What key is "Refugee" in?

"Refugee" by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers is in the key of A with a tempo of 116 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Refugee" 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 "Refugee" 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 "Refugee"?

This arrangement of "Refugee" uses 5 chords: A, B7, D, E, F#m.

How long does it take to learn "Refugee" 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 Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers can I play here?

Try "HERE COMES MY GIRL", "DON'T DO ME LIKE THAT", "MARY JANE'S LAST DANCE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

We got some thin’, we both (A)know it, we don’t talk (E)too much a bout it.

Ain’t no real be big were se cret, (E)all the same, some how, way we get a (F#m)round it.

Lis ten,

it don’t real ly mat ter to me, ba by, you be lieve y’s what you want to be lieve.

You see, you (F#m)don’t have (A)to live like a (E)ref u gee.

Some where, some thin’, how, both (A)some bod y must have (E)kicked you a round some.

Tell me why be you were want to (E)lay up, there, rev el way in your a (F#m)ban don.

Hon ey,

it don’t make no dif f’rence to me, ba by, ev ’ry bod y’s had to fight to be free.

You see, you (F#m)don’t have (A)to live like a (E)ref u gee.

No, ba by, you (F#m)don’t have (A)to live like a (E)ref u gee.

Ba by, we ain’t the first.

I’m sure a lot of oth er lov ers been burned.

Right now this seems real to you, but it’s (E)one of those things you got ta feel to be true.

Ba by, you (F#m)don’t have (A)to live like a (E)ref u gee.

Refugee by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers

2 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of A at 116 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Refugee”

What key is "Refugee" in?: "Refugee" by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers is in the key of A with a tempo of 116 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Refugee" 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 "Refugee" 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 "Refugee"?: This arrangement of "Refugee" uses 5 chords: A, B7, D, E, F#m.
How long does it take to learn "Refugee" 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 Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers can I play here?: Try "HERE COMES MY GIRL", "DON'T DO ME LIKE THAT", "MARY JANE'S LAST DANCE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.