The Ghetto

· by Donny Hathaway

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Lyrics

(Bbm7)Ooh,

mm.

Ah.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to,

the (Bbm7)ghet to.

The

(Bbm7)Know you ain’t doin’ what (Eb9)you s’posed to, you do in’ what you (Bbm7)wan na do.

But, you know you wrong;

got to be wrong.

(Bbm7)Whoa!

The (Bbm7)ghet to, talk in’ ’bout (Eb9)the ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to, talk in’ ’bout (Eb9)the ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to, talk in’ ’bout (Eb9)the ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to, talk in’ ’bout (Eb9)the ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to, talk in’ ’bout (Eb9)the ghet to.

The (Bbm7)ghet to, talk in’ ’bout (Eb9)the ghet to.

The Ghetto by Donny Hathaway — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Ghetto” by Donny Hathaway 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 Db at 100 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 "The Ghetto" 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 "The Ghetto"?: 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 "The Ghetto" use?: Just 3 chords: Bbm7, Eb, Eb9. Few enough that a child can recognize them quickly.
What other Donny Hathaway songs work for kids?: Try "SOMEDAY WE'LL ALL BE FREE", "THIS CHRISTMAS", "This Christmas". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.