Crying

by Roy Orbison
Loading song
Fetching song
1
Play in Kid Mode
Lyrics

I was all right

was for a while;

I could smile for a while,

I but I saw you last night; you held my (C)hand so tight, as you (F)stopped to say, “Hel (Fm)lo.”

(G9)Oh, you (C)wished me well; you (G7)could n’t tell

that I’d been (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you, (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you.

When (F)you

said, “So (G7)long;”

left me (F)stand ing

all a (G7)lone,

a lone and (C)cry ing,

(C)cry ing,

(F)cry ing,

(Fm)cry ing.

It’s hard to (C)un

der stand,

but the (G7)touch

of your hand

can start me (C)cry ing.

I thought that right

was o ver you

but it’s true, so a while,

I love you e you ven more you than I (C)did be fore, but dar (F)ling, what can I (Fm)do?

(G9)For you (C)don’t love me I’ll (G7)al ways be

I’d been (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you, (C)cry ing (Em)o ver you.

Yes, (F)now

you’re “So (G7)gone

and from (F)this ing

mo ment (G7)on

a I’ll be (C)cry ing,

(C)cry ing,

(F)cry ing,

(Fm)cry ing.

It’s Yeah, to (C)cry

der ing,

but the (G7)cry

of your ing

can o ver (C)cry ing.

I thought that (C)you.

Crying by Roy Orbison

34 people have learned this song

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

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to get comfortable with chromatic voice leading — small, one-note shifts between chords that create big emotional swells.

Your biggest focus should be the C to C augmented move: all you're doing is raising the G up a half step to G♯, but it has to sound smooth, not jarring, so keep your hand relaxed and let that one finger glide.

The same idea applies when F major melts into F minor — just lower the A to A♭.

Practice those two transitions slowly, hands together, until they feel automatic.

Your left hand plays an octave bass pattern throughout, which is straightforward at 110 BPM, but watch that you don't rush it during the G7 and G9 sections where the melody gets busier.

I'd suggest looping the verse progression at around 80 BPM first, then gradually bring it up to tempo once the chord shapes sit in your fingers without looking.

A little sustain pedal on each chord change will help capture the song's aching, sustained quality — just be sure to release cleanly so nothing muddies together.

This is the piece that'll make chromatic chord shifts feel like second nature.

About “Crying

What key is "Crying" in?
"Crying" by Roy Orbison is in the key of C with a tempo of 110 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Crying" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Crying" 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 "Crying"?
This arrangement of "Crying" uses 7 chords: C, Caug, Em, F, Fm, G7, G9.
How long does it take to learn "Crying" on piano?
1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Roy Orbison can I play here?
Try "OH, PRETTY WOMAN", "Oh, Pretty Woman", "YOU GOT IT". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

More songs you might like