When You Really Love Someone

by Alicia Keys
Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

Start the lesson
Personalize the finger hints for your handsPick your hand size and we'll re-suggest this song's fingering to fit you.Personalize
More ways to play

Other arrangements of When You Really Love Someone

Pick a learning view.

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 — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial

4 people have learned this song

Watch "When You Really Love Someone" by Alicia Keys in falling notes style — like Synthesia. Color-coded notes fall onto the keyboard in real time. Practice left hand, right hand, or both. Key of E, 68 BPM.

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

About “When You Really Love Someone”

Can I learn "When You Really Love Someone" with falling notes like Synthesia?
Yes — Falling Notes mode shows colored note shapes dropping onto a virtual keyboard, the same visual style as Synthesia or piano-tile games. Each note's column matches the piano key you press. Works for "When You Really Love Someone" with hands-separate practice in E at 68 BPM.
What key is "When You Really Love Someone" by Alicia Keys played in?
When You Really Love Someone is arranged in the key of E on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "When You Really Love Someone"?
The arrangement plays at 68 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "When You Really Love Someone" 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 "When You Really Love Someone"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "When You Really Love Someone"?
"When You Really Love Someone" was originally performed by Alicia Keys. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "When You Really Love Someone"?
This arrangement uses 4 chords: Am7, B7, Bm7, Em. Only a handful of chords — beginner-friendly.
What other songs by Alicia Keys can I play here?
Try "AS I AM", "DE NOVO ADAGIO (INTRO)", "TEARS ALWAYS WIN". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can I practice left and right hand separately for "When You Really Love Someone"?
Yes! Our Top Down mode lets you isolate the left hand (bass clef), right hand (treble clef), or play both together. This makes it easy to master "When You Really Love Someone" one hand at a time before combining them.
What is falling notes style for "When You Really Love Someone"?
Falling notes (also known as Synthesia or piano waterfall) shows color-coded rectangles falling from the top of the screen onto a virtual keyboard. Each note's position matches the piano key you need to press. "When You Really Love Someone" is in the key of E at 68 BPM.