Were An American Band

artist : yo la tengo

song : we’re an american band

album : i can hear the heart beating as one ( 1997 )

standard tuning ( eadgbe )

intro ( 0 : 00 – 0 : 23 ) : D ( you can jam on it )
( 0 : 23 – 0 : 55 ) : Em F#m Em D | Em F#m F Em D D

verse ( 0 : 55 – 3 : 03 ) :

Em F#m Em D
driving in the south , the motor’s on fire

D Em F#m F Em D
let’s put it out before the flames go higher

Em F#m Em D
monday matinee , “big bully” or “white squall”

D Em F#m F Em D
so hard to choose , wish we could see them all

D Em F#m Em D
some college in the spring , the sound is all wrong

D G F#m F Em D
we set the mains to our favorite hootie song

Em F#m Em D
driving ( not again ) , they’re late , car crash

D G F#m F Em D
D
we’ll turn to look unless we’re going too fast

first part of solo ( 3 : 03 – 3 : 44 ) : D Bm F#m F#m

second part of solo and outro ( 3 : 44 – 6 : 25 ) : D Bm F#m G , but feel free to replace the
G with F#m occasionally .

end in D .

if you want to give it a jazzy edge , play seventh major chords instead of normal majors
and seventh minors instead of regular minors . for example , replace F#m with F#m7 and F
with Fm7 .

listen to the song to get a feel for the rhythm and phrasing . don’t forget about
distortion! this is definitely one of the best , most underrated tracks from “i can feel the
heart beating as one”; the trippy , shoegaze – like atmosphere is very soothing , thanks to
the vocal and instrumental textures , which blend beautifully .