Amtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
Am · F · C · G
When We Were Young Chords – Guitar
Amtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Am · F · C · G
When We Were Young Chords – Ukulele
Amtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Am · F · C · G
When We Were Young Chords – Piano
Amtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Am · F · C · G
When We Were Young Chords – Banjo
Amtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Am · F · C · G
When We Were Young Chords – Mandolin
Amtap to play
Ftap to play
Ctap to play
Gtap to play
Key
C
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Am · F · C · G
When We Were Young Chords – Harmonica
Adele’s poignant ballad about nostalgia and reconnecting with a past love. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.
Ballad Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Strum gently and let the chords ring out to match the song’s reflective mood.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
Chorus
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C – G – Am
F – C – G
Am – F
C – G
Verse 2
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
Chorus
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C – G – Am
F – C – G
Am – F
C – G
Bridge
F – C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Am – F
C – G
Chorus
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C – G – Am
F – C – G
Am – F
C – G
Outro
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
F – C
G – Am
Practice tip: Focus on the F to C and G to Am transitions, as they are the most common changes in this song; practice them slowly until your fingers move without looking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "When We Were Young"?
You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: Am, F, C and G.
Is "When We Were Young" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "When We Were Young" in?
It is in the key of C.
Who wrote "When We Were Young"?
It was written by Adele, Tobias Jesso Jr, and released in 2015.