What key is "Cold Little Heart" in?

"Cold Little Heart" by Michael Kiwanuka is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 110 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Cold Little Heart" 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 "Cold Little Heart" 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 "Cold Little Heart"?

This arrangement of "Cold Little Heart" uses 7 chords: Cm, Dm7, Eb, Ebmaj7, F, Fsus4, Gm.

How long does it take to learn "Cold Little Heart" 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 Michael Kiwanuka can I play here?

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

Lyrics

Did you ev er want it,

did you want it bad?

Oh, my (Cm)my,

it tears me a part.

Did you ev er fight it,

all of the pain?

So much (Cm)pow ing er

run ning through my veins.

Bleed ing, I’m bleed ing.

My cold lit tle heart.

Oh, (Cm)I,

I can’t stand my (F)self.

And I know, in my heart, in this cold heart,

I can live or I can die.

I be lieve, if I just try, you be lieve in you and I,

in you and I,

in you and I.

Did you ev er no tice

I’ve you been a shamed?

Oh, my (Cm)life,

I’ve been play ing games.

We could try to hide it,

it’s the the same.

I’ve been (Cm)los ing you

one day at a time.

Bleed ing, I’m bleed ing.

My cold lit tle heart.

Oh, (Cm)I,

I can’t stand my (F)self.

And I know, in my heart, in this cold heart,

I can live or I can die.

I be lieve, if I just try, you be lieve in you and I,

in you and I,

in you and I.

in you and I,

in you and I.

Cold Little Heart by Michael Kiwanuka

20 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Eb at 110 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to develop your left-hand independence with an oompah bass pattern — that means your left hand alternates between a low root note and a higher chord chunk, giving the ballad its gentle pulse at 110 BPM.

Start hands-separate and get that left-hand pattern feeling automatic before you layer the right hand on top.

Pay special attention to the Fsus4-to-F resolution and the shift between Ebmaj7 and Cm; those transitions can trip you up because the chord shapes sit close together and your fingers will want to rush.

Slow the tempo to about 70 BPM and loop those two-chord moves until they're smooth, then gradually bring it back up.

The Dm7 adds a bittersweet color that's easy to miss dynamically, so lean into it — play it a touch softer to let the sadness breathe.

By the time this one feels comfortable, you'll have a real handle on moving through diatonic chords in E-flat with confidence, and that skill transfers to dozens of other songs in this key.

About “Cold Little Heart”

What key is "Cold Little Heart" in?: "Cold Little Heart" by Michael Kiwanuka is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 110 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Cold Little Heart" 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 "Cold Little Heart" 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 "Cold Little Heart"?: This arrangement of "Cold Little Heart" uses 7 chords: Cm, Dm7, Eb, Ebmaj7, F, Fsus4, Gm.
How long does it take to learn "Cold Little Heart" 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 Michael Kiwanuka can I play here?: Try "Home Again". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.