If I Didn't Know Better

by Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen

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Lyrics

If I

did n’t know bet ter,

I’d hang my (F#m)hat right (Bm)there.

If I

did n’t know bet ter,

I’d (Bm)fol low you up the stairs.

Stop

say in’ those

sweet things

you know I like to hear.

The horns

are blow in’ loud er,

they’re (Bm)play in’, strol lin’ near.

(Em)Why

do I keep drink in’?

(Em)Wast in’ my time

(Bm)on you.

If I

did n’t know bet ter,

dam mit, I

do.

There’s a hole in what you’re say in’.

I can plain ly see

you’ve a (F#7)lov

er that’s wait in’,

but (Bm)ba by, you’re right here with me.

Oh, you might as well be the dev il,

keep in’ me out past three.

Well, you’re the (F#7)one

with that ap ple,

but (Bm)ba by, you can’t blame me.

Oh, why

don’t you (Bm)keep drink in’?

(Em)Get me one night with (Bm)you.

If I

did n’t know bet ter,

dam mit, (Bm)I

do.

Ooh,

ba by, I do.

Ba by, you’re right here with me.

Sweet dad dy, you know that I do.

If I Didn't Know Better by Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “If I Didn't Know Better” by Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen 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 B 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 "If I Didn't Know Better" 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 "If I Didn't Know Better"?
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 "If I Didn't Know Better" use?
Just 4 chords: Bm, Em, F#7, F#m. Few enough that a child can recognize them quickly.