What key is "It Keeps You Runnin'" in?

"It Keeps You Runnin'" by Michael McDonald is in the key of G with a tempo of 136 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "It Keeps You Runnin'" 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 "It Keeps You Runnin'" 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 "It Keeps You Runnin'"?

This arrangement of "It Keeps You Runnin'" uses 18 chords: A7, A9, Ab7, Am, Amin, B7, Bb, Bb7, +10 more.

How long does it take to learn "It Keeps You Runnin'" on piano?

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

What other songs by Michael McDonald can I play here?

Try "REFLECTIONS", "I BELIEVE", "FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Say, (Bb7)where you gon na go?

(Ab)Girl, where you gon na hide?

You go on (Bb7)leav in’ out your heart

and (Ab)all it’s say in’ deep in side.

From here I can feel your (Bb)heart beat.

Oh, you got (C7)me all wrong.

Why you You ain’t got no (Bb)wor ry,

you just been lone (Am)ly too long.

I know what it (A9)means to hide your heart

from a (A7)long time a go,

oh, dar lin’.

It keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’.

It keeps you run (Em)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Em)nin’.

It keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’.

It keeps you run (Em)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Em)nin’.

Oh, (Bb7)you know how I feel.

(Ab)Hey, you know I been there.

But what you’re (Bb7)keep in’ to your self,

and (Ab)oh, you know it just ain’t fair.

From here Are you gon na (Bb)wor ry

for the rest (C7)of your life?

Why you in ain’t such a (Bb)hur ry

to be been lone (Am)ly one more

I know what it (A9)means to hide your heart

from a (A7)long time a go,

oh, dar lin’.

It keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’.

It keeps you run (Em)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Em)nin’.

It keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Cmaj7)nin’.

It keeps you run (Em)nin’, (D)yeah, it keeps you run (Em)nin’.

run (Em)nin’.

It Keeps You Runnin' by Michael McDonald

4 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of G at 136 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “It Keeps You Runnin'”

What key is "It Keeps You Runnin'" in?: "It Keeps You Runnin'" by Michael McDonald is in the key of G with a tempo of 136 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "It Keeps You Runnin'" 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 "It Keeps You Runnin'" 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 "It Keeps You Runnin'"?: This arrangement of "It Keeps You Runnin'" uses 18 chords: A7, A9, Ab7, Am, Amin, B7, Bb, Bb7, +10 more.
How long does it take to learn "It Keeps You Runnin'" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Michael McDonald can I play here?: Try "REFLECTIONS", "I BELIEVE", "FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.