Now playing

Back When

Chords

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Em C Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em
[Verse]
CFade awDsus2ay, exEmploiting our children. CWhen you igDsus2nore them, they Emflow down the river of all your Clife
Three times you heard Dsus2them, they Embegged for a companion Cfor the need to Dsus2cure their loneliEmness
[Chorus]
An innocent Cchild you are, back Dsus2when, so full of Emlife you were
Back when, and I saw the Caging eyes of Dsus2wisdom creeping Emin
And so you lCost it all, back Dsus2when, as I wrote the Emnews of the war
Back when, in time never Cchange the way you Dsus2were back wEmhen
[Verse]
 CBehind the Dsus2wall  Emsinners hide their faces, Cthose with coDsus2ercive hands Embleeding out what little hope reCmained
For Dsus2them and Emstill for a moment your Cinnocence cries Dsus2out for a Emway
[Chorus]
An innocent Cchild you are, back Dsus2when, so full of Emlife you were
Back when, and I saw the Caging eyes of Dsus2wisdom creeping Emin
And so you lCost it all, back Dsus2when, as I wrote the Emnews of the war
Back when, in time never Cchange the way you Dsus2were back wEmhen
[Break]
C Dsus2 C Dsus2 Em   Em Dsus2
CAhDsus2hh      C    Dsus2pain of a thousand sorrEmowsEm  Dsus2  
C Dsus2 C Dsus2 Em
[Verse]
 CFade aDsus2way with Emnothing left to wonder. CLeft in aDsus2nother's hands, they Emflow down the river of all your Clife
Three times aDsus2gain they Embeg for a companion Cfor the need to Dsus2cure their loneliEmness
[Chorus]
Oh an innocent Cchild you are, back Dsus2when, so full of Emlife you were
Back when, and I saw the Caging eyes of Dsus2wisdom creeping Emin
And so you lCost it all, back Dsus2when, as I wrote the Emnews of the war
Back when, in time never Cchange the way you Dsus2were back wEmhen
[Outro]
CAhhh Dsus2ahhh  Cahhh Dsus2ahhhEm  

All chords in this song (3)

🎸 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

Back When

by Cool for August

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dsus2

[Intro]

Em C Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em

[Verse]

C Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em C

Fade away, exploiting our children. When you ignore them, they flow down the river of all your life

Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em

Three times you heard them, they begged for a companion for the need to cure their loneliness

[Chorus]

C Dsus2 Em

An innocent child you are, back when, so full of life you were

C Dsus2 Em

Back when, and I saw the aging eyes of wisdom creeping in

C Dsus2 Em

And so you lost it all, back when, as I wrote the news of the war

C Dsus2 Em

Back when, in time never change the way you were back when

[Verse]

C Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em C

Behind the wall sinners hide their faces, those with coercive hands bleeding out what little hope remained

Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em

For them and still for a moment your innocence cries out for a way

[Chorus]

C Dsus2 Em

An innocent child you are, back when, so full of life you were

C Dsus2 Em

Back when, and I saw the aging eyes of wisdom creeping in

C Dsus2 Em

And so you lost it all, back when, as I wrote the news of the war

C Dsus2 Em

Back when, in time never change the way you were back when

[Break]

C Dsus2 C Dsus2 Em Em Dsus2

Ahhh pain of a thousand sorrows

C Dsus2 C Dsus2 Em

[Verse]

C Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em C

Fade away with nothing left to wonder. Left in another's hands, they flow down the river of all your life

Dsus2 Em C Dsus2 Em

Three times again they beg for a companion for the need to cure their loneliness

[Chorus]

C Dsus2 Em

Oh an innocent child you are, back when, so full of life you were

C Dsus2 Em

Back when, and I saw the aging eyes of wisdom creeping in

C Dsus2 Em

And so you lost it all, back when, as I wrote the news of the war

C Dsus2 Em

Back when, in time never change the way you were back when

[Outro]

C Dsus2 C Dsus2 Em

Ahhh ahhh ahhh ahhh

About Back When Chords by Cool for August

Learn how to play Back When by Cool for August with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Back When chords”, “Back When guitar chords”, or “Cool for August Back When 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 Back When chords and for experienced players who want accurate Back When lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, C, Dsus2.

FAQ — Back When by Cool for August

How do I play "Back When" by Cool for August on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Back When" by Cool for August 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 "Back When" by Cool for August free?

Yes. The chords for "Back When" by Cool for August are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Back When" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Back When"?

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

Is "Back When" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Back When" by Cool for August with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Cool for August below.

What key is "Back When" in?

The chords for "Back When" show the original chord names (including Em, C, Dsus2). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.