I Try

by Macy Gray
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Sing this song instead — backing track for “I Try”
Backing track + lyrics — toggle the vocal, change the key, practice singing over piano.

Other arrangements of I Try

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Sheet MusicBar NotationSimple SheetLead SheetKaraoke · LyricsEasy NotesFalling Notes
Also available as a piano backing track
Sheet Music · BackingBar Notation · BackingKaraoke · LyricsFalling Notes · Backing
Lyrics

Games, chang es and fears;

when will they (Em)go from here?

When (CN.C.)will they stop?

I be lieve that (D)fate

has brought us here

and we should be to (Em7)geth er, babe,

but we’re not.

I play it off but I’m dream ing of you.

And I’ll keep my cool but I’m fiend in’.

I try to say good (D)bye and I choke.

I try to walk a (Asus)way and I stum ble.

Though I try to (Em7)hide it, it’s clear my world (G)crum bles when you are not near.

Good (D)bye and I choke.

I try to walk a (Asus)way and I stum ble.

Though I try to (Em7)hide it, it’s clear my world (G)crum bles when you are not near.

I may ap pear to be free

but I’m just a (Em)pris on er

of your (CN.C.)love.

And I may seem al (D)right and smile when you (A)leave but my smiles are just a front,

just a front

And I play it off but I’m dream ing of you.

And I’ll keep my cool but I’m fiend in’.

I try to say good

Here is my con fes sion.

May I be your pos ses sion?

Boy, I need your touch, your love, kiss es and (C7)such.

With all my might I try but this I can’t de ny,

de ny.

I play it off but I’m dream ing of you.

And I’ll keep my cool but I’m fiend in’.

I (Bb)try to say good (Eb)bye and I choke.

Try to walk a (Bbsus)way and I stum ble.

Though I try to (Fm7)hide it, it’s clear, my world (Ab)crum bles when you are not near.

Good (Eb)bye and I choke.

Try to walk a (Bbsus)way and I stum ble.

Though I try to (Fm7)hide it, it’s clear, my world (Ab)crum bles when you are not near.

Good (Eb)bye and I choke.

Try to walk a (Bbsus)way and I stum ble.

Though I try to (Fm7)hide it, it’s clear, my world (Ab)crum bles when you are not near.

I Try — Classic Piano Sheet Music

10 people have learned this song

Read "I Try" by Macy Gray in classic piano notation — both hands, real chords + notes, in the published key of D. Engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML; click any note to jump there as the score follows along at 90 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

Try other practice modes:

Falling NotesBeginnerLead SheetBar SheetSimple SheetKaraoke

About “I Try”

Is this the same engraved sheet music a piano teacher would print for "I Try"?
Yes — the score is rendered server-side from the publisher MusicXML using Verovio (the same engine RISM and OpenScore use). Standard piano notation, treble + bass staves, real chord symbols, key signature D. Print-quality and identical to what you'd see in a printed piano book.
What key is "I Try" by Macy Gray played in?
I Try is arranged in the key of D on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "I Try"?
The arrangement plays at 90 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "I Try" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "I Try"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "I Try"?
"I Try" was originally performed by Macy Gray. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "I Try"?
This arrangement uses 19 chords: A, A7, Ab, Am7, Asus4, Bb, Bbsus4, Bm7, +11 more.
What other songs by Macy Gray can I play here?
Try "I Try". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is this the same notation a piano teacher would hand me?
Yes — "I Try" is rendered at engraver quality (the Verovio engine, the same toolkit RISM and OpenScore editions use) from the original publisher MusicXML. You get standard piano notation: treble + bass clefs, key signature D, time signature, beams, dynamics — everything a printed sheet music book would have. Great for piano students learning to read music properly.
What's the difference between Sheet Music and the other modes here?
Sheet Music is the "classic" view — the one your piano teacher uses. Other modes (Beginner, Fall Down, Simple Sheet, Lead Sheet) trade real notation for color-coded notes and falling shapes to help absolute beginners. Use Sheet Music once you're ready to read both hands at once from real notation.
Can I practice from this view at my own pace?
Yes — slow the tempo from 90 BPM down (or up) without changing the pitch. The score scrolls in time and the currently playing note is highlighted, so you can drill a tough bar at half speed and bump it up once it feels comfortable.
Why can I click a note in the score?
Every notehead is interactive. Click and the audio jumps to that moment so you can drill a specific phrase or bar instead of replaying from the top. The currently playing note is highlighted as the music advances so your eye never loses its place.
Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?
Yes — Sheet Music PDF is one of the download formats for this song. The engraved score prints page-perfect on A4 / Letter so you can practice from paper as well as on screen.