[Intro]
D
[Verse 1]
G D
Sometimes I wish I was an astronaut
G D
Instead of workin' this bullshit concrete job
G D
I'd be pickin' you up baby blastin' off
G D
Sometimes I wish I was an astronaut
[Chorus]
G C G
Sick of sweatin' in the summer heat
D
Just to buy cheap beer and gasoline
G C G
Rattlesnake rowdy, cottonmouth mean
D G D
I'm sick and tired of sweatin' in the summer heat
G D
With a Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
G D
Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
[Verse 2]
G D
Gonna buy a ticket to the Powerball
G D
I'll probably take the lump sum when I win it all
G D
I'll be rolling wheels-up with a flatland drawl
G D
Gonna buy a ticket to the Powerball
[Chorus]
G C G
Sick of sweatin' in the summer heat
D
Just to buy cheap beer and gasoline
G C G
Rattlesnake rowdy, cottonmouth mean
D G D
I'm sick and tired of sweatin' in the summer heat
G D
With a Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
G D
A Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
[Guitar & Fiddle Solos]
G C G D G C G D G D
G D G D
[Verse 3]
G D
Now if I had a pretty little girl like you
G D
I'd be headed to the shop to get a new tattoo
G D
I wouldn't be singin' these concrete blues
G D
If I had a pretty little girl like you
[Chorus]
G C G
Sick of sweatin' in the summer heat
D
Just to buy cheap beer and gasoline
G C G
Rattlesnake rowdy, cottonmouth mean
D G D
I'm sick and tired of sweatin' in the summer heat
G D
With a Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
G D
Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
G D
Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
G D
Copenhagen habit and a G.E.D.
[Outro]
D
X
Chord Guide
Here's a quick overview of the chords used in the song:
D Major: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, your ring
finger on the 3rd fret of the B string, and your middle finger on the 2nd fret
of the high E string. Strum from the D string down.
G Major: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string, your middle
finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret
of the high E string. You can also add your pinky to the 3rd fret of the B string
for a fuller sound. Strum all strings.
C Major: Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, your middle
finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of
the A string. Strum from the A string down.
Playing the Song
Intro and Verses
The song kicks off with a single D chord, setting a reflective tone before
launching into the narrative. The verses flow with a transition between G
and D chords, creating a sense of movement and aspiration. This simple
yet effective progression mirrors the lyrical longing for something more,
something beyond the everyday.
Chorus
The chorus introduces the C chord, adding a layer of depth to the song's
harmonic structure. The progression G-C-G-D brings the chorus to life,
emphasizing the theme of escapism and the desire to break free from the
"summer heat," both literally and metaphorically. The repetition of this
progression throughout the chorus underlines the recurring desire for change.
Guitar & Fiddle Solos
The instrumental sections follow the chord progression G-C-G-D, then back
to G and D, offering a musical break that reflects the song's themes without words.
This section is your opportunity to add a bit of personal flair, either by following
the rhythm closely or by improvising around the progression.
Outro
The song concludes on the D chord, bringing the narrative to a close yet leaving
the listener with a lingering sense of yearning and contemplation, much like
the conclusion of a daydream.
Performance Tips
Focus on the dynamic shifts between the verses and chorus to bring out the song's
emotional depth. The verses should feel introspective, while the chorus can be
more open and anthemic.
Pay attention to the lyrical content as you play; the chords should complement the
storytelling, enhancing the narrative of longing and daydreaming.
Experiment with strumming patterns. A mix of downstrokes for emphasis and a
lighter, more rhythmic strumming for the verses can help differentiate the
sections of the song.
Embrace the song's themes in your performance. "Astronaut" is a reflection
on the universal desire to escape and explore, to break free from constraints,
and to dream of a life beyond.
