What key is "Hey Joe" in?

"Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix is in the key of G with a tempo of 82 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Hey Joe" 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 "Hey Joe" 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 "Hey Joe"?

This arrangement of "Hey Joe" uses 6 chords: A, C, D, E, E7, G.

How long does it take to learn "Hey Joe" on piano?

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

What other songs by Jimi Hendrix can I play here?

Try "CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC", "ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER", "VOODOO CHILD". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Hey, Joe,

uh, (A)where you go in’ with that (E)gun in your hand?

Hey, Joe,

I said (A)where you goin’ with that gun (E)in your hand?

Al right.

I’m go in’ down to (G)shoot my old la dy,

you know I (A)caught her mess in’ ’round with an oth (E)er man.

Yeah.

I’m go in’ down to (G)shoot my old la dy,

you know I (A)caught her mess in’ ’round with an (E)oth er man.

Huh!

And that ain’t too cool.

Uh, hey, Joe,

I heard you shot your (E)wom an down, you shot her down now.

Uh, hey, Joe,

I heard you shot your old (E)la dy down, you shot her down in the ground.

Yeah.

Yes, I did, I shot her.

You (A)know I caught her mess in’ ’round, (E)mess in’ ’round town.

Uh, yes, I (G)did, I shot her.

You know I (A)caught my old la dy mess in’ ’round town.

And I gave her the gun.

I shot her.

Al right.

Shoot her one more time a gain, ba by.

Yeah.

Ah, dig it.

Ah!

Al right.

Hey, Joe, said now,

uh, where you gon na run (E)to now?

Where you gon na run to?

Yeah.

Hey, Joe, I said

where you gon na run to now?

Where you, where you gon na go?

Well, dig it.

I’m go in’ way (G)down south,

way down to Mex i co way.

Al right.

I’m go in’ way (G)down south,

way down where I can be free.

Ain’t no one gon na find me, babe.

Ain’t no (G)hang man gon na,

he ain’t gon na (A)put a rope a round (E)me.

You bet ter be lieve it right now.

I got ta go now.

Hey, Joe, said now,

uh, where you gon na run (E)to now?

Where you gon na run to?

Yeah.

Hey, Joe, I said

where you gon na run to now?

Where you, where you gon na go?

Well, dig it.

I’m go in’ way (G)down south,

way down to Mex i co way.

Al right.

I’m go in’ way (G)down south,

way down where I can be free.

Ain’t no one gon na find me, babe.

Ain’t no (G)hang man gon na,

he ain’t gon na (A)put a rope a round (E)me.

You bet ter be lieve it right now.

I got ta go now.

Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix

4 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of G at 82 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Hey Joe”

What key is "Hey Joe" in?: "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix is in the key of G with a tempo of 82 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Hey Joe" 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 "Hey Joe" 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 "Hey Joe"?: This arrangement of "Hey Joe" uses 6 chords: A, C, D, E, E7, G.
How long does it take to learn "Hey Joe" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Jimi Hendrix can I play here?: Try "CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC", "ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER", "VOODOO CHILD". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.