Back When

by Tim McGraw

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Lyrics

Don’t you re mem ber

the (D)fizz and in the Pep per,

(Am)pea nuts in a bot tle

at (G)ten, they two and (D)four?

A (G)fried bo log na sand wich

with (D)ma yo and to ma to,

(Am)sit tin’ ’round the ta ’n’ ble don’t (G)hap pen much an y more.

We’ve got ten too com pli cat ed, it’s all put way o ver rat ed.

I like the old and out dat ed way of the way (D)life.

it was back then.

Back when a (D)hoe was a hoe,

(C)Coke was a Coke

and (G)crack’s what you were do in’

when you were crack in’ (D)jokes.

Back when a screw was a screw,

the (C)wind was all that blew

and (G)when you said, “I’m down with that,” well, it meant you had the flu.

I miss back (Am)when,

I miss back (C)when,

I miss back (G)when.

I love my rec ords,

the (D)black and shin y vi nyl,

(Am)clicks and pops and white noise,

at (G)man, they sound ed (D)fine.

I (G)had my fav ’rite sta tions,

the (D)ones that played ’em all, to,

(Am)coun try, soul and rock ’n’ roll, what (G)hap pened much to those times?

I’m read in’ “Street Slang For Dum mies” ’cause they put pop in my coun try.

I want the more for my mon ey, way of the way (D)life.

it was back then.

Back when a (D)hoe was a hoe,

(C)Coke was a Coke

and (G)crack’s what you were do in’

when you were crack in’ (D)jokes.

Back when a screw was a screw,

the (C)wind was all that blew

and (G)when you said, “I’m down with that,” well, it meant you had the flu.

I miss back (Am)when,

I miss back (C)when,

I miss back (G)when.

(G)when.

Give me a flat top for strum min’, I want a old Wur ly hum min’.

Oh, just keep it com in’ the way it was back then.

Back when a (G)when,

I miss back (Am7)when,

I miss back (C)when.

Back When by Tim McGraw — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Back When by Tim McGraw in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of G at 132 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Back When" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Back When"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Back When" use?
Just 8 chords: A, A7, Am, Am7, C, D, Em, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other Tim McGraw songs work for kids?
Try "HIGHWAY DON'T CARE", "SUSPICIONS", "LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.