Super Simple Piano

Powderfinger

Neil Young · Key of G · Medium

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Plug in your piano by USB or Bluetooth. The song waits for you until you hit the right notes. Slow it down, loop any bars, play one hand at a time.

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Powderfinger — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along

About “Powderfinger”

Free karaoke for "Powderfinger" by Neil Young: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. Key of G, 120 BPM.

24 people have learned this song

Lyrics
Lyrics

(G)Look out, Ma ma, there’s a (C)white boat com in’ up the (G)riv er,

with a (C)big red bea con and a flag and a man on the rail.

I think you (C)bet ter call John ’cause it don’t look like they’re here to de (Bm)liv er

the mail.

And it’s (Bm7)less than a mile a way.

I (Bm7)hope they did n’t come to stay.

It’s got (Bm7)num bers on the side and a (Cmaj7)gun, and it’s mak in’ big (D)waves.

(G)Dad dy’s gone and my broth (C)er’s out hunt in’ in the (G)moun tains.

with Big (C)John’s been drink in’ since the riv er a took Em my Lou.

I So the (C)pow ers that be left me here look to they’re do the de (Bm)think in’.

the mail.

And I (Bm7)just than turned mile ty two.

I (Bm7)was won der in’ what to do.

And the (Bm7)clos er they the got, and the (Cmaj7)more those it’s feel in’ in’s (D)grew.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence moving between major and minor shapes in the key of G, and the octave bass pattern in your left hand will really strengthen your reach and timing at a steady 120 BPM.

Pay close attention to the Bm-to-Bm7 shift — it's subtle, just lifting one finger — but rushing it is the most common stumble I see, so isolate that transition slowly before speeding up.

Your right hand needs to stay relaxed through the C-to-Cmaj7 voice leading too; let that major seventh note ring naturally rather than punching it.

I'd suggest practicing hands separately for the first few run-throughs, locking in that left-hand octave pulse until it feels automatic, then layering the chords on top.

Once both hands are together, loop the verse section at around 90 BPM before pushing to full tempo.

The dramatic feel comes from steady, confident rhythm — not volume — so keep your dynamics controlled and let the chord colors do the emotional work.

This is the kind of song that truly cements smooth minor-to-major transitions you'll use constantly.

Questions about this song (11)
What key is "Powderfinger" by Neil Young played in?
Powderfinger is arranged in the key of G on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Powderfinger"?
The arrangement plays at 120 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Powderfinger" 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 "Powderfinger"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Powderfinger"?
"Powderfinger" was originally performed by Neil Young. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Powderfinger"?
This arrangement uses 6 chords: Bm, Bm7, C, Cmaj7, D, G.
What other songs by Neil Young can I play here?
Try "OLD MAN", "DOWN BY THE RIVER", "OUT ON THE WEEKEND". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is there a karaoke version of "Powderfinger" with lyrics?
Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "Powderfinger" by Neil Young. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
Can I change the key of "Powderfinger" to match my voice or capo?
Yes. The original is in G, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
Can I slow "Powderfinger" down to learn the words and chords?
Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.
Other versions of Powderfinger