The World Isn't Fair

by Randy Newman
Loading sheet music
Building your awesome sheet music
1

Other arrangements of The World Isn't Fair

Pick a learning view.

Lyrics

When (Dm)Karl (Am)Marx was a (Bb)boy

he (F)took a (C7)hard look a (F)round.

He saw (Am7)peo ple were (D7)starv ing all (Gm)o ver the (Gm)place while (C7)oth ers were (C7)paint ing the (F)town.

(Buh, buh, buh, buh, The (F)pub lic (Gm7)spi ri ted (F)boy

be came a (F)pub lic (C7)spi ri ted (F)man.

So he (Dm)worked ver y (Am)hard and he (Bb)read ev ’ry (F)thing un (G7)til he came up with a (C7)plan.

There’ll (F)be no (A7)ex ploi (Dm)ta tion of the work er (F7)or his (Bdim7)kin,

(Dm)No dis (C#m)cri mi na tion ’cause the (Bb)col our (G)of your (A7)skin.

(Dm)No more (Bbdim7)pri vate (Bdim7)pro per ty, it (Adim7)would not (F#dim7)be al lowed.

No one could (Db)rise too high.

No one could (F)sink too low or go (F)un der com (Bb)plete ly like (G7)some we all (C)know.

If (F)Marx were (C7)liv ing to (F)day,

he’d be (F)roll ing a (C7)round in his (F)grave.

And if (Dm)I had him (Am)here in my (Bb)man sion on the (F)hill, I’d (Dm)tell him a (Am)sto ry t’would (Bb)give his old heart a (F)chill.

It’s (G7)some thing that hap pened to (C)me.

I’d say, (Ab)Karl, I (B)re cent ly (F)stum bled

(Ab)in to a (B)new fa mi (F)ly

with (Db)two lit tle (E)child ren in (Bb)school,

where (Ab)all lit tle (G7)child ren should (C)be.

I (Ab)went to the (B)o ri en (F)ta tion.

(Ab)All the young (B)mom mies were (F)there.

Karl, you (Dm)nev er have (Am)seen such a (Bb)glo ri ous (F)sight as these (Dm)beau ti ful (Am)wom en ar (Bb)rayed for the (F)night.

Just like (Db)coun tess es, (Ab)em press es, (Bbm)mo vie stars and (F)queens.

And they’d (G7)come there with men much like (C)me,

(F)frog gish men, un (Bb)plea sant to (C)see.

Were you to (Db)kiss one, Karl, (Bb)na ry a (C7)prince would there (F)be.

See, (Abdim7)Karl the world is n’t (F)fair.

It (Bb)is n’t and (Bdim7)nev er will (F)be.

They (Gm7)tried out your (F)plan.

It brought (Bb)mi s’ry in (F)stead.

If you’d (Gm7)seen how they (F)worked it you’d be (Bb)glad you were (F)dead.

Just like (Bb)I’m glad I’m (F)liv ing in the (Bb)land of the (F)free where the (Bb)rich just get (F)rich er and the (Bb)poor you don’t (A7)ev er have to (Dm)see.

be cause we (F)care,

that the (Fdim7)world

still is (C)n’t

(F)fair.

The World Isn't Fair — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

Classic piano notation for "The World Isn't Fair" by Randy Newman as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in Bb — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 90 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (Bb) 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 “The World Isn't Fair

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "The World Isn't Fair" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key Bb, 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 "The World Isn't Fair" by Randy Newman in?
The backing track is in Bb at 90 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 "The World Isn't Fair" 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 "The World Isn't Fair"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "The World Isn't Fair", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "The World Isn't Fair" 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 "The World Isn't Fair"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "The World Isn't Fair"?
"The World Isn't Fair" was originally performed by Randy Newman. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Randy Newman are available?
Other accompaniments by Randy Newman: "Dixie Flyer", "Feels Like Home", "In Germany Before The War". 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 Bb, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "The World Isn't Fair" 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.

More songs you might like