Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Staring At The Sun on piano
By U2
- C major
- 2/2
- 120 BPM
- 1997
- Easy
Learn Staring At The Sun in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Am – G – F – Em
Staring At The Sun sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Am is A, C and E; G is G, B and D; F is F, A and C; Em is E, G and B. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AmviGVFIVEmiii- AmA · C · E
- GG · B · D
- FF · A · C
- EmE · G · B
- 2
Left hand: Springy footsteps
A quick double skip at the start, then steady steps to the end. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 1& · 2 · 3 · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 209 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Wobbly chords
Two off-balance chords on the “ands”, then a firm landing on 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: F – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- CC · E · G
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Questions about Staring At The Sun
What chords are in Staring At The Sun?
The loop is Am – G – F – Em (vi – V – IV – iii) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Staring At The Sun in?
C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Staring At The Sun?
Springy footsteps: root bass · 1 · 1& · 2 · 3 · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Staring At The Sun 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.