Happy Birthday

by Stevie Wonder
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Lyrics

You know it (C)does n’t make much sense.

There ought a (Bb)be a law a gainst

an y (Am)one who takes of fense

at a a side day in your cel e bra tion.

’Cause we (C)all know in our minds

that there (Bb)ought a be a time

that (Am)we can set a side

to show who lived should make just how much we il love you.

And I’m (F)sure you would a gree.

What could (G)fit more per fect ly than to (F)have a world par ty on the (F)day you came to be.

Hap py (C)birth day to (F)ya,

py birth day to (F)ya, hap py (F)birth (C)day.

Hap py birth day to (F)ya,

py birth day to (F)ya, hap py (F)birth (C)day.

I just (C)nev er un der stood

There how a (Bb)man who died for good

could not (Am)have a day that would

be set

and u day in rec all og ni tion.

Be cause (C)it should nev er be

just be (Bb)cause some can not see

the (Am)dream as clear as he,

that they who lived and died just the one ness of lu sion.

And we (F)all know, ev ’ry thing that he (G)stood for time will bring.

For in (F)peace our hearts will sing thanks to (F)Mar tin Lu ther King.

Hap py (C)birth day to (F)ya,

py birth day to (F)ya, hap py (F)birth (C)day.

Hap py birth day to (F)ya,

py birth day to (F)ya, hap py (F)birth (C)day.

I just (F)birth (C)day.

Why has there nev er been a hol i day

where peace is cel e brat ed (Ab)all

through out

the world?

The (F)loud as you can.

Hap py (Db)birth day to (Gb)ya,

py birth day to (Gb)ya, hap py (Gb)birth (Db)day.

Hap py (Db)birth day to (Gb)ya,

py birth day to (Gb)ya, hap py (Gb)birth (Db)day.

Hap py (Gb)birth (Db)day.

(Db)(Hap

py

(Cb)birth day,

hap py (Bbm)birth day,

hap py (Ab)birth day.

Hap py) (Db)(Hap

py

(Cb)birth day,

hap py (Bbm)birth day,

hap py (Ab)birth day.

Hap py)

Happy Birthday β€” Easy Piano Notes for Beginners

60 people have learned this song

Learn "Happy Birthday" on piano with easy notes β€” perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of C, 100 BPM.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a fantastic workout for navigating chromatic chord movement β€” you've got 14 chords here, and many of them (Ab, Bb, Db, Eb, Gb) sit outside the key of C, so your hands will be constantly shifting into unfamiliar shapes.

Start hands-separate at around 70 BPM: get your left hand comfortable with that oompah bass pattern first, because keeping it steady while your right hand handles the melody is half the battle.

Pay special attention to the transitions around Bbm and Cb β€” those are the spots where most students hesitate and lose the groove.

Loop any four-bar phrase that trips you up at least ten times before moving on.

Once both hands feel confident alone, combine them in short sections rather than trying to play straight through.

The syncopated R&B ballad feel at 100 BPM rewards a relaxed wrist, so stay loose and let the rhythm breathe.

This is the piece that'll genuinely build your confidence moving through chromatic harmony β€” a skill that unlocks so much of what makes soul music feel rich.

About β€œHappy Birthday”

Can I play "Happy Birthday" without reading sheet music?
Yes β€” 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 "Happy Birthday" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
What key is "Happy Birthday" by Stevie Wonder played in?
Happy Birthday 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 "Happy Birthday"?
The arrangement plays at 100 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Happy Birthday" 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 "Happy Birthday"?
Yes β€” registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Happy Birthday"?
"Happy Birthday" was originally performed by Stevie Wonder. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Happy Birthday"?
This arrangement uses 14 chords: Ab, Am, Am7, Bb, Bbm, C, Cb, Db, +6 more.
What other songs by Stevie Wonder can I play here?
Try "NGICULELA-ES UNA HISTORIA I AM SINGING", "PART TIME LOVER", "HEAVEN IS TEN ZILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can a complete beginner play "Happy Birthday"?
Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard β€” no music reading needed. "Happy Birthday" is simplified for beginners.
Do I need to read music to play "Happy Birthday"?
No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "Happy Birthday" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.

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