Rock

Space Oddity Chords

David Bowie Intermediate Key of C 5 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

C · Em · Am · D · E

Space Oddity Chords – Guitar

David Bowie’s groundbreaking sci-fi rock ballad about Major Tom. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Slow Space Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses unusual chord changes. Take it slow and let each chord ring out. The mood is dreamy and spacious.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Intro

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Am Am/G D

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Verse 1

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Commencing countdown, engines on

Am Am/G D

Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Verse 2

C E

This is Ground Control to Major Tom

F

You’ve really made the grade

Fm C F

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Fm C F

Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

Chorus

C E

”This is Major Tom to Ground Control

F Fm

I’m stepping through the door

C F Fm

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

C F C

And the stars look very different today”

Bridge

Fmaj7Em Fmaj7 Em

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Fmaj7Em

Far above the world

Bb Am G F

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

Verse 3

C E

”Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles

F Fm

I’m feeling very still

C F Fm

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

C F C

Tell my wife I love her very much” “She knows”

Ground Control

C E

”Ground Control to Major Tom

F Fm

Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you…”

Bridge

Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7

”Here am I floating round my tin can

Em Fmaj7

Far above the Moon

Em Bb Am G

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do”

FEmACDE

Practice tip: The Fmaj7 is played like a C chord but with your index finger lifted off the B string. The Am/G is an Am with G bass note on the low E string (3rd fret).

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Space Oddity"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, Em, Am, D and E.

Is "Space Oddity" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Space Oddity" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Space Oddity"?

It was written by David Bowie, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · Em · Am · D · E

Space Oddity Chords – Ukulele

David Bowie’s groundbreaking sci-fi rock ballad about Major Tom. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Slow Space Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses unusual chord changes. Take it slow and let each chord ring out. The mood is dreamy and spacious.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Intro

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Am Am/G D

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Verse 1

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Commencing countdown, engines on

Am Am/G D

Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Verse 2

C E

This is Ground Control to Major Tom

F

You’ve really made the grade

Fm C F

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Fm C F

Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

Chorus

C E

”This is Major Tom to Ground Control

F Fm

I’m stepping through the door

C F Fm

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

C F C

And the stars look very different today”

Bridge

Fmaj7Em Fmaj7 Em

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Fmaj7Em

Far above the world

Bb Am G F

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

Verse 3

C E

”Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles

F Fm

I’m feeling very still

C F Fm

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

C F C

Tell my wife I love her very much” “She knows”

Ground Control

C E

”Ground Control to Major Tom

F Fm

Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you…”

Bridge

Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7

”Here am I floating round my tin can

Em Fmaj7

Far above the Moon

Em Bb Am G

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do”

FEmACDE

Practice tip: The Fmaj7 is played like a C chord but with your index finger lifted off the B string. The Am/G is an Am with G bass note on the low E string (3rd fret).

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Space Oddity"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, Em, Am, D and E.

Is "Space Oddity" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Space Oddity" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Space Oddity"?

It was written by David Bowie, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · Em · Am · D · E

Space Oddity Chords – Piano

David Bowie’s groundbreaking sci-fi rock ballad about Major Tom. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Slow Space Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses unusual chord changes. Take it slow and let each chord ring out. The mood is dreamy and spacious.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Intro

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Am Am/G D

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Verse 1

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Commencing countdown, engines on

Am Am/G D

Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Verse 2

C E

This is Ground Control to Major Tom

F

You’ve really made the grade

Fm C F

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Fm C F

Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

Chorus

C E

”This is Major Tom to Ground Control

F Fm

I’m stepping through the door

C F Fm

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

C F C

And the stars look very different today”

Bridge

Fmaj7Em Fmaj7 Em

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Fmaj7Em

Far above the world

Bb Am G F

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

Verse 3

C E

”Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles

F Fm

I’m feeling very still

C F Fm

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

C F C

Tell my wife I love her very much” “She knows”

Ground Control

C E

”Ground Control to Major Tom

F Fm

Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you…”

Bridge

Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7

”Here am I floating round my tin can

Em Fmaj7

Far above the Moon

Em Bb Am G

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do”

FEmACDE

Practice tip: The Fmaj7 is played like a C chord but with your index finger lifted off the B string. The Am/G is an Am with G bass note on the low E string (3rd fret).

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Space Oddity"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, Em, Am, D and E.

Is "Space Oddity" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Space Oddity" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Space Oddity"?

