Piano chords · Old-time stride
How to play Back To The Earth on piano
Written by Jason Mraz, Becky Gebhardt & others
- G major
- 4/4
- 152 BPM
- I–V–IV–I loop
- 2014
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Back To The Earth in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – D – C – G
How it goes
Back To The Earth sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; D is D, F# and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIDVCIVGI- GG · B · D
- DD · F# · A
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Oom-pah
How it goes
A bass note, then three soft chords: oom, pah, pah, pah. Musicians call it bass + chords (stride & boom-chick), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Late-knock chords
How it goes
One chord, a long wait, then a quick knock-knock at the end. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 152 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: G – C – G
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
GCG
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Questions about Back To The Earth
What chords are in Back To The Earth?
The loop is G – D – C – G (I – V – IV – I) in G major, and the song ends on G – C – G.
What key is Back To The Earth in?
G major, at about 152 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Back To The Earth?
Oom-pah: bass + chords, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Back To The Earth easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.