Billie Eilish - When I Was Older Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to D# key to play this song with easier chords.
Guitar Bm chord diagram
Guitar F# | G♭ chord diagram
Guitar G chord diagram
[chorus]
[Bm] [F#] [G] [F#]
[Bm]When I was [F#]older
I was a [G]sailor, on an open [F#]sea
[Bm]But now I’m [F#]underwater, and my skin is [G]paler
Than it should ever [F#]be, [Bm]hmm
[Opening]
[Bm]I’m on my back [F#]again, dreaming of a time and place
Where you and [G]I remain the best of friends
Even after all this [F#]ends
[verse 2]
Can we pretend, [Bm]I’m on my,
I’m on my back [F#]again
It’s seeming more and more
Like all we ever [G]do is see how far it bends
Before it breaks in half and [F#]then
We bend it back again
[verse 3]
[Bm]Guess I got caught in the middle of it
Yes I’ve been taught, got a little of it
In my [F#]blood, in my blood
[G]Memories burn like a forest fire
Heavy rain turns any funeral pyre to [F#]mud, in the flood
[chorus]
[Bm]When I was [F#]older
I was a [G]sailor, on an open [F#]sea
[Bm]But now I’m [F#]underwater, and my skin is [G]paler
Than it should ever [F#]be, [Bm]hmm
[verse 4]
[Bm]I’m watching movies back to back.
In black and white, I never
seen anybody do it like I do it any better
[F#]Then going over you, I’m, overdue for no endeavors
[verse 5]
Nobody lonely like I’m lonely and I don’t know whether
[G]You’d really like it in the limelight
[verse 6]
You’d sympathize with all the bad guys
[F#]I’m still a victim in my own right
But I’m the villain in my own eyes, yeah
[Closing]
[Bm]When I was [F#]older,
I was a [G]sailor, on an open [F#]sea
How to play When I Was Older on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Billie Eilish - When I Was Older on guitar requires 3 chords and 2 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.
When I Was Older uses these transitions most often: Bm → F# (10), F# → G (10), and G → F# (10). 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 Bm - F# chord transition.
1. Bm → F# chord transition
To move from Bm to F#;
- Keep index finger on E string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from B string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 3.
- Slide your ring finger from D string fret 4 to A string fret 4.
- Lift your pinky from G string fret 4 and place it on D string fret 4.
2. F# → G chord transition
To move from F# to G;
- While playing F#, lift your pinky from D string fret 4.
- Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 3 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from A string fret 4 and place it on E string fret 3.
When I Was Older chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in When I Was Older.
- When I Was Older includes 39 chord transitions, 2 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.01% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how When I Was Older connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After F#, the most likely next chords across Chordier are B (19%), Bm (15%), and E (13%).
- F# → Bm: 15%
- F# → G: 10%
After Bm, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (25%), A (19%), and Em (13%).- Bm → F#: 1%