What key is "Shakedown Street" in?

"Shakedown Street" by Grateful Dead is in the key of C with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Shakedown Street" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "Shakedown Street" 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 "Shakedown Street"?

This arrangement of "Shakedown Street" uses 10 chords: C, C7, C9, Dm, Dm7, Ebm7, Em7, F, +2 more.

How long does it take to learn "Shakedown Street" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Grateful Dead can I play here?

Try "UNCLE JOHN'S BAND", "THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED", "SUGAR MAGNOLIA". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

You (G)tell me this town ain’t got no (C)heart.

day,

(Dm)Well, (C)well, (Dm)well,

you can (C)nev er (Dm)tell.

The (G)sun ny side of the street is (C)dark.

(Dm)Well, (C)well, (Dm)well, you can (C)nev er (Dm)tell.

May be that’s ’cause it’s (Fmaj7)mid night

and the (Em7)dark led of the moon be sides.

Don’t (Fmaj7)May be the dark is from your eyes.

(Don’t (May be the dark is from your eyes.) Don’t (Em7)May be the dark is from your eyes.

(Don’t (Ebm7)(May be the dark is from your eyes.) Don’t (Dm7)May be the dark is from your eyes.

(Don’t (May be the dark is from your eyes.) You (G)know you got such dark eyes.

(C7sus)Noth in’ shak in’ on Shake down Street.

(C7sus)Used to be the (C7)heart of town.

Don’t (C7sus)tell me this (C7)town ain’t got no heart.

You (C7sus)just got to (C7)poke a round.

You (G)think me you seen this town clear (C)through.

day,

(Dm)Well, (C)well, (Dm)well,

you can (C)nev er (Dm)tell.

I (G)Noth in’ here that could in t’rest (C)you.

(Dm)Well, (C)well, (Dm)well,

you can (C)nev er (Dm)tell.

It’s not be cause you (Fmaj7)missed out

on the (Em7)thing led that we had to start.

Don’t (Fmaj7)May be you had too much too fast.

(Don’t (May be you had too much too fast.) Don’t (Em7)May be you had too much too fast.

(Don’t (Ebm7)(May be you had too much too fast.) Don’t (Dm7)May be you had too much too fast.

(Don’t (May be you had too much too fast.) And (G)just o ver played your part.

(C7sus)Noth in’ shak in’ on Shake down Street.

(C7sus)Used to be the (C7)heart of town.

Don’t (C7sus)tell me this (C7)town ain’t got no heart.

You (C7sus)just got to (C7)poke a round.

You

Shakedown Street by Grateful Dead

18 people have learned this song

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

Learn how to accompany it· the chords and what each hand plays, on Super Simple Chords ↗

About “Shakedown Street”

What key is "Shakedown Street" in?: "Shakedown Street" by Grateful Dead is in the key of C with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Shakedown Street" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Shakedown Street" 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 "Shakedown Street"?: This arrangement of "Shakedown Street" uses 10 chords: C, C7, C9, Dm, Dm7, Ebm7, Em7, F, +2 more.
How long does it take to learn "Shakedown Street" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Grateful Dead can I play here?: Try "UNCLE JOHN'S BAND", "THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED", "SUGAR MAGNOLIA". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.