Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Love Stinks on piano
By J. Geils Band
- C major
- 4/4
- 92 BPM
- Easy
Learn Love Stinks in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: C – G – F – G
Love Stinks sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGVFIVGV- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- FF · A · C
- 2
Left hand: Dawdling footsteps
Two steps, then a lazy late note after beat 3 that catches up on 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 222 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Dawdling chords
Two chords, then a lazy late one after beat 3 that catches up on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 92 BPM
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 – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
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Questions about Love Stinks
What chords are in Love Stinks?
The loop is C – G – F – G (I – V5 – IV5 – V5) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Love Stinks in?
C major, at about 92 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Love Stinks?
Dawdling footsteps: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Love Stinks 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.