Song: Straighten Up and Fly Right
Written by: Nat King Cole & Irving Mills
Performed by: The Nat King Cole Trio, 1944
Ear-scribed by: Blueyacover
I was originally inspired to transcribe Lyle Lovett's version, but then decided that
original version would be better to do. Robbie Williams vsn. is also sick. I could not
any vsn. this song on the U.G. site, so enjoy. Sorry, I'm not such a great guitar
but predominantly a piano player. Peace.
Upbeat Jazz Tempo = 70
Key Ab Major
Chords For Piano
Chords used: Ab, Ab6/C, Db6, Ddim7,
Fm7, E9, Eb9,
C7, F7, F9, Gb9, Bb9,
Bb7(#5)
Verse I
Ab Ab6/C Db6 Ddim7
A buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air
Ab6 Fm7 E9 Eb9
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
Ab Ab6/C Db6 Ddim7
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
Ab6 Fm7 Bb7(#5) Eb9
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, “Now listen, Jack…”
Chorus I
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab Bb7(#5) Eb9
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6 E9 Eb9
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/n/nat_king_cole/straighten_up_and_fly_right_crd.html ]
Ab6/C Db6
Ain’t no use in divin’
Ab Bb7(#5)
What’s the use of jiving
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Eb9 Eb9 Eb7 Ab6
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
Bridge
C7
The buzzard told the monkey, “you are choking me”
F7 Gb9 F9
“Release your hold, and I will set you free”
Bb9
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye
Bb7 Eb9 Bb7(#5) Eb9 Eb7 Ab6
And said, “Your story is so touching, but it sounds just like a lie”
Chorus II
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab Bb7(#5) Eb9
Straighten up and stay right
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6 E9 Eb9
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
(Piano/Bass solo, Guitar/Bass Solo based on verse chord progressions)
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Repeat Chorus II
Ab Bb7(#5)
Straighten up and stay right
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Eb9 Eb9 Eb7 Ab6
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
Piano/Guitar outro
(individual notes…) (Chord)
Ab, G, Gb, F, Eb, F, G,
Eb9 ^
Fly right!
