What key is "The Only Exception" in?

"The Only Exception" by Hayley Williams is in the key of C with a tempo of 70 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "The Only Exception" 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 "The Only Exception" 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 "The Only Exception"?

This arrangement of "The Only Exception" uses 7 chords: Bb, C, Dm7, F, Fmaj7, G, Gm6.

How long does it take to learn "The Only Exception" on piano?

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

Lyrics

(C)When I was young er I saw

my Dad dy (Gm6)cry and curse at the wind.

He (C)broke his own heart and I watched as he tried to re as sem ble it.

And (C)my Mom ma swore she would

nev er let (Gm6)her

self for (Fmaj7)get.

And (C)that was the day that I prom ised I’d nev er sing of (Gm6)love if it does not ex (Fmaj7)ist.

But dar ling, (C)you

are the on ly ex cep tion, (Gm6)you

are the (Fmaj7)on ly ex cep tion.

(C)You

are the on ly ex cep tion, (Gm6)you

are the (Fmaj7)on ly ex cep tion.

May be I know, some where

deep in my (Gm6)soul that love nev er lasts.

(C)We’ve got to find oth er ways to make it a (Gm6)lone, and keep a straight (Fmaj7)face.

And (C)I’ve al ways lived like this,

keep ing a com fort able

(Fmaj7)dis tance.

And (C)up un til now, I had sworn to my self that I’m con (Gm6)tent with lone li ness.

Be cause none of it was ev er worth the risk.

(Fmaj7)on ly ex cep tion.

(Dm7)Oh.

(C)Oh.

Hey, (Dm7)hey.

Oh.

I’ve got a (Dm7)tight grip on re al i ty, but I can’t

let (C)go of what’s in front of me (G)here.

I know you’re (Dm7)leav ing in the morn ing, when you wake up,

leave me (C)with some kind of proof it’s not a (G)dream.

Woah.

(C)You

are the on ly ex cep tion, (Gm6)you

are the (Fmaj7)on ly ex cep tion.

(C)You

are the on ly ex cep tion, (Gm6)you

are the (Fmaj7)on ly ex cep tion.

You

are the on ly ex cep tion, you

are the on ly ex cep tion.

(C)You

are the on ly ex cep tion, (Gm6)you

are the (Fmaj7)on ly ex cep tion.

And (Bb)I’m

on my (F)way to be liev ing.

Oh,

and (Bb)I’m

on my (F)way to be liev ing.

The Only Exception by Hayley Williams

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 70 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “The Only Exception”

What key is "The Only Exception" in?: "The Only Exception" by Hayley Williams is in the key of C with a tempo of 70 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "The Only Exception" 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 "The Only Exception" 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 "The Only Exception"?: This arrangement of "The Only Exception" uses 7 chords: Bb, C, Dm7, F, Fmaj7, G, Gm6.
How long does it take to learn "The Only Exception" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.