What key is "Start Me Up" in?

"Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones is in the key of C with a tempo of 124 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Start Me Up" 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 "Start Me Up" 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 "Start Me Up" on piano?

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

What other songs by The Rolling Stones can I play here?

Try "Beast Of Burden", "BEAST OF BURDEN", "SATISFACTION". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

If you (G)start (C)me up,

(C)if you start me up I’ll (F)nev er stop.

You can (G)start (C)me up,

(C)you can start me up, I’ll (F)nev er stop.

(F)(You (Bb)you (F)got.) I’ve been (G)run (C)ning hot,

you got me just a bout to (Bb)blow my top.

you’ve got to (F)nev er, nev er nev er, You can (G)start me (C)up,

you can start me up, I (F)nev er stop, nev er stop, nev er stop, er, nev er stop.

er.

You make a grown man (C)cry,

you make a grown man (C)cry,

you make a grown man (C)cry.

Spread out the oil,

the gas o line,

I want a smooth ride in a (F)mean, er, mean ma (C)chine.

(F)Start it up.

You can (G)start (C)me up,

(C)kick the start er, give it (F)all you’ve got.

(F)(You (Bb)you (F)got.) I’ve I (G)can’t (C)com pete

you with the rid ers in the (Bb)oth er heats.

you’ve got to (F)nev er, nev er nev er, stop.

You (G)rough it (C)up.

If you like it you can (F)slide it up, slide it up, slide it up, er, slide it up.

er.

Don’t make a grown man (C)cry,

don’t make a grown man (C)cry,

don’t make a grown man (C)cry.

My eyes di late,

my lips go green,

my hands are greas y, she’s a (F)mean, er, mean ma (C)chine.

(F)Start it up.

You can

(C)seen.

If you (G)start (C)it up,

love the day when we will (F)nev er stop, nev er stop, nev er, nev er, nev er stop.

(G)Tough (C)it up,

love the day when we will (F)nev er stop, nev er stop, nev er, nev er, nev er stop.

(G)You, you,

(C)you make a grown man (F)cry.

Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 124 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Start Me Up”

What key is "Start Me Up" in?: "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones is in the key of C with a tempo of 124 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Start Me Up" 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 "Start Me Up" 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 "Start Me Up" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by The Rolling Stones can I play here?: Try "Beast Of Burden", "BEAST OF BURDEN", "SATISFACTION". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.