#-----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE------------------------------#
# This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation #
# of the song. The owner of this website has not reviewed the contents of #
# this file. If you feel that the content of this file may be violating #
# copyright law, you may not use the information displayed here in any way. #
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------#
From: Paul Zimmerman
"What Goes On"
Velvet Underground
|: D
1. What goes on in your mind
2. I'm goin' up, and I'm goin' down
3. One minute one, and one minute two
C G D
1. I think that I am falling down
2. I'm gonna fly from side to side
3. One minute up, and one minute down
D
1. What goes on in your mind
2. See the bells up in the sky
3. What goes on in your mind
C G D
1. I think that I am upside down
2. Somebody cut the string in two
3. I think that I am falling down
A G
all) Lady be good, do what you should
D
all) You know it'll work all right
A G
all) Lady be good, do what you should
D :| (fine)
all) You know it'll be all right
after second verse:(SOLO)
make sure to play line 1. all the way through, then
the chorus, then go back up to
the top, starting with line 2., etc
From: Harlan L Thompson
WHAT GOES ON- Velvet Underground
D C D C
D C D C
What goes on in your mind?
F G D C
I think that I am falling down
D C D C
What goes on in your mind?
F G D
I think that I am upside down
A G
Lady, be good, do what you should
D C D C
you know it will work alright
A G
Lady, be good, do what you should
D C D C
you know it will be alright
I'm going up, and I'm going down
I'm gonna fly from side to side
See the bells up in the sky
Somebody's cut their string in two
Lady, be good, do what you should
you know it will work alright
Lady, be good, do what you should
you know it will be alright
SOLO
One minute born, one minute doomed
One minute up, and one minute down
What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am falling down
Lady, be good, do what you should
you know it will work alright
Lady, be good, do what you should
you know it will be alright
(from The Velvet Underground, 1969)
(sent by Harlan at harlant@hawaii.edu)
Brought to you by the GUITARMASTA - http://www.guitarmasta.net
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
Grunge Hamster Lead Player |
#1 by Grunge Hamster at Aug 14, 1972 at 6:54 AM EST |
| I fucking love this song! The lyrics are great and the organs in the song are beautiful. My absolute favorite Velvet Underground song. | |
|
No Picture
Gladis Wanna Be |
#2 by Gladis McHumphry at Feb 28, 1974 at 9:45 PM EST |
| i agree with Spidery. i say its about a girl who maybe was in some type of abusive relationship? or with a man who wasnt neccessarily good to her. or a guy she broke up with, or the other way around which ever "theres no tears in her eyes"... "you better hit her". i love that line though. and yeah that "bye bye b-b-b-bye bye bye baby awwwwwwwwwwwww" lovely. | |
|
No Picture
terry Rhythm Player |
#3 by terry terry watts at Mar 7, 1976 at 9:06 AM EST |
| I agree with roomonfire07. This song seems like it's about drugs(mostly LSD). It was written around 1968-1969 which was the peak of psychedelic drug experimentation. Plus this song is very mentally stimulating when in a psychedelic state of mind :-) . Just my $0.02. | |
|
No Picture
Mr. Always Mezm Average |
#4 by Mr. Always Mezmerized (o)(o) at Jan 2, 1979 at 4:09 PM EST |
| this narrator's girlfreind (or wife) just dumped him. he's cluelessly wondering why she just doesn't simply quit all this nonsense and just do what she should, then everything will "work alright." we've all been in his situation- i know i have! but everybody listening to the song knows, better than the narrator, that she isn't EVER coming back. irony. great song to deceive yourself with your being dumped - not to mention outstanding rhythm guitar work by the late great sterling morisson. i've always liked his playing amd this song is the best example of his excellence. | |
|
No Picture
taris Average |
#5 by taris leoncho at Mar 31, 1983 at 5:56 AM EST |
| about a guy whose ex is starting to see other people maybe with some abusive undertones | |
|
No Picture
Celebrimbor Rhythm Player |
#6 by Celebrimbor Calaelen at Feb 18, 1984 at 6:18 PM EST |
| Well, I think the song`s about drug abuse. or should I say about a girl that`s hooked on heroine or whatever. and she`s dating with a guy who wants her to give it up. but she keeps on taking drugs when she`s on the street and her guy can`t control her. | |
|
No Picture
Ben Rhythm Player |
#7 by Ben Jammin at Jun 18, 1984 at 1:10 PM EST |
| About a guy who's going out with a prostitute who won't give up her wicked ways! I love the part that goes: just like a bird, you know she will fly- fly fly away... awww... the 'awww' bit sounds so good! the 'bye bye' bit at the end is cool too. | |
|
No Picture
Joe Average |
#8 by Joe Blurton at Oct 29, 1984 at 9:10 AM EST |
| Great song! | |
|
No Picture
frosty Average |
#9 by frosty Angel at Jul 15, 1988 at 10:26 AM EST |
| fucking awsum song just had to say. dont think its about a breckup sounds more drug related after all it is the VU | |
|
No Picture
keith Wanna Be |
#10 by keith mckinlay at Sep 6, 1991 at 12:15 AM EST |
| I don't know if you're right... unless you read that in a bio or something. I see the song as the story of an abusive boyfriend or husband whose girldfriend/wife is gaining too much freedom. It is told from the perspective of the voices in his head who say, "She'll never ask you 'please' again," so "You better hit her." | |
|
No Picture
Average |
#11 by |
| I think it's about a girl having an orgasm | |
Top 7 The Velvet Underground Guitar Tabs
Popular Guitar Tabs