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, C#6, Ddim7,
Fm7, E9, Eb9,
C7, F7, F9, F#9, Bb9,
Bb7(#5)
Verse I
Ab Ab6/C C#6 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 C#6 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 C#6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab Bb7(#5) Eb9
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6/C C#6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6 E9 Eb9
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
Ab6/C C#6
Ain’t no use in divin’
Ab Bb7(#5)
What’s the use of jiving
Ab6/C C#6
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 F#9 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 C#6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab Bb7(#5) Eb9
Straighten up and stay right
Ab6/C C#6
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 C#6
Straighten up and fly right
Repeat Chorus II
Ab Bb7(#5)
Straighten up and stay right
Ab6/C C#6
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, F#, F, Eb, F, G,
Eb9 ^
Fly right!
