Ain't Got No - I Got Life

by Nina Simone
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Lyrics

I ain’t got no (Em)home,

ain’t got no (G)shoes,

ain’t got no (Em)mo ney, ain’t got no (G)class,

ain’t got no skirts, ain’t got no (Bm7)swea ter, ain’t got no (Em)per fume, ain’t got no (C)beer,

ain’t got no (G)mind.

Ain’t got no (Em)mo ther, ain’t got no (G)cul ture, ain’t got no (Em)friends,

ain’t got no (G)school ing, ain’t got no (D)love,

ain’t got no (Bm)name, ain’t got no (Em)tick et, ain’t got no (C)to ken ain’t got no (C)God.

And (C)what a bout God?

Why am I a (Am7)live an y way?

Yeah, what a bout God?

No bo dy can (D7)take a way.

(CN.C.)Got my (G)hair, got my head, got my (G)brains, got my ears, got my (G)eyes, got my nose, got my (Bm7)mouth.

I got my smile.

I got my (G)tongue, got my chin, got my (G)neck, got my (C)boob ies, got my (G)heart, got my soul, got my (Bm7)back.

I got my (Am7)sex.

I got my (Em7)arms, got my (Bm7)hands, got my (Em7)fin gers, got my (Bm7)legs, got my (Em7)feet, got my (Bm7)toes, got my (Am7)li ver.

Got my (G)blood.

I’ve (CN.C.)got life,

I’ve got my (C)free dom,

I’ve got the (C)life.

I’ve got the life.

And I’m gon na keep it, I’ve got the life.

And no bo dy’s (G)gon na take it (C)a way, I’ve got the life.

Ain't Got No - I Got Life — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

Classic piano notation for "Ain't Got No - I Got Life" by Nina Simone as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in G — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 113 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (G) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “Ain't Got No - I Got Life

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "Ain't Got No - I Got Life" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key G, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Ain't Got No - I Got Life" by Nina Simone in?
The backing track is in G at 113 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Ain't Got No - I Got Life" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Ain't Got No - I Got Life"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Ain't Got No - I Got Life", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Ain't Got No - I Got Life" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Ain't Got No - I Got Life"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Ain't Got No - I Got Life"?
"Ain't Got No - I Got Life" was originally performed by Nina Simone. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Nina Simone are available?
Other accompaniments by Nina Simone: "Don't Explain", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Feeling Good". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of G, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "Ain't Got No - I Got Life" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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