When I Was Older
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Bm F# G Bm
Bm F# G Bm
Bm F#
When I was older
F# G
I was a sailor
G F#
On an open sea
Bm F#
But now I'm underwater
F# G
And my skin is paler
G F#
Than it should ever be
Bm F#
I'm on my back again
F# G
Dreaming of a time and place
F# Bm
Where you and I remain the best of friends
F# G
Even after all this ends
G F#
Can we pretend?
Bm
I'm on my
Bm F#
I'm on my back again
F#
It's seeming more and more
G
Like all we ever do is see
G F#
How far it bends
Bm F#
Before it breaks in half and then
G F#
We bend it back again
Bm F#
Guess I got caught in the middle of it
F#
Yes, I've been taught, got a little of it
G F#
In my blood, in my blood
F#
Memories burn like a forest fire
Bm F#
Heavy rain turns any funeral pyre to mud
F# G F#
In the flood
Bm F#
When I was older
F# G
I was a sailor
G F#
On an open sea
Bm F#
But now I'm underwater
F# G
And my skin is paler
F#
Than it should ever be
Bm F#
I'm watching movies back to back
F# G
In black and white, I never
G F#
Seen anybody do it like I do it any better
Bm F#
Then going over you
F# G F#
I'm overdue for no endeavors
Bm F#
Nobody lonely like I'm lonely
F# G
And I don't know whether
G F#
You'd really like it in the limelight
Bm F#
You'd sympathize with all the bad guys
F# G
I'm still a victim in my own right
G F#
But I'm the villain in my own eyes, yeah
Bm F#
When I was older
F# G
I was a sailor
G F#
On an open sea
( Bm )
How to play When I Was Older
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Bm. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.