What key is "Cruel To Be Kind" in?

"Cruel To Be Kind" by Nick Lowe is in the key of C with a tempo of 132 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Cruel To Be Kind" 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 To Be Kind" 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 To Be Kind"?

This arrangement of "Cruel To Be Kind" uses 10 chords: A, A7, Am, C, Dm, Dm7, Em, F, +2 more.

How long does it take to learn "Cruel To Be Kind" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

Lyrics

Oh, I can’t take an oth er heart ache.

Though you (F)say you’re my friend, and I’m at my wits’ end.

You say your love is bo na fide, but that don’t co in cide down with the things that you do.

And when I ask you to be nice,

you say, “You got ta be (F)cruel to be (G)kind in the right (Am)meas ure.” (F)Cruel to be (G)kind; it’s a (Em)ver y good sign if (F)“cruel to be (G)kind” means that I (Am)love you, (Dm7)ba by.

You (G)got ta be cruel to be kind.

Well, I do my best to un der stand, dear, but you (F)still mys ti fy, and I wan na know why.

I pick my self up off the ground to have you knock me back down with a gain and a gain.

And when I ask you to ex plain,

You (G)got ta be cruel to be kind.

Well, I do

Well, I (C)do my best to un der stand, dear, but you (F)still mys ti fy, and I wan na know why.

I pick my self up off the ground to have you knock me (Em)back down a gain and a gain.

And when I ask you to ex plain,

you say, “You got ta be (G)cruel to kind in the right (Am)meas ure.” (F)Cruel to be (G)kind; it’s a (Em)ver y good sign if (F)“cruel to be (G)kind” means that I (Am)love you, (Dm7)ba by.

You (G)got ta be cruel to be kind.

(G)cruel to kind in the right (Am)meas ure.” (F)Cruel to be (G)kind; it’s a (Em)ver y good sign if (F)“cruel to be (G)kind” means that I (Am)love you, (Dm7)ba by.

You (G)got ta be cruel to be kind.

Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe

2 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 132 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Cruel To Be Kind”

What key is "Cruel To Be Kind" in?: "Cruel To Be Kind" by Nick Lowe is in the key of C with a tempo of 132 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Cruel To Be Kind" 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 To Be Kind" 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 To Be Kind"?: This arrangement of "Cruel To Be Kind" uses 10 chords: A, A7, Am, C, Dm, Dm7, Em, F, +2 more.
How long does it take to learn "Cruel To Be Kind" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.