Sep172018

Roy Orbison – Heavy Load Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

ChordsD G/D Gm/DGmC#mGAG/EA/DBm F#m E7 Asus4 A7 Gmaj7 B7 Em Dmaj7

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This is the chord progression of Heavy Load by Roy Orbison on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[verse]
D G/D
At times it seems too rough,
Gm/D D
things just drag me down
D G/D
It’s hard to find the strength
Gm D
to just one more round

D C#m G A
When I need help, I know where to go
A G G/E
’cause you’re the best friend
A D A/D G/D D
that I could ever know

Bm F#m
Being taught the words from you
G A D
…. from what is true
G E7
Someone to share the pain..
E7 Asus4 A7
that I’m going through

[chorus]
D Gmaj7 F#m B7
And it’s a heavy load that I bear
Em A7 Dmaj7 B7-9 B7
and it’s a heavy crown that I wear
Em A
As I travel down this road,
Dmaj7 Gmaj7
it’s a heavy load,
Gmaj7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
it’s a heavy load

[chorus]
D Gmaj7 F#m B7
And it’s a heavy load that I bear
Em A7 Dmaj7 B7-9 B7
and it’s a heavy crown that I wear
Em A
So help med one more time
Em A
it’s such an uphill climb
Em A
As I travel down this road
Dmaj7 Gmaj7
it’s a heavy load,…..load
Gmaj7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
it’s a heavy load…….load

[chorus-outro]
Gmaj7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
it’s a heavy load,
Gmaj7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
…………..load…..
Gmaj7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
its a heavy load
Gmaj7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
…………..load…..
Gmaj7 Dmaj7 Gmaj7
its a heavy load….

How to play Heavy Load: key, chords and progression

Heavy Load by Roy Orbison keeps coming home to D major (two sharps: F♯, C♯). You need 19 chords: D, G/D, Gm/D, Gm, C#m, G, A, G/E, A/D, Bm, F#m and E7 and 7 more.

The backbone of the song is D – Gmaj7 – F#m – B7 (I – IVmaj7 – iii – VI7 in D major). In solfa, that is doh – fah – mi – lah. Practise these 4 changes until they feel natural and you can play most of it.

Good to know: Gm/D, Gm, C#m, Bm and F#m are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.