Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play People Are People on piano
By Depeche Mode
- A minor
- 4/4
- 122 BPM
- 1984
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn People Are People in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – F – Dsus4 – C
How it goes
People Are People sits in A minor: A is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; Dsus4 is D, G and A; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmiFVIDsus4IVsus4CIII- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- Dsus4D · G · A
- CC · E · G
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
How it goes
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of 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 122 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
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Questions about People Are People
What chords are in People Are People?
The loop is Am – F – Dsus4 – C (i – bVI – IVsus – bIII5) in A minor, and the song ends on F – G – Am.
What key is People Are People in?
A minor, at about 122 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in People Are People?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is People Are People 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.