Acoustic Songs, Advanced Acoustic, Song Book

Angel Eyes chords

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Angel Eyes | Chords + Lyrics

Intro (0:00)

| 12/8 Am Am/G Am/F# Am/F | Am |

Verse 1 (0:16)

Verse 2 (1:01)

Bridge 1 (1:46)

Verse 3 (2:30)

Bridge 2 (3:16)

Verse 4 (4:00)

Angel Eyes’ chords and progressions

The verse uses a chromatic descending bass line as it moves Am – Am/G – Am/F# – Am/F – Am/E Am/Eb.

This is a very sad movement, so when moving to the bridge’s II – V – I, we get a serious dose of harmonic release.

Being in Am, it is certainly very tempting to use the open-position chords as you see first in the video above.

The bass line really shines this way, but staying down there for the whole song may become a bit boring if you have jazzier aspirations.

The second time the verse appears, I play around fret five instead, using an Am chord in an Em shape. Still, applying the bass line.

This way, when you go back to the open position Am, it sounds even bigger!

By using different positions of the same chord progression like this we can create natural dynamics in any song.

Speaking of chord progressions, compare the falling bass line of chord VI to the #9 spot on my top 10 chord progression spot, the VI – V – IV – IIIx.

Angel Eyes’ background and covers

Composed and first released (motion picture Jennifer) back in 1953 by Matt Dennis and Earl Brent, it has become a jazz standard as it’s been recorded by a seemingly endless stream of artists.

Here’s an incomplete list of famous singers and instrumental artists that have recorded their versions since.

Frank Sinatra, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Nancy Wilson, Kandace Springs and Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Oscar Peterson, Barry Manilow, Roberta Flack, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Kenny Burrell, Sherley Bassey, Wayne Shorter, Chet Baker.

This collective effort is what earned Angel Eyes the title – A Jazz Standard.

Angel Eyes chords | Related pages

Angel Eyes – 8 guitar lessons

Angel Eyes guitar lessons in the course.

Angel Eyes by Matt Dennis will soon be available as eight step-by-step guitar lessons.

Until then, TAB for what I play in the video is available.

Angel Eyes – 8 guitar lessons.

Advanced Acoustic Songs

These songs use big chord extensions and sometimes, unique and complex chords that incorporate open strings.

Study these in-depth and you will gain a complete understanding of the guitar fretboard, including how to build any scale, arpeggio, or chord.

Advanced Acoustic Songs.

Angel Eyes – 5 similar tunes

When you can play Angel Eyes's chords, try these five tunes from the song book.

Matt Dennis

Exposed to music from an early age with his parents being professional musicians, Matt Dennis took to the piano, singing and arranging like a fish to water!

Performing with his family from an early age in the Vaudeville tradition, Matt got to know American showbiz before he even learned to read or write.

Matt Dennis tunes.

Matt Dennis on the web

Frank Sinatra

Frank’s legacy might best be summed up by Stephen Holden who wrote for the 1983 Rolling Stone Record Guide:

“Frank Sinatra’s voice is pop music history. Like Presley and Dylan – Sinatra will last indefinitely. He virtually invented modern pop song phrasing.”

Frank Sinatra tunes.

Frank Sinatra on the web