Lean On Me

by Bill Withers
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Sing this song instead — backing track for “Lean On Me”
Backing track + lyrics — toggle the vocal, change the key, practice singing over piano.

Other arrangements of Lean On Me

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Lyrics

Some

times in our (F)lives

we all have (C)pain,

we all have (C)sor (G)row,

(C)but

if we are (F)wise

we know that (C)there’s

al ways to (G)mor (C)row.

Lean on me

when you’re not (F)strong,

and I’ll be your (C)friend;

I’ll help you (C)car ry (G)on,

(C)for

it won’t be (F)long

’til I’m gon na (C)need

some bod y to (G)lean (C)on.

(C)Please

swal low your (F)pride

if you have (C)things

you need to (C)bor (G)row,

(C)for

no one can (F)fill

those of your (C)needs

that you won’t (G7)let (C)show.

You just call on me, broth er, when you need a hand.

We all need some bod y to (G)lean (C)on.

I just might have a prob lem that you’ll un der stand.

We all need some bod y to (G)lean (C)on.

Lean on me

when you’re not (F)strong,

and I’ll be your (C)friend;

I’ll help you (C)car ry (G)on,

(C)for

it won’t be (F)long

’til I’m gon na (C)need

some bod y to (G)lean (C)on.

You just call on me, broth er, when you need a hand.

We all need some bod y to (G)lean (C)on.

I just might have a prob lem that you’ll un der stand.

We all need some bod y to (G)lean (C)on.

Lean on me

when you’re not (F)strong,

and I’ll be your (C)friend;

I’ll help you (C)car ry (G)on,

(C)for

it won’t be (F)long

’til I’m gon na (C)need

some bod y to (G)lean (C)on.

You just (G)lean (C)on.

(Dm)call (C)me if you need a (Dm)friend.

Uh huh.

(Dm)Call (C)me if you need a (Dm)friend.

Uh huh.

(Dm)Call (C)me.

(Dm)Call (C)me.

(Dm)Call (C)me.

(Dm)Call (C)me.

Lean On Me — Classic Piano Sheet Music

8 people have learned this song

Read "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers in classic piano notation — both hands, real chords + notes, in the published key of C. Engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML; click any note to jump there as the score follows along at 94 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

About “Lean On Me”

Is this the same engraved sheet music a piano teacher would print for "Lean On Me"?
Yes — the score is rendered server-side from the publisher MusicXML using Verovio (the same engine RISM and OpenScore use). Standard piano notation, treble + bass staves, real chord symbols, key signature C. Print-quality and identical to what you'd see in a printed piano book.
What key is "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers played in?
Lean On Me is arranged in the key of C on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Lean On Me"?
The arrangement plays at 94 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Lean On Me" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
Can I download sheet music for "Lean On Me"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Lean On Me"?
"Lean On Me" was originally performed by Bill Withers. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What other songs by Bill Withers can I play here?
Try "Lovely Day", "LEAN ON ME", "LEAN ON ME". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is this the same notation a piano teacher would hand me?
Yes — "Lean On Me" is rendered at engraver quality (the Verovio engine, the same toolkit RISM and OpenScore editions use) from the original publisher MusicXML. You get standard piano notation: treble + bass clefs, key signature C, time signature, beams, dynamics — everything a printed sheet music book would have. Great for piano students learning to read music properly.
What's the difference between Sheet Music and the other modes here?
Sheet Music is the "classic" view — the one your piano teacher uses. Other modes (Beginner, Fall Down, Simple Sheet, Lead Sheet) trade real notation for color-coded notes and falling shapes to help absolute beginners. Use Sheet Music once you're ready to read both hands at once from real notation.
Can I practice from this view at my own pace?
Yes — slow the tempo from 94 BPM down (or up) without changing the pitch. The score scrolls in time and the currently playing note is highlighted, so you can drill a tough bar at half speed and bump it up once it feels comfortable.
Why can I click a note in the score?
Every notehead is interactive. Click and the audio jumps to that moment so you can drill a specific phrase or bar instead of replaying from the top. The currently playing note is highlighted as the music advances so your eye never loses its place.
Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?
Yes — Sheet Music PDF is one of the download formats for this song. The engraved score prints page-perfect on A4 / Letter so you can practice from paper as well as on screen.