Tight Rope

· by Leon Russell

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Lyrics

(B7)I’m up on the (Em7)tight wire.

One side’s (Am7)ice and one is fire.

It’s a cir cus (G)game with you and me.

(B7)I’m up on the (Em7)tight rope.

One side’s (Am7)hate and one is hope.

But the (C6)top hat on my (G)head is all you see.

And the (Bm7)wire seems to be the on ly (Em7)place for me.

A (Bm7)com e dy of er rors and I’m fall

ing.

Like a (G6)rub ber neck gi raffe,

you (Em)look in to my past.

Well, (C6)ba by, you’re just too blind to

see I’m up in the (Em7)spot light.

Oh, does it (Am7)feel right.

Oh, the al ti tude seems to get to me.

(B7)I’m up on the (Em7)tight wire,

flanked by (Am7)life and the fu n’ral pyre,

(C6)put ting on a show for you to see.

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Tight Rope by Leon Russell — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Tight Rope” by Leon Russell 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 E at 76 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 "Tight Rope" 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 "Tight Rope"?: 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 "Tight Rope" use?: Just 14 chords: Am7, B7, Bm, Bm7, C, C6, Cdom, D, +6 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Leon Russell songs work for kids?: Try "The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen", "LADY BLUE", "Hummingbird". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.