What key is "Dear Boy" in?

"Dear Boy" by Paul McCartney is in the key of E with a tempo of 140 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Dear Boy" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "Dear Boy" 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.

How long does it take to learn "Dear Boy" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Paul McCartney can I play here?

Try "MAYBE I'M AMAZED", "MAYBE I'M AMAZED", "I DON'T KNOW". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I guess you nev er (Em)knew, dear boy, what you had found.

I guess you nev er (Em)knew, dear boy, that she was just the cut est (B7)thing a round.

I guess you nev er (G)knew what (G)you had found, dear boy.

I guess you nev er (Em)saw, dear boy, that love was there.

And may be when you (Em)look too hard, dear boy, you nev er do be (B7)come a ware.

I guess you nev er (G)did be (G)come a ware, dear boy.

When I stepped in,

my (G)heart

was down

and out,

but her love (D)came (Am)through

and (G)brought me a (D)round,

(G)got me (D)up and a bout.

Fa do fa do fa (Em)do fa do fa (Em)do fa do.

(F#m7)Ah.

Fa (Em)do fa do fa (Em)do fa do fa (Em)do fa do.

(F#m7)Ah.

Do do do do (G)do do do do do do, dear boy.

When I

I hope you nev er (Em)know, dear boy, how much you missed,

and e ven when you (Em)fall in love, dear boy, it won’t be half as (B7)good as this.

I hope you nev er (G)know how (G)much you missed, dear boy,

(Bm)how much (G)you (F#dim)missed,

(B)yeah.

Fa (Em)da fa da fa (Em)da fa da fa (Am)fa fa fa ah (Em)ah.

Dear Boy by Paul McCartney

28 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of E at 140 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Learn how to accompany it· the chords and what each hand plays, on Super Simple Chords ↗

About “Dear Boy”

What key is "Dear Boy" in?: "Dear Boy" by Paul McCartney is in the key of E with a tempo of 140 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Dear Boy" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Dear Boy" 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.
How long does it take to learn "Dear Boy" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Paul McCartney can I play here?: Try "MAYBE I'M AMAZED", "MAYBE I'M AMAZED", "I DON'T KNOW". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.