If you are looking for accurate bass tabs and sheet music for how to play “When You Were Young” by The Killers on bass, prepare for a serious test of stamina and consistency. Bassist Mark Stoermer powers this anthemic track with relentless eighth notes, driving the song forward beneath its huge, soaring guitars. Below, you will find the officially licensed sheet music, my Session Notes on maintaining endurance and control, and a timestamped breakdown to help you practice along with the original track.
Get the Accurate When You Were Young Bass Transcription (PDF & Sheet Music)
Feel free to just jump straight in to the tab and sheet music at the links below, but make sure you come back to check out my session notes on tone, technique, and the song’s breakdown!
👉 Download from Sheet Music Direct
👉 Download from Sheet Music Plus
👉 Download from MuseScore
👉 Download from Musicnotes
You can also find our sheet music for sale in over 5,000 Hal Leonard InStore digital retailers with print-on-demand options available (availability may vary per store)!
Affiliate Note: This page may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full details on affiliate links, please see the Affiliate Link Policy.
Listen To The Original Track
Before you dive into the sheet music, press play below and pay close attention to how Mark Stoermer drives the song with relentless eighth notes, keeping everything locked in while subtly lifting the energy as the track builds into those huge, anthemic choruses.
Song Structure:
Before getting into the song structure below, it is worth noting that the above is the music video which has an extended intro of about about 1:29 before the song actually starts, so I have based the timings on the studio version of the song (pasted below the song structure for reference as well).
- 0:00 – Intro: The track kicks off with a massive wall of sound. Lock your pick attack right in with Ronnie Vannucci’s kick drum to establish that driving, anthemic energy immediately.
- 0:19 – Verse 1: The dynamics drop significantly here. Keep your eighth notes consistent and tight, holding the tension underneath the vocals while the guitars pull back.
- 0:33 – Chorus 1: The massive chord progression opens up. Dig in with your pick and let your high-mids ring out to support the soaring vocal melody.
- 0:48 – Verse 2: Transition back into the tighter, verse groove. Maintain your stamina.
- 1:03 – Chorus 2: Back to the huge, driving progression. Make sure you are planting down firmly on the root notes to give the chorus its massive weight.
- 1:24 – Bridge: The rhythm shifts. Pay close attention to the syncopated hits and the heavy, grounded roots that anchor the swirling guitars.
- 1:34 – Guitar Solo 1: An absolute endurance test. The bass has to pump relentlessly here to keep the momentum driving forward underneath the soaring guitar lead.
- 1:55 – Synth Bridge: A massive dynamic drop. The bass steps back here. Let the synths and vocals breathe.
- 2:11 – Interlude: The tension starts building back up. Lock back in with the snare and kick drum as the band prepares for the final push.
- 2:18 – Guitar Solo 2: The energy explodes again. Keep your right hand relaxed but aggressive; do not let your timing drag as fatigue sets in.
- 2:33 – Chorus 3: The climax of the song. Play with absolute conviction. Your overdriven tone needs to glue the frantic drums and the massive wall of guitars together perfectly.
- 3:10 – Chorus Refrain: Pushing toward the finish line. The rhythm stays relentless, driving the anthemic feel right to the end.
- 3:24 – Outro: The final heavy, syncopated stabs. Hit these with maximum pick attack and let the final chord ring out.
Song Information
Title: When You Were Young
Artist: The Killers
Album: Sam’s Town
Bassist: Mark Stoermer
Difficulty: Beginner
Tuning: Half-Step Down Tuning
Key: B Major
Tempo: 130
Bass Diary Entry: Plastic Guitars and Real Memories
There is a specific kind of magic found in the mid-2000s indie-rock explosion, and “When You Were Young” by The Killers sits right at the throne. Released in 2006 as the lead single from Sam’s Town, it swapped the glittering synths of Hot Fuss for a dusty, Americana-infused roar.
For me, this song isn’t just an arena-rock anthem; it’s a time machine. Whenever I hear that iconic opening, I’m immediately transported back to my childhood bedroom. My sister and I spent countless hours huddled around my TV, plastic Guitar Hero and Rock Band instruments in hand, trying to conquer this track.
The best part? The synth bridge. Every single time that section hit, we’d look at each other and start hammering the whammy bars on those plastic guitars just to make the pitch shift and sound absolutely awful. We’d dissolve into fits of laughter, intentionally ruining the “epic” moment of the song. It’s funny to think that those goofy sessions were the precursor to the short-lived “proper” band we started together a few years later. Even now, when I hear Brandon Flowers sing about “burning down the highway skyline,” I can’t help but smile thinking of those plastic drums and that terrible, whammy-warped synth sound.
From a bass perspective, Mark Stoermer provides the literal heartbeat of this track. While the guitars provide the “wall of sound,” the bass provides the forward motion. It is a gruelling exercise in eighth-note consistency, requiring a steady hand and a great deal of stamina to keep the energy from flagging during those soaring choruses.
Session Notes: Tone & Technique
The Groove & Harmony
While “Mr. Brightside” is a sprint, “When You Were Young” is a marathon of power. The beauty of this bass line lies in its cinematic simplicity and how it anchors the shifting harmony.
- The Root-Note Foundation: Stoermer primarily sticks to driving root notes, but his placement is crucial for maintaining the song’s “gallop” feel.
- The Pedal Point: During the iconic guitar intro and the choruses, the bass provides a solid floor that allows the soaring guitar melodies to feel untethered and epic.
- Harmonic Movement: While the guitar chords are lush, the bass keeps the movement grounded in B Major, providing the necessary tension and release during the “He doesn’t look a thing like Jesus” bridge.
- Dynamics: In my professional transcriptions, I emphasize the dynamic shifts—moving from a subtle, controlled pulse in the verses to an all-out roar in the final chorus.
Emulating the Indie Rock Tone
Mark Stoermer’s tone on Sam’s Town is broader and “dustier” than the neon-drenched sound of Hot Fuss. You want a tone that sounds like a desert sunrise—massive, warm, and slightly gritty.
- EQ Balance: Boost your low-mids (around 400Hz) to give the bass “girth,” but keep the highs present enough to hear the pick hitting the strings for that signature “clank.”ory of a classic track like this—did a video game or a family moment change how you hear the music?
- Heavy Pick Attack: Just like our “Mr. Brightside” session, a pick is essential. Use consistent downstrokes to create a percussive, driving sound that mimics a second kick drum.
- Precision is Key: If you have a Fender Precision Bass, now is the time to plug it in. The “P-Bass” mid-range “honk” is exactly what’s needed to cut through the wall of guitars without muddying the mix.
- Tube Saturation: Don’t go for full-blown fuzz. Instead, use a transparent overdrive or a tube-preamp setting (like a SansAmp or Boss ODB-3) to add “hair” to the notes. It should sound clean when played lightly and break up when you dig in.
Get the Official Sheet Music
You’ve made it this far, so don’t settle for “close enough” tabs that often miss the nuances that make a bass line groove.
This When You Were Young bass transcription is the result of hours of deep listening and research, ensuring you’re playing exactly what’s on the record.
Whether you’re prepping for a session or mastering your favourite tracks at home, get the professional edge with our officially licensed sheet music that ensures songwriters and performers are respected.
👉 Download from Sheet Music Direct
👉 Download from Sheet Music Plus
👉 Download from MuseScore
👉 Download from Musicnotes
Affiliate Note: This page may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full details on affiliate links, please see the Affiliate Link Policy.
Explore More Bass Tabs
Mastered When You Were Young and want to learn more?
👉 More from The Killers
👉 More from The Bass Diaries Officially Licensed Sheet Music Collection
