Blue Skies chords

by Willie Nelson

Original Published Key: B Minor with a key change to C Minor

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: 84 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate 🟠

Guitar Chords in B Minor: Bm, BmM7, Bm7, Bm6, D, A7, F#7, D, Eb7/D, F#7/C#, F#, G7

Guitar Chords in C Minor: Cm, CmM7 Cm7, Cm6, Eb, Bb7, Ab, Fm7

Chord Chart Legend
Bm jazz chord Bm(maj7) jazz chord Bm7 jazz chord Bm6 jazz chord D jazz chord A7 Barre F#7 barre chord D Major Eb7/D F#7/C# F# Major barre chord G7 barre chord Cm jazz chord Cm(maj7) jazz chord Cm7 jazz chord Cm6 jazz chord Eb jazz chord Bb7 barre chord Ab barre chord Fm7 barre chord
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
Bm jazz chord-LH Bm(maj7) jazz chord-LH Bm7 jazz chord-LH Bm6 jazz chord-LH D jazz chord-LH A7 barre chord-LH F#7 barre chord-LH D Majore-LH Eb7/D-LH F#7/C#-LH F# Major barre chord-LH G7 barre chord-LH Cm jazz chord-LH Cm(maj7) jazz chord-LH Cm7 jazz chord-LH Cm6 jazz chord-LH Eb jazz chord-LH Bb7 barre chord-LH Ab barre chord-LH Fm7 barre chord-LH

Blue Skies

The Relative Major Key of Bm is highlighted (D) - Transpose to any other key. 
 
               Bm   BmM7     Bm7   Bm6
Intro: 4/4 ‖:             |             :‖


          Bm        BmM7             Bm7
Chorus 1: Blue skies     smil-in' at me
       Bm6              D            A7        D      F#7
          Noth-in' but  blue   skies    do I | see -      |
          Bm        BmM7           Bm7
          Blue-birds    sing-in' a song
        Bm6             D            A7          D
          Noth-in' but  blue   skies    from now on

          D                  Eb7/D       D
Bridge: I ne-ver saw the sun shin-in' so bright
        Eb7/D        D          Eb7/D       D
        Ne-ver  saw  things     go-in'  so  right
        D                   Eb7/D      D
        No-ti-cing the days hur-ry-ing by
        Eb7/D          D      Eb7/D           D   F#7/C#
        When you're in love   my    how they  fly by

          Bm         BmM7              Bm7
Chorus 2: Blue days,       all of them gone
        Bm6             D            A7            D     F#7
          Noth-in' but  blue   skies    from now | on -      |

Instr: Repeat Chorus 1 / Bridge / Chorus 2

         Bm           BmM7             Bm7
Chorus 3: Blue skies       smil-in' at me
        Bm6             D             A7        D      F#7
          Noth-in' but  blue    skies    do I | see -      |
          Bm          BmM7            Bm7
          Blue days,      all of them gone
       Bm6              D            A7           D     F#  G7 
          Noth-in' but  blue   skies   from now | on /          |
                                                       (key change +1)

          Cm         CmM7               Cm7
Chorus 4: Blue skies     smil-in'    at me
        Cm6                Eb         Bb7          Eb     G7
          Noth-in'    but  blue skies    do I    | see -      |
          Cm   CmM7                 Cm7
          Blue days,  all    of them  gone
        Cm6             Eb          Bb7              Eb     G7 
          Noth-in' but  blue   skies   from now    | on  -      |

          Cm   CmM7               Cm7
Chorus 4: Blue skies  smil-in' at me
      Cm6               Eb            Bb7        Eb     G7
          Noth-in' but  blue    skies    do I  | see -      |
          Cm   CmM7                 Cm7      Cm6 
          Blue days,  all of them | gone  -       |
                        Eb        Bb7          Ab    Fm7    Eb
          Noth-in' but  blue skies    from now on  |     |      |...

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: B Minor — relative to D Major - 2 sharps (F#, C#)
  • Key Signature: C Minor — relative to Eb Major - 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
  • Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: ♩ = 84
  • Voice Range: A4 - B5

🟠 Intermediate Level: This song uses a mix of jazzy chords like minor 6ths, minor 7ths, dominant 7ths, minor Major 7ths, and slash chords. Many of these are played in a jazz-like way, using mini-barres and open chord shapes while leaving out string strings 5 & 6 or 1 & 6 for a lighter, more expressive sound. It suits players who are comfortable with chord variations and finger control.

You don't have to play the jazz version of these chords, but if you want to sound like the recording, it is worth the extra effort to learn these chords and add them to your list. They are all very easy to play and sound great!

Tip: Learn all the chords first before playing, as the song moves at a fair pace with frequent chord changes.

🎶Minor Major 7th Chords (mM7)mM7

A Minor Major 7th chord combines the dark, moody feel of a minor chord with the tension and sophistication of a major 7th on top.

Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5 – 7
  • 1 = Root
  • â™­3 = Minor third
  • 5 = Perfect fifth
  • 7 = Major seventh

These chords are common in jazz, film scores, and fusion, and they add a mysterious or dramatic quality to progressions.

They can also be written as mΔ7, −Δ7, mM7, m/M7, m(M7), minmaj7, m♮7.

Song Details:

Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Songwriter: Irving Berlin
  • Date: 1926
  • About: The joy of finding love and happiness after a period of sadness.
  • Lyrics Begin: Blue skies, smilin' at me, nothin' but blue skies do I see.
  • Genre: Jazz
  • Featured Artist: Willie Nelson
  • Album: Stardust
    Recorded: December 3–12, 1977
    Released: April 1978
  • Single:
    Released: July 1978 (U.S.)
    B-side: Moonlight in Vermont
Songs by Willie Nelson on this site:
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