Hey Nineteen

by Steely Dan

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Lyrics

Way back when in (A)six ty sev en,

I was a dan dy of (A)Gam ma Chi.

It’s Sweet things from Bos ton, so (A)young and will ing,

moved down to Scars dale.

but Where the (Bm7)hell am I?

(C#m7)Hey, Nine teen,

no, we can’t dance ing to geth er.

No, we can’t (Bm6)talk at all.

Please (A9)take me a (Dmaj9)long when you (G)slide on (F#m7)down.

Hey, Nine teen, that’s (A)’Re tha Frank lin.

She don’t re mem ber the (A)Queen of Soul.

It’s hard times be fall en the (A)sole sur vi vors.

She thinks I’m cra zy, but I’m just (Bm7)grow ing old.

(C#m7)Hey, Nine teen,

no, we got noth ing in com mon.

No, we can’t (Bm6)talk at all.

Please (A9)take me a (Dmaj9)long when you (G)slide on (F#m7)down.

The Cuer vo (A)Gold,

the fine Co (A)lom bi an

make to night a won der ful thing.

The Cuer vo (A)Gold,

the fine Co (A)lom bi an

make to night a won der ful thing.

No, we can’t (Bm6)dance to geth er.

No, we can’t (Bm6)talk at all.

Hey Nineteen by Steely Dan — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Hey Nineteen 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 D at 120 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 "Hey Nineteen" 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 "Hey Nineteen"?
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 "Hey Nineteen" use?
Just 20 chords: A, A7, A9, Am7, Bbmaj9, Bm6, Bm7, C#m7, +12 more. Take it one section at a time.
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.