Imitation Of Life - R.E.M.
From the album Reveal (2001)

Song tabbed by Paul Cosgrave

This song can sound really nice played acoustic, and isn't hard.

Electronic Solo, arranged for guitar, at bottom.

Questions/Comments please feel free to add e-mail me: paul@myrem.com

        E A D G B e
Em     [0 2 2 0 0 0]
C      [0 3 2 0 1 0]
G      [3 2 0 0 0 3] or [3 2 0 0 3 3]
D      [x x 0 2 3 2]
Dsus4  [x x 0 2 3 3]
Am     [x 0 2 2 1 0]
C/G    [3 3 2 0 1 0]

Intro:

Em  C  G  D  Em  Am  C/G  Dsus4  D  Dsus4  D


Verse

Em              Am
  Charades pop skill

        G
  Water hyacinth

D	     Em
  Named by a poet

     Am         G   D C            [D followed quickly by C, or C/G if preferred]
  Imitation of life

Em       Am       G
  Like a koi in a frozen pond

   D              Em
  Like a goldfish in a bowl

  Am              G          D     [some quick strumming here, maybe a change after D, then back]
  I don't want to hear you cry


Chorus

        G                Am
  That sugar cane, that tasted good

        C/G             D
  That cinnamon, that's Hollywood

       G
  Come on, come on

     Am              Dsus4 D Dsus4 D
  No one can see you try

It's the same for the rest of the verses:


You want the greatest thing
The greatest thing since bread came sliced.
You've got it all
You've got it sized.

Like a Friday fashion show
Teenager cruising in the corner
Trying to look like you don't try.

That sugar cane that tasted good.
That cinnamon, that's Hollywood.
Come on, come on.
No-one can see you try.

No-one can see you cry.

That sugar cane that tasted good.
That freezing rain, that's what you could.
Come on, come on.
No-one can see you cry.

This sugar cane, this lemonade
This hurricane, I'm not afraid.
Come on, come on.
No-one can see me cry.

This lightning storm, this tidal wave
This avalanche, I'm not afraid.
Come on, come on.
No-one can see me cry.

That sugar cane that tasted good.
That's who you are, that's what you could.
Come on, come on.
No-one can see you cry.

That sugar cane that tasted good.
That's who you are, that's what you could.
Come on, come on.
No-one can see you cry.

End on Em

Electronic Solo:

Can be played 2 ways, for acoustic, the first is probably the better:

e|----------------------------------|
B|-13-12-8v--5-8-10v--10s5----------|
G|----------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------|

or

e|-20-19------------17v-------------|
B|-------17v--15-17------15s13-s10--|
G|----------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------|
A|----------------------------------|
E|----------------------------------|