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
A buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
Bb7(#5)
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, “Now listen, Jack…”
Chorus I
Straighten up and fly right
Bb7(#5)
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
Ain’t no use in divin’
Ab Bb7(#5)
What’s the use of jiving
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
Bridge
The buzzard told the monkey, “you are choking me”
“Release your hold, and I will set you free”
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye
Bb7(#5)
And said, “Your story is so touching, but it sounds just like a lie”
Chorus II
Straighten up and fly right
Bb7(#5)
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
(Piano/Bass solo, Guitar/Bass Solo based on verse chord progressions)
Straighten up and fly right
Repeat Chorus II
Ab Bb7(#5)
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
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!