What key is "Sixteen Candles" in?

"Sixteen Candles" by The Crests is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 85 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Sixteen Candles" 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 "Sixteen Candles" 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 "Sixteen Candles"?

This arrangement of "Sixteen Candles" uses 11 chords: A6, Ab, Bb7, Bbm, C7, Eb, Eb6, Eb7, +3 more.

How long does it take to learn "Sixteen Candles" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

Lyrics

Six teen (Eb)can dles

make a love ly (Ab)sight,

but not as (Bb7)bright

as your eyes to (Eb)night.

Blow out the (Eb)can dles,

make your wish come (Ab)true,

for I’ll be (Bb7)wish ing

(Fm7)that you (Bb7)love me, (Eb)too.

You’re (Eb7)on ly six (Ab)teen,

but you’re my (Bb7)teen age (Eb6)queen.

You’re the (Bbm)pret ti est, (C7)love li est (Bbm)girl I’ve (C7)ev er (Fm7)seen.

Six teen (Eb)can dles

in my heart will (Ab)glow

for ev er and (Bb7)ev er,

(Fm7)for I (Bb7)love you (Eb)so.

(Bb7)Six teen (Eb)can dles

make a love ly (Ab)sight,

but not as (Bb7)bright

as your eyes to (Eb)night.

Blow out the (Eb)can dles,

make your wish come (Ab)true,

for I’ll be (Bb7)wish ing

(Fm7)that you (Bb7)love me, (Eb)too.

You’re (Eb7)on ly six (Ab)teen,

but you’re my (Bb7)teen age (Eb6)queen.

You’re the (Bbm)pret ti est, (C7)love li est (Bbm)girl I’ve (C7)ev er (Fm7)seen.

Six teen (Eb)can dles

in my heart will (Ab)glow

for ev er and (Bb7)ev er,

(Fm7)for I (Bb7)love you (Eb)so.

(Bb7)Six teen (Eb)so.

Sixteen Candles by The Crests

9 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Eb at 85 BPM. Difficulty: medium. 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 “Sixteen Candles”

What key is "Sixteen Candles" in?: "Sixteen Candles" by The Crests is in the key of Eb with a tempo of 85 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Sixteen Candles" 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 "Sixteen Candles" 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 "Sixteen Candles"?: This arrangement of "Sixteen Candles" uses 11 chords: A6, Ab, Bb7, Bbm, C7, Eb, Eb6, Eb7, +3 more.
How long does it take to learn "Sixteen Candles" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.