Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Only Love Can Break A Heart on piano
By Gene Pitney
- Bb major
- 4/4
- 105 BPM
- V7–I–I7–IV loop
- 1962
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Only Love Can Break A Heart in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F7 – Bb – Bb7 – Eb
How it goes
Only Love Can Break A Heart sits in Bb major: Bb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F7 is F, A, C and Eb; Bb is Bb, D and F; Bb7 is Bb, D, F and Ab; Eb is Eb, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
F7V7BbIBb7I7EbIV- F7F · A · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- Bb7Bb · D · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Island seesaw
How it goes
Low, high, low in the three-three-two island rhythm. Musicians call it root–fifth 1-5-1 (root–fifth bass), an easy pattern heard in 723 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 105 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: Bb – Eb – Bb
How it goes
The last chords are I – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
BbEbBb
Play next
Questions about Only Love Can Break A Heart
What chords are in Only Love Can Break A Heart?
The loop is F7 – Bb – Bb7 – Eb (V7 – I – I7 – IV) in Bb major, and the song ends on Bb – Eb – Bb.
What key is Only Love Can Break A Heart in?
Bb major, at about 105 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Only Love Can Break A Heart?
Island seesaw: root–fifth 1-5-1, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Only Love Can Break A Heart 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.