Garden Party

by Ricky Nelson
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Lyrics

I (D)went to a gar den par ty to rem i (D)nisce with my old friends,

a (D)chance to (A)share old (Bm)mem o ries there was and play our (G6)songs a gain.

When I got to the gar den par ty,

I (D)they all knew my name,

When but (D)no one rec og nized lan’s me,

I did n’t (Em7)look the same.

But it’s (G)al (A)right (D)now,

I (G)learned my (A)les son (D)well.

You see, you can’t please (D)ev ’ry one, so you got to (Em7)please your self.

(D)Peo came for miles a round, songs, to rem I (D)ev ’ry one was there.

a (D)Yo ko (A)brought her (Bm)wal in’ rus, there was we mag ic (G6)in the air.

If And o ver at in the cor ner,

I (D)much to my sur prise,

When I (D)Mis ter Hughes hid in ky shoes,

I’d wear ing (Em7)his dis guise.

But it’s (G)al (A)right (D)now,

I (G)learned my (A)les son (D)well.

You see, you can’t please (D)ev ’ry one, so you got to (Em7)please your self.

3.

(D)played them a all the old songs, to rem and (D)thought that’s why they came;

a (D)no one (A)heard the (Bm)mu in’ sic, there was and did n’t (G6)look the same.

If I said hel at lo to “Mar Lou,”

I (D)she be longs to me.

When but (D)sang a song ’bout a I tonk,

I’d it was (Em7)time to leave.

But it’s (G)al (A)right (D)now,

I (G)learned my (A)les son (D)well.

You see, you can’t please (D)ev ’ry one, so you got to (Em7)please your self.

3.

4.

one

I (D)opened up a clos et door, songs, to rem and (D)out stepped John ny Good,

a (D)play gui (A)tar like (Bm)ring in’ bell, there was and look in’ (G6)like he should.

If you got play at gar den par ties,

I (D)wish you a of luck,

When but (D)mem o ries were all I sang,

I’d rath er (Em7)drive a truck.

But it’s (G)al (A)right (D)now,

I (G)learned my (A)les son (D)well.

You see, you can’t please (D)ev ’ry one, so you got to (Em7)please your self.

3.

4.

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Garden Party by Ricky Nelson

3 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of D at 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium. 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 “Garden Party”

What key is "Garden Party" in?
"Garden Party" by Ricky Nelson is in the key of D with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Garden Party" 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 "Garden Party" 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 "Garden Party"?
This arrangement of "Garden Party" uses 6 chords: A, Bm, D, Em7, G, G6.
How long does it take to learn "Garden Party" 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 Ricky Nelson can I play here?
Try "TRAVELIN' MAN", "HELLO MARY LOU", "LONESOME TOWN". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.