Other arrangements of Back On The Chain Gang
Pick a learning view.
I found a (A)pic ture of you.
trol.
(Gmaj7)Oh.
What hi jacked my world news that night
to a place in the past like a we’ve been cast out of?
(Gmaj7)Oh.
Threw sand in our eyes Now we’re back in the fight.
Put We’re back on the train.
(Em)Oh,
back on the chain gang.
A cir cum (A)stance be yond our trol.
(Gmaj7)Oh.
The phone, T V and news of the
to a Got in the house like a pi geon from out hell.
(Gmaj7)Oh.
Threw sand in our eyes and de scend ed like flies.
Put us back on the train.
(Em)Oh,
back on the chain gang.
(Em)Oh,
back on the chain gang.
The (A7)pow ers that be
that (A7)force us to live like we do
(A7)bring me to my knees
when I (A7)see what they’ve done to you.
But I’ll (A7)die as I stand here to day,
(A7)know ing that deep in my heart
(A7)they’ll fall to ru in one (Dm)day
for (A7)mak ing us part.
I found a (B)pic ture of you.
(Amaj7)Oh.
Those were the hap pi est days of my life.
Like a break in the bat tle was your part,
(Amaj7)oh,
in the wretch ed life of a lone ly heart.
Now we’re back on the train.
(A)Oh,
back on the chain gang.
Back On The Chain Gang — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial
4 people have learned this song
Watch "Back On The Chain Gang" by The Pretenders 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 D, 135 BPM.
Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.
Try other practice modes:
About “Back On The Chain Gang”
- Can I learn "Back On The Chain Gang" 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 "Back On The Chain Gang" with hands-separate practice in D at 135 BPM.
- What key is "Back On The Chain Gang" by The Pretenders played in?
- Back On The Chain Gang is arranged in the key of D on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
- What's the tempo (BPM) of "Back On The Chain Gang"?
- The arrangement plays at 135 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
- Is "Back On The Chain Gang" 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 "Back On The Chain Gang"?
- Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
- Who composed "Back On The Chain Gang"?
- "Back On The Chain Gang" was originally performed by The Pretenders. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
- What chords are used in "Back On The Chain Gang"?
- This arrangement uses 11 chords: A, A7, Amaj7, B, D, Dm, E, Em, +3 more.
- What other songs by The Pretenders can I play here?
- Try "I'LL STAND BY YOU", "MIDDLE OF THE ROAD", "BRASS IN POCKET". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
- Can I practice left and right hand separately for "Back On The Chain Gang"?
- 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 "Back On The Chain Gang" one hand at a time before combining them.
- What is falling notes style for "Back On The Chain Gang"?
- 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. "Back On The Chain Gang" is in the key of D at 135 BPM.