Tough Little Boys

by Gary Allan
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Lyrics

(D)I nev er once backed as (Dmaj7)down from a punch,

well, (D7)I’d take it square on the chin.

Well, (Gm)I found out fast

a (Bm)bul ly’s just that.

can (Em7)You’ve got to stand up to him.

So, (D)I did n’t cry when I (Dmaj7)got a black eye.

As (D7)bad as it hurt, I just (G)grinned.

But when (Gm)tough lit tle boys

grow (D)up to be dads, (D)they turn (Em7)in to big ba bies a gain.

Well, (Bm)Scared me to death

when you (G)took your first steps.

Well, I’d (D)fall ev ’ry time you fell (D)down.

And your (Bm)first day of school

I (G)cried like a fool and I (Em7)fol lowed your school bus to town.

Well, (D)I did n’t cry

when (Dmaj7)Old Yel ler died,

at (D7)least not in front of my (G)friends.

But when (Gm)tough lit tle boys grow (D)up to be dads, (D)they turn in to big ba bies a gain.

Well, (D)I’m a grown man, but as (Dmaj7)strong as I am,

well, (D7)some times it’s hard to be lieve

how (Gm)one lit tle girl

with (Bm)lit tle blonde curls can (Em7)to tal ly ter ri fy me.

If (D)you were to ask, my I (Dmaj7)wife would just laugh,

she’d (D7)say an old law a bout (G)men

and how (Gm)tough lit tle boys grow (D)up to be dads, (D)they turn (Em7)in to big ba bies a gain.

Well, (Bm)I know one day I’ll you (G)give you a way Well, and (D)I’m gon na stand there and (D)smile.

And But (Bm)when I get home and (G)I’m all a lone, well, I’ll (Em7)sit in your room for a while.

Well, (D)I did n’t cry

when (Dmaj7)Old Yel ler died,

at (D7)least not in front of my (G)friends.

But when (Gm)tough lit tle boys grow (D)up to be dads, (D)they turn in to big ba bies a gain.

Well,

When (G)tough lit tle boys grow (D)up to be dads,

they turn (Em9)in to big ba bies a (D)gain.

Tough Little Boys by Gary Allan

Easy piano arrangement in the key of D at 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Tough Little Boys

What key is "Tough Little Boys" in?
"Tough Little Boys" by Gary Allan is in the key of D with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Tough Little Boys" 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 "Tough Little Boys" 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 "Tough Little Boys"?
This arrangement of "Tough Little Boys" uses 12 chords: A, A7, Bm, D, D7, Dmaj7, Em7, Em9, +4 more.
How long does it take to learn "Tough Little Boys" 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 Gary Allan can I play here?
Try "EVERY STORM", "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL", "Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

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