Is Free Chord Book really free?

Yes. Free Chord Book is 100% free with no sign-up required. Access 670,000+ guitar chords, tabs, and lyrics for every song you want to learn.

How do I transpose chords to a different key?

Open any song and use the transpose buttons to move every chord up or down by half-steps. Perfect for singers who need a different key or capo players.

Can I see chord diagrams while I play?

Yes. Tap any chord in a song to instantly see its interactive guitar chord diagram, including alternate fingerings and variations.

What's the difference between guitar chords and guitar tabs?

Chords show you which strings to strum together (great for rhythm playing and singing). Tabs (tablature) show you exact note-by-note fingerings, which is great for solos, riffs, and fingerpicking.

Does Free Chord Book work on mobile?

Yes. Free Chord Book is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use auto-scroll to play hands-free. There is also a free iPhone app (The Chord Book) and Android app (Free Chords).

Is there an iPhone or Android app?

Yes. Download The Chord Book on the Apple App Store and Free Chords on Google Play. Same 670,000+ songs, transpose, tuner, and auto-scroll — 100% free.

Can I print guitar chords?

Yes. Open any song and tap the Print button next to Save. You'll get a branded chord sheet with the Chord Book logo, ready for practice.

Is there a built-in guitar tuner?

Yes. Free Chord Book includes a free online guitar tuner that uses your microphone and YIN pitch detection for accurate tuning in standard and alternate tunings.

How many songs are available?

Over 670,000 songs with chords, tabs, and lyrics — covering every genre, from rock and pop to country, indie, folk, and Hebrew songs.

Is Free Chord Book a good alternative to Ultimate Guitar?

Yes. Free Chord Book is a fast, ad-free, 100% free alternative to Ultimate Guitar with interactive chord diagrams, instant transpose, auto-scroll, and a built-in tuner — no account required.

SavedFavorites

Only Sixteen

Chords

4.8128 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

Scroll

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

------------------.............
*CAPO 1st FRET*
(Original Key: Ab)
Intro:
D13
Verse 1:
She... was Gonly six-Emteen, Conly six-Dteen, Am7I  D7loved her Gso.
But Gshe was too Emyoung to Cfall in Dlove, and Am7I was too D7young to Gknow.
Verse 2:
We'd Glaugh and we'd Emsing, and Cdo the little Dthings,
 Am7That D7made my heart Gglow.
But Gshe was too Emyoung to Cfall in Dlove, and Am7I was too D7young to Gknow.
Bridge 1:
 Am7Why did I D7give my Gheart so Emfast?
It Am7never will D7happen a-Ggain.
But Am7I was a D7mere Glad of six-Emteen;
 A7I've aged a year since D7then.
Verse 3:
She was Gonly six-Emteen, Conly six-Dteen, Am7with D7eyes that would Gglow.
But Gshe was too Emyoung to Cfall in Dlove, and Am7I was too D7young to Gknow.
Bridge 2:
(Then Am7why did you D7give your Gheart so Emfast?)
It Am7never will D7happen a-Ggain.
(But Am7you were a D7mere Glad of six-Emteen);
 A7I've aged a year since D7then.
Verse 4:
She was Gonly six-Emteen, Conly six-Dteen, Am7with D7eyes that would Gglow.
But Gshe was too Emyoung to Cfall in Dlove, and Am7I was too D7young to Gknow.
But Gshe was too Emyoung to Cfall in Dlove, and Am7I was too D7young to Gknow.
 GShe was too Emyoung to Cfall in Dlove, and Am7I was too D7young to Gknow.
(Fade)
CHORD DIAGRAMS:
---------------
   D13     G       Em      C       D       Am7     D7

All chords in this song (9)

The story behind the song

"Only Sixteen" emerged from the inspiration of Lou Rawls's stepsister, Eunice, on her sixteenth birthday. Sam Cooke originally wrote the song for actor Steve Rowland, even borrowing a bridge from an earlier song. However, after Rowland's manager wasn't keen on it, Cooke re-recorded it himself, making it his own. The song captures a youthful innocence and the bittersweet feelings of young love. It plays like a tender reflection on a fleeting moment, full of charm and a touch of wistful nostalgia.

AI-written from these sources:Only Sixteen — Wikipedia ↗Sam Cooke — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 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

Only Sixteen

by Sam Cooke

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D13

Am7

------------------.............

*CAPO 1st FRET*

(Original Key: )

Intro:

D13

Verse 1:

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

She... was only six-teen, only six-teen, I loved her so.

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

But she was too young to fall in love, and I was too young to know.

Verse 2:

G Em C D

We'd laugh and we'd sing, and do the little things,

Am7 D7 G

That made my heart glow.

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

But she was too young to fall in love, and I was too young to know.

Bridge 1:

Am7 D7 G Em

Why did I give my heart so fast?

Am7 D7 G

It never will happen a-gain.

Am7 D7 G Em

But I was a mere lad of six-teen;

A7 D7

I've aged a year since then.

Verse 3:

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

She was only six-teen, only six-teen, with eyes that would glow.

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

But she was too young to fall in love, and I was too young to know.

Bridge 2:

Am7 D7 G Em

(Then why did you give your heart so fast?)

Am7 D7 G

It never will happen a-gain.

Am7 D7 G Em

(But you were a mere lad of six-teen);

A7 D7

I've aged a year since then.

Verse 4:

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

She was only six-teen, only six-teen, with eyes that would glow.

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

But she was too young to fall in love, and I was too young to know.

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

But she was too young to fall in love, and I was too young to know.

G Em C D Am7 D7 G

She was too young to fall in love, and I was too young to know.

(Fade)

CHORD DIAGRAMS:

---------------

D13 G Em C D Am7 D7

About Only Sixteen Chords by Sam Cooke

Learn how to play Only Sixteen by Sam Cooke with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Only Sixteen chords”, “Only Sixteen guitar chords”, or “Sam Cooke Only Sixteen 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 Only Sixteen chords and for experienced players who want accurate Only Sixteen lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Ab, D13, G, Em, C, D.

FAQ — Only Sixteen by Sam Cooke

How do I play "Only Sixteen" by Sam Cooke on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Only Sixteen" by Sam Cooke 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 "Only Sixteen" by Sam Cooke free?

Yes. The chords for "Only Sixteen" by Sam Cooke are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Only Sixteen" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Only Sixteen"?

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

Is "Only Sixteen" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Only Sixteen" by Sam Cooke with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Sam Cooke below.

What key is "Only Sixteen" in?

The chords for "Only Sixteen" show the original chord names (including Ab, D13, G, Em, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.