When I write a song, it's all about the riff - the riff first, then the words come later.
quote by Evan Dando

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We The Cats (Shall Hep Ya)
(words and music by Cab Calloway and Jack Palmer)
And the time is right
And tonight's the night
Alreed-alright
Come on, old man, come on
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Here's the beat to hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Well, you gotta come on like GI's
You dig the repeat with me and sigh
Put it right on the lee high
Then you can really get by, oh my
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Now you're hep I'll betcha
So reap this righteous riff
Well, we the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Here's the beat to hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Well, you gotta come on like GI's
You dig the repeat with me and sigh
Put it right on the lee high
Then you can really get by, oh my
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Now you're hep I'll betcha
So reap this righteous riff
(instrumnetal break)
Well, we the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Here's the beat to hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Well, you gotta come on like GI's
You dig the repeat with me and sigh
Put it right on the lee high
Then you can really get by, oh my
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Now you're hep I'll betcha
Skibble-de-dooba
Skibble-de-boy-boy
Skibble-de-reeba
This righteous, this righteous riff
song performed by by Joe Jackson

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This Song
This song has nothing tricky about it
This song aint black or white and as far as I know
Dont infringe on anyones copyright, so . . .
This song well let be
This song is in e
This song is for you and . . .
This tune has nothing bright about it
This tune aint bad or good and come ever what may
My expert tells me its okay
As this song came to me
Quite unknowingly
This song could be you could be . . .
This riff aint trying to win gold medals
This riff aint hip or square
Well done or rare
May end up one more weight to bear
But this song could well be
A reason to see - that
Without you theres no point to . . . this song
song performed by by George Harrison

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Riff Raff
See it on television every day
Hear it on the radio
It ain't humid but it sure is hot
Down in Mexico
Boss man tryin' to tell me
Beginnin' of the end
Sayin' it'll bend me
Too late my friend
Riff raff
It's good for a laugh
Riff raff
Laugh yourself in half
Now I'm the kind of guy that keeps his big mouth shut
It don't bother me
Somebody kickin' me when I'm up
Leaves me in misery
I never shot nobody
Don't even carry a gun
I ain't doin' nothin' wrong
I'm just havin' fun
Riff raff
It's good for a laugh
Riff raff
Laugh yourself in half
song performed by by AC/DC from Powerage

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We The Cats
And the time is right
And tonight's the night
Alreed-alright
Come on, old man, come on
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Here's the beat to hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Well, you gotta come on like gi's
You dig the repeat with me and sigh
Put it right on the lee high
Then you can really get by, oh my
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Now you're hep i'll betcha
So reap this righteous riff
Well, we the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Here's the beat to hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Well, you gotta come on like gi's
You dig the repeat with me and sigh
Put it right on the lee high
Then you can really get by, oh my
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Now you're hep i'll betcha
So reap this righteous riff
Well, we the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Here's the beat to hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Well, you gotta come on like gi's
You dig the repeat with me and sigh
Put it right on the lee high
Then you can really get by, oh my
We the cats shall hep ya
So reap this righteous riff
Now you're hep i'll betcha
Skibble-de-dooba
Skibble-de-boy-boy
Skibble-de-reeba
This righteous, this righteous riff
song performed by by Joe Jackson

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Mrs.Robinson
And here's to
CHORUS 1:
|| G | Em | G | Em |
you, Mrs Robinson Jesus loves you more than you will
| C C/B | C/A C/G | D D/C | D/B D/A |
know Wo wo wo God bless you
| G | Em | G | Em |
please, Mrs Robinson Heaven holds a place for those who
| C C/B | C/A C/G | D D/C | D/B D/A |
pray Hey hey hey Hey hey
Riff #1................ Riff #1................
| E7 | | | ||
hey
VERSE 2: (use Riff #4b instead of Riff #4a)
We'd like to know
A little bit about you
For our files.
We'd like to help you learn
To help yourself.
Look around you, all you see are
Sympathetic eyes.
Stroll around the grounds
Until you feel at home.
CHORUS 2: (as before)
And here's to you,
Mrs Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know
Wo wo wo
God bless you please,
Mrs Robinson,
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey hey hey,
Hey hey hey.
VERSE 3: (use Riff #4b)
Hide it in a hiding place
Where no one ever goes.
Put it in you pantry with your cupcakes.
It's a little secret,
Just the Robinsons' affair.
Most of all, you've got to
Hide it from the kids.
CHORUS 3: (as before)
Coo coo ca-choo,
Mrs Robinson,
Jesus loves you more than you will know
Wo wo wo.
God bless you please,
Mrs Robinson,
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey hey hey,
Hey hey hey.
VERSE 4: (use Riff #4b)
Sitting on a sofa
On a Sunday afternoon.
Going to the candidates' debate.
Laugh about it,
Shout about it,
When you've got to choose,
Every way you look at it you lose.
CHORUS 4: (as before)
Where have you gone,
Joe DiMaggio?
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you
Ooo ooo ooo.
What's that you say,
Mrs Robinson?
Joltin' Joe has left and gone away
Hey hey hey,
Hey hey hey.
song performed by by Paul Simon

