Learn "WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE" by Billy Joel on Piano

Master "WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE" by Billy Joel with our interactive piano player. This medium-level Pop arrangement is in the key of G at 144 BPM, making it a great challenge for intermediate piano players.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement at 144 BPM.

Lyrics

(G5)Har ry Tru man, Dor is Day, (Dsus)Red Chi na, John nie Ray, (Em7)South Pa cif ic, Wal ter Win chell, (Csus2)Joe Di Mag gi o. (G5)Joe Mc Car thy, Rich ard Nix on, (Dsus)Stu de bak er, tel e vi sion, (Em7)North Ko re a, South Ko re a, (Csus2)Mar i lyn Mon roe. (G5)Ro sen bergs, ly, H Bomb, (Dsus)Sug ar Ray, Mon key, Pan mun jom, (Em7)Bran hu la do, The King and I, (Csus2)and The Catch er in the Rye. (G5)Ei sen how er, vac man cine, (Dsus)Eng land’s got a new ne dy. queen, (Em7)Mar ci an o, Li ber a ce, (Csus2)San ta yan a good bye. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. It was (Em7)al ways burn ing since the (C)world’s been turn ing. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. No, we (G)did n’t light it, but we (Csus2)tried to fight it. (G5)Jo seph Sta lin, Ma len kov, (Dsus)Nas ser and Pro ko fi ev, (Em7)Rock e fel ler, Cam pa nel la, (Csus2)Com mu nist Pigs in Bloc. va sion. (G5)Roy rence of Cohn, A Juan Pe rón, (Dsus)Tos ca ni ni, ma Da ni cron. (Em7)Dien Bien Phu Falls, (Csus2)“Rock A round the Clock.” Pat ter son. (G5)Ein stein, James colm Dean, (Dsus)Brook Brit lyn’s ish got pol a i win ti ning cian team, sex, (Em7)Dav y K. Crock ett, blown Pet a er way. Pan, El vis Pres ley, Dis ney land. (G5)Bar dot, Bu da pest, (D)Al a bam a, Khru shchev, (E5)Prin cess Grace, Pey ton Place, (C)trou ble in the Su ez. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. It was (Em7)al ways burn ing since the (C)world’s been turn ing. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. No, we (G)did n’t light it, but we (Am7)tried to fight it. (C)Lit tle Rock, Pas ter nak, (Am)Mick ey Man tle, Ker ou ac, (Em)Sput nik, Chou En Lai, (D)Bridge on the Riv er Kwai, (C)Leb a non, Charles de Gaulle, (Am)Cal i for nia base ball, (Em)Stark weath er, ho mi cide, (D5)chil dren of tha lid o mide. Oh, (C5)What else do I have to say? (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. It was (Em7)al ways burn ing since the (C)world’s been turn ing. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. No, we (G)did n’t light it, but we (C)tried to fight it. (G5)Birth con trol, Ho Chi Minh, (Dsus)Rich ard Nix on back a gain. (Em7)Moon shot, Wood stock, (C5)Wa ter gate, Punk Rock. (G5)Be gin, Rea gan, Pal es tine, (Dsus)ter ror on the air line. (Em7)Ay a tol lah’s in I ran, (C5)Rus sians in Af ghan i stan. (G5)Wheel of For tune, Sal ly Ride, (Dsus)heav y met al, su i cide, (Em7)for eign debts, home less vets, (C)AIDS, crack, Ber nie Goetz. (G5)Hy po der mics on the shores, (Dsus)Chi na’s un der mar tial law. (Em)Rock and (CN.C.)roll er co la wars, I can’t take it an y more. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. It was (Em7)al ways burn ing since the (C)world’s been turn ing. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. But when (G)we are gone will it (C)still burn on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on? (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. It was (G)al ways burn ing since the (C)world’s been turn ing. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. No, we (Em7)did n’t light it, but we (C)tried to fight it. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. It was (G)al ways burn ing since the (C)world’s been turn ing. (Dsus)We did n’t start the fi re. No, we (Em7)did n’t light it, but we (C)tried to fight it.

Song Details

Category
Pop
Key
G
Tempo
144 BPM
Difficulty
medium

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How to Play "We Didn't Start The Fire" on Piano

  1. 1
    Pick a practice mode — Choose from Fall Down, Beginner, Lead Sheet, Bar Sheet, or Simple Sheet — each mode visualizes the music differently to match your learning style.
  2. 2
    Practice each hand separately — Use the Left, Right, and Both buttons to isolate the bass or treble part and build muscle memory one hand at a time.
  3. 3
    Adjust speed and turn on metronome — Slow down to 50% while learning, then gradually speed up. Enable the metronome to keep steady timing.
  4. 4
    Loop a section — Select a tricky part and loop it until you nail it. Perfect for mastering difficult passages.
  5. 5
    Download sheet music — Export a PDF of the sheet music to print out and practice on your real piano anytime, anywhere.