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David Bowie - Space Oddity


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


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