What key is "Smackwater Jack" in?

"Smackwater Jack" by Carole King is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Smackwater Jack" 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 "Smackwater Jack" 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.

How long does it take to learn "Smackwater Jack" on piano?

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

What other songs by Carole King can I play here?

Try "YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND", "TAPESTRY", "I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Now ac Smack wa (C)ter Jack, ture he for bought a shot gun,

’cause he

they was (C)in the (G)mood for a lit tle (C)sur con fron ta tion.

He just a let it all hang loose,

he did n’t (C7)think a bout the noose;

he could n’t (D)take no more a buse, so he shot down the con gre ga tion.

You can’t (D)talk

to a (Em)man

with a shot gun (Em7)in his (C)hand.

Now ac Big

Jim, (C)the chief, ture stood n’t law and or der.

He called

they for (C)old the (G)guard to come lit and (C)sur round the bor der.

You know the From his bull dog mouth,

he as he (C7)led the pos se south,

and came the (D)cry, “We’ve to to clean up the streets down the con gre ga tion.

You can’t (D)talk

to a (Em)man

with a shot gun (Em7)in his (C)hand.

for our wives and our daugh ters.”

You can’t (D)talk to a (Em)man

with a shot gun (Em)in his (C)hand.

for the un der tak er.

You can’t (D)talk to a (Em)man

with a (D)shot gun (Em7)in his (C)hand,

a (C7)shot gun in his hand.

(G)Smack wa ter Jack bought a shot gun.

Yeah!

Smack wa ter Jack bought (C)a shot gun.

(C)Yeah!

(G)Smack wa ter Jack bought a shot gun.

Yeah!

Smack wa ter Jack bought (C)a shot gun.

(C)Yeah!

Smackwater Jack by Carole King

7 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of G 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 “Smackwater Jack”

What key is "Smackwater Jack" in?: "Smackwater Jack" by Carole King is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Smackwater Jack" 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 "Smackwater Jack" 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.
How long does it take to learn "Smackwater Jack" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Carole King can I play here?: Try "YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND", "TAPESTRY", "I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.