Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Save Tonight on piano
By Eagle-Eye Cherry
- C major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- 1998
- Easy
Learn Save Tonight in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – F – C – G – Am – F – C – G
Save Tonight sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 8 chords: Am is A, C and E; F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmviFIVCIGVAmviFIVCIGV- AmA · C · E
- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Lub-dub heartbeat
Two quick beats, a pause, two quick beats: just like a real heart. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 3 · 3& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 294 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
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 120 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: Am – F – C
The last chords are vi – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AmFC
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Questions about Save Tonight
What chords are in Save Tonight?
The loop is Am – F – C – G – Am – F – C – G (vi – IV – I – V – vi – IV – I – V) in C major, and the song ends on Am – F – C.
What key is Save Tonight in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Save Tonight?
Lub-dub heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 1& · 3 · 3&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Save Tonight easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 8 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Can I hear the real melody of Save Tonight?
Yes: "The part you know" plays the intro of the song from a score, with both hands.
Made from 3 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.