Silver Wings- chord progression

[guitar dan]

We've all played Haggard's "Silver Wings" a bazillion times. Often, there is a conflict in the chord changes on the bridge. I'm specifically talking about the 3rd measure of the bridge where it says " don't take that airplane ride". The way I hear most people play it is not what I hear on the record. I have my opinion of what the change is, but I want to hear your answers first.

Either way will work with the vocal melody, but its not what I hear on he recording.

How do you play it?

 

[jbmando]

Here's what I say (key of E):

Bridge:
F#m B E Eb (or Edim7 - both sound good and I can't hear the bass too well on my crappy computer speakers) E F# F#m B

 

[jbmando]

I did play this song about 25 years ago in a band, but I don't remember the changes. I had to listen to it again.

 

[jbmando]

I stuck some headphones on and it sounds like the bass is hitting Eb on the syllable "air" so I'll say Eb.

 

[guitar dan]

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!

I play Eb or Eb7.

Just about every band plays the 4 chord there (A chord) I can't tell you how many times I have gotten the stink eye for playing an Eb.

I realize either way will work with the vocal melody, but the Mighty Merle didn't go to the 4 on the original.

 

[guitar dan]

Anyone else?

 

[McGlamRock]

I always played Edim7 (usually voice it E, Bb/A#, C#/Db, G), which could be a rootless A7b9 I suppose?

 

[Deaf Eddie]

I'm sure on the most-commonly heard recording of this tune (in the key of E) that it's an Eb major, so we agree there.

That Eb can be hard to play for "open position" cowboys (and vocalists with an acoustic). It's an unusual change (progression) for a song in E. That may be why some players have come up with a "wrong" chord at that point - they can't think outside of the box.

Confession time: me, I usually substitute a Bm7 there - works for me, I think it keeps the same tension and "feel" as the correct chord, to my ear. Never considered what the correct/original "airplane..." melody notes were doing against the Bm7, and if they don't actually "work" with it, then I'm probably just changing the way I sing it to match the chord I'm playing. Hey, it's not wrong, it's just my arrangement.

Now, I know what's on the record and I could play it that way if I wanted to, but I do it my way on purpose. To MY ear, it sounds a tad more polished with the Bm7 substituted for the somewhat-jarring Eb. AND, that's all I'm gonna say about that....

But the IV chord? NO way!

 

[guitar dan]

The melody for the word "airplane" is A to C#. So I could see why someone would choose to play the 4 chord.

Eb7 is a tritone sub for A7. (not that you'd normally go using tritone subs in a Haggard song;-)

Eb7- Eb-G-Bb-Db
A7 - A- C#- E- G
These chords have 2 notes in common. The G and the C#/Db. But I usually hear the 4 played as just a triad......

If you're playing the Edim chord, its also related to Eb7
Eb7- Eb-G-Bb-Db
Edim- E-G-Bb-Db
These chords have 3 notes in common.

I think Deaf Eddie is correct though. It's probably been changed over the because the strummy guys don't know how to play an Eb, and it's an usual chord change for the Key of E. But I do think a A chord fits that melody perfectly given that both melody notes are chord tones.

Thanks for the intelligent discussion. Whenever this subject has come up on the gig, these guys sometime act like I don't have an ear, or that I'm trying to be all 'fancy' with it

 

[Deaf Eddie]

The melody for the word "airplane" is A to C#

So, in my Bm7, I've got notes that work (seventh and second) with the actual melody AND keep the tension. The IV chord (A) doesn't have the tension...

Who knew my ear was still working?!?

 

[TeleTim911]

I'm hearing it in E. Played it for years. Hope this helps?

Don't (F#m) leave me I (B) cry
Don't take (E) that air (Esus4) plane ride
But you've (F#Maj) locked me out of your mind,
And left me (F#m) standing here be(B)hind.

Sorry, that's as close as I can come without tabbing it out, and I can't seem to get that stuff to post like others.

 

[SPUDCASTER]

Here's how I've played it since the song came out, and I believe it's like the record. Played in E.

Bridge section:

2min 5 1/7 1

2maj 2maj 5 5(rest)

The split bar (1/7) is just an Emaj to an Eb maj.

 

[guitar dan]

Here's how I've played it since the song came out, and I believe it's like the record. Played in E.

Bridge section:

2min 5 1/7 1

2maj 2maj 5 5(rest)

The split bar (1/7) is just an Emaj to an Eb maj.

Exactly!!

 

[jbmando]

I always played Edim7 (usually voice it E, Bb/A#, C#/Db, G), which could be a rootless A7b9 I suppose?

Sounds cool, but the bass is definitely playing Eb there. Not that the Edim7 would sound that horrible over an Eb, but I tend to believe in the simplest solution: E > Eb. It most definitely is not Esus4 or any kind of A. The Bm7 might sound polished, but I don't think it sounds like "Silver Wings."

 

[Mjark]

I don't think anyone one is playing a Eb except the bass player. I might play a EM7 there for the first half of the measure.

 

[jbmando]

I hear something doing it. Em7 would clash with the melody. The notes for the word airplane are G>C#/Db. Those notes are the 3rd and 7th of Eb, so Eb7 fits the melody perfectly. The strings in this version are playing an Eb major chord:




It ain't that hard to play an Eb. In a band context, just play the cowboy D shape on the top three strings - xxx343. If you want to capture Haggard, I think you have to play Eb there.

 

[bender-freak]

I'm hearing it in E. Played it for years. Hope this helps?

Don't (F#m) leave me I (B) cry
Don't take (E) that air (Esus4) plane ride
But you've (F#Maj) locked me out of your mind,
And left me (F#m) standing here be(B)hind.

Sorry, that's as close as I can come without tabbing it out, and I can't seem to get that stuff to post like others.

A little late to get in on this one (actually had a little gig this evening) but this version is the way I've always "heard" it and how I've always done it, with the exception of I've always went to Amaj on the words "standing here be(then B for)hind....

 

[Chris S.]

Also late to the party. But in the version posted above, that's definitely a big old Eb chord. Surprised me, too. I've been playing it differently for years. Learn something new every day. CS

 

[RCinMempho]

Great thread. I never was happy with the Edim7 or the A, but just missed the Eb completely. Excellent!

 

[SPUDCASTER]

When I go to the 1/7 split bar. I'm playing the E (1) in the x76454 position.

It makes it easier for me to make that half step drop and return to the E.

In that position for the E you can let the big E be open or not. Just remember to not hit it or mute it with the old thumb over the top of the neck trick when you drop the half step.