The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance

by Sting
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Lyrics

In the (Bbmaj7)streets a round here, there was (Gm7)no bod y tough er than me.

I was (Cm7)quick with me fists and (F7sus)fast with me foot work, as (Bbmaj7)you can plain ly (Bb7)see.

But while (Fm7)fight ing was use ful for (Bb7)get ting your way a mong the (Ebmaj7)toughs of the town

where (Ebm6)you could hold sway,

there (Gm)had to be some thing that was (E)bet ter than this.

I was (F7)fif teen years old

and I’d (Abdim7)nev er been kissed.

Well, of (Bbmaj7)course she’d ig nore me; her (Gm7)friends would all sneer at me (Cm7)blood y nose drip ping and me (F7sus)cau li flow’r ear.

For it’s (Cm7)hard to con vince in a (F7sus)ro man tic (F7)pose with a (Bbmaj7)love ly black eye and a bro ken (Bb6)nose, sion of me.

where a (Fm7)girl is at tract ed to (Bb7)skills more re fined than the pu gi list’s (Ebmaj7)art.

ly,

And (Ebm6)so, I in clined

to (Gm)take me self se rious as a was (Edim7)mod ern ro manc er, and I (F7)se cret ly learned all the moves of a danc (F7)er.

You (Bbmaj7)swing to the left,

you (Gm7)swing to the right, keep your eyes on your part ner, more or (F7sus)less like a fight.

You just (Cm7)fol low the rhy thm and you (F7sus)keep to the beat.

The im (Bbmaj7)por tant thing’s (Bb7)nev er to (Bb6)look at your (Bb)feet.

Then a (Fm7)mir a cle hap pens; your your (Bb7)mind’s in a trance, though the (Ebmaj7)strat e gy’s sub tle: re (Ebm6)treat and ad vance.

It’s (Bbmaj7)all a bout (Gm7)at ti tude, (Cm7)all in your (F7)stance, at (Dm7)ten tion to (Gm7)de tail, leav ing (Cm7)noth ing to (F7)chance; which ex (Dm7)plains how the (Gm7)pu gi list (Cm7)fi nal ly (F7)learned how to (Bbmaj7)dance.

Well, I’d on the (Bbmaj7)night that the pu gi (Gm7)list (Cm7)fi nal ly (F7sus)learned how (F7)to (Bmaj7)dance.

It’s a (B)three min ute round and you’re (G#m7)back in your cor ner.

You’re (C#m7)lick ing your wounds just like (F#7sus)Lit tle Jack Horn er.

Don’t (C#m7)let your guard down; try a (F#7sus)jab with your right, or you’re (Bmaj7)los ing on points by the (B6)end of the night.

Then a (F#m7)mir a cle hap pens

and ev ’ry one’s (B7)scream ing.

You’re (Emaj7)pinch ing your self just in (Em6)case you’re still dream ing.

You’ve (G#m)tak en th’in i tia (G)tive, you’ve (F)tak en your chance.

It’s the (B)night when this (G#m7)pu gi list (C#m7)fi nal ly learned how to (F)dance.

In a (D#m7)bout where the (G#m7)strat e gist’s (C#m7)bridg es were burned, where it (D#m7)seemed that his (G#m7)for tune had (C#m7)sud den ly turned, ’twas the (D#m7)night that this (G#m7)scrap per was (C#m7)sud den ly dap per.

This (F)poor fel low’s (Em)heart was still (B)going like the (Ddim7)clap pers the (C#m7)night that the pu gi list fi nal ly (F#7sus)learned how (F#7)to (Bmaj7)dance.

The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance — Simple Sheet Music

10 people have learned this song

"The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance" in simplified sheet music format — the bridge between beginner modes and real sheet music. Color-coded notes with lyrics scrolling horizontally. Perfect for learning to read music. Key of Eb, 160 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance”

How does Simplified Piano Arrangement differ from full sheet music for "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance"?
Simplified Arrangement keeps the melody and chords on a simplified staff with lyrics, color-coded for easy recognition. It's a learner-bridge between Beginner mode and the classic engraved Sheet Music — same song, less visual density.
What key is "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance" by Sting played in?
The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance is arranged in the key of Eb on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance"?
The arrangement plays at 160 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance"?
"The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance" was originally performed by Sting. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance"?
This arrangement uses 34 chords: Abdim7, B, B6, B7, Bb, Bb6, Bb7, Bbaug, +26 more.
What other songs by Sting can I play here?
Try "DESERT ROSE", "WHEN WE DANCE", "IF I EVER LOSE MY FAITH IN YOU". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is Simple Sheet good for learning to read sheet music?
Yes! Simple Sheet bridges the gap between beginner color-coded modes and traditional notation. Notes are displayed on a simplified staff with colors, lyrics, and chords — helping you build music reading skills gradually while still enjoying "The Night The Pugilist Learned How To Dance". Key of Eb, 160 BPM.
What's the difference between Simple Sheet and Lead Sheet?
Simple Sheet shows a more streamlined, horizontally scrolling view with color-coded notes on a staff and lyrics below — like a simplified version of real sheet music. Lead Sheet shows melody with chord symbols above and full lyrics. Simple Sheet is the next step toward reading traditional notation.