Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Holding Back The Years on piano
Written by Mick Hucknell
- C major
- 4/4
- 88 BPM
- ii–V7–ii–V7 loop
- 1985
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Holding Back The Years in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – G7 – Dm – G7
How it goes
Holding Back The Years sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; G7 is G, B, D and F. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiG7V7DmiiG7V7- DmD · F · A
- G7G · B · D · F
- 2
Left hand: Patient seesaw
How it goes
Three low notes wait their turn, then one step up on beat 4. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-1-1-5 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 195 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Late-knock chords
How it goes
One chord, a long wait, then a quick knock-knock at the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 88 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Holding Back The Years
What chords are in Holding Back The Years?
The loop is Dm – G7 – Dm – G7 (ii – V7 – ii – V7) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Holding Back The Years in?
C major, at about 88 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Holding Back The Years?
Patient seesaw: root–fifth 1-1-1-5, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Holding Back The Years easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.