What key is "Ships" in?

"Ships" by Barry Manilow is in the key of Db with a tempo of 80 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Ships" 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 "Ships" 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 "Ships"?

This arrangement of "Ships" uses 26 chords: A, Ab, Ab7, Am7, B, Bbm, Bbmaj7, C, +18 more.

How long does it take to learn "Ships" 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 Barry Manilow can I play here?

Try "THIS CAN'T BE REAL", "CAN'T SMILE WITHOUT YOU", "JUMP SHOUT BOOGIE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

There’s We (Ab)walked to the (Dbmaj7)sea, just my (Eb)fa ther ’n’ (C7)me, and the (Fm)dogs played a (Ab)round on the (Dbmaj7)sand.

Win (Eb)ter (Ab)cold cut the (Dbmaj7)air, hang in’ (Eb)still ev ’ry (C7)where.

Dressed in (Fm)gray, did he (Ab)say, “Hold my (Dbmaj7)hand”?

I said, “Love’s eas ier when it’s (Db)far a way.”

We sat ’n’ watched a dis tant (Eb)light.

(Db)We’re (Eb)two (B)ships that (D#m)pass in the (E)night,

we both (B)smile and we (D#m)say it’s al (E)right.

We’re still (B)here, it’s just that (D#m7)we’re

out of (Emaj7)sight,

like those (G#m)ships that (F#)pass in the (Emaj7)night.

There’s a (Ab)boat on the (Dbmaj7)line where the (Eb)sea meets the (C7)sky; there’s an (Fm)oth er that (Ab)rides far be (Dbmaj7)hind.

And (Eb)it (Ab)seems you and (Dbmaj7)I are like (Eb)strang ers a (C7)wide ways a (Fm)part as we (Ab)drift on through (Dbmaj7)time.

He said, “It’s hard er now, we’re (Db)far a way.

We on ly read you when you (Eb)write.”

(Db)We’re (Eb)two (B)ships that (D#m)pass in the (E)night,

and we (B)smile when we (D#m)say it’s al (E)right.

We’re still (B)here, it’s just that (D#m7)we’re

out of (Emaj7)sight,

like those (G#m)ships that (F#)pass in the (Emaj7)night.

(Emaj7)night.

(Em7)We’re (A)just (F)ships that (Am7)pass in the (Bbmaj7)night,

and we (Dm7)smile when we (Am7)say it’s al (Bbmaj7)right.

We’re (A)still (F)here, it’s just that (Am7)we’re

out of (Bbmaj7)sight,

like (A)those (Dm)ships that (C)pass in the (Bbmaj7)night.

We’re just (F)ships that (Am7)pass in the (Bbmaj7)night,

and we (Dm7)smile when we (Am7)say it’s al (Bbmaj7)right.

We’re (A)still (F)here, it’s just that (Am7)we’re

out of (Bbmaj7)sight,

like (A)those (Dm)ships that (C)pass in the (Bbmaj7)night.

We’re just (F)ships that (Am7)pass in the (Bbmaj7)night...

Ships by Barry Manilow

3 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Db at 80 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Ships”

What key is "Ships" in?: "Ships" by Barry Manilow is in the key of Db with a tempo of 80 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Ships" 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 "Ships" 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 "Ships"?: This arrangement of "Ships" uses 26 chords: A, Ab, Ab7, Am7, B, Bbm, Bbmaj7, C, +18 more.
How long does it take to learn "Ships" 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 Barry Manilow can I play here?: Try "THIS CAN'T BE REAL", "CAN'T SMILE WITHOUT YOU", "JUMP SHOUT BOOGIE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.