Pastime Paradise

by Stevie Wonder

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Lyrics

They’ve been spend ing most their lives liv ing (G)in a pas time (Cm)par a dise.

They’ve been spend ing most their lives liv ing (G)in a pas time (Cm)par a dise.

They’ve been wast ing most their time glor i (G)fy ing days long gone be hind.

They’ve been wast ing most their days in re (G)mem brance of ig norance old est praise.

Tell me (Ab)who of them will come to be?

How man (Ab)y of them are you and me?

Dis si pa tion,

of race re la tions;

con so la tion,

seg re ga tion.

Dis i pen sa tion of i so la tion, ex ploi ta tion, mu ti (G)la tion, mu ta tion, mis cre a tion, con fir ma tion to the e vils of the world.

They’ve been spend ing most their lives liv ing (G)in a fu ture (Cm)par a dise.

They’ve been spend ing most their lives liv ing (G)in a fu ture (Cm)par a dise.

They’ve been look ing in their minds for the (G)day that sor rows lost from time.

They keep tell ing of the day when the (G)Sav iour of love will come to stay.

Tell me (Ab)who of them will come to be?

How man (Ab)y of them are you and me?

Proc la ma tion

of race re la tions;

con so la tion,

in te gra tion.

Ver i fi ca tion of rev el a tion, ac cla ma tion, world sal (G)va tion, vi bra tion, stim u la tion, con fir ma tion to the e vils of the world.

tion to peace of the world.

We’ve been spend ing too (Fm)much of our lives liv ing (G)in a pas time par a dise.

Let’s been start to too (Fm)liv ing our lives liv ing (G)for the fu ture par a dise.

Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder 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 80 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 "Pastime Paradise" 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 "Pastime Paradise"?
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 "Pastime Paradise" use?
Just 5 chords: Ab, Cm, Fm, G, Gm. Take it one section at a time.
What other Stevie Wonder songs work for kids?
Try "NGICULELA-ES UNA HISTORIA I AM SINGING", "PART TIME LOVER", "HEAVEN IS TEN ZILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.