The Man Who Sold The World – David Bowie/Nirvana

Tempo: 114 BPM

Tuning: Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Bb-Eb (all flats)
Strumming Patterns:

Verse (up until the “C” riff that ends the verse): D, DU, UDU (or DD, U, UDU)
The Chorus is played in all downstrokes. You can hold the Bbm (A#m) at the end if you wish or
just pick it out to end the progression.
Solo/Outro: DDD, D, UDU
Riffs Used:

Intro Riff (Main Theme) then end with this:

“C” Riff: “F” Riff:

The Solo:
Song Structure

Intro/Main Theme (x8 then end on “2”)

Verse 1
Chorus 1
Main Theme (x8 then end on “2”)
Verse 2
Chorus 2
Main Theme (x4 – NO “2”)
Chorus 3
Main Theme (x4 – NO “2”)
Chorus 4
Main Theme (x8 – No “2”)
Solo/Outro

*refers to rhythm chord in background

Chords Used:
Intro/Main Theme: Play x8 and then end with “2” on the G string to complete.

Verse 1:
A7 Dm
We passed upon the stair, spoke of was and when….
A7 F
Although I wasn’t there, he said I was his friend.
C A7
Which came as a surprise, I spoke into his eyes…
Dm C* (C Riff x 3)
“I thought you died alone, a long long time ago…”

Chorus 1:

(C riff cont’d.) F* (F Riff x 1)

“Oh no…………………….not me!
Bbm F* (F Riff x 1)
I never lost control
C* (C Riff x 1) F* (F Riff x 1)
You're face…………………….. to face
Bbm
With the man who sold the world….”

(Main Theme x8 then end on “2”)

Verse 2:
A7 Dm
I laughed and shook his hand, made my way back home.
A7 F
I searched for form and land, for years and years I roamed.
C A7
I gazed a gazely stare, at all the millions here…
Dm C* (C Riff x 3)
We must have died alone, a long long time ago…
Chorus 2:

(C riff cont’d.) F* (F Riff x 1)

Who knows?.................. Not me!
Bbm F* (F Riff x 1)
We never lost control
C* (C Riff x 1) F* (F Riff x 1)
You're face…………………….. to face
Bbm
With the man who sold the world….”

(Main Theme x4 with NO “2” – go right into Chorus 3!)

Chorus 3:

C* (C Riff x 1) F* (F Riff x 1)
Who knows?.................. Not me!
Bbm F* (F Riff x 1)
We never lost control
C* (C Riff x 1) F* (F Riff x 1)
You're face…………………….. to face
Bbm
With the man who sold the world….”

(Main Theme x4 with NO “2” – go right into Chorus 4!)

Chorus 4:

C* (C Riff x 1) F* (F Riff x 1)
Who knows?.................. Not me!
Bbm F* (F Riff x 1)
We never lost control
C* (C Riff x 1) F* (F Riff x 1)
You're face…………………….. to face
Bbm
With the man who sold the world….”

(Main Theme x8 with NO “2” – go right into chords for solo/outro!)

*Solo Chords: F – Dm – A – Dm (x3) end on F

*Play tab from solo over this. Keep in mind that during the ‘lead’ that is played you will also be playing some of the main theme within the actual
solo. This is not an additional overlay. Basically one guitar is just playing the chords (F – Dm – A – Dm etc…) and the ‘lead’ guitar hints back at the
main theme.