What key is "Don't Play That Song" in?

"Don't Play That Song" by Aretha Franklin is in the key of C with a tempo of 112 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Don't Play That Song" 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 "Don't Play That Song" 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 "Don't Play That Song"?

This arrangement of "Don't Play That Song" uses 8 chords: Am, Am7, C, D7, F, G, G6, G7.

How long does it take to learn "Don't Play That Song" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Aretha Franklin can I play here?

Try "AIN'T NO WAY", "A Natural Woman", "FREEWAY OF LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Don’t play that song for me

’cause it brings back mem o ries

of days that I once knew,

the days that I spent with you.

Oh, no!

Don’t let them play it,

it fills my heart with pain.

Please stop it right a way

’cause I re mem ber just what he said.

He said, (C)“Dar ling.” (Dar

ling, I...)

And I know (G)that he lied.

(Dar

ling, I...)

You know that (F)you lied.

(Dar

ling, I...)

You know that you lied,

lied,

you lied.

(To me.)

Hey, mis ter, don’t (G)play it no more.

Don’t (G)play it no more,

I can’t stand it.

Don’t play it no (G)more,

no more, no more.

I re mem ber on our first date,

he kissed me and he walked a way.

I was on ly sev en teen,

I nev er dreamed

he’d be so mean.

He told me, (C)“Dar ling.” (Dar ling,

I love you.) Ba by, ba by, (G)you lied.

(Dar

ling, I need you.) You,

you (F)lied.

(Dar ling,

I love you.) You know that you lied,

lied,

lied.

(To me.)

Oh,

dar (C)ling.

(Dar ling,

I love you.) You know that (G)you lied, yeah.

(Dar

ling, I need you.) You know I (G)know you (F)lied.

(Dar ling,

I love you.)

Dar ling, you (G)lied,

you lied,

you lied.

You’re all that I need.

You (C)lied.

(To me.)

Oh,

you lied.

Hey, ba by, don’t (G)play it no (F)more.

Don’t do it, don’t play it no more,

no more, I can’t stand it no more!

(C)lied.

(To me.)

Oh,

you lied.

Hey, ba by, don’t (G)play it no (F)more.

Don’t do it, don’t play it no more,

no more, I can’t stand it no more!

Don't Play That Song by Aretha Franklin

12 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 112 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Don't Play That Song”

What key is "Don't Play That Song" in?: "Don't Play That Song" by Aretha Franklin is in the key of C with a tempo of 112 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Don't Play That Song" 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 "Don't Play That Song" 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 "Don't Play That Song"?: This arrangement of "Don't Play That Song" uses 8 chords: Am, Am7, C, D7, F, G, G6, G7.
How long does it take to learn "Don't Play That Song" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Aretha Franklin can I play here?: Try "AIN'T NO WAY", "A Natural Woman", "FREEWAY OF LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.