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Sunny Afternoon

· by The Kinks

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Lyrics

The (Dm)tax man’s tak en all my dough, and (F)left me in my (C)state ly home: (A7)laz ing on a sun ny af ter noon.

And I can’t sail my yacht, he’s (F)ta ken ev ’ry (C)thing I’ve got, (A7)all I’ve got’s this sun ny af ter noon.

(D)Save me, save me, save me from this (G)squeeze,

I’ve got a (C)big, fat mom ma tryin’ to break (F)me.

And I (Dm)love to live so (G)plea sant ly, (Dm)live this life of lu xu ry: (F)laz ing on a (A7)sun ny af ter noon.

In sum mer time,

in (Dm)sum mer time,

in sum mer time.

Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Sunny Afternoon” by The Kinks 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 Bb at 130 BPM, a slightly more challenging arrangement — practice each phrase slowly first.

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 great way to build real confidence with the Alberti bass pattern — your left hand will be rolling broken chords steadily underneath a playful melody, and that's the core skill to nail first. Start hands-separate at around 80 BPM, focusing on keeping your left hand smooth and even through each chord change before you bring it up to 130. The move from A7 to Dm is the transition to watch: that C♯ in the A7 resolving down to D needs to feel automatic, so loop just those two bars until your fingers know the way. The chord set stays in a comfortable range, but don't let that lull you into rushing — the easy-listening groove only works when your Alberti pattern is relaxed and steady, not tight. Use light pedal on chord changes to keep things connected without getting muddy. Once this feels natural, you'll have an Alberti bass you can trust in dozens of other songs.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Sunny Afternoon" 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 "Sunny Afternoon"?: 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 "Sunny Afternoon" use?: Just 6 chords: A7, C, D, Dm, F, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other The Kinks songs work for kids?: Try "LOLA", "COME DANCING", "ROCK 'N ROLL FANTASY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.