| Author: | Leonard | Latest revision: | August 2, 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author’s Notes: | The song was written during Cat’s transitional phase from big-band arrangements at Decca to a softer, more reflective style at Island Records, which came closer in sound to Cat’s own home demos. Ultimately, the song ended up on the cutting floor for his album Mona Bone Jakon (1969) and remained in the archives of Olympic Studios, London, for almost thirty years. In the early 2000s the song got released as various mixes on two different compilation albums without ever being recorded properly. The song eventually received a major reimagining as “Grandsons” on Yusuf’s album The Laughing Apple (2017). The version transcribed here is the initial compilation release. It features Cat’s prominent guitar licks as well as his own spiel on power chords. In the chorus Cat does a rare Buddy Holly impression growling “Grow old, oh, oh.” Perhaps worth noting, Cat recorded the song with a 12-string guitar. | ||
| Each guitar tab is the author’s own work and represents his or her own interpretation of the song. Visitors may use the guitar tabs offered here only for private study, scholarship, or research. |
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"I've Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old"
by Cat Stevens
a previously unreleased
MONA BONE JAKON out-take (1970)
from the original 4-disc compilation
IN SEARCH OF THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
Standard tuning
(low to high) E-A-D-G-B-E
in 4/4 time (mostly)
played with a pick (on a 12-string)
INTRO
D A D A
/ . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / . / .
d d u d u d d d u d u d d d u d u d d d u d u d
E|-------2---------|-------0---------|-------2---------|-------0---------|
B|-----------3-----|-----------2-----|-----------3-----|-----------2-----|
G|-----2---2-------|-----2---2-------|-----2---2-------|-----2---2-------|
D|-0---------------|-----------------|-0---------------|-----------------|
A|-------------3p2-|-0-----------0h2-|-------------3p2-|-0-----------0h2-|
E|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
VERSE 1 (Continue intro sequence for verses as well.)
D A D A
I buy the nicest things from a supermarket store
D A D A
Vitaminland in marzipan and I know just what they're all for
D A D G
I've organized my useless life in a way I've never done be-fore
D A*
Even visit the dentist now
CHORUS
Note: Cat strikes each chord 3x
Bm7/F# G5 D5/A A* and uses palm-muting here.
But I've got no time for silly chitter-chatter, I'm on my way
Bm7/F# G5 D5/A A*
'Cause while my blood's still warm and my mind doesn't matter, I'm hoping to stay
C G D A D A
Because I've got a thing about seeing my grandson grow old, oh, oh | / / / / | / / / / |
VERSE 2
D A D A
I just can't wait to see that city on the moon
D A D A
With air-conditioned gardens that'll play your favorite tune
D A D G
I'll see my feet up-on that street if it's the last thing that I do
D A*
Even sweep the roads to be there
REPEAT CHORUS.
MIDDLE EIGHT
D Em G D F#m Bm7/F#
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
D Em G D A
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / |
VERSE 3
D A D A
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
D A D G
I'll see my feet up-on that street if it's the last thing that I do
D A*
Even sweep the roads to be there
REPEAT CHORUS.
OUTRO
D Em G D F#m Bm7/F#
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
D Em G D A D/A
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / | / / / / ||
CHORDS (in order of appearance)
======
D A G A*
xx0232 x02220 3x0003 x0222x
---IRM --IMR- R----L --IMR-
Bm7/F# G5 D5/A C
204432 355433 x0232x x32013
T-RLMI TRLMII --IMR- -RM-IL
Em F#m D/A
022000 244222 x00232
-MR--- TRLIII --IRM-
Chord fingering: T = thumb
I = index finger
M = middle finger
R = ring finger
L = little finger
Tablature notation: h = hammer-on
p = pull-off
x = mute
! = accentuate part with great intensity
d = downward stroke
u = upward stroke
Playing Cat Stevens 