Song: When Worlds Collide
Artist: Powerman 5000
Album: Tonight the Stars Revolt! (1999)
Bassist: Dorian 27
Tabbed by LoudLon for BigBassTabs.com

Standard tuning EADG

LEGEND:
r = rest
()= sustained note
\ = slide down


INTRO:
       (Rest x8)
G |—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|
E |—r———————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


VERSE 1:
      (Rest x8)
G |—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|
E |—r———————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


PRE—CHORUS:
                 ( x3 )         
G |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |———3—3—3—3———————|—————————————————||———3—3—3—3———————|—————————————————|
E |—r—————————2—r—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—r—2—||—r—————————2—r—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


CHORUS (x2):

G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—5———|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


VERSE 2:
      (Rest x8)
G |—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|
E |—r———————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


PRE—CHORUS:
                 ( x3 )         
G |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |———3—3—3—3———————|—————————————————||———3—3—3—3———————|—————————————————|
E |—r—————————2—r—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—r—2—||—r—————————2—r—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


CHORUS (x2):                                             _________________ _________________
                                                        /1                /2
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—5———|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0———|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


BREAKDOWN (No bass, but if you feel like playing something...)

                 ( x3 )
G |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—6———————————————|—4———————————————||—3———————————————|—2———————————————|
E |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


BRIDGE:
                 ( x4 )
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |———3—3—3—3———————|—————————————————|
E |—r—————————2—————|(2)——————r———————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


PRE—CHORUS:
                 ( x3 )         
G |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————||—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |———3—3—3—3———————|—————————————————||———3—3—3—3———————|—————————————————|
E |—r—————————2—r—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—r—2—||—r—————————2—r—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


CHORUS 3 (x4):

G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—5———|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


OUTRO:

G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—3—3—3—3—3—3—3—3—|—2—2—2—2—2—2—————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—————————————0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—5———|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—3—3—3—3—3—3—3—3—|—2—2—2—2—2—2—————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—————————————0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—0—2—|—r—2—r—2—0—2—5———|(5)————\—r———————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

Follow along with the song:

About Powerman 5000

Powerman 5000 (sometimes abbreviated to PM5K) is an American rock band formed in 1991. Through the span of nearly two decades, the group has released several albums and gained their highest commercial success with 1999's science fiction themed Tonight the Stars Revolt!. Frontman Spider One is also the younger brother of Rob Zombie, and their styles have often been a source for comparison. He is also the founder and only original member.

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------------------|

A|---3---------------|

E|-------------------|

            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------5h7---------|

            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------7p5---------|

            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------5/7---------|

            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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Powerman 5000 — When Worlds Collide (ver 4) bass tabs