Artist

Elvis Costello piano songs

7 songs by Elvis Costello, each opened like a recipe: the chords, what each hand plays and how it ends. Mostly played as pop piano, blues and boogie-woogie piano and waltz piano.

SheElvis Costello

God Give Me StrengthElvis Costello

AlisonWritten by Elvis Costello

Broken Promise LandWritten by Elvis Costello

Every Elvis Costello song

SheC major · 4/4 · I–biiio–IV–I
God Give Me StrengthC major · 3/4 · vi–I–IV–vi
AlisonE major · 4/4 · IV–iii–vi–V
Broken Promise LandE minor · 4/4 · i–bVII–i–bVI
Everyday I Write The BookC# minor · 4/4 · v–bVI–bVII–bIII
Oliver’s ArmyA major · 4/4 · I–IV–V–I
ShipbuildingG major · 4/4 · IV–V–IV–V

How Elvis Costello is played

Pop pianoThe bounce under a thousand radio hits.
Blues and boogie-woogie pianoSwinging left hands from the 1950s.
Waltz pianoOne strong beat and two light ones.
The vi–I–IV–vi loop25 songs use it
The I–IV–V–I loop215 songs use it
The IV–V–IV–V loop96 songs use it

Questions about Elvis Costello on piano

What are the easiest Elvis Costello songs to play on piano?

Start with She, God Give Me Strength and Alison: their left hands are easy patterns, and the chords repeat.

What keys are Elvis Costello songs in?

Most often C major, E major and E minor.

Which chord progressions do Elvis Costello songs use?

vi–I–IV–vi, I–IV–V–I and IV–V–IV–V come up most: learn them and many of these songs are within reach.