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Waiting For The Sun
At first flash of eden, we race down to the sea.
Standing there on freedoms shore.
Waiting for the sun (3x)
Can you feel it now that spring has come.
And its time to live in the scattered sun.
Waiting for the sun (3x, pause, again slower)
Waiting.... waiting.... waiting.... waiting.... (2x)
Waiting for you to - come along
Waiting for you to - hear my song
Waiting for you to - come along
Waiting for you to - tell me what went wrong
This is the strangest life Ive ever known.
Yeah! (riff 8x)
(repeat second verse, chorus 3x, then riff 2x, end).
song performed by by Doors

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Big Riff And Mando
Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin.
Somebody took it on a dare in the night-time.
Run up to the radio, calling out to the wind.
Now, bring it, bring it back at least an hour before flight time.
It was a souvenir, but it was a right arm missing.
Swap a woodwork rhythm for a humbucking top line.
Big Riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band.
A little slow in the brain box, but he had a quick right hand.
Run left, run right -- everywhere he look --
nobody watching, no, but that was all he took last night.
Running on the power of a stolen mandolin.
Steal a little inspiration. Steal a little muscle.
Will he wake in the morning, wondering -- was it really worth it?
So make a little deal, Yeah, make a little hustle.
Ringing on the radio -- got a proposition for those English boys.
I'll make the sing-song -- you can make the background noise.
One, two, three, four -- one bar and in.
Give you back the mando, if you'll let this singer sing tonight.
Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin.
Big Riff took it on a dare in the night-time.
Now it's four o'clock, and we're waiting at the sound-check.
Looking for a face staring in from the sunshine.
We got two strong lawmen from the sheriff's office.
They're going to lift Big Riff before he plays the first line.
Big Riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band.
Yeah, help him on the stage now, put the microphone in his hand.
Think hard. Think right -- nothing in his mind --
So Riff did a runner, but he left the mandolin behind
song performed by by Jethro Tull

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Big Riff & Mando
Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin.
Somebody took it on a dare in the night-time.
Run up to the radio, calling out to the wind.
Now, bring it, bring it back at least an hour before flight time.
It was a souvenir, but it was a right arm missing.
Swap a woodwork rhythm for a humbucking top line.
Big riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band.
A little slow in the brain box, but he had a quick right hand.
Run left, run right --- everywhere he look ---
Nobody watching, no, but that was
All he took last night.
Running on the power of a stolen mandolin.
Steal a little inspiration. steal a little muscle.
Will he wake in the morning, wondering --- was it really worth it?
So make a little deal, yeah, make a little hustle.
Ringing on the radio --- got a proposition for those english boys.
Ill make the sing-song --- you can make the background noise.
One, two, three, four --- one bar and in.
Give you back the mando, if youll let this singer sing tonight.
Marty loved the sound of the stolen mandolin.
Big riff took it on a dare in the night-time.
Now its four oclock, and were waiting at the sound-check.
Looking for a face staring in from the sunshine.
We got two strong lawmen from the sheriffs office.
Theyre going to lift big riff before he plays the first line.
Big riff, rough boy, wants to be a singer in a band.
Yeah, help him on the stage now, put that microphone in his hand.
Think hard, think right --- nothing in his mind ---
So riff did a runner, but he left the mandolin behind.
song performed by by Jethro Tull

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Riff Raff
See it on the television every day
Hear it on the radio
It aint humid but it sure is hot
Down in mexico
The boy is trying to tell me
Near enough to the edge (beginning of the end)
Say theyve all been there
Too late my friend
Chorus:
Riff raff
Always good for a laugh (ha ha ha)
Riff raff
Go on, laugh yourself in half
(smile awhile)
Now Im the kind of guy who keeps his big mouth shut
Dont bother me
Somebody give me one arm up
Leave me in misery
Ive never shot nobody
Dont even carry a gun
I aint done nothing wrong
Im just having fun
Chorus
song performed by by AC-DC

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No Time
By hank cicalo
Hober reeber sabasoben
Hobaseeba snick
Seeberraber hobosoben
What did you expect?
No time, no time for you.
I got no time, baby,
Got lots of better things to do.
Runnin from the risin heat
To find a place to hide,
The grass is always greener
Growin on the other side.
No time, no time for you
I got no time, baby,
Got lots of better things to do.
[instrumental riff]
No time, no time for you
I got no time, baby,
Got lots of better things to do.
[instrumental riff]
No time, no time for you
I got no time, baby,
Got lots of better things to do.
Tryin to tell the world
Somehow of how I feel.
Tell me what you said again,
I cant believe its real.
No time, no time for you
I got no time, baby,
Got lots of better things to do.
Andy, youre a dandy,
You dont seem to make no sense.
Nevermind the furthermore,
The plea is self-defense
No time, no time for you
I got no time, baby,
Got lots of better things to do.
Got no time
I got no time
[repeat, adlib and fade]
song performed by by Monkees

