The Letter chords
by The Box TopsOriginal Published Key: A Minor → Bbm
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 138 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Chords in A Minor: Am, Am7, C, D7, E, E7, F, F7, G
Chords in Bb Minor - Outro: Db, Ab, Gb
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts
L-H Chord Charts
Speed: x0.1
The Letter
The Relative Major Key of Am is highlighted - Transpose to any other key.
Intro: 4/4
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
e|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-----------------|---------2-0-----|
A|-----------------|-------2-----3-2-|
E|-----------------|---0-------------|
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +
Am F
1. Give me a ticket for an ae-ro-plane
Am7 D7
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Am F7
Lone-ly days are gone, I'm a-go-in' home
E7 Am
My ba-by just wrote me a let-ter
Am F
2 I don't care how much money I got-ta spend
Am7 D7
Got to get back to my ba-by again
Am F7
Lone-ly days are gone, I'm a-go-in' home
E7 Am
My ba-by just wrote me a let-ter | % |
C G
CH: Well she wrote me a let- ter
F C G
Said she could-n't live with-out me no more | % |
C G
Lis-ten mis-ter can't you see
F C G
I got to get back to my ba-by once more
E7
Any-way yeah
Am F
3. Give me a ticket for an ae-ro-plane
Am7 D7
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Am F7
Lone-ly days are gone, I'm a-go-in' home
E7 Am
My ba-by just wrote me a let-ter | % |
C G
CH: Well she wrote me a let- ter
F C G
Said she could-n't live with-out me no more | % |
C G
Lis-ten mis-ter can't you see
F C G
I got to get back to my ba-by once more
E7
Any-way yeah
Am F
3. Give me a ticket for an ae-ro- plane
Am7 D7
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Am F7
Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home
E7 Am
My ba-by just wrote me a let-ter
E7 Am
My ba-by just wrote me a let-ter (key change)
Db Ab Gb Db Ab
Outro: ‖: - | - | | % :‖...
Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: A Minor - relative to C Major - no sharps or flats
- The Outro of the song modulates to Bb minor (relative to Db Major) - 5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)
- Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately fast with energy
- Metronome: ♩ = 138
- Voice Range: E4 - F5
- Chord Types in This Arrangement:
- Major chords: C, E, F, G, Db, Ab, Gb
- Minor chord: Am
- Dominant 7th chords: D7, E7, F7
- Minor 7th chord: Am7
🎸 Beginner Guitarists:
If you don't play the Outro where a key change occurs, the song is very easy to play.
The Outro is essentially the same as the chorus, except every chord has been raised by a semitone (also known as a half step).
To play the Outro along with the video:- Pause the video
- Place a capo on the 1st fret
- Restart the video and play the chords: C, G, F instead of Db, Ab, Gb.
- Since the Outro isn’t essential to the song, feel free to skip it if you prefer.
If you're not comfortable playing the open F7 chord, just replace it with an F Major chord.
Playing the open voicing for F7:
Just think of it as a 'D7' chord shape, but starting on the 4th fret with fingers 2, 3, and 4, leaving the 1st finger to cover the 4th string, 3rd fret... very easy (xx3545). 💪🎶
Song Details:
- Songwriter: Wayne Carson
- Lyrics Begin: Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane, ain't got time to take a fast train.
- Genre: Classic rock, Pop
- Featured Artists: The Box Tops
- Single:
Recorded: 1967
Released: August 1967
B-side: Happy Times - Album: The Letter/Neon Rainbow
Recorded: 1967
Released: November 1967
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