Piano chords · Lullaby boat
How to play Pullin’ Back The Reins on piano
Written by k.d. lang & Ben Mink
- G major
- 6/8
- 96 BPM
- I–vi–I–vi loop
- 1989
- Medium
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Pullin’ Back The Reins in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: G – Em – G – Em
How it goes
Pullin’ Back The Reins sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G is G, B and D; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
GIEmviGIEmvi- GG · B · D
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Cradle pulse
How it goes
A deep note, a rock to beat two, a soft pickup back: like a cradle. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 2.3 (6/8) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 160 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Rowing-boat chords
How it goes
Six even chords per bar, rolling along like oars on water. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 96 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: C – D – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CDG- CC · E · G
- DD · F# · A
Play next
Questions about Pullin’ Back The Reins
What chords are in Pullin’ Back The Reins?
The loop is G – Em – G – Em (I – vi – I – vi) in G major, and the song ends on C – D – G.
What key is Pullin’ Back The Reins in?
G major, at about 96 beats a minute in 6/8.
What does the left hand play in Pullin’ Back The Reins?
Cradle pulse: root bass · 1 · 2 · 2.3 (6/8), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Pullin’ Back The Reins easy to play on piano?
It is a medium one: learn the 4 chords as blocks first, then add the left hand, then the right, slowly.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.