I'll Stand By You

by The Pretenders

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Lyrics

(D)Oh,

why you look so (F#m)sad,

the tears are in your (G)eyes,

come on and come to (D)me

(A)now.

And (D)don’t

(Bm)be a shamed to (F#m)cry,

let me see you (G)through,

’cause I’ve seen the (Bm)dark

side, (A)too.

(Bm)When the night falls on you, you (Bm)don’t know what to do.

Noth ing you con (G)fess

could make me love you (A7)less.

I’ll stand by (D)you,

I’ll stand by (Bm7)you,

won’t let no bod y (G)hurt you,

I’ll stand by (D)you.

(C)So,

if you’re mad, get (Em)mad;

don’t hold it all in (F)side.

Come on and talk to (C)me

(G)now.

And (C)hey,

(Am)what you got to (Em)hide?

I get an gry, (F)too,

well, I’m a (Am)lot

like (G)you.

When you’re (Am)stand ing at the cross roads and don’t (Am)know which path to choose, let me come a (F)long,

’cause e ven if you’re (G7)wrong,

I’ll stand by (D)you.

I’ll stand by (Bm7)you,

won’t let no bod y (G)hurt you.

I’ll stand by (D)you,

take me in in to your (Bm7)dark est hour,

and I’ll nev er de (G)sert you,

I’ll stand by (D)you.

And (F#m)when,

when the night (F#m)falls on you, ba by, you’re feel ing all a (G)lone,

you won’t be on your (A7)own.

I’ll stand by (D)you,

I’ll stand by (Bm7)you,

won’t let no bod y (G)hurt you.

I’ll stand by (D)you,

take me in in to your (Bm7)dark est hour,

and I’ll nev er de (G)sert you,

I’ll stand by (D)you.

I'll Stand By You by The Pretenders — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “I'll Stand By You by The Pretenders 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 68 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 "I'll Stand By You" 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 "I'll Stand By You"?
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 The Pretenders songs work for kids?
Try "I'LL STAND BY YOU", "MIDDLE OF THE ROAD", "BRASS IN POCKET". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.