What key is "Islands" in?

"Islands" by Sara Bareilles is in the key of D with a tempo of 80 BPM. Difficulty: advanced.

Is "Islands" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated advanced. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Islands" 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 "Islands"?

This arrangement of "Islands" uses 16 chords: A, Bm, C, C6, Cmaj, Cmaj9, D, D6, +8 more.

How long does it take to learn "Islands" 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 Sara Bareilles can I play here?

Try "Vegas", "Hold My Heart", "1000 TIMES". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Wait ing for the (G6)bus stop,

wait ing for the con crete (G6)black top

to set tle down

long e nough to me to (G6)get off

and get a (A)lit tle ground.

Read y for the (G6)sea change,

help less; felt this (G6)com ing from a (D)mile a way.

And now you’re look ing at (G6)me, babe,

and how we’ll sep a rate if we can.

’Cause I still count on one hand

the (D)num ber of good men I know.

It’s like I’m (D)stand ing on the edge of just a (Em7)tel e phone wire, try ing to (Cmaj13)get to you first to say the (Gsus2)world’s on fire;

hold ing my breath un til I (Em7)know you’re al right, be cause the (Cmaj13)wa ter will on ly rise.

When will you (G)re al (D)ize: You must be come an is land.

You must be come an is land.

You must be come an is land

and (Cmaj13)see for your self,

that’s what I am.

You al ways dir ty up the (G6)win dows.

If you (Em)keep ’em that dir ty that way, no one’s (G6)gon na sur prise you by get ting too close.

An y bod y but (G6)me, though.

You’ve made ex (A)cep tions to your rules,

and now we’re (C6)star ing down truth

nei ther (Bm)one of us wants

to know.

It’s like I’m (Cmaj13)see for your self, the hor (G)i zon is all we have.

And (Cmaj13)see for your self, the hor (G)i zon is all we (D)have.

Hold ing my breath un til I (Em7)know you’re al right, be cause the (Cmaj13)wa ter will on ly rise.

Islands by Sara Bareilles

6 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of D at 80 BPM. Difficulty: advanced. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Islands”

What key is "Islands" in?: "Islands" by Sara Bareilles is in the key of D with a tempo of 80 BPM. Difficulty: advanced.
Is "Islands" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated advanced. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Islands" 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 "Islands"?: This arrangement of "Islands" uses 16 chords: A, Bm, C, C6, Cmaj, Cmaj9, D, D6, +8 more.
How long does it take to learn "Islands" 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 Sara Bareilles can I play here?: Try "Vegas", "Hold My Heart", "1000 TIMES". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.