Cruel To Be Kind

by Nick Lowe
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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 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

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 — Easy Piano Notes for Beginners

2 people have learned this song

Learn "Cruel To Be Kind" on piano with easy notes — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of C, 132 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “Cruel To Be Kind

Can I play "Cruel To Be Kind" without reading sheet music?
Yes — Easy Notes mode prints the letter name (C, D, E…) directly on each note in big color-coded labels, so you can match colors to your keyboard without any traditional notation. The whole arrangement of "Cruel To Be Kind" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
What key is "Cruel To Be Kind" by Nick Lowe played in?
Cruel To Be Kind is arranged in the key of C on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Cruel To Be Kind"?
The arrangement plays at 132 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Cruel To Be Kind" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "Cruel To Be Kind"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Cruel To Be Kind"?
"Cruel To Be Kind" was originally performed by Nick Lowe. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Cruel To Be Kind"?
This arrangement uses 10 chords: A, A7, Am, C, Dm, Dm7, Em, F, +2 more.
Can a complete beginner play "Cruel To Be Kind"?
Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "Cruel To Be Kind" is simplified for beginners.
Do I need to read music to play "Cruel To Be Kind"?
No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "Cruel To Be Kind" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.

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