What key is "When You Really Love Someone" in?

"When You Really Love Someone" by Alicia Keys is in the key of E with a tempo of 68 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "When You Really Love Someone" 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 "When You Really Love Someone" 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 "When You Really Love Someone"?

This arrangement of "When You Really Love Someone" uses 4 chords: Am7, B7, Bm7, Em. Only a handful of chords — a great pick for early learners.

How long does it take to learn "When You Really Love Someone" 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 Alicia Keys can I play here?

Try "AS I AM", "DE NOVO ADAGIO (INTRO)", "TEARS ALWAYS WIN". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I’m a (Em)wom an,

and Lord

knows it’s hard.

I need a real man to give me (Em)what I need.

Sweet at ten

tion,

love

and ten der ness.

When it’s real, it’s un con di tion al, I’m (Em)tell in’ y’all.

’Cause a (B7)man just ain’t a man an if he ain’t man an e nough to (Em)love you when you’re right,

love you when you’re wrong,

(Am7)love you when you’re weak,

love you when you’re strong,

take you high er

when the world got you (Em)feel in’ low.

He’s giv ing you his last,

’cause he’s think in’ of you first,

giv ing com fort when he’s think in’ that you’re hurt.

That’s what’s done when you real ly love some one.

I’m (Em)tell in’ y’all.

I’m tell in’ y’all.

’Cause you’re a (Em)real man,

and Lord

knows it’s hard.

Some times you just need to give a (Em)wom an’s touch.

Sweet af fec

tion,

love

and and sup port.

When it’s real, it’s un con di tion al, I’m (Em)tell in’ y’all.

’Cause a (B7)wom an ain’t a wom an if she ain’t wom an e nough to (Em)love you when you’re right,

love you when you’re wrong,

(Am7)love you when you’re weak,

love you when you’re strong,

take you high er

when the world got you (Em)feel in’ low.

She’s giv ing you her best,

e ven when you’re at your worst,

giv ing com fort when she’s think in’ that you’re hurt.

That’s what’s done when you real ly love some one.

I’m (Em)tell in’ y’all.

I’m tell in’ y’all.

’Cause you’re a tell in’ y’all.

Whoo, (Em)whoo,

whoo.

Whoo, (Am7)whoo,

whoo.

Whoo

whoo, (Em)whoo,

whoo.

Some times you wan na ar gue, some times you wan na fight, some (Am7)times it’s gon na feel like it ’ll nev er be right, but (Bm7)some thin’ so strong, if you’re hold in’ on, it (Em)don’t make sense,

but it make a good song.

’Cause a (B7)man just ain’t a man an if he ain’t man an e nough to (Em)love you when you’re right,

love you when you’re wrong,

(Am7)love you when you’re weak,

love you when you’re strong,

take you high er

when the world got you (Em)feel in’ low.

He’s giv ing you his last,

’cause he’s think in’ of you first,

giv ing com fort when he’s think in’ that you’re hurt.

That’s what’s done when you real ly love some one.

(I’m tell in’ y’all.) I’m tell in’ y’all.

I’m tell in’ y’all that a (B7)wom an ain’t a wom an if she ain’t wom an e nough to (Em)love you when you’re right,

love you when you’re wrong,

(Am7)love you when you’re weak,

love you when you’re strong,

take you high er

when the world got you (Em)feel in’ low.

She’s giv ing you her best,

e ven when you’re at your worst,

giv ing com fort when she’s think in’ that you’re hurt.

That’s what’s done when you real ly love some one.

(I’m tell in’ y’all.) I’m tell in’ y’all.

I’m tell in’ y’all that a I’m tell in’ y’all.

(Em)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

(Am7)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

(Bm7)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

(Em)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

(Em)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

(Am7)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

(Bm7)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

(Em)Hmm,

hmm,

yeah.

When You Really Love Someone by Alicia Keys

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of E at 68 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “When You Really Love Someone”

What key is "When You Really Love Someone" in?: "When You Really Love Someone" by Alicia Keys is in the key of E with a tempo of 68 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "When You Really Love Someone" 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 "When You Really Love Someone" 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 "When You Really Love Someone"?: This arrangement of "When You Really Love Someone" uses 4 chords: Am7, B7, Bm7, Em. Only a handful of chords — a great pick for early learners.
How long does it take to learn "When You Really Love Someone" 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 Alicia Keys can I play here?: Try "AS I AM", "DE NOVO ADAGIO (INTRO)", "TEARS ALWAYS WIN". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.