Oct292019

Neil Young – Olden Days Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

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This is the chords of Olden Days by Neil Young on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
D G D G

[Verse 1]
D
Where have you been, my long-lost friend?
G
We haven’t talked since way back when
D
And how is life with your new love
G
I hope she’s something from above
A Bm
Something happened yesterday
D Dmaj7 G
I need to talk to you
A Bm
Now I’m finding out you moved away
D Dmaj7 G
I’m reaching out to you today

[Verse 2]
D
I saw you walking in the past
G
You said your love would always last
D
Then I saw you all alone
G
Said your heart had turned to stone
A Bm
Nothing matters anyway
D Dmaj7 G
I thought I heard her say to you
A Bm
Nothing matters anyway
D Dmaj7 G
Then she walked away from you
D G D G

[Bridge]
C Am
There was laughter in the air
D7 Fmaj7
The children all were there
C Em
Playing in the warming sun
F D7 G
Counting dreamers, one-by-one
D G D G

[Verse 4]
D
I’m living in the olden days
G
I found my friends along the way
D
Some are here with me right now
G
Some have disappeared somehow
A Bm
Where did all the people go?
D Dmaj7 G
Why did they fade away from me?
A Bm
They meant so much to me and now I know
D Dmaj7 G
That they’re here to stay in my heart

[Outro]
D G D G D

How to play Olden Days: key, chords and progression

Olden Days by Neil Young is centred on G major (one sharp: F♯). The song uses 11 chords: D, G, A, Bm, Dmaj7, C, Am, D7, Fmaj7, Em and F.

The progression the song keeps returning to is G – A – Bm – D (I – II – iii – V in G major). In solfa, that is doh – reh – mi – soh. Learn these 4 changes first and most of the song falls into place.

Beginner-friendly: almost every chord is an open chord on guitar, so you can play it without a capo or barre chords.