Ground Control to Major Tom

David Bowie 1969 ..... Rick Potvin 2014.
In 1969 we all though man had landed on the moon.
By 2014, we had understood for at least a decade that it was
faked... that even the shuttle and space station were fake.
But what a grand illusion it was! 

A very clever and novel use of the iii and III, then the IV and iv in this tune as well as other interesting changes in harmony makes for a very ethereal sound in Major Tom.

This playlist will explore these harmonies in the context of the tune Major Tom by David Bowie. I'll include other space related videos that should make for an entertaining music and documentary evening.

I begin this playlist with my own rendering of the song. The toughest thing to do is memorize chords and lyrics. I'll try to address that issue in coming months.

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INTRO
Fmaj7 ... Em ... Fmaj7 ... Em ... (repeat)

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 Ground Control to Major Tom Commencing countdown, engines on Check ignition and may God's love be with you

CHORUS

C E7 This is Ground Control to Major Tom F You've really made the grade Fm C F And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear Fm C F Now, it's time to leave the capsule if you dare This is Major Tom to Ground Control I'm stepping through the door And I'm floating in a most peculiar way And the stars look very different today

REFRAIN

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 SECTION

C → F G → A A x2 Fmaj7 ... Em ... A ... C ... D ... E ... x1 Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles I'm feeling very still And I think my spaceship knows which way to go Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows

BRIDGE

G E7 Ground Control to Major Tom Am Am/G Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong D Can you hear me, Major Tom? C Can you hear me, Major Tom? G Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you... Here---- am I sitting in my tin can Far----- above the Moon Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do