What key is "Nightswimming" in?

"Nightswimming" by R.E.M. is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Nightswimming" 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 "Nightswimming" 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 "Nightswimming"?

This arrangement of "Nightswimming" uses 8 chords: A, C, Cpow, Csus2, D, Dpow, Dsus4, G.

How long does it take to learn "Nightswimming" 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 R.E.M. can I play here?

Try "EVERYBODY HURTS", "IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT", "Everybody Hurts". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Night swim (C5)ming

de serves a qui et night.

The (G)pho to graph on the dash board,

(G)tak en years a go,

(C)turned a round back wards so the (Dsus)wind shield shows.

(G)Ev er y street light knew you.

re veals the pic (G)ture in re verse.

(C)Still, it’s so much clear er.

(G)I for got my shirt at the wa (G)ter’s edge.

The (Csus2)moon is low to night.

Night swim (Csus2)ming

de serves a qui et night.

I’m (C)not sure all these peo ple un der stand.

pin ing for the It’s (D)not like years a go, what if there were the (Csus2)fear of get (A)ting caught,

in or bit of (Dsus)reck less ness and wa ter.

They can not (D)see me na (G)ked.

These (Csus2)things, they (A)go a way,

re (Dsus)placed by ev ’ry day.

Night swim (Csus2)ming,

re mem ber ing that night.

Sep (C)tem ber’s com ing soon.

un der I’m pin ing for the It’s (D)not like years a And what if there were two (Csus2)fear of side (A)ting by

in or bit a (Dsus)round the fair est sun?

ter.

They That tight (D)for ev er (G)drum

could (Csus2)not de (A)scribe night swim

re (Dsus)placed by ev ’ry day.

(C)ming.

The (G)pho to graph re flects

(D)ev ’ry street light, a re mind er.

Night swim (C)ming

de (Dsus)serves a qui (D)et night,

de (Csus2)serves a qui (A)et night.

(G)pho to graph re flects

(D)ev ’ry street light, a re mind er.

Night swim (C)ming

de (Dsus)serves a qui (D)et night,

de (Csus2)serves a qui (A)et night.

Nightswimming by R.E.M.

19 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of G at 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a wonderful exercise in keeping your left hand steady while your right hand moves through some beautifully open chord voicings.

Your left hand plays an octave bass pattern throughout, so start by drilling that alone until it feels almost automatic — it needs to be your anchor, not something you're thinking about.

At 100 BPM the tempo is gentle, but watch the transitions between the sus chords: moving from Dsus4 to D and Csus2 to C requires small, precise finger adjustments, and rushing those changes is the most common stumble I see.

Practice the C–Csus2–D–Dsus4 cluster as its own loop, hands together, at about 70 BPM before bringing it up to speed.

Pay attention to your sustain pedal — this peaceful, flowing feel depends on clean pedal changes right on each new bass note, not before.

If you let pedal moments get sloppy, the harmonies blur into mud.

Once it clicks, this song will genuinely solidify your confidence with suspended chords and smooth voice leading, skills that transfer to dozens of other ballads.

About “Nightswimming”

What key is "Nightswimming" in?: "Nightswimming" by R.E.M. is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Nightswimming" 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 "Nightswimming" 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 "Nightswimming"?: This arrangement of "Nightswimming" uses 8 chords: A, C, Cpow, Csus2, D, Dpow, Dsus4, G.
How long does it take to learn "Nightswimming" 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 R.E.M. can I play here?: Try "EVERYBODY HURTS", "IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT", "Everybody Hurts". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.