TAB by Song : 17399
Tab List Area
1 Pages 1 Results
This Flight Tonight by Joni Mitchell
This Flight Tonight
The tuning for this is based on an open G ( DGDGBD ) but with the
bottom string tuned right down to a very low, flappy G, so the
actual tuning is GGDGBD.
I think you also need a capo at the 2nd fret.
In case you have trouble getting tuned up when you use alternative
tunings, here's an easy way to get there.
Joni herself uses this notation - she writes normal tuning as :
E 5 5 5 4 5
i.e tune bottom string to an E, then play 5th fret and tune next
string to this, 5th fret, 5th fret, 4th fret, 5th fret.
So the tuning for this song is :
G 12 7 5 4 3
(I find it easiest to tune the A down to a G, then the top E to a D
- you can check these by comparing with the other D and G strings,
then tune the low E all the way down to G - check with what used to
be the A string, but is now a G.)
I've written out the chord shapes at the end - you might find it
easier or quicker to learn the song from these if you know the song
pretty well already. If you're not so sure about strumming etc, I've
tried to give the outline in the TAB.
Note - words are written below the TAB, chords above.
INTRO :
--------
Gsus4 Gm11
------------5--5-5--------5-5-------------3--3-3--------3-3--|
B-----------3--3-3--------3-3-------------1--1-1--------1-1--|
G-----------5--5-5--------5-5-------------3--3-3--------3-3--|
D---0--0----0-------------0-0---0-0-0-0---0-------------0-0--|
G---0--0------------0-0---------0-0-0-0------------0-0--0-0--|
G---0--0------------0-0---------0-0-0-0------------0-0--0-0--|
Gsus4 Gm11
D-------------5--5-5--------5-5-------------3--3-3--------3-3-|
B-------------3--3-3--------3-3-------------1--1-1--------1-1-|
G-------------5--5-5--------5-5-------------3--3-3--------3-3-|
D--0-0-0-0----0-------------0-0---0-0-0-0---0-------------0-0-|
G--0-0-0-0------------0-0---------0-0-0-0------------0-0------|
G--0-0-0-0------------0-0---------0-0-0-0------------0-0------|
VERSE :
-------
Gsus4 Gm11
D--5----------5----------3-------3-------------------------|
B--3----------3----------1-------1-------------------------|
G--5----------5----------3-------3-------------------------|
D--0----------0----------0-------0-------------------------|
G--0----0--0--0-----0-0--0---0-0-0-------------------------|
G--0----0--0--0-----0-0--0---0-0-0-------------------------|
Look out the left the captain said
G5 G7sus4
D---0-0---0---0------------0-0---0--0--0--------------------|
B---3-3---3---3------------1-1---1--1--1--------------------|
G---0-0---0---0------------0-0---0--0--0--------------------|
D---5-5---5---5------------3-3---3--3--3--------------------|
G---0-0-0-0---0-----0--0---0-0-0-0--0--0--------------------|
G---0-0-0-0---0-----0--0---0-0-0-0--0--0--------------------|
The lights down there, that's where we'll land
G C G C
D--0-0-0--/5---5-5----0-0-0---/5---5-5----------------------|
B--0-0-0--/5---5-5----0-0-0---/5---5-5----------------------|
G--0-0-0--/5---5-5----0-0-0---/5---5-5----------------------|
D--0-0-0--/5---5-5----0-0-0---/5---5-5----------------------|
G--0-0-0--/5---5-5----0-0-0---/5---5-5----------------------|
G--0-0-0--/5---5-5----0-0-0---/5---5-5----------------------|
I saw a fallin' star burn up
G C G C G C/G G
D---0-0--/5--0--/5-5----0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0-0-0-0----|
B---0-0--/5--0--/5-5----0--0-0---0-1---1---0----0-0-1-0-1----|
G---0-0--/5--0--/5-5----0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0-0-0-0----|
D---0-0--/5--0--/5-5----0--0-0---0-2---2---0----0-0-2-0-2----|
G---0-0--/5--0--/5-5----0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0-0-0-0----|
