
D G D
Because a mainline in my vein
G D
Leads to a center in my head
G D
And then I'm better off as dead
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-----3--3--3---3---|-8----8-----10----8-|
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------| x 4
1 2 and 3 4 | 1 2 3 4 (note don't play first beat)
Strummed
D G D
Cos when the smack begins to flow
G D
Oh, I really don't care anymore
G D
'Bout all the jim-jims in this town
G D
And all the politicians making crazy sounds
G D
And everybody puttin' everybody else down
G D
And all the dead bodies piled up in Nam
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-----3--3--3---3---|-8----8-----10----8-|
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------| x 4
1 2 and 3 4 | 1 2 3 4
Strummed
D G D
Cos when the smack begins to flow
G D
And I really don't care anymore
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-----3--3--3---3---|-8----8-----10----8-|
|-----2--2--2---2---|-7----7------9----7-|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------|
|-------------------|--------------------| x 2
Strummed
D G D
When that heroin is in my blood
G D
And the blood is in my head
G D
Then I thank God that I'm as good as dead
G D
And thank your God that I'm not aware
G D
And thank God that I just don't care
G D
And I guess that I just don't know
G
And I guess that I just don't
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------|
Know
D G D G
|-2-------2---2-|-3-------3-----|-2-----3-2---2-|-3-------3---0-|
|-3-----3---3---|-0-----0---0---|-3---------3---|-0-----0---0---|
|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|-2---2---------|-0---0---------|
|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|-0-------------|
|---------------|-2-------------|---------------|-2-------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|---------------|-3-------------| x 2
F arpeggio if you want
that's it, easy song...
Brought to you by the GUITARMASTA - http://www.guitarmasta.net
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
†§ean† Average |
#1 by †§ean† at Sep 7, 1977 at 9:55 AM EST |
| karate chop! | |
|
No Picture
Eric Rhythm Player |
#2 by Eric at Oct 29, 1978 at 7:09 AM EST |
| This is the most truthful message I think out there about heroin use...if you choose to do it you are making the decision to "nullify" your life. This song has always been enjoyable for me to listen to until the lyrics came true for someone in my life. My friend loved this song and then it basically became his suicide note. This past weekend my friend overdosed for the 4th time on heroin, but this time no one found him in time, this time. Now he is in a complete vegetative coma on full life support and only a 4% chance of ever waking up and a 0% chance of ever being a normal human being. He is now 98% brain dead. This song was playing on the CD player when he was found by my friend Erin. This song means so much to me now. Like the line "and you can't help me now, you guys and all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk/ you all can go take a walk". This is what he said to all his closest friends and family that tried to save him but he made the big decision long ago that heroin was his life and it would be this death. He was a spoiled middle class white boy that somehow thought heroin was cool. He had everything, a loving family, friends, material crap like a car and nice clothes, a place to stay, and then heroin came into his life and ruined everything. He also had this illusion that he could control it and it was not controlling him. But, look where he ended up. I think he didn’t realize that an overdose doesn’t always mean dying…sometimes there are thing worse that death. He is 23 and now because his parents couldn’t find the strength to “pull the plug”, he will spent the rest of his “life” in a nursing home. He tried to escape the city and it's evils by moving home with his parents out in the country, but even the heroin was too strong. I can never take this song lightly ever again. And I hope everyone who hears this song understands its true meaning and realizes that this song was in no way written to make heroin sound pleasurable. All it does is lead to death and disillusion. | |
|
No Picture
Keegan Average |
#3 by Keegan at Mar 9, 1979 at 5:41 AM EST |
| i think he is talking about escaping from the world's shitty reality and i think he is to sensitive to take all the shit and he needs heroin to stop the pain and worries this shitty world gives to a sensitive man like him. he just doesnt wanna care anynmore and what better way of not caring than not thinking and what better way of not thinking than killing your brain with heroin and i think they didnt use this song in trainspotting because i think trainspotting is more about choices (rutine, life or death, heroin) more than drugs and all that shit. i love this song because is so honest and to the point and it just say it all, no censorship in anyway. i think that thats what is missing this days. artists with balls like lou reed or the velvet underground and all those 60's and 70's underground bands that didnt give a shit about anything but the music. i love this song. | |
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No Picture
blake Average |
#4 by blake pratt at Nov 9, 1979 at 12:21 PM EST |
| I think this song might be about drugs, but I'm not sure, the lyrics are kind of vague. | |
|
No Picture
Alyssa Professional |
#5 by Alyssa at Mar 28, 1981 at 12:18 PM EST |
| this song puts me in a daze. | |
|
No Picture
Matthew Average |
#6 by Matthew Spencer at Mar 2, 1984 at 6:00 PM EST |
| I like how the song progresses. It becomes more disorderly until it snaps. The style parallels a heroin trip. | |
|
No Picture
nick Wanna Be |
#7 by nick at Jul 2, 1994 at 12:24 PM EST |
| what a crop of shit mleurck. | |
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No Picture
Carly Average |
#8 by Carly at Jan 22, 1996 at 10:02 PM EST |
| amaaaaazing song. go lou reed | |
|
No Picture
John Wanna Be |
#9 by John Merritt at Jun 29, 1998 at 11:38 PM EST |
| I think this is quite interesting, as songs about heroin usually tend to cover them with some sort of allegory/second meaning/whatever, so that (in my cynical opinion) if they become hits then the authors can try and deny the link with narcotics, which would presumably put off punters. "No, I assure you, it really *is* about a horse with no name...". Heroin also has a bit of a mad song structure to it - you probably won't notice by listening to it, but try playing it on the guitar (two chords: D and G) and it's impossible to remember all the words... | |
|
No Picture
Aaron Average |
#10 by Aaron Smith at Sep 24, 2003 at 2:47 AM EST |
| I don't think this song is about pulling the plug on a friend who made his choice. It's about making a choice. And the choice is for each person to make. If you ask me it sounds like Lou Reed thoroughly enjoyed the conflicting emotions of heroin, and the rush it gave him. But he's smart enough to know where it leads. The song ((to me)) is about how great this drug can be. But he to reminds us that it can kill... "Heroin, be the death of me" It is a beautiful honest song, through the metaphors in the lyrics Lou has tried* to give us a feel of what it feels like to do heroin and when mixed with the music I think they accomplished that as far as you can through a song. mleurck, sorry about your friend, but he made a choice. "And thank your god that i'm as good as dead" | |
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No Picture
ScumFucBondage Average |
#11 by ScumFucBondage bumsex at Apr 14, 2004 at 2:40 PM EST |
| I don't know why, but to me this is a beautiful song. It almost makes me cry at times. The lyrics are kind of meaningful too. I'd say Lou isn't very fond of heroin. | |
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No Picture
Ryan Wanna Be |
#12 by Ryan Carter at May 1, 2004 at 2:09 PM EST |
| An excellent song. For the note, both Lou Reed and Nico did heroin. I'm not sure about the others members but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. It seems like Lou Reed is saying just give'r and do the junk. He's not really putting it down. | |
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