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Comedians are really writers who don't have pens and pencils about them, but they riff.
quote by Carl Reiner

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One thing will lead to another and somebody will come up with a riff or a line or something we build from.
quote by Johnny Rivers

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When I need to nail that riff to the cross, Marshall will always provide the hammer!
quote by Dan Hawkins

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No one in the world can beat Ella Fitzgerald as a riff singer.
quote by Ethel Waters

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Easy Skanking
Easy skanking (skankin it easy);
Easy skanking (skankin it slow);
Easy skanking (skankin it easy);
Easy skanking (skankin it slow).
Excuse me while I light my spliff; (spliff)
Good god, I gotta take a lift: (lift)
From reality I just cant drift; (drift)
Thats why I am staying with this riff. (riff)
Take it easy (easy skankin);
Lord, I take it easy! (easy skankin);
Take it easy (easy skankin);
Got to take it easy (easy skankin).
See: were takin it easy (ooh-wah-da da-da)
We taking it slow, (ooh-wah-da da-da)
Takin it easy (easy);
Got to take it slow (slow-slow)
So take it easy (easy skankin - da-da-da-da-da-da)
Wo-oh, take it easy (easy skankin)
Take it easy (easy skankin - da-da-da-da-da-da)
Take it easy. (easy skankin)
Excuse me while I light my spliff; (spliff)
Oh, god, I gotta take a lift: (lift)
From reality I just cant drift; (drift)
Thats why I am staying with this riff. (riff)
Take it easy (takin it easy);
Got to take it easy (takin it slow);
Take it easy (takin it easy);
Skanky, take it easy (takin it slow).
Tell you what:
Herb for my wine; (ooh-wa-da-da-da)
Honey for my strong drink; (ooh-wa-da-da-da)
Herb for my wine; (ooh-wa-da-da-da)
Honey for my strong drink.
I shake it easy (takin it easy);
Skanky, take it easy (skankin it slow);
Take it (takin it easy) easy;
Take it (skankin it slow) easy;
Take it easy (takin it easy);
Oh-oh-ooh! (skankin it slow);
Little bit easier (takin it easy);
Skanky, take it easy (skankin it slow).
Take it easy! take it easy! take it easy! /fadeout/
song performed by by Bob Marley

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Song For Mary
Written by: james henman
When I try to find
Words that wish to rhyme
I will never write this song for her tonight
We have stood alone
We have walked alone
Wont you help write this song for her tonight
Help me write this song
Help me write this song
Help me write her song
Tonight
When I try to pray
I cant start to say
All those things I wish to say to her tonight
When she hears her song
She will sing along
She will know the words her heart for me to find
Will you help write this song
Help me write this song
Help me sing her song
Tonight
All these words Ive said
Lyin on my bed
Will they help me sleep alone again tonight
And we have walked alone
We have talked alone
Will you help me sing her song for her tonight
Will you help me sing her song
Help me sing her song
Help me sing her song
song performed by by April Wine

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A Song About You
If I could write a song
I’d write a song about you
I would write about how
You’re all I can every think about
How you flood my dreams each night
How thinking of you takes my breath away
When I look up to the satellites
If I could write a song
I’d write a song about you
I would write about how
The long lost butterflies returned
How I hope my number you’ll dial
And how your memory smothers me with smiles
If I could write a song
I’d write a song about you
I would write about how
You were the only one
Who had enough of me to break my heart
And when love took over my heart
You tore it all apart.
If I could write a song
I’d write a song about you
I would write about how
I gave you my heart
Caught up in the thought
That we were off to a great start
But how you threw a damn dart
Right into the center of my heart
If I could write a song
I’d write a song about you
About how you crushed my heart
Not bothering to look back.
If I could write a song
I’d write a song about you
poem by Jess Schwarcz

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Sometimes one of us will have a riff or a bass line from home but it really gels when we come together. We really have a strong special chemistry that we take advantage of when we get together.
quote by Chad Smith

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Well, I think writing is basically about time and rhythm. Like with jazz. You have your basic melody and then you just riff off of it. And the riffs are about timing.
quote by Kathy Acker

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Z e n t i p e d e...
a centipede
must needs proceed
by synchromeshed advance
I wonder if
its Buddhist riff
is ' Show me, Master,
a Way that's faster,
and then I'll do
a one-foot dance..'
poem by Michael Shepherd

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