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Porcupine Tree — Four Chords That Made a Million
Album: Lightbulb Sun
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 513









Released: 2000
Length: 3:36
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Six of one and half a dozen
Black guitars and plastic blues
Hide behind a wall of nothing
Nothing said and nothing new

4 Chords that made a million
4 Chords that made a million, million, million

You belong there on the cover
You are the emperor in new clothes
A man who thinks he owns the future
Will sell your vacuum with his prose

4 Chords that made a million
4 Chords that made a million, million, million
4 Chords that made a million, million, million

And then a moron with a cheque book
Will take you out to lunch who knows?
He will tell you you're a saviour
And then he'll drop you like a stone

4 Chords that made a million
4 Chords that made a million, million, million
4 Chords that made a million, million, million

And I have tried and I have died
Trying to get through
But in the end I can't defend you

4 Chords that made a million
4 Chords that made a million, million, million
4 Chords that made a million, million, million

4 Chords that made a million, million, million
Comments (73)add comment
Hooker with a Penis, married with children edition
Posted 6 years ago by TerrorGovernor    [ Reply ]
lol !
Posted 7 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
"And then a moron with a cheque book"

{#Lol} 
Posted 7 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Initially liked the song for the "rock" aspect but too over produced.
Posted 8 years ago by hobbithouse    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:

This is my least favorite Porcupine Tree song. Since I've never heard this album in its entirety, I was very surprised to realize that this was PT at all. This is not representative of most of their work.


 
It fits in with the entire album, but you're right, on its own, not a good listening, imho
Posted 8 years ago by heyjoe3577    [ Reply ]
I have to ask.  What's that spelling on the cover all about?  Limitid?  Surely not.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]

The relevant questions horstman are the following:

 

Does your son play the song well?

And now that he has learned the lyrics, will he neglect his studies and try to become a rock 'n roll star?


Posted 15 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Holy shit!!!

My son is playing this upstairs in his room. I come down and here it is again.

PT rules! Although this song is a little weak. At least compared to the rest on this album.
Posted 15 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
 joepeacock wrote:
I'm not at all familiar with Porcupine Tree, but after hearing this song, I'm not really interested in hearing more.
 

This is my least favorite Porcupine Tree song. Since I've never heard this album in its entirety, I was very surprised to realize that this was PT at all. This is not representative of most of their work.



Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
 I agree as well...Hi Ya'll Deadwing wrote:

Agreed again!  I do love the music in this one though   {#Music}

 


Posted 16 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
Happy as always to hear this but there are at least 5 songs on the CD that are much, much better IMO.
 
Agreed again!  I do love the music in this one though   {#Music}

Posted 16 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
Happy as always to hear this but there are at least 5 songs on the CD that are much, much better IMO.
Posted 16 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
fredriley wrote:
I wondered about the title being about punk rock, then decided against as punk only used 3 chords ;-)
LMAO, so true
Posted 16 years ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
joepeacock wrote:
I'm not at all familiar with Porcupine Tree, but after hearing this song, I'm not really interested in hearing more.
This is a very different sound from much of their recent work, such that I was surprised to see that it was PT on the playlist. I'd advise trying Deadwing and Fear of a Blank Planet before you make your mind up on this lot. I wondered about the title being about punk rock, then decided against as punk only used 3 chords ;-) 7 from the Nottingham jury, but then we are big PT fans.
Posted 16 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Bosonator wrote:
G, D, C, and E minor. And I had this at "1 - Sucko barfo".... Hmmm... I guess I just wasn't in the mood when I first heard it. I'm bumping up to a 6.
I always thought of the over usage of G-D-C as a guitarist. But what about the fourth? A (major) I am thinking. When you break music down there is only so many directions that you can go. Non standard tuning was the only escape, but in the past two decades, the drop D tuning has become the same with over using. BTW. Porcupine Tree is one of the best all time bands. Mr. Wilson has given me new life as a guitarist.
Posted 16 years ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
kmh wrote:
I like parts of thier songs & then the rest gets on my nerves.. I'm confused about them
Well this is actually one of their weaker songs and probably the only one I don't really care for.
Posted 16 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Yes lives! Hooray... I think.
Posted 16 years ago by gvan    [ Reply ]
I like parts of thier songs & then the rest gets on my nerves.. I'm confused about them
Posted 16 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
rock on PT!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 16 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
We were blacked out . Bummer. But I thought I would share that I now have the remastered issue of the Lightbulb Sun CD. This song is one of my least favourites. I still like it but it is just the other songs so totally rock. My favourite sequence is:
+ The Rest Will Flow

+ Hatesong

+ Where would we be

Where would we be in particular rips into me. A life well spent me thinks but much left to be done.



