Do you ever hear a pop song on the radio and wish you could play it too?
Those songs seem so complicated. You might think it would take years of practice to be able to play your favorite tunes.
But that’s not true! There are pared-down versions of those songs that even beginners can learn. Start practicing now and you’ll be leading sing-a-longs at the piano in no time.
Not really into classical music but still want to learn how to tickle the ivories? Read on to see our list of 15 easy pop songs to play on piano instead.
1. Let It Be – The Beatles
When it comes to great pop tunes on the piano, some of the best belong to The Beatles. Let It Be is no doubt a classic. In 2011, Rolling Stone Magazine rated it The Beatles 8th best song.
On the right hand, you’re just repeating chords C-G-Am-F, then C-G-F-C.
2. Yesterday – The Beatles
Another Beatles classic. Yesterday was written by Paul McCartney in 1965. McCartney heard the song in his dreams and jumped out of bed to play it on the piano.
Unlike Let It Be, instead of repeating chords, you’ll mostly be playing simple arpeggios.
3. Lean On Me – Bill Whithers
Of all these easy pop songs to play on piano, you’ll want to sing along to this the most.
The chord progressions you’ll be playing on the right hand is C-C-Dm-Em-F, F-Em-Dm-C, C-Dm-Em-Em-Dm. Then the chords change only slightly to C-C-Dm-Em-F, F-Em-Dm-C, C-Dm-Em-G7-C.
On your left hand, you’ll be playing the middle note your right hand is playing. The notes are C-D-E-F.
4. Clocks – Coldplay
Chris Martin is one of the big piano pop stars of today. Of Coldplay’s biggest hits, Clocks has a piano hook that everyone is sure to recognize.
That riff sounds difficult to play because it’s so fast. If you just slow it down and practice, you’ll eventually get it up to speed. They’re just 3 simple arpeggios.
5. Where The Streets Have No Name – U2
This song might not be the first you’d predict as one of our picks for easy pop songs to play on the piano. But if you like some pop-rock from the ’80’s, this song is the one for you.
Where the Streets Have No Name was the third single off of U2’s 1987 album “Joshua Tree.”
6. All My Life – KC & Jo Jo
All My Life by R&B/pop duo KC & Jo Jo, is a great song to slow down the mood. The smooth arpeggios sound lovely on the piano. You’ll be sure to impress a special someone with this song.
The intro consists of Em, D, C, A, Bm, Em, and G.
7. All Of Me – John Legend
Any song by John Legend is an instant piano pop classic. All of Me was released in 2013. It won a Billboard Music Award for Top Radio Song.
For the intro, you’re just repeating easy two-note chords. F-C and F-Db, then Eb-C and Eb-Bb. On the left hand, you’ll just be playing one note at a time.
8. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
Unchained Melody is a great song to learn if you’re looking for a pop-throwback. The song was made popular by The Righteous Brothers in 1965. It’s a romantic, pop standard that you might remember from the movie Ghost.
You’ll be playing chords D, Bm, G, A. You’ll play those notes with your left hand, and arpeggiating the chords on your right hand.
9. What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was the king of the trumpet. But, What A Wonderful World is a wonderful song for the piano. This uplifting, pop-ballad is one of the great easy pop songs to play on piano.
With this song, you can play the melody on the right hand. You’ll play simple, two-note chords on the left.
10. At Last – Etta James
This soulful ballad was made famous by Etta James in 1960. However, for decades it’s been recorded by many famous divas, including Beyonce.
You can learn to play the accompaniment on both hands instead of the melody. That way you can sing along.
11. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keyes
Alicia Keyes is easily one of the most famous female piano playing pop stars. If I Ain’t Got You was released in 2003 on her album, “The Diary of Alicia Keyes.” It won her a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performace.
For the intro, you’ll just be repeating the chords Cmaj7, Bm7, Am7, G.
12. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond is a fun tune that everybody knows. Learn how to play this and you’ll have all your friends chanting, “So good! So good!”
In the key of C major, the opening notes on the right hand start with different with the notes D-E-F, F-G-A, and A-B-C.
13. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Being that Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, one of his songs had to be included on this list of easy pop songs to play on piano. Billie Jean was a single from Michael’s famous album, “Thriller.”
This is a great song for a beginner. You can learn the whole song if you know only the chords Em, D, C, and Am.
14. Marry Me – Bruno Mars
Looking for a creative way to propose? Why not learn to play an easy version of Marry Me? No one can resist saying “yes” after listening to this 2010 Bruno Mars hit.
