Rudie Can't Fail Bass Tabs - The Clash @ BigBassTabs.com

Rudie Can't Fail
The Clash
London Calling

Transcription: Travatron4000 1/15/2021

Notation guide: 
|*   *|
|*   *|  = Repeat these bars

Rhythm is dictated by the dashes in a bar.
|5—5—| means play on 1 and 3
|5—55—55——| means play 1, 2 and, 3 and. This indicates an 8th note division of the bar. 
an extra dash will be placed to make room for a double digit fret number or other notation like slides /

Intro: 
                                *guit. Now, sing, Michael, sing
A:0———|————|00——|————|—0——|————|00——|————|00——|————|

On the route of the nineteen bus
We hear them sayin'

G:————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
D:————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
A:————————|——4———47|——47————|——————47|——47————|————————|
E:5—5—————|————5———|55——555—|——3—5———|55——555—|——2—2———|

G:————————|————————|————————|————————|
D:——————4—|————————|——————4—|————————|
A:——4—5———|——4—7—4—|——4—5———|————————|
E:5———————|5———————|5———————|——5—5———|

Fig. 1: 
G:——————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
D:——————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
A:——————————|——4———47|——47————|——————47|——47————|————————|
E:/5———/5——3|55——5———|55——55——|——3—5———|55——55——|——2—2———|

G:————————|————————|————————|————————|
D:——————4—|————————|——————4—|————————|
A:——4—5———|——4—7—4—|——4—5———|————————|
E:5———————|5———————|5———————|——5—5———|

Verse: w/Fig. 1
How you get a rude and a reckless?
Don't you be so crude and feckless
You been drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (no, no)

We reply
I know that my life make you nervous
But I tell you I can't live in service
Like the doctor who was born for a purpose
Rudie can't fail (ok)

Fig. 2:                 3x
G:||—————|————|————|—————||————|————|————|————|
D:||*————|2———|4———|4———*||0———|2———|————|————|
A:||*0———|————|————|————*||————|————|0———|————|
E:||—————|————|————|—————||————|————|————|————|

Chorus: w/Fig. 2
I went to the market to realize my soul
What I need I just don't have (oh no)
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
They say, Rudie can't fail

Verse: w/Fig. 1
First you must cure your temper
Then find a job in a paper
You need someone for a savior
Rudie can't fail

We reply
Now we get a rude and a reckless
To be seen lookin' cool an' speckless
And drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (no, no, no)

Chorus: w/Fig. 2
I went to the market to realize my soul
'Cause what I need I just don't have
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
Rudie can't fail

Bridge: w/Fig. 1
Okay! Okay!
So where you want to go today?
Hey, boss man!
You're looking pretty smart

Fig. 3
G:||—————|————|2———|2————||————|————|————|————|
D:||*————|2———|————|———2*||4———|4———|4———|2———|
A:||*0———|————|————|————*||————|————|————|————|
E:||—————|————|————|—————||————|————|————|————|

G:||—————————|—————————||
D:||*————————|————————*||
A:||*————————|————————*||
E:||—0—00—00—|—00—0————||

(Chicken skin suit) with your chicken skin suit
You think you're pretty hot
(Pork pie hat) In the pork pie hat

Outro: 
Rudie can't fail, Rudie can't fail, etc.

G:|————|————|————|————|————|————|————|————|
D:|————|2———|4———|4———|0———|2———|4———|4———|
A:|0———|————|————|————|————|————|————|————|
E:|————|————|————|————|————|————|————|————|

G:|————|————|————|————|————|————|————————|————————|
D:|————|2———|4———|4———|0———|2———|————————|—2—4—2——|
A:|0———|————|————|————|————|————|0——————0|4—————4—|
E:|————|————|————|————|————|————|————————|————————|

G:||————2————|———4————|————————|—————————||Repeat and fade
D:||*0—4—————|2—6—————|————————|—2—4—2——*||
A:||*————————|————————|0——————0|4—————4—*||
E:||—————————|————————|————————|—————————||

*As interpreted by the author. The tablature is for private/educational 
use in your home only and may not be used for any commercial or profit 
making enterprise. If this warning is violated, you may be in conflict 
with the International copyright laws.

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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The Clash — Rudie Can't Fail bass tabs