My Dearest Darling

by Etta James

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Lyrics

All I need

is

some one like (Eb7)you.

My

dear est dar ling,

please

love me, (Ab)too.

With in

my heart,

I pray your (Eb7)an swer’s yes.

I’ll

make your life

full of

hap pi (Ab)ness.

(Bbm7)When

you (Db)need me

I’ll be there

by your (Ab)side.

Oh,

(Fm7)I

pledge my (Bb7)love to you

with God

as our (Eb9)guide.

Oh,

(Eb7)noth ing, noth ing, noth ing in this world

can

keep us a (Eb7)part.

Ooh,

my dear est dar ling,

I

of fer

you my (Ab)heart.

(Ab)Oh,

(Bbm7)yeah, when (Ab7)ev er you (Db)need me

I’ll be there

by your (Ab)side.

Oh,

(Fm7)I

pledge my (Bb7)love to you

with God

as our (Eb9)guide.

Oh,

(Eb7)noth ing, noth ing, noth ing in this world

can

keep us a (Eb7)part.

Ooh,

my dear est dar ling,

I

of fer

you my (Ab)heart.

(Ab)Oh,

(Bbm7)yeah, when (Ab7)ev er you I’m

of fer ing you my (Ab)heart.

My Dearest Darling by Etta James — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “My Dearest Darling” by Etta James 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 Ab at 60 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 Dearest Darling" 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 Dearest Darling"?
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 Dearest Darling" use?
Just 9 chords: Ab, Ab7, Bb7, Bbm7, Db, Ddim7, Eb7, Eb9, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Etta James songs work for kids?
Try "ALL I COULD DO WAS CRY", "AT LAST", "SOMETHING'S GOT A HOLD ON ME". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.