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Band: The Pixies
Album: Surfer Rosa
Song: River Euphrates
Tuning: Plain Ol' EADG
Tabbed by: David Albert
E-Mail: david_albert@sympatico.ca
Effects:
Kim Deal doesnt use effects, just a compressor, sorry, I dont know the settings, I do
have a life.
'Intro' ( acts as a Post Chorus & Outro)
G |----------|
D |----------|
A |5500------|
E |----2(x8)-|
Main figure (A)
G |--------------------|
D |--------------------|
A |--------2(x8)-4(x4)-|
E |-2(x16)-------------|
Main figure (B)
G |-------|
D |-------|
A |-------|
E |-2(x8)-|
Chorus
G |--------------------------------|
D |--------------------------------|
A |-2(x3)-----5(x3)-----------0(x5)|
E |------2(x5)-----2(x5)-0(x3)-----|
Note on Chorus: I'm not sure of the striked rythm but I can hear int the rythm that the 8
doubles are divided 3+5 = 8 = 1 bar. I think it sounds cool played this way though.
Song Structure
'Intro' x 3
Main Figure (A) x 6
Main Figure (B) x 1
Chorus x 3
'Intro' x 3
Main Figure (A) x 6
Main Figure (B) x 1
Chorus x 3
'Intro' x 3
Enjoy!
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Dylan Average |
#1 by Dylan Johnstone at Dec 26, 2005 at 5:57 AM EST |
| I think edbanky is maybe reading a little too much into it.. yeees there is a car involved, but that doesnt necissarily mean the chorus has to be about riding a tyre now does it? The thing is (if we were paying attention to context) if you were stuck in the Gaza Strip – that’s way down by Egypt, then you're a hell of a long way from the River Euphrates to be thinking of catching a tube ride down it. Probably better to take a jerry can down to Gaza City and hitch back - the strip isn't that big. I dunno what the song's about really - its one of those ones that you can think of any subject and the words will fit in. To me it creates an image to me of a political metaphor for the Jew’s crash landing in Palestine in the 40’s the state of Israel was created and the ensuing strife. 'driving too fast' meaning the country was established so quickly... 'salty wine making you choke' to me is perhaps the land Abriham promised the Isrealites turning out to be not so sweet afterall, with all the unrest from Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Who knows though, interesting to hear everyones thoughts though - and gives me something to do while i wait for my wisdom teeth holes to heal! | |
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Erik Lead Player |
#2 by Erik StJimmy at Jan 23, 2006 at 10:30 AM EST |
| I don't know if Frank Black had sex on his brain or if I do, but that's what this song is about. A guy finished too fast and is out of gas. The Area between the Tigris and Euphrates is where human civilization was supposed to have begun. The stuff about the Dead Sea is then really funny. | |
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JONNY Average |
#3 by JONNY PETERS at Jan 25, 2006 at 3:33 AM EST |
| Has anyone noticed how the verses are haikus. Is'nt that just fantastic!!! | |
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joel Wanna Be |
#4 by joel campion at Apr 23, 2006 at 8:25 AM EST |
| Frank Black has previously written songs with references to the Old Testament (i.e. Gouge Away and Samson) and this may have something to do with Noah's Ark. As the legend goes Noah's Ark came to rest on the banks of the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates...Ride the Tiger down the River Euprhates- Great song! | |
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Brian Average |
#5 by Brian Crane at May 18, 2006 at 12:16 PM EST |
| Can't believe nobody has commented on this song. I think it is brilliant! Anyway i'm sure the correct lyrics are: 'ride a tyre down the river Euphrates' and not a Tiger? Does anyone know what it means? - quite appropriate with the present situation in Iraq? | |
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I * El CiD Average |
#6 by I * El CiD at May 20, 2006 at 8:35 AM EST |
| This song always reminds me of Holy Diver by Ronnie James Dio: "ride the tigah! you can see his stripes but you know he's clean. oh don't you see what I mean?" then i giggle. | |
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Aleksandar Average |
#7 by Aleksandar Radošević at Jun 24, 2006 at 11:14 PM EST |
| I love the sand storm of dissonant guitar ambience near the beginning. This song is perfect. | |
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beast Average |
#8 by beast at Jun 30, 2006 at 6:58 PM EST |
| I always thought this song sounds kind of like 'Velouria', but only a little bit. | |
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Kendrick Wanna Be |
#9 by Kendrick Snyder at Jul 18, 2006 at 4:46 AM EST |
| "I don't know if it is cultural to any degree, but in California, and warmer waterful climates, folks go "tubing" where they literally take a truck's tire tube and ride it down rivers, or on lakes, behind boats." No shit?!?!?! That's awesome! Maybe that'll catch on in another state soon! Leave California once in a while douchebag, not everything happens just there. | |
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adam Rhythm Player |
#10 by adam gold at Aug 1, 2006 at 3:15 AM EST |
| I have no clue what this song means, although the sex explanation makes sense. I think this is one of those cases where the lyrics don't have to make sense in a broader way. The imagery just creates a particular mood that really takes the song to a new level. The Pixies were masters of doing that. | |