G---0-0--/5--0--/5-5----0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0-0-0-0----|
'bove the Las Vegas sand
G C/G G
D--0--0-0---0---0---0----0-0-----------------|
B--0--0-0---1---1---1----0-0-----------------|
G--0--0-0---0---0---0----0-0-----------------|
D--0--0-0---2---2---2----0-0-----------------|
G--0--0-0---0---0---0----0-0-----------------|
G--0--0-0---0---0---0----0-0-----------------|
Gsus4 Gm11
D----5----------5----------3-------3------------------------|
B----3----------3----------1-------1------------------------|
G----5----------5----------3-------3------------------------|
D----0----------0----------0-------0------------------------|
G----0----0--0--0-----0-0--0---0-0-0------------------------|
G----0----0--0--0-----0-0--0---0-0-0------------------------|
It wasn't the one that you gave to me
G5 G7sus4
D---0-0---0---0------------0-0---0--0--0---------------------|
B---3-3---3---3------------1-1---1--1--1---------------------|
G---0-0---0---0------------0-0---0--0--0---------------------|
D---5-5---5---5------------3-3---3--3--3---------------------|
G---0-0-0-0---0-----0--0---0-0-0-0--0--0---------------------|
G---0-0-0-0---0-----0--0---0-0-0-0--0--0---------------------|
That night down south between the trailers
G C G C
D--0-0-0--/5---5-5-----0-0-0---/5---5-5--------------------|
B--0-0-0--/5---5-5-----0-0-0---/5---5-5--------------------|
G--0-0-0--/5---5-5-----0-0-0---/5---5-5--------------------|
D--0-0-0--/5---5-5-----0-0-0---/5---5-5--------------------|
G--0-0-0--/5---5-5-----0-0-0---/5---5-5--------------------|
G--0-0-0--/5---5-5-----0-0-0---/5---5-5--------------------|
Not the early one that you can wish upon
G C G C G C/G G
D---0-0--/5--5--0--/5-5-5------0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0--|
B---0-0--/5--5--0--/5-5-5------0--0-0---0-1---1---0----0-0--|
G---0-0--/5--5--0--/5-5-5------0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0--|
D---0-0--/5--5--0--/5-5-5------0--0-0---0-2---2---0----0-0--|
G---0-0--/5--5--0--/5-5-5------0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0--|
G---0-0--/5--5--0--/5-5-5------0--0-0---0-0---0---0----0-0--|
Not the northern one that guides in the sailors
CHORUS :
--------
Gmaj7 AmaddD/G G C/G
D----/4---4--4---------2-2-2-2-----0-----0--0--0--------------|
B----/3---3--3---------1-1-1-1-----0h1---1--1--1--------------|
G----/4---4--4---------2-2-2-2-----0-----0--0--0--------------|
D----0----0--0--0-0-0--0-0-0-0-----0h2---2--2--2--------------|
G---------------0-0-0--------------0-----0--0--0--------------|
G---------------0-0-0--------------0--------0--0--------------|
Oh starlight star bright you got the loving
C/G G
D----0---0------0---------------------------------------------|
B----1---1------0---------------------------------------------|
G----0---0------0---------------------------------------------|
D----2---2------0---------------------------------------------|
G----0---0------0---------------------------------------------|
G----0---0------0---------------------------------------------|
that I like alright
Gmaj7 AmaddD/G G C/G
D----/4---4--4---------2-2-2-2--------0-----0--0--0--------|
B----/3---3--3---------1-1-1-1--------0h1---1--1--1--------|
G----/4---4--4---------2-2-2-2--------0-----0--0--0--------|
D----0----0--0--0-0-0--0-0-0-0--------0h2---2--2--2--------|
G---------------0-0-0-----------------0-----0--0--0--------|
G---------------0-0-0-----------------0--------0--0--------|
Turn this crazy bird around I shouldn't
C/G G C/G
D---0--0------0--0--0---0-----0-0---0-----------------------|
B---1--1------0--0--0---0-----0-1---1-----------------------|
G---0--0------0--0--0---0-----0-0---0-----------------------|
