Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky
Hello! Below you'll find my "Late For The Sky" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This is one of my favorite songs by Jackson Browne. The chords are fairly simple, though there are a lot of cool (and useful!) tricks and details throughout that I demonstrate in the video.
Enjoy!
Late For The Skyr Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Late For The Sky:
Late For The Sky Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| C | G | F | C/E | Dm | Am G | F | F |
| C | G | F | C/E | Dm | Am G | F | F |
[Verse 1]
C G
Now the words had all been spoken
F C/E
But somehow the feeling still wasn't right
Dm Am G F
And still we continued on through the night
C G
Tracing our steps from the beginning
C G
Now the words had all been spoken
F C/E
But somehow the feeling still wasn't right
Dm Am G F
And still we continued on through the night
C G
Tracing our steps from the beginning
F C/E
Until they vanished into the air
Dm Am G F C
Trying to understand how our lives had led us there
Until they vanished into the air
Dm Am G F C
Trying to understand how our lives had led us there
[Prechorus]
F G Am
Looking hard into your eyes
F G Am
Looking hard into your eyes
G F Em
There was nobody I'd ever known
G/D F/C Am/E F G F/A G/B
Such an empty surprise to feel so alone
G/D F/C Am/E F G F/A G/B
Such an empty surprise to feel so alone
[Verse 2]
C G
Now for me, some words come easy
F C/E
But I know that they don't mean that much
Dm Am
Compared with the things that are
C G
Now for me, some words come easy
F C/E
But I know that they don't mean that much
Dm Am
Compared with the things that are
G F
Said when lovers touch
C G
You never knew what I loved in you
F C/E
I don't know what you loved in me
Dm Am
Maybe the picture of somebody
C G
You never knew what I loved in you
F C/E
I don't know what you loved in me
Dm Am
Maybe the picture of somebody
G F (F C/E F/D) C
You were hoping I might be
[Prechorus]
F G Am
Awake again, I can't pretend
F G Am
Awake again, I can't pretend
G F Em
And I know I am alone
G/D F/C Am/E
And close to the end
G/D F/C Am/E
And close to the end
F G F/A G/B (C F/D C/E)
Of the feeling we've known
[Chorus]
F C/E
How long have I been sleeping?
Dm Am G
How long have I been drifting alone through the night?
F C/G
How long have I been dreaming I
G7sus4 C/C
Could make it right if I closed my eyes
F Am7
And try with all my might to be the one you need
How long have I been sleeping?
Dm Am G
How long have I been drifting alone through the night?
F C/G
How long have I been dreaming I
G7sus4 C/C
Could make it right if I closed my eyes
F Am7
And try with all my might to be the one you need
[Solo]
| C | G | F | C/E | Dm | Am G | F | F |
| C | G | F | C/E | Dm | Am G | F (C/E F/D) | C |
| C | G | F | C/E | Dm | Am G | F | F |
| C | G | F | C/E | Dm | Am G | F (C/E F/D) | C |
[Prechorus]
F G Am G F Em
Awake again, I can't pretend and I know I am alone
G/D F/C Am/E
And close to the end
F G Am G F Em
Awake again, I can't pretend and I know I am alone
G/D F/C Am/E
And close to the end
F G F/A G/B (C F/D C/E)
Of the feeling we've known
[Chorus]
F C/E
How long have I been sleeping?
Dm Am G
How long have I been drifting alone through the night?
F C/G
How long have I been running for
G7sus4 C/G
That morning flight through the whispered promises
F C/G G
In the changing light of the bed where we both lie
C Bb/C
Late for the sky
F C/E
How long have I been sleeping?
Dm Am G
How long have I been drifting alone through the night?
F C/G
How long have I been running for
G7sus4 C/G
That morning flight through the whispered promises
F C/G G
In the changing light of the bed where we both lie
C Bb/C
Late for the sky
| C| Bb/C | repeat and end on C
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Late For The Sky Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Late For The Sky" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Late For The Sky" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
