Hello! Below you'll find my "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This classic indie song by Neutral Milk Hotel is just as powerful on piano, and only uses 4 chords!
Enjoy!
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for In the Aeroplane Over the Sea:
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| G | Em | C | D |
| G | Em | C | D |
[Verse 1]
G Em C
What a beautiful face I have found in this place
D
That is circling all 'round the sun
G Em C
What a beautiful dream that could flash on the screen
D G
In a blink of an eye and be gone from me
Em
Soft and sweet
C D
Let me hold it close and keep it here
G | Em | C | D |
With me
[Verse 2]
G Em C
And one day we will die and our ashes will fly
D
From the aeroplane over the sea
G Em C
But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun
D G
And count every beautiful thing we can see
Em
Love to be
C D
In the arms of all I'm keeping here
G Em C
And one day we will die and our ashes will fly
D
From the aeroplane over the sea
G Em C
But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun
D G
And count every beautiful thing we can see
Em
Love to be
C D
In the arms of all I'm keeping here
G | Em | C | D |
With me
[Instrumental / Horn Solo]
| Em | C | G | D |
| Em | C | G | D | D |
| Em | C | G | D |
| Em | C | G | D | D |
[Verse 3]
G Em C
What a curious life we have found here tonight
D
There is music that sounds from the street
G Em C
There are lights in the clouds, Anna's ghost all around
D G
Hear her voice as it's rolling and ringing through me
Em
Soft and sweet
C D
How the notes all bend and reach above
There are lights in the clouds, Anna's ghost all around
D G
Hear her voice as it's rolling and ringing through me
Em
Soft and sweet
C D
How the notes all bend and reach above
G | Em | C | D |
The trees
[Bridge]
Em C
Now how I remember you
G
How I would push my fingers through
D
Your mouth to make those muscles move
Em
That made your voice so smooth and sweet
C
But now we keep where we don't know
G
All secrets sleep in winter clothes
D
With one you loved so long ago
(Em)
Now he don't even know his name
Em C
Now how I remember you
G
How I would push my fingers through
D
Your mouth to make those muscles move
Em
That made your voice so smooth and sweet
C
But now we keep where we don't know
G
All secrets sleep in winter clothes
D
With one you loved so long ago
(Em)
Now he don't even know his name
[Interlude]
| Em | Em | C | C | G | G | D | D |
| Em | Em | C | C | G | G | D | D |
[Verse 4]
G Em C
What a beautiful face I have found in this place
D
That is circling all 'round the sun
G Em C
And when we meet on a cloud I'll be laughing out loud
D G
I'll be laughing with everyone I see
Em
Can't believe
C D
How strange it is to be anything
G | Em | C | D | G |
At all
Rhythm Chart
R R R R
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
L L L L L L
R R R R
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
L L L L L L
Horn Solo Notes
D C B A G E D B G A C
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
(Em) (C) (G). (D)
B A G F# E D D DE BCD
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
(Em) (C) (G) (D)
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
