What key is "Hold Back The River" in?

"Hold Back The River" by James Bay is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Hold Back The River" 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 "Hold Back The River" 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 "Hold Back The River"?

This arrangement of "Hold Back The River" uses 7 chords: Bb, C, Cpow, Csus4, Dm, F, Gm.

How long does it take to learn "Hold Back The River" on piano?

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

What other songs by James Bay can I play here?

Try "NEED THE SUN TO BREAK", "Let It Go", "Wild Love". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(Dm)Tried

(C)to (F)keep

(F)you (Bb)close

(F)to me

(F)but (Bb)life

(F)got in be tween.

the sky.

But (Dm)Tried

(C)to (F)square

(F)not (Bb)be

(F)ing there

(F)but (Bb)think

(F)that I are should have been.

Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.

Hold back the riv er so I

can stop for a min ute and see where you hide.

Hold back the riv er, hold back.

Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.

Hold back the riv er so I

can stop for a min ute and see where you hide.

Hold back the riv er, hold back.

Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.

Hold back the riv er so I

can stop for a min ute and see where you hide.

Hold back the riv er, hold back.

Hold back.

(Dm)Oh,

(C)oh, (F)oh,

(F)oh, (Bb)oh.

(F)Oh, (Bb)oh,

oh.

(F)Lone ly wa ter,

lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,

(Gm)let us hold each oth er?

(F)Lone ly wa ter,

lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,

(Gm)let us hold each oth er?

Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.

Hold back the riv er so I

can stop for a min ute and be by your side.

Hold back the riv er, hold back.

Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.

Hold back the riv er so I

can stop for a min ute and be by your side.

Hold back the riv er, hold back.

Hold back the riv er, hold.

(F)Lone ly wa ter,

lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,

(Gm)let us hold each oth er?

(F)Lone ly wa ter,

lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,

(Gm)let us hold each oth er?

Hold Back The River by James Bay

3 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Bb at 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence playing in B♭ major, a key many beginners shy away from but one that feels wonderfully warm once it's under your fingers.

Your left hand holds a steady pedal bass throughout, so start there — lock in that consistent, even rhythm before adding anything on top.

Your right hand cycles through familiar chord shapes like Dm, F, and Gm, but watch the Csus4-to-C resolution carefully; that suspended fourth wants to ring just a beat longer than you'd expect, and rushing it flattens the song's melancholic pull.

At 120 BPM the tempo is moderate, but the B♭-to-Gm transition can trip you up if your thumb isn't already drifting into position.

Practice that two-chord shift slowly, hands separate, until it feels automatic.

Once you're comfortable, loop the chorus a few times and focus on keeping your left-hand pedal rock-steady underneath the chord changes — that independence between hands is the real skill this song builds, and it'll pay off in everything you play next.

About “Hold Back The River”

What key is "Hold Back The River" in?: "Hold Back The River" by James Bay is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Hold Back The River" 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 "Hold Back The River" 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 "Hold Back The River"?: This arrangement of "Hold Back The River" uses 7 chords: Bb, C, Cpow, Csus4, Dm, F, Gm.
How long does it take to learn "Hold Back The River" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by James Bay can I play here?: Try "NEED THE SUN TO BREAK", "Let It Go", "Wild Love". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.