An epic in both music and story, Space Oddity must certainly have seemed odd at the time, but we sure do love it. The chords are magical -- from major 7 jazz chords right in the intro, to the rapid fire chords that bridge the sections together. The song is a masterpiece.
The song as recorded is a complex arrangement, but somehow it still works really well if we just strum it on acoustic guitar. Perhaps that's a sign of a truly well-composed song. It can be reduced down to one instrument and a voice, and it's still amazing.
Here are the chords you might not know if you don't happen to be taking guitar lessons with me here in Vancouver:
Fmaj7: xx3210 -- My students often call this "easy F," because it is actually easier, and fancier.
Bbmaj7: x1323x -- This might be a finger buster for some. No bar is required, but make sure you are only strumming the middle four strings.
Space Oddity - David Bowie
INTRO:
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em
VERSE 1:
C Em
Ground control to major Tom
C Em
Ground control to major Tom
Am / / Am/G / / D7/F#
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
C Em
Ground control to major Tom
C Em
Commencing countdown, engines on
Am / / Am/G / / D7 HOLD
Check ignition and may God's love be with you
CHORUS 1:
C E7 F
This is ground control to major Tom, you've really made the grade
Fm / / C / / F
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Fm / / C / / F
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare
CHORUS 2:
C E7 F
This is major Tom to ground control, I'm stepping through the door
Fm / / C / / F
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
Fm / / C / / F
And the stars look very different today
BRIDGE:
Fmaj7 Em7 Fmaj7 Em7
For here--- am I sitting in a tin can. Far--- above the world
Bbmaj7 / / Am7 / / G / / F HOLD
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do
C / F / G / A // C / F / G / A //
SAX SOLO: Fmaj7 Em7 A C D E7 x2
VERSE 2:
C E7 F
Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles, I'm feeling very still
Fm C F
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Fm C F
Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows
G E7 Am Am/G
Ground control to major Tom, your circuit's dead, there's something wrong
D7
Can you hear me, major Tom?
C
Can you hear me, major Tom?
G
Can you hear me, major Tom?
Fma7--
Can you hear--
BRIDGE 2:
(Fmaj7) Em7 Fmaj7 Em7
--am I sitting in my tin can. Far--- above the Moon
Bbmaj7 Am7 G F HOLD
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do
C / F / G / A // C / F / G / A //
OUTRO:
Fmaj7 Em7 A C D E . end