What key is "Mama Said" in?

"Mama Said" by The Shirelles is in the key of C with a tempo of 140 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Mama Said" 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 "Mama Said" 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 "Mama Said"?

This arrangement of "Mama Said" uses 11 chords: Am, C, C7, D7, Dm7, E, E7, Em, +3 more.

How long does it take to learn "Mama Said" 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 The Shirelles can I play here?

Try "DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE", "WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW", "WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, Ma ma (C)said.

(F)(Ma ma said, (G7)Ma ma (C)said.) Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, my Ma ma (C)said.

(F)(Ma ma said, (G7)Ma ma (C)said.) I went walk ing the (Am)oth er day,

ev ’ry (G7)thing was go ing (C)fine;

I (C)met a lit tle boy named (Am)Bil ly Joe, and then I (F)al most (G7)lost my (C)mind.

Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, Ma ma (C)said.

(F)(Ma ma said, (G7)Ma ma (C)said.) Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, my Ma ma (C)said.

(F)(Ma ma said, (G7)Ma ma (C)said.) I went walk ing the (Am)oth er day,

ev ’ry (G7)thing was go ing (C)fine;

I (C)met a lit tle boy named (Am)Bil ly Joe, and then I (F)al most (G7)lost my (C)mind.

(C)said.

My eyes are wide o pen,

but all that I can see (E7)is

chap el bells are (D7)call in’ for (G7sus)ev ’ry one but a (G7)me.

But I don’t wor ry, ’cause Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, Ma ma (C)said.

(F)(Ma ma said, (G7)Ma ma (C)said.) Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, my Ma ma (C)said.

And then she (F)said some one will look at

like I’m look ing at you, one (E7)day.

Then I might (D7)find

I (G7sus)don’t want it an y old (G7)way.

So I don’t wor ry, ’cause Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, Ma ma (C)said.

(F)(Ma ma said, (G7)Ma ma (C)said.) Ma ma said there’ll be (Am)days like this, there’ll be (F)days like this, my Ma ma (C)said.

Ma ma said, (E)Ma ma (Am)said, “Hey!

Don’t you wor ry.” Ma ma said, (E)Ma ma (Am)said, “Hey!

Don’t you wor ry now.” Ma ma said, (E)Ma ma (Am)said, “Hey!

Hey!” (C)said.

Mama Said by The Shirelles

81 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 140 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Mama Said”

What key is "Mama Said" in?: "Mama Said" by The Shirelles is in the key of C with a tempo of 140 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Mama Said" 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 "Mama Said" 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 "Mama Said"?: This arrangement of "Mama Said" uses 11 chords: Am, C, C7, D7, Dm7, E, E7, Em, +3 more.
How long does it take to learn "Mama Said" 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 The Shirelles can I play here?: Try "DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE", "WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW", "WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.