When one visits Winslow, Arizona the question everyone wants answered is “Did you stand on the corner?”  Why yes, I did, and it got me thinking about what type of chord progression makes a person want to Take It Easy a la the Eagles timeless folk-rock classic.  The way I internalize the chord progression to a song is first convert the letter names of the chords to numbers.  The numbers make it easier for me to hear if the chords are going up or down.  Next, I make note of what chords are used to convey the feelings expressed by the lyrics.  This gives me the over-all feeling of the song’s chord progression and I no longer need a piece of paper in front of me.  So let’s examine how Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey constructed this easy-going classic.

Key of F

F Major Scale/Numbers: F/I  G/ii  A/iii  Bb/IV  C/V  D/vi  E/vii
(large numbers are Major chords, small numbers are minor chords)

INTRO: I-IV-V7sus4 2x

VERSE I:

The verses are a simple I-V-IV progression.  The “easy” feel is a result of descending from the V to the relaxing VI then returning home to where we started.

I Well, I’m a runnin’ down the road, tryin’ to loosen my load,

I I’ve got seven women V on my IV mind.

I Four that wanna own me, V two that wanna stone me,  IV one says she’s a friend of  I mine.

CHORUS:

The chorus eases into a vi minor then descends to the relaxing  IV and back home to the I.

I Take it vi easy, take it  IV ea-I sy,

A word of advice comes with a ii-IV-vi minor based progression.

Don’t let the ii sound of your own IV wheels drive you vi crazy.

The perfect chord progression to tell someone to lighten up is the IV-I (best to do it twice so they get the hint).

vi Lighten  IV up while you still I can, don’t even IV try to under-I stand,

Just find a ii place to make your  IV stand and take it I easy.

Now, try to internalize the progression by playing through it listening for the changes.

Verse 2:

I-V-IV-I 2x

Well, I’m a standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see,

It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flat bed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me.

Bridge:

vi-IV-I

Come on, ba-by, don’t say may-be.

ii- IV-vi

I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me.

 IV-I 2x

We may lose and we may win though we will never be here again.

ii- IV-I

So open up, I’m climbin’ in, so take it easy.

Verse 3: 

Now try playing through the last part of the song without looking at the numbers.

Well, I’m a runnin’ down the road, tryin’ to loosen my load got a world of trouble on my mind. 

Lookin’ for a lover who won’t blow my cover, she’s so hard to find.

Chorus:

Take it easy, take it ea-sy, don’t let the sound of your own wheels make you crazy.

Come on, ba-by, don’t say may-be.

I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me.

Outro:

I-I9-IV 2x End on vi

Oh, we got it ea-sy, we oughta take it ea-sy..

This song is used for educational purposes only.