What key is "Cat's In The Cradle" in?

"Cat's In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 72 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Cat's In The Cradle" 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 "Cat's In The Cradle" 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 "Cat's In The Cradle"?

This arrangement of "Cat's In The Cradle" uses 11 chords: Ab, Bb, Bb7, Cm, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Eb, Ebmaj7, +3 more.

How long does it take to learn "Cat's In The Cradle" 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 Harry Chapin can I play here?

Try "CAT'S IN THE CRADLE", "Cat's In The Cradle". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

My (F)came from col just the (Ab)o ther day, he said, (Bb7)“Thanks for the ball, Dad.

Come (F)on, u let’s play, But can you (Ab)teach me of you, you sit for a while?” I got a (Bb7)shook his head do.” and He said, (F)“That’s with O.

And “What I’d (Eb)real ly like, I (Gm7)Dad, it, is and (Cm)as he grew (Bb)car keys.

said, (F)“I’m gon na be like him, yeah, you (Ab)know I’m gon na (Eb)be like (F)him.”

And the (F)cat’s in the cra dle and the (Eb)sil ver spoon, (Ab)Lit tle Boy Blue and the man in the moon.

(F)“When you com ing home, Dad?” I (Eb)don’t know when, but (Ab)we’ll get to (Eb)ge ther then.

Dad, You (Ab)know we’ll have a (Eb)good time (F)then.

Well, My (F)child ar rived just the (Ab)o ther day, he he (Bb7)came to the world in the (F)us u al way.

But there were (Ab)planes me to throw?” said, “Not to day, while?” I got He (Bb7)lot he learned to walk while I (F)was a way.

And And was (Eb)talk he walked a (Gm7)way it, but his (Cm)smile ne ver (Bb)dimmed, he’d say, (F)“I’m gon na be like you, Dad, you (Ab)know I’m gon na (Eb)be like (F)you.”

And the (F)cat’s in the cra dle and the (Eb)sil ver spoon, (Ab)Lit tle Boy Blue and the man in the moon.

(F)“When you com ing (3 & 4.) son?

I (Eb)don’t know when, but (Ab)we’ll get to (Eb)ge ther then.

Dad, You (Ab)know we’ll have a (Eb)good time (F)then.

Well, he

I’ve (F)long since re tired, my (Ab)son’s moved a way, I (Bb7)called him up just the (F)o ther day.

I said, “I’d (Ab)like to see you if you don’t mind.” He said, “I’d (Bb7)love to, Dad, if I can (F)find the time.

You see my (Eb)new job’s a (Gm7)has sle and the (Cm)kids have the flu but it’s (Ab)sure nice (Eb)talk ing to (F)you, Dad, it’s been (Ab)sure nice (Eb)talk ing to (F)you.

And as I (Eb)hung up the (Gm7)phone it oc (Cm)curred to me, he’d (Ab)grown up (Eb)just like (F)me,

my (Ab)boy was (Eb)just like (F)me.

Cat's In The Cradle by Harry Chapin

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Bb at 72 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Cat's In The Cradle”

What key is "Cat's In The Cradle" in?: "Cat's In The Cradle" by Harry Chapin is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 72 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Cat's In The Cradle" 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 "Cat's In The Cradle" 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 "Cat's In The Cradle"?: This arrangement of "Cat's In The Cradle" uses 11 chords: Ab, Bb, Bb7, Cm, Cm7, Dbmaj7, Eb, Ebmaj7, +3 more.
How long does it take to learn "Cat's In The Cradle" 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 Harry Chapin can I play here?: Try "CAT'S IN THE CRADLE", "Cat's In The Cradle". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.