"The Ikon" Utopia From the album "Todd Rundgren's Utopia" (1974) Transcribed by Brian Canfield (July 2008) DISCLAIMER: This is not meant to be a note-for-note transcription or anything. I've mainly tried to tab out the main ideas/themes in each 'section' (whether it be chords, guitar riffs, etc..) By the way, if you have suggestions for any other songs you'd like a tab for, drop me an email (bc002k@yahoo.com), and I'll [eventually] give it a shot. Section 1 The main guitar lick in this song is a very fast ostinato type thing that Todd transposes to different places on the neck. The pattern is always the same, though. I'll try to put some chord names underneath the tab, but much of it is more riff driven than chord driven. Intro: E--15-15--------15-15--------12-12--------12-12--------9-9------- B--------13-15--------13-15--------10-12--------10-12------7-9--- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--9-9------5-5------5-5----------------------------------------- B------7-9------3-5------3-5~------------------------------------ G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- B-----------------5------5--------------------------------------- G---7-7-----------4-----4---------------------------------------- D-------5-7-------5----5----------------------------------------- A-----------------0---0------------------------------------------ E---------------------------------------------------------------- A Em/A etc.. (0:23): E---10-10------10-10-------7-7----------------------------------- B---------8-10-------8-10-----5-7-------------------------------- G--------------------------------------4-4----------------------- D------------------------------------------2-4~------------------ A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- B A/B etc.. (0:35): E---7-7-----7-7-----3-3------------------------------------------ B-------5-7----5-7------1-3~------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- G F/G etc.. (0:47): E--15-15--------15-15--------12-12--------12-12--------9-9------- B--------13-15--------13-15--------10-12--------10-12------7-9--- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--9-9------5-5------5-5----------------------------------------- B------7-9------3-5------3-5~------------------------------------ G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- Repeat the same patterns from here..then, at (1:40) comes this part: E---------------------12-10-------------------------------------- B--8/10-10-10-10------------12-10-8-7---------------------------- G--7/9--9--9--9-----------------------9-7------------------------ (x3) D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (x3) FAST!!! (1:53): E---------------------------/17!--------------------------------- B------------------9-12-10--------------------------------------- G--------9-11-9-11--------------------7-7------------------------ D---9-10----------------------------------5-7-------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- A G/A etc.. The same chord sequence as before repeats, as Moogy, Ralph, and Todd take turns soloing. I'll attempt to transcribe Todd's solo below: (2:55): E---------------------------------------------------------------- B-13b(15)~---12----12----12-------------------------------------- G---------------12----12----12~-/---12h14p12----14p12-----12------- D--------------------------------------------14-------14----------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G--14--14b(15)--14--12--14p12----14p12--------------------------- D-----------------------------14-------12--12h14p12h14p12h14p12~-- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E----------------------------------------------------------------- B------------15b(17)~-r15~--12--13--13/15\13--12h13p12~--13p12---- G--------------------------------------------------------------12- D--14p12---------------------------------------------------------- A--------14------------------------------------------------------- E----------------------------------------------------------------- E--15h(17)--12h15p12--------12----------------------------------- B--------------------15p12-----15p12----12----------------------- G------------------------------------14----14p12----14p12-------- D------------------------------------------------14-------12----- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G--12------------------------------------------------------------ D-----14p12------------------------------------------------------ A-----------14\12p10--12p10h12p10h12p10\\------------------------ E---------------------------------------------------------------- (3:09): E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G--5b(7)~--5b(7)~--5b(7)--5b(7)-(7)-(7)-r(5)--5b(7)-(7)-(7)-r(5)- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G--5b(7)-(7)-(7)-r(5)--5b(7)-(7)-(7)--r(5)--5b(7)-(7)-(7)-r(5)-- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------------------------------------------------ B------------------------------------------------------------------ G--5b(7)-(7)-(7)-(7)-(7)-(7)-(7)-r(5)--3h5p3---6\5p3--------------- D--------------------------------------------5-------5------------- A------------------------------------------------------5\3p1------- E-------------------------------------------------------------3\1~- E---------------------------15------------------15--------------- B------------15h18p15----15----18p15---------15----18p15--------- G---/17b(18)----------17-------------17b(18)--------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------------------18p15------18p15------------ B----------15--15--18p15---------15---------15---------15-------- G--17b(18)---------------17b(18)--------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--18p15-----18p15----19p15----18p15----20p15----20p15------------ B--------15--------15-------15-------15-------15-------15--15------ G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--20b(22)--20b(22)--20(b)22~~--\\------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--15-15--------15-15--------12-12--------12-12--------9-9------- B--------13-15--------13-15--------10-12--------10-12------7-9--- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--9-9------5-5------5-5----------------------------------------- B------7-9------3-5------3-5~------------------------------------ G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- At (3:22), the intro lick is played once more. The song then segues into the next "section". Section 2 (3:37): Todd messes around with this octave type thing E-------------15-15-----15\(slide down)-------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G---12-12-12--------12------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E------------15-15-----15/(slide up)------------------------------ B---------------------------------------etc..-------------------- G--12-12-12--------12--------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (3:48): E---------------------------------------------------------------- B------15~--12-13-15-12----13------------------------------------ G--12-------------------12----14--------------------------------- D--------------------------------15----15-12~-------------------- A-----------------------------------13--------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (4:12): Bbmaj7 Dbmaj7 I went to sleep a blind man, Ebmaj7 but when I awoke I saw Bbmaj7 Dbmaj7 The legions of the lonely, Ebmaj7 D7#9 (see below) see their faces hear them call (4:28) (Clavient [poorly] arranged for guitar): E---------6--4---------------------------------------------------- B--6--6---6--4---------------------------------------------------- G--5--5---------------------------------------------------------- D--4--4---------------------------------------------------------- A--5--5---------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- D7#9 Then, back to the main theme of Section 2 from before. (5:05): Bbmaj7 Dbmaj7 And the music plays forever Ebmaj7 And it captures every ear Bbmaj7 Dbmaj7 And the sound of barriers crashing down Ebmaj7 C/F Is the sweet harmony you hear. Section 3 This instrumental section starts at (5:30) and features clavinet playing the following chords: Am/D Bb/Eb (Repeat a bunch of times) (6:02): E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---12~--\8~---6~--/15~------------------------------------------ G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- Am/D Bb/Eb (6:20): C/F F F/Bb Bb Bb/Eb Eb Eb/Ab Ab (6:20): (Played over the chords laid out above) E---------------------------------------------------------------- B--13~--\8~--6~-/15~--------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- The whole chord sequence is repeated again as Kevin and John show off. (7:24): Bb C Eb F/G (7:43): G/C C Bb/Eb Eb Eb/Ab Ab Cm7 (8:22): Eb/C Ebsus2/C Db/Bb Dbsus2/Bb Eb/Ab Bb/Ab F/G Section 4 This is the "Still, be still.." section that starts at 8:47 G/C G G/C G Still, be still G/C G G/C G To strong, so be still Bb/Eb F/Bb Bb/Eb Much too long, come down F/Bb Bb/Eb F/Bb Bb/Eb Be still, look around Eb/Ab Eb Eb/Ab Eb Listen here, be still Eb/Ab Ab/Db Eb/Ab Ab/Db Hear the sound, be still Cm9 F/G Cm9 F/G Still, be still G/C G Still we are here G/C G We are still G/C G Will we sing sweet G/C G Sing we will Bb/Eb F/Bb Still we are here Bb/Eb F/Bb We are still Bb/Eb F/Bb Bb/Eb F/Bb Nil is a fear all is nil Eb/Ab Eb Eb/Ab Eb Still we are here we are still Eb/Ab Ab/Db Eb/Ab Ab/Db Eb/Ab Spill it let go let it spill. Cm9 F/G Still we are here Dm/C Cm9 We are still (10:36): G F/G G F/G Todd plays this guitar lick a few times over those chords: E--10--11--13--6--7---------------------------------------------- B--11--11--13--6--8---------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- (x4) D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (10:46): A G/A A G/A E--10--12--14--7--9---------------------------------------------- B--12--13--15--8--10--------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- (x4) D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- Section 5 The "heavy" section (10:55) (Clavinet arranged for guitar) E--3--x--5--x--8--x--5--x--8--x-x--3--5--x--8b(slight bend)------ x = dead note B--3--x--5--x--8--x--5--x--8--x-x--3--5--x--8b------------------- (To get that G---------------------------------------------------------------- percussive sound) D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--3--x--5--x--8--x--5--x--8--x-x--3--5--x--5------------------- B--3--x--5--x--8--x--5--x--8--x-x--3--5--x--5------------------- G-------------------------------------------6------------------- D--------------------------------------------------------------- A--------------------------------------------------------------- E--------------------------------------------------------------- (11:02) Todd plays a similar riff on guitar (up an octave): E--15--17--20b--17--20b--17--15--17-/---------------------------- B--15--17--20b--17--20b--17--15--17-/--8b (slow bend)------------ G--------------------------------------7b------------------------ D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- On fret 20, I've indicated a bend on both strings. To get this sound, just bend the e-string up a *little bit*, and it will in turn bend the b-string up. This will give it that funky (Todd-y?) sound. (11:09) E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G--------------------------5h6-------------------------8h9------- D---7--5--7--5-------------7-----7--5--7--5---------------------- A---------------7----------------------------7------------------- E------------------5-x-5------------------------5-x-5------------ ^^ ^^ This and this ..are both little embellishments that I hear Todd play. You really have to listen close to hear them though.. (11:38) E---5------------------------------------------------------------- B------8---5------------------------------------------------------ G-------------7--5------------------------------------------------ D-------------------7---7--5-------------------------------------- A-----------------------------7---5--3---5--6--7------------------ E-------------------------------------------------5--------------- This section goes on awhile more as everyone takes turn soloing. It then descends into atonal madness until next section fades in. Section 6 (14:41) This is the really atmospheric section with lots of layered synths, etc. The following is my approximation at giving them chord names: D/C Bm9 D/C Gm9 Eb/Ab Gbmaj7/Db Emaj7/Gb Bm9 D/C etc. (the whole sequence repeats a couple times) The pattern is the same for all of these; they're just transposed to different places on the neck. Todd plays one for each chord in the sequence above. (17:02) A/B Bb/C Dm7 C/D The question comes to mind Am7 G/A About what should be done Em7 D/E And how much of the old will die Bm7 A/B That the new may be begun D/C G/C But you don't have to be afraid Em7 D/E Bm7 A/B Of being alone with nowhere to run. D/C G/C You don't have to be afraid Em7 D/E To look yourself in the eye C/F G G/C C G/C C You don't have to be afraid not to lie. D/C G/C C G/C D/C G/C C (see below) (17:38) Keyboard arranged for guitar: E---2--2--------------7--7---2--2-------------------------------- B---3--3--3--3--5--5--8--8---3--3--3--3--5----------------------- G---------4--4--5--5---------------4--4--5----------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- D G C G D G C D/C C D/C C Someone knows who you are C/D D C/D D Someone watches over you D/C C D/C C Someone knows how you feel D/C C Bb/C Ab/C And someone feels the same. G/F C/F So you ne - ver Em7 Bb/Eb Have to be afraid D/C G/C C G/C D/C G/C C Never fear, for you are living in eternal mind The rest of the section repeats previous chords Section 7 (21:30): E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G-----------8----10----8-----------8-8---10-10-----8-8------------ (x4) D-----------8----10----8-----------8-8---10-10-----8-8------------ A---10---10---10----10---10-----10----10--------10-----10---------- E---8------------------------8~---------------------------8~------- (21:45): E---11--11---11--8~---------------------------------------------- B---11-----8---------11p8----11--8~------------------------------ G-------------------------10------------------------------------- (x4) D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (22:18): E---------6------8--------6------------5------------------------- B-------6---6-----------6---6--8p5-------8----------------------- G---7h8-------/9----7h8------------5h7--------------------------- (x2) D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- Bb/Eb C/F Bb/Eb C/F (22:25): E-----------11--------13----------11----------------10----------- B--------11---11---------------11---11--13p10----------13-------- G--12h13----------/14----12h13----------------10h12-------------- (x2) D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- Eb/Ab F/Bb Eb/Ab F/Bb (22:31): E----13~~---15p12----12----------12-13-12-13~--15p12----12------- B-----------------13----15~---15---------------------13----15---- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- F/G G F/G G (22:38): E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---13--15^^(15)p13--15p13----13--------------------------------- G--------------------------14----14p12----12--------------------- D--------------------------------------14----14p12-14p12\10------ A-----------------------------------------------------------12--- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (22:46): E---15--15--13--15--13--15\-------------------------------------- B---15--15--13--15--13--15\-------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E---11--11---11--8~---------------------------------------------- B---11-----8---------11p8--8--11--8~-----etc..------------------- G-------------------------8-------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- The rest of this section is basically repeats. At (23:28), Todd plays a crazy guitar solo that could best be described as "sloppily proficient". This leads right into the next section.. Section 8 YEEE-HAW! The main melody is played on an electric piano. Later on (at 25:08), Todd plays it on guitar, and I've [attempted to] tab it out below. The first guitar comes in at (24:03) (24:03): E----------16--17/----------------------------------------------- B--17--19-------------------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D-----------------------7--------7------------------------------- (x2 - not the very first A--------------------7-----7--9-----7--5-5-5-5--7-7-7-7---------- part though) E---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- (x2) A--7-----7-------7----------------------------------------------- E-----7----7--9----7--5-5-5-5--7-7-7-7--------------------------- (24:20): E------------------------------------------------------------------- B-------10-10------10-10-------------10-10------10-9-8-7--12-11-10-9 G--9h11-------9h11--------11p9--9h11-------9h11--------------------- (x2) D------------------------------------------------------------------- A------------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------------------------------------------------- B------------------------------------------------------------------- G-------9-9------9-9-------------9-9------9-8-7-6--11-10-9-8-------- D--9h11-----9h11-----11p9---9h11-----9h11--------------------------- (x2) A------------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------------------------------------------------- B-------10-10------10-10-------------10-10------10-9-8-7--12-11-10-9 