Blue Jean
View chords used in this chart
Song: Blue Jean
Artist: David Bowie
URL’s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Jean;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonight_%28David_Bowie_album%29
Style: Rock’n’Roll
Tuning: Standard
capo 1
Intro:(Staccato chords)
|C |G |
verse 1:(Up-tempo with slow struck snare)
D
Blue Jean-I just met me a girl named Blue Jean,
Blue Jean-she got a camouflaged face and no money.
G?
Remember they always let you down when you need 'em,
D
Oh, Blue Jean - is heaven any sweeter than Blue Jean.
Pre-Chorus 1:(Staccato chords, at the end of each line)
C A D?
She got a police bike,
C G A?
She got a turned up nose.
[Refrão]Chorus 1:(Sax flourish intro, with vibes accent)
A F#m
Sometimes I feel like (Oh, the whole human race),
A F#m
Jazzin' for Blue Jean (Oh, and when my Blue Jean's blue).
A F#m
Blue Jean can send me (Oh, somebody send me),
A F#m C G?
Somebody send me (Oh, somebody send me).
verse 2:
D
One day I'm gonna write a poem in a letter,
?One day I'm gonna get that faculty together.
G?
Remember that everybody has to wait in line,
D?
Blue Jean-look out world you know I've got mine.
Pre-Chorus 2:(Staccato chords, at the end of each line)
C A D?
She got Latin roots,
C G A?
She got everything.
[Refrão]Chorus 2:
A F#m
Sometimes I feel like (Oh, the whole human race),
A F#m
Jazzin' for Blue Jean (Oh, and when my Blue Jean's blue).
A F#m
?Blue Jean can send me (Oh, somebody send me),
A F#m C G
?Somebody send me (Oh, somebody send me).
BRIDGE 1:
|G |G |
[Refrão]Chorus 3:
A F#m
Sometimes I feel like (Oh, the whole human race),
A F#m
Jazzin' for Blue Jean (Oh, and when my Blue Jean's blue).
A F#m
Blue Jean can send me (Oh, somebody send me),
A F#m A
Somebody send me (Oh, somebody send me).
REFRAIN 1:
A F#m
Somebody, somebody(Oh, somebody send me),
A F#m
Somebody send me (Oh, somebody send me).
CODA:(Staccato)
|C G |C G |
|E |(Hold & Sustain)
End
NOTES:
1. “…Interviewed in 1987 and asked to compare a track like "Time Will Crawl" to "Blue Jean," Bowie said
"'Blue Jean' is a piece of sexist rock 'n roll. laughs It's about picking up birds. It's not very
cerebral, that piece. …” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Jean
2. “…A basic workout in D major (the slight tension in the early bars of each verse is owed to a wavering
between D and a D suspended fourth), “Blue Jean”‘s Chorus moves between the dominant,
A major, and the mediant, F# minor—so the song is mainly keeping to the basic tones of the D chord
(D F#, A); there are no real surprises except swapping in a natural C (on “police bike”) for a sharp one.
Two verses, three Choruses, no bridges or solos save a four-bar Alomar riffing transition. “Blue Jean”
ends just when you get sick of it. …” https://bowiesongs.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/blue-jean/
3. In keeping with Carlos Alomar's textured guitar style, experiment in the VERSES with
variations of D and G, with alternating D with Dadd4 (XX0030)and G with Em7 (020003 or 020033).
Also, try in the Pre-Chorus, alternating the C with C/E (XX2010).
How to play Blue Jean
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.