Nikita

by Elton John

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Lyrics

Hey, Ni ki ta, is it cold

(C)in your lit tle cor ner of the world?

You could roll a round the globe

and nev er find a warm er soul to know.

Oh, I saw you by the wall,

ten of your tin sol diers in a row,

with eyes that looked like (D)ice on fire,

the hu man heart a cap tive in the snow.

Oh, Ni ki ta, (G)you will nev er know

an y thing a bout my home.

(C)I’ll (G)nev er know how good it feels to hold you.

Ni ki ta, I (G)need you so.

Oh, Ni ki ta, is the (C)oth er side

of an y giv en line in time

(G)count ing ten tin sol diers in a row?

(Em7)Oh (D7)no, Ni ki ta, you’ll (G)nev er know.

Do you ev er dream of me?

(C)Do you ev er see let ters I write?

When you look up through the wire,

Ni ki ta, do you count the stars at night?

Oh, And if there comes a time

guns and gates no long er hold you in,

and if you’re free to (D)make a choice,

just look to wards the west and find a friend.

Oh, Ni ki ta, (G)you will nev er know

an y thing a bout my home.

(C)I’ll (G)nev er know how good it feels to hold you.

Ni ki ta, I (G)need you so.

Oh, Ni ki ta, is the (C)oth er side

of an y giv en line in time

(G)count ing ten tin sol diers in a row?

(Em7)Oh (D7)no, Ni ki ta, you’ll (G)nev er know.

Oh, Ni ki ta, you will nev (Am7)Count ing ten tin sol diers in a (G)row.

(Am7)Count ing ten tin sol diers in a (G)row.

(Am7)Count ing ten tin sol diers in a (G)row.

Nikita by Elton John — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Nikita by Elton John 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 G at 87 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.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a fantastic workout for navigating chromatic chord movement — with 21 chords including Ab, C#dim, and Fm sitting alongside your home key of G, your hands will constantly be shifting position, so stay relaxed and keep your wrists loose. Your left hand follows an octave bass pattern at a gentle 87 BPM, which gives you breathing room but also means every note is exposed, so aim for even, controlled touch. I'd suggest learning hands separately first, then focus on drilling the transitions around those chromatic passing chords — the move into Abmaj7 and the C#dim especially tend to trip people up if you haven't mapped the fingering in advance. Use the slow-tempo mode and loop those four-bar phrases until the shapes feel automatic. Pedal generously but change cleanly on each new bass note to avoid muddiness. This is the piece that'll make you genuinely comfortable playing outside your home key without panicking.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Nikita" 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 "Nikita"?
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 "Nikita" use?
Just 21 chords: Ab, Abmaj7, Am, Am7, Bb, Bm, Bm7, C, +13 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Elton John songs work for kids?
Try "SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT", "CROCODILE ROCK", "BURN DOWN THE MISSION". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.