Super Simple Chords

Piano chords · Pop heartbeat

How to play Chuck E’s in Love on piano

Written by Rickie Lee Jones

Tuning the piano…
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Left hand Sneaky heartbeatRight hand Knock-knock chordsChords the loop the song repeats most

Play the full song with sheet music

Learn Chuck E’s in Love in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

  1. 1

    Chords: Bm – A – Bm – A

    How it goes

    Chuck E’s in Love sits in A major: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Bm is B, D and F#; A is A, C# and E. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.

    BmiiAIBmiiAI
    • BmB · D · F#
    • AA · C# · E
    52 songs go round the same chords
  2. 2

    Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat

    How it goes

    One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.

  3. 3

    Right hand: Knock-knock chords

    How it goes

    Chord, a quick knock-knock, a pause, then one last chord. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.

  4. 4

    Both hands at 144 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. 5

    Ending: D – E – A

    How it goes

    The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.

    DEA
    • DD · F# · A
    • EE · G# · B

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Questions about Chuck E’s in Love

What chords are in Chuck E’s in Love?

The loop is Bm – A – Bm – A (ii – I – ii – I) in A major, and the song ends on D – E – A.

What key is Chuck E’s in Love in?

A major, at about 144 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Chuck E’s in Love?

Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Chuck E’s in Love 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.