Song: Quiet Life
Artist: Ray Davies
Album: Absolute Beginners Original Soundtrack, 1968
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fW0gWSchFY
Style: Waltz-style and Skiffle Rock
Tuning: Standard
Chords:
EADGBe
D XX0232
G 320003
Em 022000
A X02220
Bm X24432
F#m 244322
Capo 3
INTRO:(Single struck chords and end-of line flourishes)
D G D Em
Something's happenin' but I'm just gonna turn a blind eye,
D Em A
If I see no evil, I ask no questions and I hear no lies.
VERSE 1:
Bm F#m Bm
Can't communicate with minds that are small,
Em Bm Em D
With some people it's like talkin' to the wall.
Em F#m Em
And a fellow who walks away,
D Em F#m Em D
Lives to battle another day.
D G
And I've really got no appetite,
F#m Em A D
For a fight, not tonight.
BRIDGE 1:
D Em F#m Em
All I want is a quiet life,
D Em F#m Em
Anything for a quiet life.
D G
No ambition to rock the boat,
F#m Em A
When I can just stay afloat.
CHORUS 1:
D Bm Em A
Be content with a quiet life,
D Bm Em A
All I want is a quiet life.
D Bm Em A
Anything for a quiet life.
BRIDGE 2:(Slow Arpeggios, Piano over)
D D D
Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil at all.
D
Confidentially, between these walls,
D F#m Bm
I'm on top of it all.
VERSE 2:
Bm F#m Bm
I'd rather have 'em think I'm deaf, dumb, and blind,
Em Bm Em D
Than aggravation, every time I - speak - my - mind,
Bm F#m Em
Keep stumm and have a quiet life.
D Em F#m Em
Anything for a quiet life.
INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE 1:(Picked Banjo, over)
|D Em |F#m G |
BRIDGE 3:
D G
I could easily blow my top.
F#m
Start a row,
Em A
But why start now?
CHORUS 2:
D Bm Em A
Give your daddy a quiet life,
D Bm Em A
Give your momma a quiet life.
D Bm Em A
Anything for a quiet life.
INSTRUMENTAL BRIDGE 2:
|D G |F#m Em A |(Trumpets, over)
|D Bm |Em A |(Clarinet, over)
|D Bm |Em A |
|D Bm |Em A |
|D G |F#m Em A |(Trumpets, over)
CHORUS 3:(Forte Trumpets, over - to fade at last line)
D Bm Em A
Give your daddy a quiet life,
D Bm Em A
Give your momma a quiet life.
D Bm Em A
Anything for a quiet life.
CODA & BRIDGE 4:
D
Confidentially, between these walls,(Fade)
(D F#m Bm)
I'm on top of it all. (Fade out)
[End]
NOTES:
1. “…Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was concurrently released to promote the
film. Aside from the plethora of music from contributing artists, the musical score was composed by
Gil Evans. David Bowie's title track, Ray Davies' "Quiet Life" and the Style Council's songs were
released as singles.…”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Beginners_%28film%29
2. “…Listen to how Ray's voice trembles and squawks on the high-pitched refrain -- "All I need is a
QUIET life!", like a blowsy trombone wail. Keeping his head in the sand takes every ounce of energy
this hapless bloke has. It's a lovely little comic portrait, and Ray hits every mark. [snip] But in the
end, there's one reason I go back to this film again and again. Ray. …”
http://thesonginmyheadtoday.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/quiet-life-ray-davies-im-shocked-to.html
