#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: Harlan L Thompson
20TH CENTURY MAN- The Kinks
A A A(move A shape from down a fret back) A D D A E E
A (riff 2x) A D G D G D A (riff 2x)
A E
This is the age of machinery, a mechanical nightmare
A
A wonderful world of technology
D G D A (riff)
Napalm, hydrogen bomb, biological warfare
A E
This is the twentieth century, too much aggrevation
A
It’s the age of insanity
D G D A (riff)
What has become of the green pleasant fields of Jeruselem?
A G G A G G
Ain’t got no ambition, I’m just disillusioned
D (no chord) A(riff)
I’m a twentieth century man but I don’t want, don’t wanna be here
A D G D G D A (riff)
A G G# A
My momma says she can’t understand me
E
Can’t see me motivation
A
Just give me some security
D G D A (riff)
I’m a paranoid schitzoid product of the 20th century
A G G# A
You keep all your smart modern writers
E
Give me William Shakesphere
A
You keep all your smart modern painters
D G D A (riff)
I’ll take Rembrant, Titian, DeVinci and Gainsborough
A G G# A G
Girl, we gotta get out of here, we gotta find a solution
D (no chord) A(riff)
I’m a twentieth century man but I don’t want, don’t wanna die here
A G G# A G
Well, we gotta get outta here, we’ve gotta find a solution
D (no chord) A
I’m a twentieth century man but I don’t want, don’t wanna be here
BRIDGE:
Em A5 Em G G/F# Em
I was born in a welfare state, ruled by bureaucracy
D Am C C/B A5
Controlled by civil servants and people dressed in grey
A5 Am A5 G G/F# Em
Got no privacy, got no liberty
D A5 C C/B A (riff)
Cos the twentieth century people took it all away from me
RIFF #2 FOUR TIMES
A (no chord) G D A
Don’t wanna get myself shot down
(no chord) G D A
By some trigger happy policeman
(no chord) G D
Gotta keep a hold of my sanity
D F C G A
I’m a twentieth century man but I don’t wanna die here
RIFF #2 FOUR TIMES
(no chord) G D A
My mama says she can’t understand me
(no chord) G D A
Can’t see my motivation
(no chord) G D
Ain’t got no security
D F C G A
I’m a twentieth century man but I don’t wanna die here
RIFF #2 (repeat …)
I don’t want twentieth century man, I don’t want twentieth century man
I don’t want twentieth century man, I don’t want twentieth century man
A G D A
This is the twentieth century
G D A
Too much aggrevation
G D
This is the age of insanity
D F C G A
I’m a twentieth century man but I don’t wanna be here
RIFF:
‘A’ chord
—————————-
——————-3-3-3-2–
——————-2-2-2-2– repeat
——————-4-4-4-2–
—-0-5p0-5p0—0———–
————–0————-
RIFF #2:
A G G/F# Em
————————————
—-3-3-2———0——0———-
—-2-2-2———0——0———-
—-4-4-2—0—0——0——0—–
–0——-0————————-
————–3——2——0——-
NOTE: Pick notes on the bridge, strum all other times. The riffs are
approximate, to give the general idea. The bridge has been altered a bit
to make it sound better for guitar. This is the way the song goes in my
mind.
(from Muswell Hilbillies, 1971)
(sent by Harlan at [email protected])