D---2--2------0--0--0---0-----0-2---2-----------------------|
G---0--0------0--0--0---0-----0-0---0-----------------------|
G---0--0------0--0--0---0-----0-0---0-----------------------|
have got on this flight tonight
G* Gsus4/2 G C/G G
D--0---0--0--0-----0---0---0--0----0-0--0--0--------------|
B--/3--3--3--3-----1---0---1--1----1-1--0--0--------------|
G--/4--4--4--4-----2---0---0--0----0-0--0--0--------------|
D--0---0--0--0-----0---0---2--2----2-2--0--0--------------|
G--0-------------------0---0--0----0-0--0--0--------------|
G--0-------------------0---0--0----0-0--0--0--------------|
G C/G G* Gsus4/2 G C/G G
D--0--0--0--0--0-0----0---0--0--0-----0---0---0---0---------|
B--0--0--0--1--1-1----/3--3--3--3-----1---0---1---0---------|
G--0--0--0--0--0-0----/4--4--4--4-----2---0---0---0---------|
D--0--0--0--2--2-2----0---0--0--0-----0---0---2---0---------|
G--0--0--0--0--0-0----0-------------------0---0---0---------|
G--0--0--0--0--0-0----0-------------------0---0---0---------|
Verse 2:
--------
You got the touch so gentle and sweet
But you've got that look so critical
Now I can't talk to you baby
I get so weak
Sometimes I think love is just mythical
Up there's a heaven
Down there's a town
Blackness everywhere and little lights shine
Blackness, blackness dragging me down
Come on light the candle in this poor heart of mine
Chorus
Verse 3:
---------
I'm drinking sweet champagne
Got the headphones up high
Can't numb you out can't drum you out of my mind
They're playing "Goodbye baby, baby goodbye,
Ooh love is blind"
Up go the flaps
Down go the wheels
I hope you got your heat turned on baby
I hope they finally fixed your automobile
Hope it's better when we meet again baby
Chorus
Chord Shapes :
GGDGBD GGDGBD GGDGBD GGDGBG GGDGBG GGDGBG
000535 000313 005030 003010 000000 555555
Gsus4 Gm11 G5 G7sus4 G C
GGDGBD GGDGBD GGDGBD GGDGBG GGDGBG
002010 000434 000212 000430 000210
C/G Gmaj7 AmaddD/G G* Gsus4add2
------------------
version 2
Tuning:E A D G B E
Key:Ab
Capo:no capo
The actual chord shapes are exactly the same in both versions (whichever
way you choose to achieve the original pitch) and are actually very simple
chord shapes once you're familiar with them, so don't be put off by their
names, just a little study will see it's an easy song to master, the tuning
is really the only tricky bit. I just sing and play it in open G, without
a capo, and there are only three strings to de-tune then.
OPEN G TUNING: G-G-D-G-B-D
CAPO: 1st fret (Will then sound in the recorded key of Ab)
Detune the three strings first, then add the capo
1st string DOWN to D
2nd, 3rd and 4th strings as standard tuning
5th string DOWN to G
6th string DOWN to G (tuned an octave below the detuned 5th string)
THEN, add the CAPO at 1st fret.
You may have to re-check the tuning, particularly the slack 6th string.
FINE TUNING:
Only needed if you want to play along more accurately with the album.
Joni's guitar is tuned a little under standard pitch.
To closely match the original recording's pitch, use a chromatic tuner
and tune ALL six strings down a little further by approx. minus 20 cents
For the G to C chords, slide up from open strings into the 5th fret barre.
In the link breaks, slide up from the Dsus7 into the G *.
For the Cadd9, hammer-on and off the chord from the open G chord.
Gsus4 = 000535 G = 000000 Cadd9 = 002010
Gsus4 * = 000010 G * = 000430 Gmaj7 = 000434
Gsus7 = 000533 Gm11 = 000313 Am11 = 000212
Gsus7 * = 000013 C = 555555 Dsus7 = 000210
[Intro]
Gsus4 Gm11 Gsus4 Gm11
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
[Verse 1]
Gsus4 Gsus7
"Look out the left", the Captain said,
Gsus4 * Gsus7 * G
"The lights down there, that's where we'll land!"
