Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Chuck E’s in Love on piano
Written by Rickie Lee Jones
- A major
- 4/4
- 144 BPM
- ii–I–ii–I loop
- 1978
- Easy
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
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
- 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
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
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
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.