Is "Only The Good Die Young" 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 "Only The Good Die Young"?

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 "Only The Good Die Young" use?

Just 7 chords: Am, C, Cdom, D, Dbdom, F, G. Take it one section at a time.

What other Billy Joel songs work for kids?

Try "SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT", "EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM", "CAPTAIN JACK". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Only The Good Die Young

· by Billy Joel

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Lyrics

(F)Come out a Vir gin ia, don’t let me wait.

You (F)Cath o lic a tem ple and locked you a way.

Ah, but (F)soon er or lat er it comes down to (Am)fate, I (F)might as well be the one.

Well, they showed (F)Come out a Vir ue, ia, told you to pray.

They (F)built o you a tem ple and locked you a way.

Ah, but (F)they nev er told you the price that you (Am)pay, the (F)things that you might have done.

Well, they showed

Well on ly the good die young,

that’s what I said.

On ly the good die

(F)young, on ly the good die young.

You might have heard I run with a dan ger ous crowd; we (F)ain’t too pret ty, we ain’t too proud.

We (F)might be laugh ing a bit too loud, ah, but (F)that nev er hurt no one.

So come on, there’s Vir gin en ia, for show me a sign; (F)send up a sig bet nal, I’ll I (C)throw you a line.

I’d rath er (F)laugh with the sin ners than cry ing be hind the (F)nev er lets in the sun.

You Dar lin’, on ly the good die young.

Whoa, what I (G)say.

on ly the good die

(F)young, on ly the good die young.

You got a (G)nice white dress and a (F)par ty on your con fir ma tion.

You’ve got a brand new soul

and a cross of gold.

But, Vir (G)gin ia, they did all n’t give you (F)quite e nough a in for ma tion.

You did n’t count (D)cared on me,

when you were count ing on your (F)ro sa ry, (G)oh (F)oh (C)oh.

And (G)they say there’s Vir gin en ia, for show who will wait; (F)some up say it’s bet ter but I (C)throw say it ain’t.

I’d rath er (F)laugh with the sin ners than cry with the saints, the (F)sin ners are much more fun.

You know that on ly the good die young,

that’s what I (G)say.

On ly the good die

(F)young, on ly the good die young.

You got a (G)nice white dress and a (F)par ty on your con fir ma tion.

You’ve got a brand new soul

and a cross of gold.

Said your (G)moth er told you all that I could (F)give you was a rep u ta tion.

You She nev er (D)cared for me.

but did she ev er say a (F)pray’r for me, (G)oh (F)oh (C)oh.

Come (G)out, come out, Vir gin ia, don’t let me wait.

You (F)Cath o lic girls start much too late.

Ah, but (F)soon er or lat er it comes down to (Am)fate, I (F)might as well be the one.

You know that on ly the good die young,

that’s what I (G)say.

On ly the good die

(F)young, on ly the good die young.

On ly the good die

(F)young, on ly the good die young.

On ly the good

Only The Good Die Young by Billy Joel — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Only The Good Die Young” by Billy Joel 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 C at 148 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 "Only The Good Die Young" 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 "Only The Good Die Young"?: 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 "Only The Good Die Young" use?: Just 7 chords: Am, C, Cdom, D, Dbdom, F, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other Billy Joel songs work for kids?: Try "SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT", "EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM", "CAPTAIN JACK". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.