Gaucho

· by Steely Dan

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Lyrics

(C)Just (F)when (Bb)I (F)say, (Am7)“Boy, we can’t miss.

(Gm7)You are (C7)gold en,” (Bb)then, (F)you do this.

(C)You (F)say (Bb)this (Bbmaj7)guy is (Am7)so cool, (Bb)snap ping his (C)fin gers (Gm)like (Bb)a (Dm7)fool:

one more ex (C)pen sive kiss (Am7)off.

(Bb)Who do you think I (Bb)am?

Lord, I (Dm7)know

(Am7)you’re a (Gm7)spe cial friend, but you

(Dm)don’t (C)seem (Bb)to un der (F)stand.

We got

heav y (Dm)roll ers, I (C)think (F)you (Bb)should know.

(Bbmaj7)Try a (Am7)gain to (G)mor row.

(F)Can’t you see they’re (Am7)laugh ing at me.

Get (Bb)rid of him.

I (Gm)don’t (F)care what you (Bbmaj7)do at (Am7)home.

o.

Would you (F)care to ex (Bbmaj7)plain?

Who is the gau cho, a mi go?

Why is he stand ing in your (Ab)span gled leath er pon cho

and your el e va tor (Dm7)shoes?

Bo da cious cow boys

such as your friend will nev er (Am7)be wel come here,

(C)high

(Bb)in (Am)the (Bb)Cus (Dm)ter dome.

(C)What (F)I (Bb)tell (F)you (Am7)back down the line:

(Gm7)I’ll scratch (C7)your back, (Bb)you (F)can scratch mine.

(C)No, (F)he (Bb)can’t (Bbmaj7)sleep on (Am7)the floor.

(Bb)What do you (C)think I’m (Gm)yell (Bb)ing (Dm7)for?

I’ll drop him (C)near the free (Am7)way.

(Bb)Does n’t he have a (Bb)home?

Lord, I (Dm7)know (Am7)you’re a (Gm7)spe cial friend, but you (Dm)re (C)fuse (Bb)to un der (F)stand.

You’re a nas ty (Dm)school boy with (C)no (F)place (Bb)to go.

(Bbmaj7)Try a (Am7)gain to (G)mor row.

(F)Don’t tell me he’ll (Am7)wait in the car.

Get (Bb)Look at you,

hold (Gm)ing (F)hands with the (Bbmaj7)man from (Am7)Ri o.

Would you (F)care to ex (Bbmaj7)plain?

Who is the gau cho, a mi go?

Why is he stand ing in your (Ab)span gled leath er pon cho

with the studs that match your (Dm7)eyes?

Bo da cious cow boys

such as your friend will nev er (Am7)be wel come here,

(C)high

(Bb)in (Am)the (Bb)Cus (Dm)ter dome.

Gaucho by Steely Dan — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Gaucho” by Steely Dan 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 Bb at 100 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

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 "Gaucho" 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 "Gaucho"?: 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.
What other Steely Dan songs work for kids?: Try "RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER", "DEACON BLUES", "KID CHARLEMAGNE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.