Is "Cry Me A River" good for a child learning piano?

Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.

What age can start with "Cry Me A River"?

Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.

Do we need a piano teacher to use this?

No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.

Can we print the sheet music?

Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.

How many chords does "Cry Me A River" use?

Just 9 chords: Am, C, Ddim7, Dm, Dm6, E7, F, Fmaj7, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Justin Timberlake songs work for kids?

Try "PUSHER LOVE GIRL", "ROCK YOUR BODY", "CAN'T STOP THE FEELING". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Cry Me A River

· by Justin Timberlake

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Lyrics

(Am)Be.

(F)Be.

You were my sun,

you were my earth,

but you did n’t know all the ways

I loved you,

no.

So you took a chance

and made oth er plans,

but I bet you did n’t think

that they would come crash ing down,

no.

(Am)You don’t have to say

(E)what you did.

I (F)al read y know;

I (Dm6)found out from him.

(Am)Now there’s just no chance

for (E)you and me;

there’ll (F)nev er be.

And don’t it make you sad a bout it?

You told me you loved me.

Why did you leave me

all a lone?

Now you tell me you need me

when you call me

on the phone.

Girl, I re fuse.

You must have me con (F)fused

with some oth er guy.

Your bridg es were burned.

Now it’s your turn

to cry.

Cry me a riv er,

cry me a riv er.

Cry me a riv er,

cry me a riv er.

Cry me a riv (CN.C.)Yeah,

yeah.

I know that they say that some things

are (F)bet ter left un said,

but it was n’t like

you on

ly talked to him, and you know it.

(Don’t (CN.C.)act like you don’t know it.) But all of these things

peo ple told me keep (F)mess ing with my head.

You should have picked hon

es ty;

then you may not have blown it.

(Am)You don’t have to say

(E)what you did.

I (F)al read y know;

I (G)found out from (CN.C.)him.

(Am)Now there’s just no chance

for (E)you and me;

there’ll (F)nev er be.

And don’t it make you sad a bout it?

You told me you loved me.

Why did you leave me

all a lone?

Now you tell me you need me

when you call me

on the phone.

Girl, I re fuse.

You must have me con (F)fused

with some oth er guy.

Your bridg es were burned.

Now it’s your turn

to cry.

Cry me a riv er,

cry me a riv er.

Cry me a riv er,

cry me a riv er.

Cry me a riv (G)Yeah,

yeah.

(Am)Oh,

the dam age is (F)done, so I guess I’ll be leav ing.

(Am)Oh,

the dam age is (F)done, so I guess I’ll be leav ing.

(F)done, so I guess I’ll be

leav ing.

(Am)You don’t have to say

(E)what you did.

I (F)al read y know;

I (G)found out from (CN.C.)him.

(Am)Now there’s just no chance

for (E)you and me;

there’ll (F)nev er be.

Cry me a riv er,

cry me a riv er.

Cry me a riv er,

cry me a riv er.

Cry me a riv (G)Oh,

cry me a riv er.

(E7sus)Oh,

cry me a riv er.

(Dm6)Oh,

cry me a riv er.

(E7sus)Oh,

cry me a riv er.

(Dm6)Oh,

cry me a riv er.

Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Cry Me A River” by Justin Timberlake in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of C at 74 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Cry Me A River" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Cry Me A River"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Cry Me A River" use?: Just 9 chords: Am, C, Ddim7, Dm, Dm6, E7, F, Fmaj7, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Justin Timberlake songs work for kids?: Try "PUSHER LOVE GIRL", "ROCK YOUR BODY", "CAN'T STOP THE FEELING". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.