ENDEIT

Standards · 1930

Lazy River chords & key

Hoagy Carmichael · Lyrics: Sidney Arodin, Hoagy Carmichael

Key
F major
Form
AB
Bars
18
Groove
Slow swing
Time signature
4/4
Year
1930

“Lazy River” is a jazz standard by Hoagy Carmichael from 1930. Most bands play it in F major, slow swing; the tune runs 18 bars in AB form.

Chord changes

Showing in: Concert (C) — F major

A
D7
D7D♭7C7G♭dim
G7
G7A♭7G7
C7
C7D♭7C7
F6C7
F6
B
D7
D7D♭7C7G♭dim
G7
G7A♭7G7
B♭6Bdim7
F6/CD7
G7C7
F6D7
G7C7
F6A7

Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.

Harmonic analysis

0Major ii–V–I
0Minor ii–V–i
0ii–V moves
0Tritone substitutions
5Dominant chains
11Different chords

Most used chords

  • C7×8
  • G7×8
  • D7×6
  • F6×4
  • D♭7×3
  • G♭dim×2

History

"(Up A) Lazy River" is a popular tune and song by Hoagy Carmichael and Sidney Arodin, published in 1931. The melody is by Arodin, arranged and with words modified by Carmichael. It is considered a jazz and pop standard, and has been recorded by many artists.

Read the full article on Wikipedia ↗ · From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Historic 78 rpm recordings

  • Lazy River Hoagy Carmichael and His Orch. · Carmichael & Arodin · 1934 archive.org ↗
  • LAZY RIVER BECHET-SPANIER BIG FOUR · Muggsy Spanier · Sidney Bechet · Carmen… · 1940 archive.org ↗
  • LAZY RIVER BECHET-SPANIER BIG FOUR · Muggsy Spanier · Sidney Bechet · Carmen… · 1940 archive.org ↗
  • LAZY RIVER BECHET-SPANIER BIG FOUR · Muggsy Spanier · Sidney Bechet · Carmen… · 1940 archive.org ↗
  • LAZY RIVER BECHET-SPANIER BIG FOUR · Muggsy Spanier · Sidney Bechet · Carmen… · 1940 archive.org ↗
  • LAZY RIVER BECHET-SPANIER BIG FOUR · Muggsy Spanier · Sidney Bechet · Carmen… · 1940 archive.org ↗

Standards with similar changes

Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.

TitleComposerKeyFormGroove
Baby, Won't You Please Come Home 26% Warfield-Williams G major AA · 34 Medium slow
Bourbon Street Parade 26% Paul Barbarin A♭ major ABAC · 32 Medium-up swing
Don't Get Around Much Anymore 21% Duke Ellington C major AABA · 32 Medium swing
The Frim Fram Sauce 21% Joe Richardel B♭ major AABA · 32 Medium swing
The Man That Got Away 21% Harold Arlen F major AAB · 48 Slow swing
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive 20% Harold Arlen F major AABA · 32 Medium swing
Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams 20% Harry Barris C major AABA · 32 Medium swing

Frequently asked questions

What key is Lazy River in?

Lazy River is usually played in F major. For B♭ instruments that is G major, for E♭ instruments D major.

Who wrote Lazy River?

Lazy River was written by Hoagy Carmichael (1930).

What is the form of Lazy River?

Lazy River has 2 sections (AB) with 18 bars in total.

How fast is Lazy River played?

The usual groove is Slow swing.

What are the chord changes to Lazy River?

The opening bars are D7 | D7 Db7 C7 Gbdim | G7 | G7 Ab7 G7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.