What key is "The Show Must Go On" in?

"The Show Must Go On" by Queen is in the key of B with a tempo of 84 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "The Show Must Go On" 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 "The Show Must Go On" 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 Show Must Go On"?

This arrangement of "The Show Must Go On" uses 25 chords: A, Am, Bm, Bsus2, Bsus4, C, C#m, C#m7, +17 more.

How long does it take to learn "The Show Must Go On" on piano?

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

What other songs by Queen can I play here?

Try "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY", "BICYCLE RACE", "SOMEBODY TO LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Emp ty (Bm)spac es,

what are we (Bsus)liv ing for?

A ban doned (G)plac es,

I guess we (Em)know the score.

(Em7)On and on,

does (F#sus)an y bod y (F#)know what we are (Em)look ing for?

An oth er (Bm)he ro,

an oth er (Bsus)mind less crime be hind the (G)cur tain

in the (Em)pan to mime,

(Em7)hold the line,

does (F#sus)an y bod y (F#)want to take it an y (Em)more?

The show must go (Bm)on,

the show must go (G)on.

In (Em7)side my heart is (Em6)break ing, my (F#sus)make up may be (F#)flak ing, but my (Em)smile

still (Bm)stays on.

What ev er (C#m)hap pens,

I leave it all to chance, an oth er (A)heart ache,

an oth er (F#m)failed ro mance.

(F#m7)On and on,

does (G#sus)an y bod y (G#)know what we are (F#m)liv ing for?

I (F#m)guess I’m (C#m)learn ing,

I must be (C#sus)warm er now.

I’ll (C#m)soon be (A)turn ing

’round the (F#m)cor ner now.

Out (F#m7)side the dawn is (F#m6)break ing, but (G#sus)in side in the (G#)dark I’m ach ing (F#m)to be free.

The show must go (Bm)on,

the show must go (G)on.

Ooh, in (Em7)side my heart is (Em6)break ing, my (F#sus)make up may be (F#)flak ing, but my (Em)smile

still (Bm)stays on.

Yeah,

yeah.

Ooh, (Em7)oh, ooh, (Em6)oh.

My soul is (G)paint ed like the (Em)wings of but ter (Am)flies,

(F)fair y tales of yes ter day will (Em7)grow, but nev er die,

I can fly.

(Dsus)My friends,

(CN.C.)the show must go (Bm)on,

yeah,

the show must go (G)on.

I’ll (Em7)face it with a grin,

I’m (F#sus)nev er giv ing in, on

with the show.

Ooh, (G)I’ll (Em7)top the bill, I’ll (Em6)o ver kill, I (F#sus)have to find the will to car ry on,

(Em7)show.

The Show Must Go On by Queen

6 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of B at 84 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “The Show Must Go On”

What key is "The Show Must Go On" in?: "The Show Must Go On" by Queen is in the key of B with a tempo of 84 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "The Show Must Go On" 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 "The Show Must Go On" 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 Show Must Go On"?: This arrangement of "The Show Must Go On" uses 25 chords: A, Am, Bm, Bsus2, Bsus4, C, C#m, C#m7, +17 more.
How long does it take to learn "The Show Must Go On" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Queen can I play here?: Try "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY", "BICYCLE RACE", "SOMEBODY TO LOVE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.