Tell Me Why

· by Neil Young

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Lyrics

Sail ing heart ships through bro ken har bors (Am7)out on the waves in the night.

Still the search er must ride the dark horse (Am7)rac ing a lone in his (G)fright.

Tell me (Am7)why,

tell me (Am7)why

is it (Gmaj7)hard to make ar range ments with your (C)self

when you’re (D)old e nough to re pay but (Bm)young e nough to sell?

Tell me lies lat er, come and see me, (Am7)I’ll be a round for a while.

I am lone ly but you can free me, (Am7)all in the way that you (G)smile.

Tell me (Am7)why,

tell me (Am7)why

is it (Gmaj7)hard to make ar range ments with your (C)self

when you’re (D)old e nough to re pay but (Bm)young e nough to sell?

Tell Me Why by Neil Young — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Tell Me Why” by Neil Young 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 G at 112 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 "Tell Me Why" 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 "Tell Me Why"?: 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 "Tell Me Why" use?: Just 7 chords: Am7, Bm, C, D, Em, G, Gmaj7. Take it one section at a time.
What other Neil Young songs work for kids?: Try "OLD MAN", "DOWN BY THE RIVER", "OUT ON THE WEEKEND". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.