Smashing Young Man - Collective Soul
from COLLECTIVE SOUL, 1995.

Transcription by Duncan Koerber

I love the main riff of this song. It's fun to play. This is the
song rumoured to be about Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins.
The lyrics certainly are appropriate.

There's two different "versions" of this riff in the song.
I've tabbed the chord formation and progression, if you want the
"chuka-chuka" sound of the guitar in the left channel, hit the muted G B
and E strings (that's the way I like it). Of course, to get the rhythm
right listen to the cd. I like to play the first four or six strums as
downstrokes only and then do alternate (up and down) strumming for the rest
of the riff. It gives it a kinda funky feel rather than a metal feel.

DROP-D tuning.

MAIN RIFF:
E----------------------------------
B----------------------------------
G----------------------------------
D--5-5/8--8--8--8-8-8-8-8-8-10-8---
A--5-5/8--8--8--8-8-8-8-8-8-10-8---
D--5-5/8--8--8--8-8-8-8-8-8-10-8---

RIFF TWO:
E--x-8--x-x-8--x-x-8--x-x-8--x-x---  Well, I'd tab out all eight required
B--x-10-x-x-10-x-x-10-x-x-10-x-x---  but four is enough. The x's
G--x-10-x-x-10-x-x-10-x-x-10-x-x---  mean hit the muted strings.
D--x-10-x-x-10-x-x-10-x-x-10-x-x---  This part relies on that effect.
A--x-8--x-x-8--x-x-8--x-x-8--x-x---
D--x-x--x-x-x--x-x-x--x-x-x--x-x---

MAIN RIFF
Beggar's Description, of what I've been missing
exploit your position, don't think I didn't listen
RIFF TWO
hey I hope your feeling, a little better now

MAIN RIFF
Success is so tragic, pain is your gadget
your tongue is just lashing, your bitching by habit
RIFF TWO
hey, I hope you're feeling, a little purer now
MAIN RIFF
RIFF TWO
Hey, I hope you're feeling, securer now

CHORUS:

A#5          C5                 G#5
   Help me I plea, I don't understand
              D#5  A#5
your ways and your means you smashing young man
           C5                     G#5
help me to see, the good you have planned
               D#5 A#5
you're wearing me thin you smashing young man

MAIN RIFF
you preach synthetic-like, peace is an oversight
it's nothing to ignite, your self-lit spotlight
RIFF TWO
hey, I hope you're feeling, a little special now
MAIN RIFF
RIFF TWO
hey, I want to tell you, I think you're special now

REPEAT CHORUS

G5                        C5
I don't recall asking for guidance
G5                     F5
I don't recall wanting to
G5                           C5
I don't recall bowing before you
           D#                           G#
but I'm so impressed, with the kindness in your attitude

SOLO: (over chorus chord progression)
       anyone want to tab this great solo?

CHORDS:

A#5     - 888xxx
C5      - 10,10,10,x,x,x
G5      - 555xxx
F5      - 333xxx
G#5     - 666xxx
G#      - x,11,13,13,13,11
D#      - x68886