G--9h11-------9h11--------11p9--9h11-------9h11--------------------- (x2) D------------------------------------------------------------------- A------------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------------------------------------------------- E--------12---12-11-10-9--14-13-12-11------------------------------ B--12h14----------------------------------------------------------- G------------------------------------------------------------------ D------------------------------------------------------------------ A------------------------------------------------------------------ E------------------------------------------------------------------ ^^^^^^^^ x8 (24:53): E---------------------------------------------------------------- B--10--9--10--12--10--9------------------------------------------ G------------------------11--11--9------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- A D E E---------------------------------------------------------------- B--10--9--10--12--10--9------------------------------------------ G------------------------11--9----------------------------------- D-------------------------------11------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- A D E (25:06): E--12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12--------------------------- B--12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12--------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (25:08): Now Todd plays the main melody (first introduced at the beginning of the section at 23:46) on guitar, followed by a chord break after each line. Chord break consists of: Amaj7/B B/E Guitar part is something like this: E---------------------------------------------------------------- B--17------17------17--17h19--17--17~------------------------------ G---------------------------------------------------------------- D------14------14------------------------------------------------ A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E-------------------------------------------17-----16-------------- B--17------17--19p17----------19p17------------17-----19--17--17~-- G---------------------16--14---------18--16------------------------ D------14---------------------------------------------------------- A------------------------------------------------------------------ E------------------------------------------------------------------ E--19--19------17-----15h16-------------------------------------- B----------17-----17--------19--17----------------17--17--------- G-----------------------------------18p16--16--18---------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- B----------17--19--17--------------17h19p17-----17~--------------- G--16--18--------------18--16--18-----------18------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E------------------------17/16----------------------------------- B-----------17--19--17---------17--19p17--------------17~-------- G---16--18--------------------------------18--16--18------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (25:27) Piano Break The chords are something like this: Dmaj7/E F#m7 E/G# A/D Bm7 A/E F#m7 C#m7 Dmaj7/E F#m7 E/G# A/D Bm7 A/E A/D E/A A/D E/A Amaj7/B C#m7 B/D# E/A F#m7 E/B C#m7 G#m7 Amaj7/B C#m7 B/D# E/A F#m7 E/B E/A B/E E/A B/E (25:46): Todd plays this over the latter two lines of piano chords E--16--14--16--14----------16--14--16--14------------------------ B------------------17--14------------------17--14---------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--16--14--16--14------------------------------------------------ B------------------17--14--17--14--14/16~------------------------ G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- (26:08): E--16--19--16--19--16--19b(21)~---------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- Dmaj7/E E--19p16--19p16--19p16--16\12~----------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E/A E------------------14b(16)~--r14--12----12----12h14~~------------ B--12--14--12--14--------------------14----14-------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E/F# A/B B (26:31): E--19p16--19p16--19p16--16\12~----------------------------------- B---------------------------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E/A E------------------14b(16)~--r14--12----12----12h14~~------------ B--12--14--12--14--------------------14----14-------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E/F# B E--12----------------12---12h14--14b(16)~------------------------ B-----14--12--14p12---------------------------------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- A/B B/C# E/F# The main theme of this section then repeats; pretty much the same as before, only faster. Section 9: At (28:20), the original theme comes back to close everything out. I love how they try and interpolate melodies from all the different sections into this final part to sort of tie everything together in a neat little package. It ends on this: E--15-15--------15-15--------12-12--------12-12--------9-9------- B--------13-15--------13-15--------10-12--------10-12------7-9--- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- E--9-9------5-5------5-5-----------10--10---------------------------- B------7-9------3-5------3-5~--------------8--10\-------------------- G---------------------------------------------------------------- D---------------------------------------------------------------- A---------------------------------------------------------------- E---------------------------------------------------------------- And whew, that's about it! It's an incredible piece of music, so I hope I was able to do it *some* justice. Questions/Comments/Corrections: bc002k@yahoo.com