This song is really easy, using just three chords. The main progression of the whole song is F, Gm, Bb, F.
15. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
This mega-hit of 2014 is a must-learn for the piano. Thinking Out Loud won Ed Sheeran a Grammy for Song of the Year.
You can imitate the guitar part at the intro of the song. On the left hand, you’ll be playing D, F#, F#, G, A. On the right you’ll be playing the chords F#/D/A, G/D/B, and E/C#/A.
Start Learning Easy Pop Songs to Play on Piano
Was having to play classical music holding you back from taking lessons? Now you know that there are lots of pop songs suitable for beginners. Learning pop songs that you enjoy will motivate you to practice more.
Are you considering taking piano lessons? Contact us to learn more about our music school! We have locations in Vaughan and Oakville, Ontario.
| Song | Author / Year | Listen / Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Someone Like You | 21 · 2011 | Listen / Watch |
| Perfect | Ed Sheeran · 2017 | Listen / Watch |
| Clocks | A Rush of Blood to the Head · 2002 | Listen / Watch |
| Let It Go | Frozen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) · 2013 | Listen / Watch |
| Stay with Me | In the Lonely Hour · 2014 | Listen / Watch |
| Havana | Camila · 2018 | Listen / Watch |
| Shake It Off | 1989 · 2014 | Listen / Watch |
| A Thousand Years | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 · 2011 | Listen / Watch |
| Meant To Be | All Your Fault: Pt. 2 · 2017 | Listen / Watch |
| Believer | Evolve · 2017 | Listen / Watch |
| The Middle | 538 Hitzone 85 · 2018 | Listen / Watch |
| When I Was Your Man | Unorthodox Jukebox · 2012 | Listen / Watch |
| Piano Man | Piano Man · 1973 | Listen / Watch |
| The Scientist | A Rush of Blood to the Head · 2002 | Listen / Watch |
| Stay | Unapologetic · 2012 | Listen / Watch |
| All of Me | Love in the Future · 2013 | Listen / Watch |
| Fallin' | Songs in A Minor · 2001 | Listen / Watch |
| Bohemian Rhapsody | A Night at the Opera · 1975 | Listen / Watch |
| Mad World | Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets · 2001 | Listen / Watch |
| Counting Stars | Native · 2013 | Listen / Watch |
| Shape of You | Ed Sheeran · 2017 | Listen / Watch |
| 7 Years | Lukas Graham (2015 album) · 2015 | Listen / Watch |
| Don't Stop Believin' | Escape · 1981 | Listen / Watch |
| Apologize | Shock Value · 2007 | Listen / Watch |
| Secrets | Waking Up · 2009 | Listen / Watch |
| See You Again | Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack · 2015 | Listen / Watch |
| Let Her Go | All the Little Lights · 2012 | Listen / Watch |
| Closer | Collage · 2016 | Listen / Watch |
| Lost Boy | Safe Haven · 2017 | Listen / Watch |
| Hey Jude | Love · 2016 | Listen / Watch |
| Love Yourself | Love Yourself · 2015 | Listen / Watch |
| Fireflies | Ocean Eyes · 2009 | Listen / Watch |
| This Is Me | The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack · 2017 | Listen / Watch |
| Sugar | V · 2014 | Listen / Watch |
| Demons | Night Visions · 2012 | Listen / Watch |
| My Heart Will Go On | Let's Talk About Love · 1997 | Listen / Watch |
| Wildest Dreams | 1989 · 2014 | Listen / Watch |
| Can't Help Falling in Love | Blue Hawaii · 1961 | Listen / Watch |
| Payphone | Overexposed · 2012 | Listen / Watch |
| Somewhere Only We Know | Hopes and Fears · 2004 | Listen / Watch |
| Love Me Like You Do | Fifty Shades of Grey (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) · 2015 | Listen / Watch |
| Grenade | Doo-Wops & Hooligans · 2010 | Listen / Watch |
| Cheap Thrills | This Is Acting · 2016 | Listen / Watch |
| I Really Like You | Emotion · 2015 | Listen / Watch |
| When We Were Young | 25 · 2015 | Listen / Watch |
| Don't Look Back in Anger | (What's the Story) Morning Glory? · 1995 | Listen / Watch |
| We Are Young | Some Nights | Listen / Watch |
| Wake Me Up | True · 2013 | Listen / Watch |
| Billie Jean | Thriller · 1982 | Listen / Watch |
| Rockabye | Rockabye · 2016 | Listen / Watch |
| Too Good at Goodbyes | The Thrill of It All · 2017 | Listen / Watch |