Avalon was written by Bryan Ferry from the band Roxy Music.
Recorded: between 1981 and 1982
Released: June, 1982 from the album of the same name
Music: Key of D Major in 4/4 time at ~ 136 bpm (♩)
Chords: D, E, G, A, Asus4, B♭, Cadd9
Capo: 3rd fret if playing with the video (F Major)
Avalon
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
E
Intro: 4/4 Bass Run | | | | |
D A G A
1. Now the par-ty's over I'm so tired
D A G A
Then I see you co-ming Out of no-where
D A G A
Much com-mu-ni-ca-tion In a mo-tion
D A G A
With-out con-ver-sa-tion Or a no-tion
Cadd9 Bb Asus4 A Cadd9 Bb Asus4 E
Chorus: | | | | A-va-|-lon | | | | 𝄎 |
D A G A
2. When the sam-ba takes you Out of no-where
D A G A
And the back-ground's fa-ding Out of fo-cus
D A G A
Yes the pic-ture's chan-ging Ev'-ry mo-ment
D A G A
And your des-ti-na-tion You don't know it
Cadd9 Bb Asus4 A Cadd9 Bb Asus4 E
Chorus: | | | | A-va-|-lon | | | | 𝄎 |
E A E A E A E A
Bridge: | | | | Oo-oo| Oo | | | |
E A E A
| Dan-cing | Dan-cing | | |
E A E A
Dan-cing Dan-cing | | |
D A G A
3. When you bos-sa-no-va There's no hol-ding
D A G A
Would you have me dan-cing Out of no-where
Cadd9 Bb Asus4 A Cadd9 Bb Asus4 E
Chorus: | | | | A-va-|-lon | | | | 𝄎 | 𝄎 |
D A G A D A G A
Instrumental: | | | | | | | | |D A G A
Outro: ‖: A-va | - lon Oo| ooh |eeh... :‖(repeat to fade - female vocals: ad-lib)
You can play the B♭ using a mini-barre with your 3rd finger over strings 2, 3, and 4 on the 3rd fret.
Asus4 can be played using the 3rd finger instead of the 4th... I have used the 4th finger as it is easy to play from the 'A' chord position where you simply add the 4th finger to an existing chord.
Cadd9 can be played using the normal C chord finger positions and adding the 4th finger - if you play it like this and want to play the optional note, you will need to play strings 5 & 6 with the 2nd finger. Try the chart version - it's like an E shape played on strings 4, 5 and 6, instead of 3, 4, and 5... and you get to play the optional note with a minimum of fuss.
Cadd9 mustn't be confused with C9...
Cadd9 is a C chord with an added 9th - formula 1-3-5-9 C9 is a C7 chord with an added 9th - formula 1-3-5-♭7-9
The Cadd9 is a beautiful chord and when used in the right context, can sound amazing. It's a very easy chord, and a great chord to have in your repertoire.
Ad-lib is Latin for 'at liberty', which means 'at one's pleasure'. You will notice this at the end of the song where the female vocalist sings wherever the mood takes her... and she does it very well.
Use the Transposer for any key changes.
Song Facts
Released as the title track and the final single from Roxy Music's eighth and final studio album, "Avalon," in 1982.
Reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and number 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
Written by Bryan Ferry and produced by Rhett Davies.
Often cited as a key example of the smooth jazz and sophisti-pop genres. It features a laid-back, sophisticated sound with elements of jazz, pop, and art rock.
Bryan Ferry, the lead singer of Roxy Music, delivers a smooth and crooning vocal performance. His distinctive voice adds to the song's romantic and dreamy atmosphere.
The song's title is a reference to the mythical island of Avalon, which is said to be a place of peace and healing.
The music video was inspired by the work of the artist Maxfield Parrish, an American artist known for his distinctive and dreamlike illustrations that often featured ethereal landscapes, fantasy settings, and rich, luminous colors.
The video was directed by British filmmaker, Ridley Scott. It features Brian Ferry and Sophie Ward, and was filmed at Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire, England.
Covered by Brian Ferry during his solo career, Peter Frampton Band (Instr), James Last from his album, International Super Hits.
Used in many movies and television shows, including "2005's The Business", "2013's Felony", and "2017's Fun Mom Dinner".
