GRUFF RHYS / 100 UNREAD MESSAGES
(from 'American Interior', 2014)
The song goes one step up after each verse, so instead of strumming open chords
I recommend you to use the bar chords higher up the guitar neck. They're all very close to each other
and once you figure out that all the verses follow the same pattern, you'll find out that this song is
pretty easy to play!
The very last bit of the song where Gruff counts down from 800 (unread messages) to 100
is actually what he does in some live versions only - he shortens it in the album version (check it out!)
[Verse 1]
E E E E
E E A E E
You set foot in America, one fine October day
E E A B B
Sailing into Baltimore, well everything's OK
E E A E E
New buttons on your jacket, shining like they're brand-new dimes
E E | A B | E E
Glistening in the sunlight, blistering my eyes
A A C#m F# F#
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
E E | A B | E E
I've one hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
[Verse 2]
F# F# F# F#
F# F# B F# F#
You zoomed up to Philly, they'd taught you to make maps
F# F# B C# C#
They commissioned you in piety, and pitied any lapse
F# F# B F# F#
So you stormed into Pittsburgh, and waited for the waters to rise
F# F# | B C# | F# F#
And set sail down the Ohio, with a lost tribe on your mind
B B D#m G# G#
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
F# F# | B C# | F# F#
I've two hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
[Verse 3]
G# G# G# G#
G# G# C# G# G#
As hurricane Charlie was gathering pace
G# G# C# D# D#
At night instead of eyelids, I saw pictures of your face
G# G# C# G# G#
Smiling in the moonlight, shining in a golden hour
G# G# | C# D# | G#
Bluffing 'round America, seizing every hour
C# C# Fm A# A#
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
G# G# | C# D# | G# G#
I've three hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
[Verse 4]
A# A# A# A#
A# A# D# A# A#
You left olde Kentucky, and sailed to the west
A# A# D# F F
Stopped in Cincinnati, dined with all the best
A# A# D# A# A#
(You) reached the Mississippi, took an oath in New Madrid
A# A# | D# F | A#
Fell into a maiden's arms, malaria on your lips
D# D# Gm C C
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
A# A# | D# F | A# A#
I've four hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
[Verse 5]
C C C C
C C F C C
Up to St Louis, Kaskaskia on the way
C C F G G
Walking through the wilderness, sicker by the day
C C F C C
Imaginary volcanoes, and reptiles crawl around
C C | F G | C C
Your mind was baked just like a cake, as trouble gathered round
F F Am D D
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
C C | F G | C C
I've five hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
[Verse 6]
D D D D
D D G D D
Defected to the Spanish, you joined the mighty crown
D D G A A
Up the Missouri, flags were coming down
D D G D D
You traded with the Omaha, the Ponca and the Sioux
D D | G A | D
But missed the lost Padoucas, after all the ballyhoo
G G Bm E E
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
D D | G A | D D
I've six hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
[Verse 7]
E E E E
E E A E E
Up with the Mandan, you raised the Spanish flag
E E A B B
Survived assassination, worked upon your maps
E E A E E
But the lost tribe was a lost cause, so you cried a silent tear
E E | A B | E E
And fled back to St Louis, to a familiar frontier
A A C#m F# F#
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
E E | A B | E E
I've seven hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
[Verse 8]
F# F# F# F#
F# F# B F# F#
Down in New Orleans, the church bells did trill
F# F# B C# C#
The body of Don Juan Evans, is staying mighty still
F# F# B F# F#
You annexed North Dakota, you surveyed by the stars
F# F# | B C# | F# F#
But here lies your body, by these disease-ridden bars
B B D#m G# G#
When you said that you love me, I knew it wasn't true
F# F# | B C# | F# F#
I've eight hundred unread messages, but not a single note from you
(... seven hundred unread messages... six hundred unread messages... etc etc.)
