Now playing

When I Was Young

Chords

4.828 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

based on an accoustic live version
(Em)riff;
e 0---|
B -0--|
G --0-|
D ---2|
A ----|
E ----|
[intro] 
keep playing it till the first D
e-------------------------------|
B-------------------------------|
G-------------------------------|
D-------------------------------|
A---7777777777777777777777777777|
E---0000000000000000000000000000|
[verse]
The rooms were so much cDolder then
My Emfather was a Dsoldier then
And Emtimes were very Dhard,
When I was Emyoung, (Em riff)
wDhen I was yoEmung (Em riff)
[verse]
I Emsmoked my first cigaDrette at ten
EmAnd for girls, I Dhad a bad yen
And EmI had quite a Dball,
When I was Emyoung (Em riff)
Dwhen I was yEmoung (Em riff)
[chorus]
When GI was young, life waEms more important
GPain more painful
Emand Laughter much louder, DyeDsus4ah,D  
 when I was young Em(Em riff)
WDhen I was yEmoung (Em riff)
[verse]
EmI met my first lovDe at thirteen
EmShe was brown and DI was pretty green
And EmI learned quite a Dlot when I was Emyoung,(Em riff)
DWhen I was youEmng (Em riff)
[intrumental]
  Em   D   Dsus4   D2x      Em  D  
[chorus]
When GI was young, life Emwas more important
GPain more painful
Emand laughter much louder, yeDah----Dsus4------D--
when I was yoEmung,(Em riff)
Dwhen I was youEmng(Em riff)
[verse]
My Emfaith was so much Dstronger then
EmI believed in mDy fellow men
And EmI was so much Dolder theDsus4n,----D----------
When I was Emyoung(Em riff)
Dwhen I was yEmoung (Em riff)
D  Em
end

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

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

When I Was Young

by Eric Burdon

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dsus4

based on an accoustic live version

(Em)riff;

e 0---|

B -0--|

G --0-|

D ---2|

A ----|

E ----|

[intro]

keep playing it till the first D

e-------------------------------|

B-------------------------------|

G-------------------------------|

D-------------------------------|

A---7777777777777777777777777777|

E---0000000000000000000000000000|

[verse]

The rooms were so much colder then

Em D

My father was a soldier then

Em D

And times were very hard,

When I was young, (Em riff)

D Em

when I was young (Em riff)

[verse]

Em D

I smoked my first cigarette at ten

Em D

And for girls, I had a bad yen

Em D

And I had quite a ball,

When I was young (Em riff)

D Em

when I was young (Em riff)

[chorus]

G Em

When I was young, life was more important

Pain more painful

Em D Dsus4 D

and Laughter much louder, yeah,

when I was young (Em riff)

D Em

When I was young (Em riff)

[verse]

Em D

I met my first love at thirteen

Em D

She was brown and I was pretty green

Em D Em

And I learned quite a lot when I was young,(Em riff)

D Em

When I was young (Em riff)

[intrumental]

Em D Dsus4 D Em D

[chorus]

G Em

When I was young, life was more important

Pain more painful

Em D Dsus4 D

and laughter much louder, yeah------------

when I was young,(Em riff)

D Em

when I was young(Em riff)

[verse]

Em D

My faith was so much stronger then

Em D

I believed in my fellow men

Em D Dsus4 D

And I was so much older then,--------------

When I was young(Em riff)

D Em

when I was young (Em riff)

D Em

end

About When I Was Young Chords by Eric Burdon

Learn how to play When I Was Young by Eric Burdon with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “When I Was Young chords”, “When I Was Young guitar chords”, or “Eric Burdon When I Was Young 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 Was Young chords and for experienced players who want accurate When I Was Young lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, B, G, D, A, E.

FAQ — When I Was Young by Eric Burdon

How do I play "When I Was Young" by Eric Burdon on guitar?

Open the free chords for "When I Was Young" by Eric Burdon 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 Was Young" by Eric Burdon free?

Yes. The chords for "When I Was Young" by Eric Burdon are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "When I Was Young" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "When I Was Young"?

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

Is "When I Was Young" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "When I Was Young" by Eric Burdon with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Eric Burdon below.

What key is "When I Was Young" in?

The chords for "When I Was Young" show the original chord names (including Em, B, G, D, A, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.