What key is "American Child" in?

"American Child" by Phil Vassar is in the key of D with a tempo of 99 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "American Child" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "American Child" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "American Child"?

This arrangement of "American Child" uses 11 chords: A, Asus4, Bb, Bm, C, D, Em7, F, +3 more.

How long does it take to learn "American Child" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Phil Vassar can I play here?

Try "THAT'S WHEN I LOVE YOU", "LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I was (Gsus2)ten, I was thin, I was (Em7)play in’ first (D)base with a (Gsus2)sec ond hand (D)glove and (Em7)dirt on my (A)face in (Gsus2)No where, Vir gin ia.

(Em7)Who’d ev er (D)fig ure that (C)kid in the yard would (Asus)go ver y far.

’Cause (D)four nine pounds, teen Lake wood had (D)no sil ver spoons.

Just an old beat up my up right that (Em7)played out of tune.

Now I’m (Gsus2)sing in’ and (D)liv in’ the life that I love.

And when I count my (G)bless ings, I (Asus)thank God I (A)was an A mer i can (Em7)child,

an A mer i can (Em7)child.

’Cause (Bm)dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A mer i can (D)child.

(D)Sev en pounds, teen three ounc es, (D)she’s got my nose.

And she’s old to up my heart right as (Em7)deep as it goes.

With a (Gsus2)prom ise that’s (D)more than just some one’s last name.

And when I y one’s (G)e qual, in (Asus)late Au gust (A)came an A mer i can (Em7)child,

an A mer i can (Em7)child.

’Cause (Bm)dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A mer i can (D)child.

(Bm)dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A mer i can (Bm)child.

My (Bb)grand fa ther (F)would have been (C)eight y to day,

but (Bb)in for ty five, he (Asus)fell down be side an A mer i can (Em7)child,

an A mer i can (Em7)child,

oh, (A)whoa, an A mer i can (Em7)child.

’Cause dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A (A)mer i can (D)child.

Oh, an A mer i can (Em7)child,

whoa, whoa, whoa.

American Child by Phil Vassar

3 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of D at 99 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “American Child”

What key is "American Child" in?: "American Child" by Phil Vassar is in the key of D with a tempo of 99 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "American Child" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "American Child" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "American Child"?: This arrangement of "American Child" uses 11 chords: A, Asus4, Bb, Bm, C, D, Em7, F, +3 more.
How long does it take to learn "American Child" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Phil Vassar can I play here?: Try "THAT'S WHEN I LOVE YOU", "LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.