What key is "Alison" in?

"Alison" by Elvis Costello is in the key of E with a tempo of 92 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Alison" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Alison" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Alison"?

This arrangement of "Alison" uses 11 chords: A, B, B7, Bsus4, C#m, D, E, F#m, +3 more.

How long does it take to learn "Alison" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Elvis Costello can I play here?

Try "EVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK", "She", "PEACE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Oh, it’s so (A)fun ny to be see ing you af ter (E)so long, girl.

And with the (A)way you look, I un der stand that (G#m7)you are not im (C#m)pressed.

But I heard you let that lit tle (C#m)friend of mine I’ll bet take off your par ty dress.

I’m not I gon na get could (G#m7)too sen ti (C#m)men tal (B)like those (A)oth er stick ly y en tines, say.

I ’cause I don’t know if you are (C#m)lov ing the some light, bod y.

’cause I (D)on ly know it is n’t mine.

way.

(A)Al

i son,

I (A)know this (B)world is (G#m)kill (G#7)ing (C#m)you.

Oh, (A)Al

i son,

my aim is true.

(A)fun ny to Well, I see you got a (E)hus band now.

And Did he (A)leave your pret ty fin gers ly ing (G#m7)in the wed ding (C#m)cake?

But You used to hold him right tle (C#m)in your hand.

I’ll bet he took all he could take.

Some times I wish that I could (G#m7)stop you from (C#m)talk ing (B)when I (A)hear the sil ly things that you say.

I ’cause think some bod y you ter (C#m)put out the big light, bod y.

’cause I (D)can’t ly stand to see you this way.

(A)Al

i son,

I (A)know this (B)world is (G#m)kill (G#7)ing (C#m)you.

Oh, (A)Al

i son,

my aim is true.

My (B)aim is true.

Alison by Elvis Costello

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of E at 92 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Alison”

What key is "Alison" in?: "Alison" by Elvis Costello is in the key of E with a tempo of 92 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Alison" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Alison" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Alison"?: This arrangement of "Alison" uses 11 chords: A, B, B7, Bsus4, C#m, D, E, F#m, +3 more.
How long does it take to learn "Alison" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Elvis Costello can I play here?: Try "EVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK", "She", "PEACE, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.