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When I Grow Up

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

FWhen I grow upC  
I will be tBball enough to reach the branches
BbmThat I need to reach to climb the tFrees
You get to cClimb when you're grown Bbup
FAnd when I grow upC  
I will be smBbart enough to answer all
The quBbmestions that you need to know
The aFnswers to Cbefore you're grown Bbup
Bbsus2And when I grow up
I will F/Aeat sweets every day
On the Gm7way to work and I will
Go to Fbed late every night
Bbsus2And I will wake up
When the F/Asun comes up and I
Will watch Gm7cartoons until my eyes go square
And C7sus4I won't care 'cause A7/C#I'll be all grown up Dm  
When Dm/CI grow upBbmaj9  
FWhen I grow up (when I grow Cup, when I grow up)
I will be Bbmaj7strong enough to carry all
The hBbmeavy things you have to haul
FAround with you when Cyou're a grown Bbup
FWhen I grow up (when I grow Cup, when I grow up)
I will be bBbrave enough to fight the creatures
BbmThat you have to fight beneath the bFed
Each night to Cbe a grown Bbup
Bsus2And when I grow up
I will hF/Aave treats every day
And I'll Gmplay with things that mum pretends
That mFums don't think are fun
Bbsus2And I will wake up
When the sF/Aun comes up and I
Will spend all Gmday just lying in the sun
And C7sus4I won't burn 'cause A7/C#I'll be all grown upDm  
When Dm/CI grow upBbmaj7  
F    C    Bb    Bbm    F C Bb
FWhen I grow upC  
I will be bBbrave enough to fight the creatures
BbmThat you have to fight beneath the bFed
Each night to Cbe a grown Bbup
(When I grow up)
Bbsus2Just because you find that life's not fair it
F/ADoesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it
Gm7If you always take it on the chin and wear it
FNothing will change
(When I grow up)
Bbsus2Just because you find yourself in this story
It dF/Aoesn't mean that everything is written for me
Gm7If I think the ending is fixed already
Bbdim/CI might as well be saying I thA7/C#ink that it's OK
And Athat's not Dmright!

All chords in this song (17)

The story behind the song

"When I Grow Up" appears on the release "Matilda the Musical," credited to Tim Minchin. The song captures a child's perspective on the imagined freedoms and powers of adulthood. It paints a picture of growing up as an escape from current limitations, filled with simple yet profound desires like eating sweets all day or never having to do what you don't want to. At its heart, it plays like a hopeful and slightly naive anthem for the future.

AI-written from these sources:Tim Minchin and the Heritage Orchestra Tour — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

When I Grow Up

by Tim Minchin

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bbm

Bbsus2

F/A

Gm7

C7sus4

A7/C#

Dm/C

Bbmaj9

Bbmaj7

Bsus2

Bbdim/C

F C

When I grow up

I will be tall enough to reach the branches

Bbm F

That I need to reach to climb the trees

C Bb

You get to climb when you're grown up

F C

And when I grow up

I will be smart enough to answer all

Bbm

The questions that you need to know

F C Bb

The answers to before you're grown up

Bbsus2

And when I grow up

F/A

I will eat sweets every day

Gm7

On the way to work and I will

Go to bed late every night

Bbsus2

And I will wake up

F/A

When the sun comes up and I

Gm7

Will watch cartoons until my eyes go square

C7sus4 A7/C# Dm

And I won't care 'cause I'll be all grown up

Dm/C Bbmaj9

When I grow up

F C

When I grow up (when I grow up, when I grow up)

Bbmaj7

I will be strong enough to carry all

Bbm

The heavy things you have to haul

F C Bb

Around with you when you're a grown up

F C

When I grow up (when I grow up, when I grow up)

I will be brave enough to fight the creatures

Bbm F

That you have to fight beneath the bed

C Bb

Each night to be a grown up

Bsus2

And when I grow up

F/A

I will have treats every day

And I'll play with things that mum pretends

That mums don't think are fun

Bbsus2

And I will wake up

F/A

When the sun comes up and I

Will spend all day just lying in the sun

C7sus4 A7/C# Dm

And I won't burn 'cause I'll be all grown up

Dm/C Bbmaj7

When I grow up

F C Bb Bbm F C Bb

F C

When I grow up

I will be brave enough to fight the creatures

Bbm F

That you have to fight beneath the bed

C Bb

Each night to be a grown up

(When I grow up)

Bbsus2

Just because you find that life's not fair it

F/A

Doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it

Gm7

If you always take it on the chin and wear it

Nothing will change

(When I grow up)

Bbsus2

Just because you find yourself in this story

F/A

It doesn't mean that everything is written for me

Gm7

If I think the ending is fixed already

Bbdim/C A7/C#

I might as well be saying I think that it's OK

A Dm

And that's not right!

About When I Grow Up Chords by Tim Minchin

Learn how to play When I Grow Up by Tim Minchin with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When I Grow Up chords”, “When I Grow Up guitar chords”, or “Tim Minchin When I Grow Up 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 When I Grow Up chords and for experienced players who want accurate When I Grow Up lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F, C, Bb, Bbm, Bbsus2, F/A.

FAQ — When I Grow Up by Tim Minchin

How do I play "When I Grow Up" by Tim Minchin on guitar?

Open the free chords for "When I Grow Up" by Tim Minchin 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 "When I Grow Up" by Tim Minchin free?

Yes. The chords for "When I Grow Up" by Tim Minchin are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "When I Grow Up" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "When I Grow Up"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "When I Grow Up" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "When I Grow Up" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "When I Grow Up" by Tim Minchin with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Tim Minchin below.

What key is "When I Grow Up" in?

The chords for "When I Grow Up" show the original chord names (including F, C, Bb, Bbm, Bbsus2, F/A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.