A Cock-eyed Optimist

by Barbra Streisand
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Lyrics

When the (C5)sky is a bright ca nar y yel low,

I for (Bb5)get ev ’ry cloud I’ve ev er seen.

So they (Ab)call me a cock eyed op ti mist,

im ma (Fm)ture and in cur a bly green.

I have heard peo ple rant and rave and bel low

that we’re (Db)done and we might as well be (Db6)dead.

But I’m (Ab)on ly a (Bb)cock eyed (Gm7)op ti mist,

and I (Fm7)can’t get it in to my (Eb)head.

I (Gm)hear the hu man (Gm6)race is (A7sus4)fall ing on its (D)face and (Gm)has n’t ver y far to (A7sus4)go.

But (Gm)ev ’ry whip poor (Gm(maj7))will is (Dm7)sell ing me a (D)bill and (Bb)tall ing me it (F13)just ain’t (Fm7)so.

Now, I could (E)say life is (E)just a bowl of (E6)Jell O

and ap (Bm7)pear more in tel li gent and smart,

but I’m (A6)stuck

like a (A)dope

with a (E)thing called (F#)hope,

and I (B)can’t,

no, I (B)won’t get it out of my (Emaj7)heart,

not

this

heart.

A Cock-eyed Optimist — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial

3 people have learned this song

Watch "A Cock-eyed Optimist" by Barbra Streisand in falling notes style — like Synthesia. Color-coded notes fall onto the keyboard in real time. Practice left hand, right hand, or both. Key of F, 80 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “A Cock-eyed Optimist”

Can I learn "A Cock-eyed Optimist" with falling notes like Synthesia?
Yes — Falling Notes mode shows colored note shapes dropping onto a virtual keyboard, the same visual style as Synthesia or piano-tile games. Each note's column matches the piano key you press. Works for "A Cock-eyed Optimist" with hands-separate practice in F at 80 BPM.
What key is "A Cock-eyed Optimist" by Barbra Streisand played in?
A Cock-eyed Optimist is arranged in the key of F on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "A Cock-eyed Optimist"?
The arrangement plays at 80 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "A Cock-eyed Optimist" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "A Cock-eyed Optimist"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "A Cock-eyed Optimist"?
"A Cock-eyed Optimist" was originally performed by Barbra Streisand. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "A Cock-eyed Optimist"?
This arrangement uses 37 chords: A6, Ab, Adim7, Asus4, B, Baug, Bb, Bb7, +29 more.
What other songs by Barbra Streisand can I play here?
Try "ORDINARY MIRACLES", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "My Man (Mon Homme)". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can I practice left and right hand separately for "A Cock-eyed Optimist"?
Yes! Our Top Down mode lets you isolate the left hand (bass clef), right hand (treble clef), or play both together. This makes it easy to master "A Cock-eyed Optimist" one hand at a time before combining them.
What is falling notes style for "A Cock-eyed Optimist"?
Falling notes (also known as Synthesia or piano waterfall) shows color-coded rectangles falling from the top of the screen onto a virtual keyboard. Each note's position matches the piano key you need to press. "A Cock-eyed Optimist" is in the key of F at 80 BPM.