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Dirty Little Secret

· by Sarah McLachlan

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Lyrics

If I had the chance, love,

I (Dm7)would not hes i tate

to tell you all the things I (E7)nev er said be fore.

Don’t (Dm7)tell me it’s too late,

’cause I’ve re lied on my il lu sions

to keep me warm

at (D7)night.

I de (F)nied in my ca pa ci ty to love,

I am (D7)will ing

to give up this (C)fight.

I’ve been up all night, drink ing

to (F)drown my sor row down,

but noth ing (C)seems to help me (Dm7)since you went a way.

I’m (C)so tired of this town

where ev ’ry tongue is wag ging

when (F)ev ’ry back is turned.

They’re tell ing (C)se crets that should (Dm7)nev er be re vealed.

There’s (C)noth ing to be gained from this

but dis (Dm7)as ter.

Here’s a (E7)good one:

did you hear a bout my friend?

He’s em (Dm7)bar rassed

to be (E7)seen now be cause we

all (D)know

his (C)sins.

If I (Dm7)had the chance, love,

I know I (F)would not hes (D7)i tate

to tell you all the things I (Dm7)nev er said be fore.

Don’t (C)tell me it’s too late,

’cause I’ve re lied on my il lu sions

to keep me warm

at (D7)night.

I de (F)nied in my ca pa ci ty to love,

I am (D7)will ing

to give up this (C)fight.

Oh, I am (Dm7)will ing

to give up this (C)fight.

Dirty Little Secret by Sarah McLachlan — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Dirty Little Secret” by Sarah McLachlan 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 C at 90 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 "Dirty Little Secret" 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 "Dirty Little Secret"?: 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 "Dirty Little Secret" use?: Just 13 chords: Am, Am7, C, Csus4, D, D7, Dm7, E7, +5 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Sarah McLachlan songs work for kids?: Try "ADIA", "BUILDING A MYSTERY", "WHEN SHE LOVED ME". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.