May132020

David Bowie – Space Oddity Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

ChordsFmaj7 Em C AmAm/GD7/F#E F Fm Bb G A D E7C/G

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This is the chords of Space Oddity by David Bowie on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em

[Pre-Verse]
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/F#
Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

[Verse 1]
C E
This is ground control to Major Tom
F
You’ve really made the grade
Fm C F
And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear
Fm C F
Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare
C E
This is Major Tom to ground control
F
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

[Chorus]
Fmaj7 Em
For here am I sitting in a tin can
Fmaj7 Em
Far above the world
Bb Am G F
Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

[Instrumental]
C F G A A
C F G A A
Fmaj7 Em A C D E

[Verse 2]
C E
Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles
F
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

[Bridge]
G E7 Am C/G
Ground control to Major Tom, your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong
D7/F#
Can you hear me Major Tom?
C
Can you hear me Major Tom?
G
Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you…

[Chorus]
Fmaj7 Em
Here am I floating ’round my tin can
Fmaj7 Em
Far above the Moon
Bb Am G F
Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

[Outro]
C F G A A
C F G A A
Fmaj7 Em A C D E

How to play Space Oddity: key, chords and progression

Space Oddity by David Bowie keeps coming home to C major (no sharps or flats). You need 15 chords: Fmaj7, Em, C, Am, Am/G, D7/F#, E, F, Fm, Bb, G and A and 3 more.

The progression the song keeps returning to is F – Fm – C – F (IV – iv – I – IV in C major). In solfa, that is fah – fah – doh – fah. Learn these 4 changes first and most of the song falls into place.

Good to know: F, Fm and Bb are the tricky part on guitar (barre or movable shapes). Slow the change down until it is clean; on piano and ukulele they are simpler.