G C G C
I saw a falling ...star burn up,
G C Cadd9 G Cadd9 G Cadd9 G Cadd9 G
Above the Las Vegas sands
[Verse 2]
Gsus4 Gsus7
It wasn't the one that you gave to me,
Gsus4 * Gsus7 * G
That night down south between the trail - ers,
G C G C
Not the early one ...that you can wish upon,
G C G Cadd9 G
Not the northern one that guides in the sail - ors
[Chorus]
Gmaj7 Am11
Oh, star bright, star bright,
Cadd9 G
You've got the loving that I like, alright,
Gmaj7 Am11
Turn this crazy bird around,
G Cadd9 G Cadd9
I... shouldn't have got on this flight to - night
[Link]
G Dsus7 G * Cadd9 G Cadd9
| / / / /__/ | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
G Dsus7 G * Cadd9 G
| / / / /__/ | / / / / |
[Verse 3]
Gsus4 Gsus7
You got that look so gentle and sweet, but...
Gsus4 * Gsus7 *
...You've got the look so critical,
G C G C
Now, I ...can't talk to you, baby, I get so weak,
G C G Cadd9 G
Sometimes I think that love is just ...mythi - cal
[Verse 4]
Gsus4 Gsus7
Up there's a heaven, down there's a town,
Gsus4 * Gsus7 *
Blackness everywhere, and little lights shine,
G C G C
Oh, blackness, black - ness, dragging me down,
G C G Cadd9 G
Come on, light the candle in this poor heart of mine
[Chorus]
Gmaj7 Am11
Oh, star bright, star bright,
Cadd9 G
You've got the loving that I like, alright,
Gmaj7 Am11
Turn this crazy bird around,
G Cadd9 G Cadd9
I... shouldn't have got on this flight to - night
[Link]
G Dsus7 G * Cadd9 G Cadd9
| / / / /__/ | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
G Dsus7 G * Cadd9 G
| / / / /__/ | / / / / |
[Verse 5]
Gsus4 Gsus7
I'm drinking sweet champagne, got the headphones up high,
Gsus4 * Gsus7*
Can't ...numb you out, can't drum you out of my mind,
G C G C G
They're playing, 'Good bye, ba - by! Baby, good bye!
C G Cadd9 G Cadd9 G Cadd9 G Cadd9 G
Oo - oo, love is blind!'
[Verse 6]
Gsus4 Gsus7
Up go the flaps, down go the wheels,
Gsus4 * Gsus7 *
I hope you got your heat turned on, baby,
G C G C
I ...hope they finally fixed your automobile,
G C G Cadd9 G
I hope it's better when we meet a - gain, baby
[Chorus]
Gmaj7 Am11
Star bright, star bright,
Cadd9 G
You've got the loving that I like, al - right,
Gmaj7 Am11
Turn this crazy bird around,
G Cadd9 G Cadd9
Shouldn't have got on this flight to - night
[Coda]
G Dsus7 G * Cadd9 G Cadd9
| / / / /__/ | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
G Dsus7 G Cadd9 G G Cadd9 G G Cadd9 G
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
------------------
version 3
Ab OPEN TUNING: Ab-Ab-Eb-Ab-C-Eb (or G#-G#-D#-G#-C-D#)
Using a chromatic tuner will make this a bit easier.
1st string DOWN a semi-tone to D#
2nd string UP a semi-tone to C
3rd string UP a semi-tone to G#
4th string UP a semi-tone to D#
5th string DOWN a semi-tone to G#
6th string DOWN to G# an OCTAVE below the detuned 5th string
The low 6th string tuning gives the song a real growly fret buzz drone.
FINE TUNING:
Only needed if you want to play along more accurately with the album.
Joni's guitar is tuned a little under standard pitch.
To closely match the original recording's pitch, use a chromatic tuner
and tune ALL six strings down a little further by approx. minus 20 cents
For the Ab to Db chords, slide up from open strings to the 5th fret barre.
In the link, slide up from the Ebsus7 into the Ab *.
