Frank Sinatra - It Was a Very Good Year Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar Dm chord diagram
Guitar D# | E♭ chord diagram
Guitar F chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar C chord diagram
[Opening]
When I was [Dm]seventeen it was a [D#]very good year,
It was a [Dm]very good year
For [F]small town girls and [D#]soft summer nights.
We’d [D]hide from the lights
On the [C]village green when I was [D]seventeen.
[verse 2]
When I was [Dm]twentyone, it was a [D#]very good year,
It was a [Dm]very good year
For [F]city girls who [D#]lived up the stair,
With [D]perfumed hair
That [C]came undone, when I was [D]twenty-one.
[verse 3]
When I was [Dm]thirty-five it was a [Dm]very good year,
It was a [Dm]very good year
For [F]blue blooded girls of [D#]independant means.
We’d [D]ride in limousines
Their [C]chauffeurs would drive when I was [D]thirty-five.
[Closing]
But now the [Dm]days are short, I’m in the [D#]autumn of the year,
And now I [Dm]think of my life
As vint[F]age wine from [D#]old kegs,
From the [D]brim to the dregs
It poured [C]sweet and clear; it was a [D]very good year!
How to play It Was a Very Good Year on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Frank Sinatra - It Was a Very Good Year on guitar requires 5 chords and 6 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓↑-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
It Was a Very Good Year uses these transitions most often: C → D (4), D → C (4), and D# → D (4). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with Dm - D# chord transition.
1. Dm → D# chord transition
To move from Dm to D#;
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on D string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 3.
- Place pinky on B string fret 4.
2. Dm → F chord transition
To move from Dm to F;
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
3. F → D# chord transition
To move from F to D#;
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on D string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 3.
- Slide your pinky from D string fret 3 to B string fret 4.
4. D# → D chord transition
To move from D# to D;
- While playing D#, lift your pinky from B string fret 4.
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 3 and place it on B string fret 3.
5. D → C chord transition
To move from D to C;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 3 and place it on A string fret 3.
6. D → Dm chord transition
To move from D to Dm;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on B string fret 3.
It Was a Very Good Year chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in It Was a Very Good Year.
- It Was a Very Good Year includes 29 chord transitions, 6 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- It Was a Very Good Year contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how It Was a Very Good Year connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After Dm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (18%), G (16%), and Am (14%).
- Dm → F: 14%
- Dm → D#: 0%
After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).- D → C: 14%
- D → Dm: 1%