It was written by David Bowie, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · Em · Am · D · E

Space Oddity Chords – Banjo

David Bowie’s groundbreaking sci-fi rock ballad about Major Tom. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Slow Space Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses unusual chord changes. Take it slow and let each chord ring out. The mood is dreamy and spacious.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Intro

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Am Am/G D

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Verse 1

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Commencing countdown, engines on

Am Am/G D

Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Verse 2

C E

This is Ground Control to Major Tom

F

You’ve really made the grade

Fm C F

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Fm C F

Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

Chorus

C E

”This is Major Tom to Ground Control

F Fm

I’m stepping through the door

C F Fm

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

C F C

And the stars look very different today”

Bridge

Fmaj7Em Fmaj7 Em

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Fmaj7Em

Far above the world

Bb Am G F

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

Verse 3

C E

”Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles

F Fm

I’m feeling very still

C F Fm

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

C F C

Tell my wife I love her very much” “She knows”

Ground Control

C E

”Ground Control to Major Tom

F Fm

Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you…”

Bridge

Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7

”Here am I floating round my tin can

Em Fmaj7

Far above the Moon

Em Bb Am G

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do”

FEmACDE

Practice tip: The Fmaj7 is played like a C chord but with your index finger lifted off the B string. The Am/G is an Am with G bass note on the low E string (3rd fret).

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Space Oddity"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, Em, Am, D and E.

Is "Space Oddity" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Space Oddity" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Space Oddity"?

It was written by David Bowie, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · Em · Am · D · E

Space Oddity Chords – Mandolin

David Bowie’s groundbreaking sci-fi rock ballad about Major Tom. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Slow Space Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses unusual chord changes. Take it slow and let each chord ring out. The mood is dreamy and spacious.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Intro

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Am Am/G D

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Verse 1

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Commencing countdown, engines on

Am Am/G D

Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Verse 2

C E

This is Ground Control to Major Tom

F

You’ve really made the grade

Fm C F

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Fm C F

Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

Chorus

C E

”This is Major Tom to Ground Control

F Fm

I’m stepping through the door

C F Fm

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

C F C

And the stars look very different today”

Bridge

Fmaj7Em Fmaj7 Em

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Fmaj7Em

Far above the world

Bb Am G F

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

Verse 3

C E

”Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles

F Fm

I’m feeling very still

C F Fm

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

C F C

Tell my wife I love her very much” “She knows”

Ground Control

C E

”Ground Control to Major Tom

F Fm

Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you…”

Bridge

Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7

”Here am I floating round my tin can

Em Fmaj7

Far above the Moon

Em Bb Am G

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do”

FEmACDE

Practice tip: The Fmaj7 is played like a C chord but with your index finger lifted off the B string. The Am/G is an Am with G bass note on the low E string (3rd fret).

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Space Oddity"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, Em, Am, D and E.

Is "Space Oddity" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Space Oddity" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Space Oddity"?

It was written by David Bowie, and released in 1969.

Ctap to play

Emtap to play

Amtap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · Em · Am · D · E

Space Oddity Chords – Harmonica

David Bowie’s groundbreaking sci-fi rock ballad about Major Tom. Intermediate difficulty in the key of C.

Slow Space Ballad (4/4 Time)

↓↑↓↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song uses unusual chord changes. Take it slow and let each chord ring out. The mood is dreamy and spacious.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Intro

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Am Am/G D

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Verse 1

Fmaj7 Em

Ground Control to Major Tom

Fmaj7 Em

Commencing countdown, engines on

Am Am/G D

Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

Verse 2

C E

This is Ground Control to Major Tom

F

You’ve really made the grade

Fm C F

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Fm C F

Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

Chorus

C E

”This is Major Tom to Ground Control

F Fm

I’m stepping through the door

C F Fm

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

C F C

And the stars look very different today”

Bridge

Fmaj7Em Fmaj7 Em

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Fmaj7Em

Far above the world

Bb Am G F

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do

Verse 3

C E

”Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles

F Fm

I’m feeling very still

C F Fm

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

C F C

Tell my wife I love her very much” “She knows”

Ground Control

C E

”Ground Control to Major Tom

F Fm

Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

C F

Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you…”

Bridge

Fmaj7 Em Fmaj7

”Here am I floating round my tin can

Em Fmaj7

Far above the Moon

Em Bb Am G

Planet Earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do”

FEmACDE

Practice tip: The Fmaj7 is played like a C chord but with your index finger lifted off the B string. The Am/G is an Am with G bass note on the low E string (3rd fret).

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Space Oddity"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, Em, Am, D and E.

Is "Space Oddity" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Space Oddity" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Space Oddity"?

It was written by David Bowie, and released in 1969.