My City Was Gone

by The Pretenders

Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
Play in Full ModesMore Songs for Kids
Lyrics

I went (Bm)back to O (A)hi o,

but my (E5)cit y was was gone.

There was (E5)no on train the back sta tion,

there was (E5)no ern down y no pride.

I South (E5)How ard had dis ap peared,

had been My my (A)fav ’rite plac es.

My (Bm)cit y had (A)been pulled down,

like re (E5)duced e to to Cuya park ing Falls.

spac es.

(Bm)A, O, way to go, O hi o.

I went (Bm)back to O (A)hi o,

but my (E5)fam i ly try gone.

had I (E5)stood down train the mid porch, tion,

there was (E5)no ern bod that no pride.

I was (E5)stunned and a mazed.

ap o

had been re hood (A)mem o ries es.

And (Bm)slow ly swirled (A)filled past air

like the (E5)wind e through to Cuya the trees.

Falls.

spac Said, (Bm)A, O, way to go, O hi o.

I went

My City Was Gone by The Pretenders — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “My City Was Gone” 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 E at 116 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 "My City Was Gone" 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 "My City Was Gone"?
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 "My City Was Gone" use?
Just 4 chords: A, Bm, E, Epow. Few enough that a child can recognize them quickly.
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.