What key is "Cruel Summer" in?

"Cruel Summer" by Bananarama is in the key of E with a tempo of 90 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Cruel Summer" 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 "Cruel Summer" 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 "Cruel Summer"?

This arrangement of "Cruel Summer" uses 4 chords: A, Amaj7, B, C#m. Only a handful of chords — a great pick for early learners.

How long does it take to learn "Cruel Summer" 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 Bananarama can I play here?

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

Lyrics

(C#m)Hot sum mer streets (B)and the pave ments are burn (B)ing.

I sit a round.

It’s (C#m)Try ing to smile, (B)but the air is so heav (B)y and dry.

Strange voic (B)es are say in’

(B)(What did they (C#m)say?) things (B)I can’t un der stand.

It’s (C#m)too close for com (B)fort.

This heat has got right (B)out of hand.

It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer,

leav (A)ing me here on my own.

(A)It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer.

(A)Now you’re gone.

You’re (A)not the on ly one.

(A)It’s a cruel...

The

and go.

It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer,

leav (A)ing me here on my own.

(A)It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer.

(A)Now you’re gone.

You’re (A)not the on ly one.

(A)It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer,

leav (A)ing me here on my own.

(A)It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer.

(A)Now you’re gone.

You’re (A)not the on ly one.

(A)It’s a cruel...

Mmm.

Now, don’t you leave (A)me, mm.

Now, don’t you leave (A)me.

Come (B)on, come (A)on, mm.

Now, don’t you leave (A)me, mm.

Now, don’t you leave (A)me.

Now, don’t you (B)leave me.

Come (Amaj7)on, come (B)on.

It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer,

leav (A)ing me here on my own.

(A)It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer.

Now, you’re gone.

You’re (A)not the on ly one.

(A)It’s a cruel.

(A)cruel sum mer,

leav (A)ing me here on my own.

(A)It’s a cruel,

(A)cruel sum mer.

Now, you’re gone.

You’re (A)not the on ly one.

(A)It’s a cruel.

(A)It’s a (B)cruel

sum mer.

Cruel Summer by Bananarama

2 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of E at 90 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Cruel Summer”

What key is "Cruel Summer" in?: "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama is in the key of E with a tempo of 90 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Cruel Summer" 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 "Cruel Summer" 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 "Cruel Summer"?: This arrangement of "Cruel Summer" uses 4 chords: A, Amaj7, B, C#m. Only a handful of chords — a great pick for early learners.
How long does it take to learn "Cruel Summer" 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 Bananarama can I play here?: Try "Venus". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.