20th Century Man
View chords used in this chart
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 harlat@hawaii.edu)
How to play 20th Century Man
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is A. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.