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Robert Wanna Be |
#11 by Robert Higgins at Aug 3, 2006 at 7:52 PM EST |
| I can't believe people think he says "Ride the tiger." Just pay attention to the context for even half a second. They're stuck with a gasless car in the middle east, and decide they might as well "ride the tire down River Euphrates". Also note "Dead Sea make you float" also supports the inner-tube riding thing. I don't know if it is cultural to any degree, but in California, and warmer waterful climates, folks go "tubing" where they literally take a truck's tire tube and ride it down rivers, or on lakes, behind boats. Basically, if it were "tiger," it would be the only thing in the song that made no sense whatsoever. Like if they were on the Ganges or something, then maybe they'd ride a tiger, but still--down a river? I know it sounds overly analytical, but I am of the opinion that most of Charles' lyrics aren't random syllables, or otherwise meaningless. I like darkthundah's idea though, and I think it matches Charles' style very well. I kinda secretly hope his interpretation is accurate. The only kind of unexplained thing is the "tire". Listen to the version on the Gigantic EP for confirmation of "tire" over "tiger." And being "tire," it is not "tyre" strictly speaking, as we spell it with the "i" in the states. | |
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john Wanna Be |
#12 by john etling at Sep 24, 2006 at 6:28 PM EST |
| I could never figure out if it was "tire" or "tiger" either, and actually thought it sounded a little more like "tiger", but in the live version on the b-sides album, its quite obviously "tire". | |
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systray` Average |
#13 by systray` at Oct 20, 2006 at 11:54 AM EST |
| Dang it, I think darkthundah's right. Especially since the region between the Tigris and Euphrates is known as the Fertile Crescent. | |
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Joan Macrise Wanna Be |
#14 by Joan Macrise Corrado at Nov 10, 2006 at 7:09 PM EST |
| its tiger | |
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Patrick Average |
#15 by Patrick Ryan at Dec 19, 2006 at 12:38 PM EST |
| It is basically a huge middle east reference. The whole one sip of this salty wine... turning water into wine the dead sea is the salty-ist waters in the world hence salty wine. Gas obviously a large part of the middle eastern culture. The Gaza Strip... i don't know I always think about car bombers in Isreal/Palestine. | |
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Taylor Lead Player |
#16 by Taylor Dutton at Dec 19, 2006 at 8:32 PM EST |
| Frank Black - Stoner and Musical God. | |
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Howwhywyz Howwh Professional Badass |
#17 by Howwhywyz Howwhyam at Dec 26, 2006 at 4:19 AM EST |
| I'm not sure what it means, but I was thinking about this song the entire time I was reading the "Epic of Gilgamesh." Especially the bits with Enkidu the wild man. I love the "Ride, ride, ride" thing. However, as to the "song is about sex"interpretation -- I don't think it really matters whether he's saying tire or tiger, since both wouldmake sense in that context. Tiger as in, one who is sexy or one of those God-awful innuendoes that are completely un-subtle. Tire as in, a 19th century contraceptive sponge that bore a general resemblance to a tire with a hubcap. Not called it at the time, but I can see how the connection would be made. | |
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Stoner Average |
#18 by Stoner Punk at Dec 29, 2006 at 8:53 AM EST |
| Kattalasso, did you even read past the word California in edbanky's post before you flew off the handle and made a comment that contributed absolutely NOTHING to the actual discussion about this song? He was just using California as an example of "places with warmer waterful climates." With that nonsense out of the way, this is definitely one of the best pixies songs. Deal's chanting of "ride" and her background harmony both sound incredible and I think really make the song. | |
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Kevin Average |
#19 by Kevin Barry at Jan 30, 2007 at 12:13 AM EST |
| or maybe it was just because frank black smoked copious amounts of marijuana, and the song was never supposed to make sense | |
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Sojo Rhythm Player |
#20 by Sojo The Great! at Feb 9, 2007 at 4:39 PM EST |
| the pixies are certainly not 'easy listening' but who cant resist... they really grow on you.... you dont have to be pavarotti to sing along. | |
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Tiago Wanna Be |
#21 by Tiago Moreira at Apr 29, 2007 at 5:47 PM EST |
| It's ride a Tiger, probably a play on the words Tigris & Euphrates. I don't think it seems to be about anything except the Middle East. | |
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Roxie Wanna Be |
#22 by Roxie Ramos at Jul 17, 2007 at 1:54 PM EST |
| Most of the times I keep hearing 'ride the tide'. :) | |
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Gallows Wanna Be |
#23 by Gallows Pole at Sep 12, 2007 at 11:36 AM EST |
| As an afterthought - perhaps the 'tiger' is a US Airforce Stealth Fighter firing cluster bombs into Iraqi rural towns that might threaten the west's extracion and supply of crude? | |
