We Are Young: Piano Sheet

Dan Coates has stripped away unnecessary complexity without sacrificing the song's infectious energy, making this a genuinely playable arrangement for pianists who want to capture a current pop hit. The left-hand accompaniment pattern sits comfortably under intermediate fingers while the right-hand melody stays singable and clear, so students get the satisfaction of sounding polished without months of preparation.

Bright, optimistic, and surprisingly buoyant. The song channels youthful confidence without being saccharine; there's real joy in the melody and harmony. Even in this simplified form, it maintains the original's celebratory spirit and the kind of melodic catchiness that makes you want to play it again immediately.

Piano students in the easy-to-intermediate range who want to play music that matters to them right now. This arrangement also works for teachers looking to bridge the gap between classical training and contemporary pop repertoire, or for pianists in worship or school settings where current hits are part of the expectation.

• Keep the left-hand chords rhythmic and light; they're meant to propel the song forward, not anchor it like a ballad. Think groove, not weight.
• The melody in the right hand should feel conversational and slightly playful. This song thrives on personality, not precision.
• If performing with a vocalist, stay flexible with tempo and breathe together; the original recording has a natural swagger that can shift slightly in live performance.
• Balance the dynamics so the melody never gets buried by the left-hand patterns, especially in the chorus where both hands are active.

Slot this into a pop or contemporary music unit to show students that arranging isn't just about transposition and voicing. The Coates version demonstrates how to preserve a song's essence while making it accessible. It also works as a bridge piece in recitals, giving students a chance to perform something their peers actually know and love.

• Pop chord voicing and left-hand accompaniment patterns
• Playing melody with independence from the accompaniment
• Rhythmic precision in contemporary idioms
• Dynamic control to keep melody audible in fuller textures