Writing's On The Wall

by Sam Smith
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How to Play This Song

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

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Sing this song instead — backing track for “Writing's On The Wall”
Backing track + lyrics — toggle the vocal, change the key, practice singing over piano.

Other arrangements of Writing's On The Wall

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Lyrics

I’ve been here

be (Gmaj7)fore

but al ways hit

the (Gmaj7)floor.

I’ve (C)spent a life time run ning and I (B)al ways get a way,

but with (C)you I’m feel ing some thing that (B)makes me want to stay.

A I’m pre pared

for (Gmaj7)this,

I nev er shoot

to (Gmaj7)miss.

But I (C)feel like a storm is com ing,

if I’m (B)gon na make it through the day

then there’s (C)no more use in run ning,

this is (B)some thing I got ta face.

If I (G)risk it all

could you break my (B7)fall?

How do I (Em)live?

How do I (D)breathe?

When you’re not (C)here I’m suf fo cat (D)ing.

I want to feel (Em)love run through my (D)blood, tell me is (C)this where I give it all (Bm)up?

For (Am7)you,

I have to risk it (B7)all

’cause the writ ing’s on the (Em)wall.

A mil lion shards

of (Gmaj7)glass

that haunt me from

my (Gmaj7)past.

As the (C)stars like be gin to ga ther

and the (B)light na be it gins to fade,

when all (C)hope be gins to shat ter

know that (B)I thing won’t be a fraid.

If I (G)risk it all

could you break my (B7)fall?

How do I (Em)live?

How do I (D)breathe?

When you’re not (C)here I’m suf fo cat (D)ing.

I want to feel (Em)love run through my (D)blood, tell me is (C)this where I give it all (Bm)up?

For (Am7)you,

I have to risk it (B7)all

’cause the writ ing’s on the (Em)wall.

(Em)wall.

Writing's On The Wall — Classic Piano Sheet Music

4 people have learned this song

Read "Writing's On The Wall" by Sam Smith in classic piano notation — both hands, real chords + notes, in the published key of E. Engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML; click any note to jump there as the score follows along at 64 BPM.

Tip: Break this song into sections and master each one separately. The speed control lets you drill difficult passages at any tempo.

About “Writing's On The Wall”

Is this the same engraved sheet music a piano teacher would print for "Writing's On The Wall"?
Yes — the score is rendered server-side from the publisher MusicXML using Verovio (the same engine RISM and OpenScore use). Standard piano notation, treble + bass staves, real chord symbols, key signature E. Print-quality and identical to what you'd see in a printed piano book.
What key is "Writing's On The Wall" by Sam Smith played in?
Writing's On The Wall 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 "Writing's On The Wall"?
The arrangement plays at 64 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Writing's On The Wall" easy to play on piano?
This is an advanced arrangement. We recommend breaking it into sections and using the speed control to drill harder passages.
Can I download sheet music for "Writing's On The Wall"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Writing's On The Wall"?
"Writing's On The Wall" was originally performed by Sam Smith. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Writing's On The Wall"?
This arrangement uses 11 chords: Am7, B, B7, Bm, Bm7, C, Cmaj7, D, +3 more.
What other songs by Sam Smith can I play here?
Try "NO PEACE", "FIRE ON FIRE", "WRITING'S ON THE WALL". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is this the same notation a piano teacher would hand me?
Yes — "Writing's On The Wall" is rendered at engraver quality (the Verovio engine, the same toolkit RISM and OpenScore editions use) from the original publisher MusicXML. You get standard piano notation: treble + bass clefs, key signature E, time signature, beams, dynamics — everything a printed sheet music book would have. Great for piano students learning to read music properly.
What's the difference between Sheet Music and the other modes here?
Sheet Music is the "classic" view — the one your piano teacher uses. Other modes (Beginner, Fall Down, Simple Sheet, Lead Sheet) trade real notation for color-coded notes and falling shapes to help absolute beginners. Use Sheet Music once you're ready to read both hands at once from real notation.
Can I practice from this view at my own pace?
Yes — slow the tempo from 64 BPM down (or up) without changing the pitch. The score scrolls in time and the currently playing note is highlighted, so you can drill a tough bar at half speed and bump it up once it feels comfortable.
Why can I click a note in the score?
Every notehead is interactive. Click and the audio jumps to that moment so you can drill a specific phrase or bar instead of replaying from the top. The currently playing note is highlighted as the music advances so your eye never loses its place.
Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?
Yes — Sheet Music PDF is one of the download formats for this song. The engraved score prints page-perfect on A4 / Letter so you can practice from paper as well as on screen.