Seven Nation Island

Bass Line
main riff

Second Riff

Chord Parts

Chords for the Main Riff:

Em C B
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

5th B B G F#B
3rd G G E D#
Root E E C B

Chords for the Second Riff:

(and the message….)

G A
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

5th D D E E
3rd B B C# C#
Root G G A A

Keywords:
• Syncopation: a shifting of the normal accented beat, sounds funky
• Off beat: stressing beats 2 and 4, and/or stressing notes IN BETWEEN the
typically stronger beats (i.e. 1 ‘and’ 2 ‘and’ etc)
• Skank: The Reggae term for the ‘and’ between each of the main 4 beats
• Chord: 2 or more notes heard together
• Riff: a short repeated phrase in popular music
 Lyrics
I'm gonna fight 'em all, A seven nation army couldn't hold me back
They're gonna rip it off, Taking their time right behind my back
And I'm talking to myself at night, Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind, Behind a cigarette
Use the Second And the message coming from my eyes
Riff here
Says leave it alone

(Short Instrumental break using the main riff)

Don't want to hear about it, Every single one's got a story to tell
Everyone knows about it, From the Queen of England to the hounds of hell
And if I catch it coming back my way, I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear, But that's what I'll do
And the feeling coming from my bones
Says find a home

(Short Instrumental break using the main riff)

I'm going to Wichita, Far from this opera for evermore
I'm gonna work the straw, Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding, and I'm bleeding
Right before the lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me, And I will sing no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me go back home
(Short Instrumental break using the main riff)

Drum Part: (2 choices)

1) The pop-reggae beat (the hi-hat plays the skank):

Which drum pattern to choose?

It depends on your band and
your drummer’s strengths.
or….
2) The Reggae style ‘one-drop’ drum pattern Extension: Use one for the riff 1
and the other for riff 2!