Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Can’t Stop on piano
By Ryan Tedder, Jeff Bhasker and Tyler Johnson
- A minor
- 4/4
- 90 BPM
- 2013
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Can’t Stop in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – C – F – F
How it goes
Can’t Stop sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIIICIIIFVIFVI- CC · E · G
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Butterfly heartbeat
How it goes
A quick fluttery group at the start, then a long glide to beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 89 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
How it goes
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 90 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: F – G – Am
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGAm- GG · B · D
- AmA · C · E
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Questions about Can’t Stop
What chords are in Can’t Stop?
The loop is C – C – F – F (III – VI – III – VI) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.
What key is Can’t Stop in?
A minor, at about 90 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Can’t Stop?
Butterfly heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1a · 2 · 2& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Can’t Stop 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.
Can I hear the real melody of Can’t Stop?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.