Nat King Cole - Straighten Up And Fly Right

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 G# major
chords for piano

chords used : G# , G#6/C , C#6 , Ddim7 ,
Fm7 , E9 , D#9 ,
C7 , F7 , F9 , F#9 , A#9 ,
A#7 ( #5 )

verse i
G# G#6/C C#6 Ddim7
a buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air

G#6 Fm7 E9 D#9
the monkey thought that everything was on the square

G# G#6/C C#6 Ddim7
the buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back

G#6 Fm7 A#7 ( #5 ) D#9
the monkey grabbed his neck and said , now listen , jack

chorus i

G#6/C C#6
straighten up and fly right

G# A#7 ( #5 ) D#9
straighten up and fly right

G#6/C C#6
straighten up and fly right

G#6 E9 D#9
cool down papa , dont you blow your top

G#6/C C#6
aint no use in divin

G# A#7 ( #5 )
whats the use of jiving

G#6/C C#6
straighten up and fly right

D#9 D#9 D#7 G#6
cool down papa , dont 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
A#9
the monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye

A#7 D#9 A#7 ( #5 ) D#9 D#7 G#6
and said , your story is so touching , but it sounds just like a lie

chorus ii
G#6/C C#6
straighten up and fly right

G# A#7 ( #5 ) D#9
straighten up and stay right

G#6/C C#6
straighten up and fly right

G#6 E9 D#9
cool down papa , dont you blow your top

( piano/Bass solo , guitar/Bass solo based on verse chord progressions )

G#6/C C#6
straighten up and fly right

repeat chorus ii
G# A#7 ( #5 )
straighten up and stay right

G#6/C C#6
straighten up and fly right

D#9 D#9 D#7 G#6
cool down papa , dont you blow your top

piano/Guitar outro

( individual notes ) ( chord )
G# , G , F# , F , D# , F , G ,
D#9 ^
fly right!