Billie Eilish - Getting Older
Hello! Below you'll find my "Getting Older" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This is the opener on Billie Eilish's record "Happier Than Ever." On the record it is played on a synthesizer, but it sounds great on piano.
Enjoy!
Getting Older Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Getting Older:
Getting Older Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
Bb Dm/A Gm Bb/F Eb
Bb Dm/A Gm Bb/F Eb
[Verse 1]
(Gm/D) Bb Dm/A
I'm gettin' older, I think I'm agin' well
Gm Bb/F Eb
I wish someone had told me I'd be doin' this by myself
(Gm/D) Bb
There's reasons that I'm thankful
Dm/A
There's a lot I'm grateful for
Gm Bb/F
But it's different when a stranger's always waitin'
Gm Bb/F
But it's different when a stranger's always waitin'
Eb
At your door
(Gm/D) Cm
Which is ironic 'cause the strangers
(Gm/D) Cm
Which is ironic 'cause the strangers
F
Seem to want me more
Bb Ab Gm
Than anyone before (Anyone before)
Cm Ebm
Too bad they're usually deranged
Bb Dm/A
Last week, I realized I crave pity
Gm Bb/F Eb
When I re-tell a story, I make everything sound worse
(Gm/D) Bb Dm/A
Can't shake the feeling that I'm just bad at healing
Gm
And maybe that's the reason
Bb Ab Gm
Than anyone before (Anyone before)
Cm Ebm
Too bad they're usually deranged
Bb Dm/A
Last week, I realized I crave pity
Gm Bb/F Eb
When I re-tell a story, I make everything sound worse
(Gm/D) Bb Dm/A
Can't shake the feeling that I'm just bad at healing
Gm
And maybe that's the reason
Bb/F Eb
Every sentence sounds rehearsed
(Gm/D) Cm F
Which is ironic because when I wasn't honest
Bb Ab Gm
I was still bein' ignored (Lyin' for attention
(Gm/D) Cm F
Which is ironic because when I wasn't honest
Bb Ab Gm
I was still bein' ignored (Lyin' for attention
Cmadd9
Just to get neglection)
Ebm
Now we're estranged
Ebm
Now we're estranged
[Chorus]
Bb Dm/A Gm
Things I once enjoyed
Bb/F Eb (Gm/D)
Just keep me employed now
Bb Dm/A Gm
Things I'm longing for
Bb/F Eb
Someday, I'll be bored of
(Gm/D) Cm F Bb Ab Gm
It's so weeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiird
Cmadd9 Ebm
That we care so much, until we don't
That we care so much, until we don't
[Verse 2]
Bb Dm/A
I'm gettin' older, I've got more on my shoulders
Gm Bb/F Eb
But I'm gettin' better at admitting when I'm wrong
(Gm/D) Bb Dm/A
I'm happier than ever, at least, that's my endeavor
Gm Bb/F Eb
To keep myself together and prioritize my pleasure
Cm F
'Cause to be honest, I just wished the word I promised
Bb Ab Gm
Would depend on what I'm givin' (Not on his permission)
Bb Dm/A
I'm gettin' older, I've got more on my shoulders
Gm Bb/F Eb
But I'm gettin' better at admitting when I'm wrong
(Gm/D) Bb Dm/A
I'm happier than ever, at least, that's my endeavor
Gm Bb/F Eb
To keep myself together and prioritize my pleasure
Cm F
'Cause to be honest, I just wished the word I promised
Bb Ab Gm
Would depend on what I'm givin' (Not on his permission)
Gm Cmadd9 Ebm
(Wasn't my decision) To be abused
(Wasn't my decision) To be abused
[Chorus]
Bb Dm/A Gm
Things I once enjoyed
Bb/F Eb (Gm/D)
Just keep me employed now
Bb Dm/A Gm
Things I'm longing for
Bb/F Eb
Someday, I'll be bored of
(Gm/D) Cm F Bb Ab Gm
It's so weeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiird
Cmadd9 Ebm
That we care so much, until we don't
[Outro]
Bb Dm/A
But next week, I hope I'm somewhere laughin'
Gm Bb/F Eb
For anybody asking, I promise I'll be fine
(Gm/D) Bb Dm/A
I've had some trauma, did things I didn't wanna
Gm Bb/F (no chord)
Was too afraid to tell ya, but now, I think it's time
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Getting Older Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Getting Older" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Getting Older" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
