When I Was Your Man Cover Image

When I Was Your Man: Piano/Vocal/Guitar Sheet

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When I Was Your Man Cover Image

When I Was Your Man: Piano/Vocal/Guitar Sheet

Words and music by Philip Lawrence, Andrew Wyatt, Bruno Mars, and Ari Levine / recorded by Bruno Mars

Item: 00-41395

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Description
Pianists of all ages want to play this soulful, piano-based ballad, making it one of the most in-demand sheet music titles of our time---a natural bestseller! With this song, global superstar Bruno Mars showcases his many talents as a singer, pianist, and co-writer. With this official sheet music, music makers can bring the song to life with a piano accompaniment that faithfully conveys what's played on the unforgettable Bruno Mars recording. The vocal melody is detailed on its own staff above the piano part, along with complete lyrics and chord fingering grids for optional guitar accompaniment.

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Additional Details
Series: Original Sheet Music Edition
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 6
ISBN10: 0-7390-9838-1
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-9838-7
UPC: 038081462882
SKU: 00-41395

More about this title

About the Composer: Philip Lawrence

Philip Lawrence is a songwriter and producer who has shaped the sound of modern pop music through his work with Bruno Mars and other major artists. His collaborations on "When I Was Your Man" and other Mars compositions demonstrate his gift for crafting emotionally direct ballads that resonate across generations of listeners.

Why we love this

This sheet music captures a song that genuinely moves singers and pianists alike. The arrangement stays true to the recording's piano-forward intimacy, giving accompanists room to shape the dynamics while vocalists have a clear, singable melody to support. Students gravitate toward repertoire that feels authentic and relevant to their lives, and this delivers both.

What to expect

The opening piano figures carry a bittersweet reflection, setting a tone that is vulnerable without being overwrought. As the song unfolds, the accompaniment deepens, creating space for the vocal narrative to unfold with honesty and restraint.

Who it's for

Pianists seeking accessible yet emotionally sophisticated popular music will find this essential. Vocalists looking for contemporary material with genuine emotional depth and singers who want to perform songs they hear on the radio will connect immediately with this piece.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the vocal line so it sits naturally above the piano texture without requiring the singer to strain; the song's power comes from restraint, not volume.
  • Use the chord grids to explore optional guitar voicings if your ensemble includes guitarists, but keep the guitar beneath the piano layer to preserve the original recording's intimate feel.
  • Shape the dynamics across the full six pages; this ballad needs breathing room and space to build emotion in the final sections.

How to use it

Include this in a contemporary music concert to bridge classical training with popular repertoire students actually want to play. It works beautifully as a solo feature for an accomplished vocalist paired with a pianist confident in popular music idioms, or as part of a mixed recital that showcases versatility across genres.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and interpreting chord symbols and guitar grids
  • Balancing vocal melody with piano accompaniment
  • Shaping dynamic arcs across a multi-page ballad form
  • Coordinating piano and optional guitar parts

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