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Sunny Skies

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15
Original

Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams
Sunny Skies
(James Taylor) 1969, 1970
Note: This is the recorded key for the song, but it will sound and play best with Capo 3
and transpose down 1 1/2 steps. Make the Cmaj7 into Amaj7, etc. The rhythm of this song has a very tricky
alternating bass with an added F# bass on the E string throughout to get the rhythm. Listen to the recording
and you will hear it. In his live performance the band plays it and it is less pronounced.
[Intro]
Cmaj7   G7sus4x2
[Verse 1]
Cmaj7Sunny skies sleeps in the moDm7rningG7sus4  
He dCmaj7oesn't know when to rDm7iseG7sus4  
He Cmaj7closes his weary Dm7eyes uG7sus4pon the dCmaj7ay
Look at him Dm7yawning,
Cmaj7throwing his Dm7morning G7sus4hours aCmaj7way
[Chorus]
He knows how to Dm7ease G7sus4down slCmaj7owly
Dm7Everything is G7sus4fine in the Cmaj7end
And you will be Dm7pleased G7sus4to knowCmaj7  
that Dm7/GSunny Skies hasn't a G7sus4friend
[Verse 2]
Cmaj7Sunny skies weeps in the Dm7eveningG7sus4  
It Cmaj7doesn't much matter Dm7whyG7sus4  
I Cmaj7guess he just has to Dm7cry from G7sus4time to tCmaj7ime
Everyone's lDm7eavin'
and Cmaj7Sunny skies Dm7has to G7sus4stay beCmaj7hind
[Chorus]
Still he knows how to Dm7ease G7sus4down slCmaj7owly
Dm7Everything is G7sus4fine in the Cmaj7end
And you will be Dm7pleased G7sus4to Cmaj7know
that Dm7/GSunny Skies hasn't a G7sus4friend
[Verse 3]
Cmaj7Sunny skies sleeps in the Dm7morningG7sus4  
He Cmaj7doesn't know when to Dm7riseG7sus4  
He Cmaj7closes his weary Dm7eyes uG7sus4pon the Cmaj7day
and Dm7throws it G7sus4all awCmaj7ay
[Bridge]
G7Looking at the Cmaj7snow and trG7sus4ees that
G7grow outsCmaj7ide my G7sus4windowG7  
G7Looking at the Cmaj7things that pG7sus4ass me bG7y
G7Wondering if Cmaj7where I've G7sus4been is
G7worth the tG7sus4hings I've bG7een through
Ending with a Cmaj7friend named G7sus4Sunny SCmaj7kies
All chords in this song (5)

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About Sunny Skies Chords by James Taylor

Learn how to play Sunny Skies by James Taylor with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sunny Skies chords”, “Sunny Skies guitar chords”, or “James Taylor Sunny Skies chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Sunny Skies chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sunny Skies lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, E, Cmaj7, G7sus4, Dm7, Dm7/G.

FAQ — Sunny Skies by James Taylor

How do I play "Sunny Skies" by James Taylor on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sunny Skies" by James Taylor on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Sunny Skies" by James Taylor free?

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Can I transpose "Sunny Skies" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Sunny Skies" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sunny Skies"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Sunny Skies" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Sunny Skies" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Sunny Skies" by James Taylor with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by James Taylor below.

What key is "Sunny Skies" in?

The chords for "Sunny Skies" show the original chord names (including F, E, Cmaj7, G7sus4, Dm7, Dm7/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.