What key is "Boston" in?

"Boston" by Augustana is in the key of C with a tempo of 75 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Boston" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "Boston" 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 "Boston"?

This arrangement of "Boston" uses 9 chords: Am9, C, Cpow, Em, Fmaj7, Fmaj9, G, Gpow, +1 more.

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

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Augustana can I play here?

Try "Boston", "Boston". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

In the light of the sun

(Fmaj9)is there an y one?

(Fmaj9)Oh, it has be gun.

Oh, dear you look so lost.

Your (Fmaj9)eyes are red and tears are shed.

This (Fmaj9)world you must have crossed.

You said, (C)“You don’t know me and you

don’t e ven care,

oh yeah.”

Well, you said, (C)“You don’t know me and you

don’t wear my

chains,

oh yeah.”

Es sen tial yet ap pealed,

you (Fmaj9)car ry all your thoughts

a (Fmaj9)cross an o pen field.

When the flowers gaze at you

they’re (Fmaj9)not the on ly ones

(Fmaj9)cry in’ when they see (G5)you.

You said, (C)“You don’t know me and you

don’t e ven care,

oh yeah.”

Well, you said, (C)“You don’t know me and you

don’t wear my

chains,

oh yeah.”

She said, “I think I’ll go to Bos ton.

I think I’ll start a new life.

I think I’ll start it o ver where no one knows my name.

I’ll (G)get out of Cal i for nia.

I’m tired of the weath er.

I think I’ll get a lov er and fly him out to Spain.

Oh yeah, I think I’ll go to Bos ton.

I think that I’m just tired.

I think I need a new town

to leave this all be hind.

I (G)think I need a sun rise.

I’m tired of the sun set.

Hear it’s nice in the sum mer, some snow would be nice,

(G)oh yeah.” (C)You don’t know me and you don’t e ven care,

oh yeah.

Bos ton,

no one knows my (Fmaj7)name.

No one knows my (C)name.

No one knows my (Fmaj7)name,

yeah.

Bos ton,

(G5)no one knows my name.

Boston by Augustana

19 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 75 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence with extended chords in a slow, forgiving tempo.

Your left hand plays block bass notes — no complicated patterns — so you can really focus on letting your right hand settle into shapes like Fmaj7, Fmaj9, and Am9.

Those "9" and "maj7" voicings sound intimidating, but at 75 BPM you have plenty of time to find each note.

The trickiest transitions tend to be moving between Fmaj9 and G or Gsus4, where your hand has to shift position quickly; practice just those two-chord changes in a loop until they feel automatic.

I'd suggest learning the verse hands-separately first, then combining once you can land each chord without looking down.

Watch your sustain pedal — in a sad ballad like this, it's tempting to hold it too long, which muddies those beautiful extended harmonics.

Lift and re-press with each chord change for a clean, emotional sound.

This is the piece that'll make extended chords feel like second nature to you.

About “Boston”

What key is "Boston" in?: "Boston" by Augustana is in the key of C with a tempo of 75 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Boston" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Boston" 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 "Boston"?: This arrangement of "Boston" uses 9 chords: Am9, C, Cpow, Em, Fmaj7, Fmaj9, G, Gpow, +1 more.
How long does it take to learn "Boston" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Augustana can I play here?: Try "Boston", "Boston". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.