Everybody Knows

by Leonard Cohen
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Looking to play this yourself? Try the standard piano arrangement of “Everybody Knows”
Two-handed piano arrangement — color-coded notes, lead sheet, sheet music. Learn it yourself.

Other arrangements of Everybody Knows

Pick a learning view or switch to the backing-track version.

Lyrics

Ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)knows that the dice are load ed.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Bb)rolls with their fin gers crossed.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)knows

the war is o ver.

Ev ’ry bo dy knows the good guys lost.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Gm)knows the fight was fixed: the poor stay (C)poor, the rich get rich.

That’s how it (Eb)goes.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)knows.

Ev ’ry bo dy knows that the boat is leak ing.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Bb)knows the cap tain lied.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)got this bro ken feel ing

like their (Bb)fa ther or their dog just died.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Gm)talk ing to their poc kets.

Ev ’ry bo dy (C)wants a box of (Dm)choc ’lates and a long stem rose.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)knows.

Ev ’ry bo dy knows that you love me, ba by.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Bb)knows that you real ly do.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)knows that you’ve been faith ful,

(Bb)give or take a night or two.

Ev ’ry bo dy (Gm)knows you’ve been dis creet, but there were so ma ny (C)peo ple you just had to (Dm)meet with out your (Eb)clothes.

And ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)knows.

Ev ’ry bo dy (F)knows,

ev ’ry bo dy (C)knows

that’s how it (Dm)goes.

(Bb)Ev ’ry bo dy (F)knows,

ev ’ry bo dy knows,

ev ’ry bo dy (C)knows

that’s how it (Dm)goes.

(Bb)Ev ’ry bo dy (F)knows.

And ev ’ry bo dy it’s now or nev er.

by (Bb)know that it’s me or you.

And ev

that you live for ev er.

(Bb)When you’ve done a line or two.

deal is (A)rot ten: Old Black (C)Joe’s still pick in’ cot ton for your rib bons and (Eb)bows.

And ev

plague com ing

that it’s mov ing fast.

(Dm)knows that the nak ed man and wo man are just a (Bb)shin ing ar ti fact of the past.

(Gm)knows the scene is dead But there’s gon na be a me ter on your (Dm)bed that will dis close

what ev

And ev

you’re in trou ble.

what you’ve been through.

From the blood y (Dm)cross on top of Cal ry

(Bb)to the beach of Ma li bu.

it’s com ing a part: take one last (C)look at this Sa cred (Dm)heart be fore it (Eb)blows.

And ev ’ry bo dy (Dm)knows.

Ev ’ry bo dy (F)knows,

ev ’ry bo dy (C)knows

that’s how it (Dm)goes.

(Bb)Ev ’ry bo dy (F)knows,

ev ’ry bo dy knows,

ev ’ry bo dy (C)knows

that’s how it (Dm)goes.

(Bb)Ev ’ry bo dy (F)knows.

And ev ’ry bo dy

Ev ’ry bo dy knows,

ev ’ry bo dy (C)knows

that’s how it (Dm)goes.

(C)Oh, (Bb)ev ’ry bo dy (F)knows.

Everybody Knows — Piano Accompaniment Track

6 people have learned this song

Free piano accompaniment for "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen. Sing along or play your instrument over the backing piano. Toggle the vocal melody on/off, change key to fit your voice, adjust tempo. Key of G, 120 BPM.

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 “Everybody Knows”

How do the bar-notation visuals help sing "Everybody Knows" with this backing?
Each chord change drops as a colored bar across the staff, scrolling in real time so you can see exactly when the harmony shifts. Helpful for hitting entrances and judging when to breathe — especially on phrases that don't begin on beat 1 of "Everybody Knows".
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen in?
The backing track is in G at 120 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 "Everybody Knows" 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 "Everybody Knows"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Everybody Knows", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Everybody Knows" 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 "Everybody Knows"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Everybody Knows"?
"Everybody Knows" was originally performed by Leonard Cohen. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Leonard Cohen are available?
Other accompaniments by Leonard Cohen: "Almost Like The Blues", "Anthem", "Bird On A Wire". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
How do I use "Everybody Knows" as a backing track?
Just press play — the piano accompaniment runs from start to end, no vocals. Sing, hum, or play your own instrument over it. Use the mic icon to add a vocal melody as a pitch reference, and the speed control if you want a slower practice tempo.
Can I change the key of "Everybody Knows" to fit my voice?
Yes — the original is in G, but the player has a live transpose control so you can shift up or down semitones until the melody sits in your vocal range. The piano accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.

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