Posted 16 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
1,2,3,4,....four chords that made a million ....
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
jjbix wrote:
wow, that's what we call snap judgment. Give life a chance . . .
Posted 16 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
joepeacock wrote:
I'm not at all familiar with Porcupine Tree, but after hearing this song, I'm not really interested in hearing more.
Huge PT fan here, this one is pretty old, but if you like this check out Deadwing and In Absentia. Rock on PT!!
Posted 16 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite PT song, but they really are a great band.
Posted 16 years ago by felam    [ Reply ]
I guess I will just never understand why people like this band. Every song I hear makes me like them less and less.
Posted 16 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
joepeacock wrote:
I'm not at all familiar with Porcupine Tree, but after hearing this song, I'm not really interested in hearing more.
wow, that's what we call snap judgment. Give life a chance . . .
Posted 16 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
I'm not at all familiar with Porcupine Tree, but after hearing this song, I'm not really interested in hearing more.
Posted 16 years ago by joepeacock    [ Reply ]
I like Porcupine Tree a lot, though I like this a bit less than the others. The bridge is really good however...
Posted 16 years ago by schrodingersdog    [ Reply ]
Deadwing wrote:
sad to say one of only 2 PT songs I don't really care for. My hubby calls it "A Million Chords that Made 4 Dollars". The other song is Access Denied... ouch that song sucks. (still my favorite band though) hehehe
This is one of my least favorite PT songs as well. Very weak for them.
Posted 16 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
I love my Radio Porcupine.
Posted 16 years ago by crowhog2000    [ Reply ]
sad to say one of only 2 PT songs I don't really care for. My hubby calls it "A Million Chords that Made 4 Dollars". The other song is Access Denied... ouch that song sucks. (still my favorite band though) hehehe
Posted 16 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
The tracks are jumping like a mofo today!...like a scratched cd.
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
westslope wrote:
Normal is my favourite cut too. Nil Recurring might be a bit of an acquired taste for most RP listeners.
my favorite is definitely "what happens now", great song - especially around 3-5 minutes, it feels like layers of music coming together in a great fashion.
Posted 16 years ago by dead_flowers    [ Reply ]
I really like the music in this song but don't care too much for the lyrics or melody line. One of the only PT songs that I don't love and adore
Posted 16 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
robco1 wrote:
My favorite from Nil Recurring is "Normal." Great harmony at the end. Saw that it was rejected by RP. Bad move IMHO!
Normal is my favourite cut too. Nil Recurring might be a bit of an acquired taste for most RP listeners.
Posted 16 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Deadwing wrote:
SW swears it'll be in February 2008 (along with Recordings) on a seperate note I just received my DTS 5.1 surround sound mix of Fear of a Blank Planet/Nil Recurring courtesy of Burning Shed and the Royal Mail. WOW!!!! The best surround mix yet. SW is getting really good at this LOL! I highly recommend! If you haven't bought Nil Recurring yet I really encourage you to get it. It's 4 songs that were recorded at the same time as Fear of a Blank Planet but were cut at the last minute because SW felt that they didn't fit in with his vision for the final album and interrupted the flow (such a picky man! ). By no means are they songs that were rejected due to being inferior- he is just really particular as to the flow of PTs records and he couldn't fit them in stylistically or thematically (is that even a word? hehe). The song "What Happens Now" is now my favorite from the FoaBP sessions. I think it's one of the best songs they have ever done EVER. After months of listening I think my favorite from the album is the song "Way Out Of Here" (unfortunately it's not uploaded on RP) it just has such a beautiful, majestic flow and amazing soundscapes (thank you Robert Fripp)
My favorite from Nil Recurring is "Normal." Great harmony at the end. Saw that it was rejected by RP. Bad move IMHO!
Posted 16 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
I agree that Way Out Of Here should be uploaded. Lots of old RP hands will enjoy it. Still like 17-minute long Anesthetize the best though...
Posted 17 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
So when is Lightbulb Sun reissue coming out!?!!
SW swears it'll be in February 2008 (along with Recordings) on a seperate note I just received my DTS 5.1 surround sound mix of Fear of a Blank Planet/Nil Recurring courtesy of Burning Shed and the Royal Mail. WOW!!!! The best surround mix yet. SW is getting really good at this LOL! I highly recommend! If you haven't bought Nil Recurring yet I really encourage you to get it. It's 4 songs that were recorded at the same time as Fear of a Blank Planet but were cut at the last minute because SW felt that they didn't fit in with his vision for the final album and interrupted the flow (such a picky man! ). By no means are they songs that were rejected due to being inferior- he is just really particular as to the flow of PTs records and he couldn't fit them in stylistically or thematically (is that even a word? hehe). The song "What Happens Now" is now my favorite from the FoaBP sessions. I think it's one of the best songs they have ever done EVER. After months of listening I think my favorite from the album is the song "Way Out Of Here" (unfortunately it's not uploaded on RP) it just has such a beautiful, majestic flow and amazing soundscapes (thank you Robert Fripp)