For the Dbadd9, hammer-on and off the chord from the open stringed Ab chord.
Please IGNORE ANY POP-UP CHORD BOXES the website might automatically
suggest and just use the typed shapes shown below.
Note that three of the chords below have a couple of variations each.
Absus4 = 000535 Ab = 000000 Dbadd9 = 002010
Absus4 * = 000010 Ab * = 000430 Abmaj7 = 000434
Absus7 = 000533 Abm11 = 000313 Bbm11 = 000212
Absus7 * = 000013 Db = 555555 Ebsus7 = 000210
[Intro]
Absus4 Abm11 Absus4 Abm11
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
[Verse 1]
Absus4 Absus7
"Look out the left", the Captain said,
Absus4 * Absus7 * Ab
"The lights down there, that's where we'll land!"
Ab Db Ab Db
I saw a falling ...star burn up,
Ab Db Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9 Ab
Above the Las Vegas sands
[Verse 2]
Absus4 Absus7
It wasn't the one that you gave to me,
Absus4 * Absus7 * Ab
That night down south between the trail - ers,
Ab Db Ab Db
Not the early one ...that you can wish upon,
Ab Db Ab Dbadd9 Ab
Not the northern one that guides in the sail - ors
[Chorus]
Abmaj7 Bbm11
Oh, star bright, star bright,
Dbadd9 Ab
You've got the loving that I like, alright,
Abmaj7 Bbm11
Turn this crazy bird around,
Ab Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9
I... shouldn't have got on this flight to - night
[Link]
Ab Ebsus7 Ab * Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9
| / / / /__/ | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
Ab Ebsus7 Ab * Dbadd9 Ab
| / / / /__/ | / / / / |
[Verse 3]
Absus4 Absus7
You got that look so gentle and sweet, but...
Absus4 * Absus7 *
...You've got the look so critical,
Ab Db Ab Db
Now, I ...can't talk to you, baby, I get so weak,
Ab Db Ab Dbadd9 Ab
Sometimes I think that love is just ...mythi - cal
[Verse 4]
Absus4 Absus7
Up there's a heaven, down there's a town,
Absus4 * Absus7 *
Blackness everywhere, and little lights shine,
Ab Db Ab Db
Oh, blackness, black - ness, dragging me down,
Ab Db Ab Dbadd9 Ab
Come on, light the candle in this poor heart of mine
[Chorus]
Abmaj7 Bbm11
Oh, star bright, star bright,
Dbadd9 Ab
You've got the loving that I like, alright,
Abmaj7 Bbm11
Turn this crazy bird around,
Ab Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9
I... shouldn't have got on this flight to - night
[Link]
Ab Ebsus7 Ab * Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9
| / / / /__/ | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
Ab Ebsus7 Ab * Dbadd9 Ab
| / / / /__/ | / / / / |
[Verse 5]
Absusu4 Absus7
I'm drinking sweet champagne, got the headphones up high,
Absusu4 * Absus7
Can't ...numb you out, can't drum you out of my mind,
Ab Db Ab Db Ab
They're playing, 'Good bye, ba - by! Baby, good bye!
Ab Db Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9 Ab
Oo - oo, love is blind!'
[Verse 6]
Absus4 Absus7
Up go the flaps, down go the wheels,
Absus4 * Absus7 *
I hope you got your heat turned on, baby,
Ab Db Ab Db
I ...hope they finally fixed your automobile,
Ab Db Ab Dbadd9 Ab
I hope it's better when we meet a - gain, baby
[Chorus]
Abmaj7 Bbm11
Oh, star bright, star bright,
Dbadd9 Ab
You've got the loving that I like, alright,
Abmaj7 Bbm11
Turn this crazy bird around,
Ab Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9
I... shouldn't have got on this flight to - night
[Coda]
Ab Ebsus7 Ab * Dbadd9 Ab Dbadd9
| / / / /__/ | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / |
Ab Ebsus7 Ab Dbadd9 Ab Ab Dbadd9 Ab Ab Dbadd9 Ab
| / / / / | / / / / | / / / / | / / / / ||
------------