David Bowie - Space Oddity
Hello! Below you'll find my "Space Oddity" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by David Bowie is a total classic. It's a great one to learn on piano because the chord progression and rhythms are mostly quite straightforward.
Enjoy!
Space Oddity Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Space Oddity:
Space Oddity Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em
Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7 Em
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 D/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 D/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 shirts 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 AA
C F G AA
Fmaj7 Em A C D E
C F G AA
C F G AA
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
Ground control to Major Tom, your circuit's dead
G E7 Am
Ground control to Major Tom, your circuit's dead
C/G
There's something wrong
D/F#
Can you hear me Major Tom?
C
Can you hear me Major Tom?
G
Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you...
D/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
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
[Instrumental]
C F G AA
C F G AA
Fmaj7 Em A C D E
C F G AA
C F G AA
Fmaj7 Em A C D E
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.
Space Oddity 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 "Space Oddity" 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: "Space Oddity" 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.