Posted 17 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
Every single time I hear what I THINK is them, I have to stop what I'm doing to confirm. I nail it every time and I love, love, love PT.
What he said!
Posted 17 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
andrello wrote:
I really wonder why this had to be the first single from Lightbulb Sun...or a single at all.
Seems obvious to me. It's PT having a got at a (relatively) straightforward pop song.
Posted 17 years ago by Cruithne3753    [ Reply ]
Every single time I hear what I THINK is them, I have to stop what I'm doing to confirm. I nail it every time and I love, love, love PT.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Very Rush-like. Fortunately, PT moved on beyond the "four chords"...
Posted 17 years ago by Dinsdale    [ Reply ]
This one violates my "songs about the biz" rule.
Posted 17 years ago by iggam    [ Reply ]
Everytime, when I am listening and think... Wow what's that for a great tune?, then it's PT! I guess I really have to buy also some of their CDs now...
Posted 17 years ago by Nabla    [ Reply ]
This is probably my least favorite PT song. I usually skip it when the CD reaches this point. I think I just got tired of it is all.
Posted 17 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
I finally caught it! I think I know why Bill likes it. hehe OK, test me. Play something by PT/Steven Wilson that I won't like. I challenge you! LOL! This answers my earlier question about other songs similar to Piano Lessons (Stupid Dream) and The Sound of Muzak (In Absentia). So when is Lightbulb Sun reissue coming out!?!!
Posted 17 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
I keep missing this song. I see it polarizes like much great music. So when is the reissue of Lightbulb Sun coming out? I want to buy it.
Posted 17 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
RedGuitar wrote:
And just what would those 4 chords be?
G, D, C, and E minor. And I had this at "1 - Sucko barfo".... Hmmm... I guess I just wasn't in the mood when I first heard it. I'm bumping up to a 6.
Posted 17 years ago by Bosonator    [ Reply ]
RedGuitar wrote:
And just what would those 4 chords be?
exactly.
Posted 17 years ago by bmeador    [ Reply ]
And just what would those 4 chords be?
Posted 17 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
It's an OK song - but not for PT whose complete back catalogue is jawdroppingly fantastic. I really wonder why this had to be the first single from Lightbulb Sun...or a single at all.
Posted 17 years ago by andrello    [ Reply ]
govna wrote:
right, or in this case, 6 WORDS that made a million.
If they're getting paid by the word, they're really hosing somebody.
Posted 17 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
kindof irritating. 3
Posted 17 years ago by corndog4000    [ Reply ]
right, or in this case, 6 WORDS that made a million.
Posted 17 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
I like this band and I like what this song is about. 7
Posted 17 years ago by frednic    [ Reply ]
This one of the weaker songs on an otherwise excellent album. This band is most delightful about 85% of the time. The other 15% simply sounds adequate when compared to all else.
Posted 18 years ago by jberko    [ Reply ]
byrd wrote:
Same here... this is easily my least favorite PT song that I've heard to date. I also gave it a 4. They can do SO, SO much better.
They're all good. 'nuff said!
Posted 18 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
KevinM wrote:
This is one PT song that does not strike a "Chord" with me - I gave it a "4" - A departure from my usual 8 or 9.
Same here... this is easily my least favorite PT song that I've heard to date. I also gave it a 4. They can do SO, SO much better.
Posted 18 years ago by byrd    [ Reply ]
thatslongformud wrote:
AFAIK this is crap
AFAIK? how can you know such a thing? music is one of the greatest embodiments of opinion
Posted 18 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
AFAIK this is crap
Posted 18 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]
deadwing = my new favorite CD porcupine tree = my new favorite band
Posted 18 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Keep playing the Porcupine Tree.
Posted 18 years ago by barho    [ Reply ]
This is one PT song that does not strike a "Chord" with me - I gave it a "4" - A departure from my usual 8 or 9.
Posted 18 years ago by KevinM    [ Reply ]
This is one of the weaker PT tracks, I've never really been a big fan of it. (the rest of the LS record is REALLY good though) Even SW seems to shun this tune. (it hasn't been played live since about 2001) Still the best damn band on the planet.
Posted 18 years ago by zaknafein    [ Reply ]
Hooked on Porcupine Tree thanks to RP. This is yet another fine example of their style and depth.
Posted 18 years ago by Beastie    [ Reply ]
I loooove this tune
Posted 18 years ago by guitar_man_101    [ Reply ]
AFAIK this is a dig at Kula Shaker!
Posted 18 years ago by Cruithne3753    [ Reply ]
This is really the best band live ever !!!
Posted 18 years ago by chmÀdchen    [ Reply ]
Did I mention that this is the currently the best band in the world?
Posted 18 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
Isn't the joke about this song that the band tried to have a tired, cliched sound with this one?
Posted 18 years ago by lizardman_tcs    [ Reply ]
Likin' this!
Posted 19 years ago by winter    [ Reply ]
Complex, brilliant.
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
New (old) PT, most excellent... :-)
Posted 19 years ago by Freespirit    [ Reply ]