search
America
Emerson Lake And Palmer
Text File
AMERICA
(Stephen Sondheim -Leonard Bernstein)
This is the instrumental version that Keith Emerson arranged initially for the
Nice and later (like Rondo),played with Emerson, Lake and Palmer. It contains
quotations from Dvorak�s New World Symphony and like the original is in an odd
triplet rhythm on the 1st 2 beats, (1&&, 2&&, 3&,4,) Not all of the Bernstein song
is used, but I have included the lyrics for illustration
Intro (New World Quote No 1)
Chords: Cm Bb Cm Gm Cm
Notes: CDEb DCC C Bb G Bb C
Chords: Cm Bb Cm Cm Gm Cm Gm C
Notes: CDEb F G EbDC DCBb EbDC DCBb C
Song Intro (straight 4)
Chords: | C C F F | C C G G | Eb Eb Bb Bb | Ab Ab G G | x 2
Verse
C F C G
I like to be in America! O.K. by me in America!
Eb Bb Ab G
Ev'rything free in America For a small fee in America!
C F C G
I like the shores of America! Comfort is yours in America!
Eb Bb Ab G
Knobs on the doors in America, Wall-to-wall floors in America!
(Changed Tune)
F Bb Eb Ab
Automobile in America, Chromium steel in America,
Db Gb Gb G
Wire-spoke wheel in America, Very big deal in America!
Second Quote from the New World
Chords: Cm Gm Cm Gm Cm Eb
Notes: CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbAbG F Eb D
Chords: Cm
Notes: C D Eb C D Eb C Eb G C G Eb
Chords: Cm Gm Cm Gm Cm Eb
Notes: CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbAbG F Eb D
Chords: G G Ab Bb C
Notes: GAbBbAbGF GAbBbAbGF AbBbCBbAbG BbCDCBbAb C
Solo
Over | C C Gm Gm |
End of Solo Chords (1&&, 2&&, 3&, 4) | G | G | Ab | Ab | Bb | Bb | C |
Back to Verse
An interesting fact is that The Nice�s Version released in the UK during 1968 (at
the height of protests against the Vietnam War) was considered an instrumental
�protest song� with the US Flag being burned at live performances. Even though the
Nice had Davy O�List as their Guitarist, he was sacked, allegedly for
inconsistency. Although Greg Lake did play Guitar with ELP, it was rumoured that
Emerson would have only tolerated Jimi Hendrix as �his� Guitarist. Well after
trying to amplify his piano to compete with incompetent Guitarists when he first
started, it is an understandable sentiment.