[Verse 1]
Ab Ab6/C Db6 Ddim7
A buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air
Ab6 Fm7 E9 Eb9
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
Ab Ab6/C Db6 Ddim7
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
Ab6 Fm7 Bb7(#5) Eb9
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, “Now listen, Jack…”
[Chorus 1]
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab Bb7(#5) Eb9
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6 E9 Eb9
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
Ab6/C Db6
Ain’t no use in divin’
Ab Bb7(#5)
What’s the use of jiving
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Eb9 Eb9 Eb7 Ab6
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
[Bridge]
C7
The buzzard told the monkey, “you are choking me”
F7 Gb9 F9
“Release your hold, and I will set you free”
Bb9
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye
Bb7 Eb9 Bb7(#5) Eb9 Eb7 Ab6
And said, “Your story is so touching, but it sounds just like a lie”
[Chorus 2]
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab Bb7(#5) Eb9
Straighten up and stay right
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Ab6 E9 Eb9
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top
[Bridge]
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
[Chorus 2]
Ab Bb7(#5)
Straighten up and stay right
Ab6/C Db6
Straighten up and fly right
Eb9 Eb9 Eb7 Ab6
Cool down papa, don’t you blow your top