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SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD
(by The Police)
Original music by Sting
h = hammer on for next note
p = pull off for next note
s = slide up to next note
Opening Riff
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Verse (repeat)
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There is no political solution...
Chorus
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We are spirits in the material world
Bridge into verse
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Taken from The BassMasta -- http://www.bassmasta.net
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No Picture
jim Professional |
#1 by jim d.f at Nov 29, 1983 at 12:56 PM EST |
| And then there's the already mentioned 'Spirits In The Material World', with its memorable chorus and everything - I always get the feeling it's a bit too simplistic and Marley-ish compared to the rest of this stuff, but that's just me. It's still one of the best known Police tunes, so just shoot me. [George Starostin] | |
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Sarah Wanna Be |
#2 by Sarah Reiske at Jan 15, 1984 at 11:51 AM EST |
| This song's lyrics are pretty vague, despite the use of "big words" not usually found in songs - but whatever you say, Sting. Must be on the Synchronicity album, or however it's spelled, judging by its "anti-establishment" tone. What I find weird about this song is actually the final verse (Where does the.... be another way), where the tempo of the lyrics, the drums and the keyboards all go out of synch. I still can't get myself to teach my ear what the right tempo is during that verse, it's confusing. | |
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matt Average |
#3 by matt rigg at Aug 18, 1984 at 12:49 AM EST |
| With at least equal sophistication [to De Do Do Do De Da Da Da], “Spirits in the Material World,” from the 1981 album Ghost in the Machine, was based on the writings of Arthur Koestler. Koestler’s text concerned the mind-body split, the relation between reason and imagination, and the potential for our higher logical functions to be overpowered by hate and anger. That is, to be swayed by the more primitive core brain structures enfolded from our earlier periods of “troubled evolution.” (Those primitive structures are the “ghost in the machine,” invisibly shaping our use of reason and language.) Attempted political, constitutional and revolutionary solutions to our world’s problems will ever run aground on that underlying penchant for destruction. [From Rock & Holy Rollers: The Spiritual Beliefs of Chart-Topping Rock Stars in Their Lives and Lyrics by Geoffrey D. Falk.] | |
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brandon Wanna Be |
#4 by brandon christ at Dec 16, 1985 at 8:02 PM EST |
| The material world has no importance, existence is a spiritual matter. | |
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Eric Wanna Be |
#5 by Eric Nowariak at Oct 2, 1986 at 6:34 AM EST |
| This is a pretty cool song. all the songs are good on this album. | |
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Gino Average |
#6 by Gino Rivera at May 16, 1987 at 8:19 AM EST |
| Zenyatta was arguably the peak - and the guys obviously knew that, otherwise why should they have called the album 'Top of the world'? - and, of course, there's nowhere but down after the peak, right? That's what most people think anyway, I guess. But you see, some people reach the top and then crash down to the bottom in a matter of seconds using the same way they came up. The Police, on the other hand, preferred to descend slowly and gradually, and using the other side of the mountain of artistic success as well. Which means seriously modifying their sound. Having messed around with the XTC producer for some time, they were convinced to 'modernize' the sound a bit, and so, in addition to the drums/bass/guitar fireworks of yore, Sting and Co. bring in synthesizers, thus getting closer to the treacherous world of synth-pop, and even saxophones, getting closer to the treacherous world of funky rave-up. This definitely muddles the sound up a bit, since the Police do not sound unique with this album - not on every single track, at least. After a few listens you get to understand that the change is not as significant as it seemed at first; for instance, after sitting several times through 'Spirits In The Material World' it becomes obvious that the synth lines upon which the song is based are actually a mere substitute for a reggaeish/tangoish guitar rhythm of the 'Roxanne' type, and with a different production, the song could have easily fit onto Outlandos D'Amour. But the extra production angles do take away from the classic idiosyncratic style, and this explains the disappointment of the many and complaints about 'overproduction'. Then again, who wants to tally all the time within a given framework? The Police certainly wouldn't want to do that. [George Starostin] | |
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vcbvcb Wanna Be |
#7 by vcbvcb at Jan 10, 1990 at 6:12 PM EST |
| no one has commented on this song in 3 years now? insane! this song, along with the rest of the police's material and sting is brilliant. what an incredible song. no need for explanation. | |
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chris Average |
#8 by chris markert at Oct 23, 1992 at 9:13 AM EST |
| Just a softer form of Gnosticism (spirit-body separation) which has infected Eastern and Western thought for centuries. | |
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Sari Average |
#9 by Sari W at Sep 7, 1995 at 1:49 PM EST |
| One unforgettable night You gave me such chill embraces As the snow covered heights Receive from clouds In northern Auroral nights A beautiful thing—alert—serene With passionate dreaming—wistful eyes Dark and deep as mysterious skies They say that love is a light thing A foolish thing A slight thing So I am with you to take your kiss And perhaps I value you more for this But whether you love me Who shall say Or whether you—drifting down my way In the great sad river of chance and change With your looks so weary and your words so strange Lit my soul from some hidden flame To passionate longing—without a name While every gust of the jungle night Was fanning the flame you set alight Whether I love you—you do not ask Nor waste yourself—on this thankless task In the little noon-tide of love’s delights Between two nights [paraphrased] | |