What key is "Lush Life" in?

"Lush Life" by Billy Strayhorn is in the key of Gb with a tempo of 90 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Lush Life" 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 "Lush Life" 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 "Lush Life"?

This arrangement of "Lush Life" uses 46 chords: A7, A9, Ab6, Ab7, Ab9, Abm7, B7, Bb7, +38 more.

How long does it take to learn "Lush Life" 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 Billy Strayhorn can I play here?

Try "Chelsea Bridge". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I (Db)used to vis it (Cb7)all the ver y (Dbmaj7)gay plac es, those (Cb7)come what (Dbmaj7)may plac es, where (Cb7)one re (Dbmaj7)lax es (Ebm7)on the (Fbmaj7)ax is (Gbm7)of the (Abm7)wheel of life to get the (Db6)feel of life from jazz and (Db6)cock tails.

The (Db)girls I knew had (Cb7)sad and sul len (Dbmaj7)gray fac es, with (Cb7)dis tin (Dbmaj7)gué trac es that (Cb7)used to (Dbmaj7)be there, (Ebm7)you could (Fbmaj7)see where (Gbm7)they’d been (Abm7)washed a way by too man y (Db6)through the day

(D9)twelve o’ (Db6)clock tails.

(C7)Then (Fm)you came a (Fm6)long with (Fm7)your si ren (Fm6)song to (Fm)tempt me to mad ness,

I (Fm)thought for a (Fm6)while that (Fm7)your poig nant (Fm6)smile was (Db)tinged with the (Edim7)sad ness (Ebm7)of a great (Ab9)love for me.

Ah, (Bb)yes, I was (Ebm7)wrong,

a gain I was (Ebm7)wrong!

(Db)Life is (D9)lone ly a (Db)gain, and (D9)on ly last (Db6)year ev ’ry thing (C)seemed (B)so (E)sure.

(D)Now (Db)life is (D7)aw ful a (Db)gain, a (D7)trough ful of (Db)hearts could on ly (Db9)be (C)a (F)bore.

(Eb)A (Ab6)week in (Eb)Par is will (Ab6)ease the (Em9)bite of (A)it.

(D)All I (Dm7)care is to (C6)smile (Cb7)in (Bb9)spite (A7)of (Ab9)it.

(Db)I’ll for (D7)get you, I (Db)will, while (D7)yet you are (Db6)still burn ing in (C)side (B)my (Bb7)brain.

Ro (Ebm7)mance is (Gbm9)mush, (Gbm6)sti fling (A9)those who strive,

I’ll (Dbmaj9)live a (Dbm9)lush (Gb)life in (Cbmaj9)some (Cb6)small (Fm11)dive,

(Bb)and (Ebm7)there I’ll (Gbm9)be, while (Gbm6)I (A)rot with the (Ab9)rest of (Fb)those (Eb6)whose (Dmaj7)lives (G9)are (Db6)lone (D9)ly, (Dbmaj7)too.

Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn

5 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Gb at 90 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Lush Life”

What key is "Lush Life" in?: "Lush Life" by Billy Strayhorn is in the key of Gb with a tempo of 90 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Lush Life" 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 "Lush Life" 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 "Lush Life"?: This arrangement of "Lush Life" uses 46 chords: A7, A9, Ab6, Ab7, Ab9, Abm7, B7, Bb7, +38 more.
How long does it take to learn "Lush Life" 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 Billy Strayhorn can I play here?: Try "Chelsea Bridge". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.