Neil Young - Helpless
Hello! Below you'll find my "Helpless" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This is one of my very favorite songs by Neil Young. It takes you on quite a journey. There are a lot of instruments on the recording, but it translates well to a solo piano arrangement - I even included some of Paul's amazing bass melodies for the left hand to play, but that's optional :)
Enjoy!
Helpless Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Helpless:
Helpless Chords & Lyrics
| D | A | G | G | X2
D A G
There is a town in north Ontario
D A G
With dream comfort memory to spare
D A G
And in my mind I still need a place to go
D A G
All my changes were there
D A G
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
D A G
Yellow moon on the rise
D A G
Big birds flying across the sky
D A G
Throwing shadows on our eyes, leave us
D A G
Helpless, helpless, helpless
D A G
Baby can you hear me now?
D A G
The chains are locked and tied across the door
D A G
Baby, sing with me some how
D A G
There is a town in north Ontario
D A G
With dream comfort memory to spare
D A G
And in my mind I still need a place to go
D A G
All my changes were there
D A G
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
D A G
Yellow moon on the rise
D A G
Big birds flying across the sky
D A G
Throwing shadows on our eyes, leave us
D A G
Helpless, helpless, helpless
D A G
Baby can you hear me now?
D A G
The chains are locked and tied across the door
D A G
Baby, sing with me some how
| D | A | G | G | X2
D A G
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
D A G
Yellow moon on the rise
D A G
Big birds flying across the sky
D A G
Throwing shadows on our eyes, leave us
D A G
Helpless, helpless, helpless (repeat and fade or end on G)
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
D A G
Yellow moon on the rise
D A G
Big birds flying across the sky
D A G
Throwing shadows on our eyes, leave us
D A G
Helpless, helpless, helpless (repeat and fade or end on G)
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.
Helpless 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 "Helpless" 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: "Helpless" 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.
