What key is "I Will Survive" in?

"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor is in the key of A with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "I Will Survive" 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 "I Will Survive" 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 "I Will Survive"?

This arrangement of "I Will Survive" uses 7 chords: Am, Bm7, Cmaj7, Dm, E7, Fmaj7, G.

How long does it take to learn "I Will Survive" 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 Gloria Gaynor can I play here?

Try "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

At (Am)first I was a fraid, I was (Dm)pet ri fied; kept think in’ (G)I could nev er live with out you (Cmaj7)by my side.

But then, I (Fmaj7)spent so man y nights just think in’ (B)how you did me wrong and I grew (E7sus)strong,

and I learned (E7)how to get a long.

And so you’re (Am)back

from out er (Dm)space.

I just walk (G)in to find you here with that sad (Cmaj7)look up on your face.

I should have (Fmaj7)changed that stu pid lock, I should have (B)made you leave your key, if I’d ’ve (E7sus)known for just one sec ond you’d be (E7)back to both er me.

Go on, now (Am)go,

walk out the (Dm)door;

just turn a (G)round, now, ’cause you’re not (Cmaj7)wel come an y more.

Weren’t you the one who tried to (B)hurt me with good bye?

Did you think I’d (E7sus)crum ble,

did you think I’d (E7)lay down and die?

Oh no, not (Am)I,

I will sur (Dm)vive.

Oh, as (G)long as I know how to love, I (Cmaj7)know I’ll stay a live.

I’ve got (Fmaj7)all my life to live, I’ve got (B)all my love to give and I’ll sur (E7sus)vive,

I will sur (E7)vive!

It took (Am)all the strength I had not to (Dm)fall a part; kept try in’ (G)hard to mend the piec es of my (Cmaj7)bro ken heart.

And I spent, (Fmaj7)oh, so man y nights just feel in’ (B)sor ry for my self.

I used to (E7sus)cry,

but now I (E7)hold my head up high.

And you see (Am)me,

some bod y (Dm)new,

I’m not that (G)chained up lit tle per son still in (Cmaj7)love with you.

your face.

And so you (Fmaj7)felt like drop pin’ in and just ex (B)pect me to be free.

Well now, I’m (E7sus)sav in’ all my lov in’ for some (E7)one who’s lov in’ me.

Go on, now (Am)go,

walk out the (Dm)door;

just turn a (G)round, now, ’cause you’re not (Cmaj7)wel come an y more.

Weren’t you the one who tried to (B)hurt me with good bye?

Did you think I’d (E7sus)crum ble, did you think I’d (E7)lay down and die?

Oh no, not (Am)I,

I will sur (Dm)vive.

Oh, as (G)long as I know how to love, I (Cmaj7)know I’ll stay a live.

I’ve got (Fmaj7)all my life to live, I’ve got (B)all my love to give and I’ll sur (E7sus)vive,

I will sur (E7)vive!

It took (E7)vive!

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

12 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of A at 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement walks you through a seven-chord cycle in A minor that moves in a steady descending-fourths pattern — Am to Dm to G to Cmaj7 to Fmaj7 to Bm7 to E7 and back — so your left hand needs to lock into that pedal bass pattern early and keep it rock-steady at 100 BPM.

Start hands-separate: get your left hand comfortable anchoring each root note while your right hand maps out the seventh-chord shapes, especially the stretch on Cmaj7 and Fmaj7.

The trickiest transitions are Fmaj7 to Bm7 and then Bm7 to E7, where your fingers have to reposition quickly — loop just those two changes at half tempo until they feel automatic.

Watch for the temptation to rush through the G–Cmaj7 handoff; keep your rhythm even and let the groove do the work.

Once this progression clicks, you'll have real confidence moving through extended chords in a minor key, which opens up a huge chunk of R&B and soul repertoire for you.

About “I Will Survive”

What key is "I Will Survive" in?: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor is in the key of A with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "I Will Survive" 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 "I Will Survive" 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 "I Will Survive"?: This arrangement of "I Will Survive" uses 7 chords: Am, Bm7, Cmaj7, Dm, E7, Fmaj7, G.
How long does it take to learn "I Will Survive" 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 Gloria Gaynor can I play here?: Try "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive", "I Will Survive". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.