Beating of Hearts

(Partridge)

Mummer

Recordings XTCfans interview with Andy Partridge XTCfans interview with Dave Gregory Art Lyrics Chords and Tablature

Recordings

1. Album version, 4'01.
   Recorded at Genetic Studios, winter 1982.
   Released on Mummer.
   Terry Chambers / drums
2. Promotional video.
   Recorded in July, 1983.
   Broadcast as part of XTC Play At Home on 16 October 1984 on Channel 4 (C4).
   Not commercially released.
3. Demo version.
   Released on 25 September 2006 on Hinges in the U.K.

   Andy: “Yep another early 4 track recording. Captured in my back bedroom in '82 after recovering from a cold. Tape is very decayed on top of poor recording I'm afraid. Found a new guitar tuning and I'm going to use it. Every note is E, ironically similar to the GLITTER BAND tuning of every string being A, with Pete Phipps coming just around the corner.”

Art

video for “Beating of Hearts”, from XTC Play at Home, Channel 4, 1983

Lyrics

Do you know what noise awakes you
Every morning from your bed
A coming from the farthest hillside
A coming from inside your head

You have heard
You have heard the loudest sound
In this and every world you can think of

Louder than tanks on the highway
Louder than bombers in flight
Louder than noises of hatred
Dancing us from darkest night is the rhythm of love
Powered on by the beating of hearts

And did you know you had this power?
Drumming on it always stays
Never try to use it badly
Tunes of good are all it plays

You have heard
You have heard the loudest sound
In this and every world you can visit

Louder than tanks on the highway
Louder than bombers in flight
Louder than noises of hatred
Dancing us from darkest night is the rhythm of love
Powered on by the beating of hearts

For a heart without love is a song with no words
And a tune to which no one is listening
So your heart must give love and you'll find that
You shine like rain on the leaves you'll be glistening

You have heard
You have heard the loudest sound
In this and every world you can think of

Louder than thoughts of dictators
Louder than rattling swords
Louder than loading of rifles
Louder than screaming warlords
Louder than tanks on the highway
Louder than bombers in flight
Louder than noises of hatred
Dancing us from darkest night is the rhythm of love
Powered on by the beating of hearts

© 1983 Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd.
[Thanks to Richard Pedretti-Allen]

Chords and Tablature

Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 18:21:55 -0400
From: Kevin Brunkhorst <KB305 (at) aol dot com>
Subject: here's Mummer, plus some B-sides
Message-ID: <960726182155_246529032 (at) emout08 dot mail dot aol dot com>

Get your guitar, cue up the CD.
Proud to be on the website, looks good there.
What's next?

Beating of Hearts

(The arrangement for this song is very skeletal.
The chords I list here are suggested only.
They fit.  That's all.)

E
Do you know what noise awakes you
Every morning from your bed
A-coming from the farthest hillside
A-coming from inside your head

You have heard
You have heard the loudest sound
   A                            Emaj7
In this and every world you can think of

Chorus:
A                        Emaj7
Louder than tanks on the highway
A                      C#m
Louder than bombers in flight
A                     Emaj7
Louder than noises of hatred
                Bm                             B7
Dancing us from darkest night is the rhythm of love
                              E
Powered on the the beating of hearts

And did you know you had this power?
Drumming on it always stays
Never try to use it badly
Tunes of good are all it plays

You have heard
You have heard the loudest sound
In this and every world you can visit

Chorus

      E
For a heart without love is a song with no words
                              B7
And a tune to which no-one is listening
        E
So your heart must give love and you'll find that
                                            B7
You shine like rain on the leaves you'll be glistening

You have heard
You have heard the loudest sound
In this and every world you can think of

Louder than thoughts of dictators
Louder than rattling swords
Louder than loading of rifles
Louder than screaming warlords

Chorus

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