When someone asks “what are the best pop piano songs to play on piano?” There are always a few iconic songs that may instantly spring to mind like Piano Man by Billy Joel and any number of Elton John songs. Skoove is here to guide you through a list of top pop picks you can learn whatever your skill level. With song breakdowns and top tips we have everything you need to play your favorite pop songs. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents:
- Robbie Williams – “She’s the One”
- Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”
- Coldplay – “The Scientist”
- Vanessa Carlton – “A Thousand Miles”
- Adele – “Rollin’ in the Deep”
- Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- Adele – “Someone Like You”
- John Legend – “All of Me”
- The Beatles – “Let It Be”
- Gloria Gaynor – “I Will Survive”
1. Robbie Williams – “She’s the One”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | C major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Slurred melody |
| Try Adding | Pedaling for smoother note transitions |
This song can easily be played by any beginner pianist. It is slow and simple, with lots of space between the different phrases. This makes it one of the best piano pop songs for you to learn the basics and not get confused or flustered.
2. Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | C major |
| Meter | 6/4 |
| Technique | Low ledger lines |
| Try Adding | Articulation in the left hand for more interest |
Ed Sheeran’s song “Perfect” is one of the biggest hit songs of 2019. Even though it was written for guitar, it is also one of the best pop songs to learn on piano. Try to find inspiration in the challenge of its low right hand notes and have fun with the flowing 6/4 time signature.
3. Coldplay – “The Scientist”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | F major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right hand chords |
| Try Adding | Dynamics for more expression |
Coldplay’s beautiful ballad written for piano is an iconic pop song. It is one of many piano pop songs that allows you to play the piano keys and bouncing chords in the right hand as well as a bass line on your left hand. This is one of the best pop piano melodies with some more unusual chords. This piece doesn’t follow the conventions of a lot of famous pop and rock piano songs so closely.
4. Vanessa Carlton – “A Thousand Miles”
| Difficulty level | Beginner |
| Key(s) | C major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right and left hand interaction |
| Try Adding | Dynamics for more expression and flow |
This iconic 2000s pop song features broken-chords and a great riff. “A Thousand Miles” creates an instantly recognizable and flowing texture. While it sounds fast and impressive, the repeating pattern makes it manageable once you learn the hand movement. Because the harmony moves in clear, familiar progressions, it’s a great choice for players looking for easy piano pop songs for beginners that still sound expressive and exciting to perform.
5. Adele – “Rollin’ in the Deep”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | F major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Left hand power chords |
| Try Adding | Pedaling for a smoother sound |
Adele’s “Rollin’ in the Deep” is much more about the vocal performance than the piano performance. However, it is still one of the best pop songs piano players can add to their repertoire. The piano can fill the gap of Adele’s iconic voice, by playing the melody of the vocals in the right hand of the piano (or if you can even sing them yourself!)
6. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | F major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right hand hormony |
| Try Adding | Articulation to differentiate sections |
One of the most famous piano pop songs, and a brilliant party piece for pianists. Okay, it’s a challenge but wow will you impress your friends. Released in 1975, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is considered to be one of the best songs ever written. You can learn the intro part to “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the Skoove App, with real-time feedback on your playing and an interactive setup showing finger positions as well as sheet music.
7. Adele – “Someone Like You”
| Difficulty level | Intermediate |
| Key(s) | A major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Left hand power chords |
| Try Adding | Pedaling for more expression |
“Someone like you” is one of the most iconic popular pop piano songs of the 2010s. The repeating left-hand accompaniment pattern runs almost continuously through the piece, which makes it technically approachable once memorised. The harmony loops consistently so you can focus on expressive dynamics and phrasing rather than learning new material every few bars. It’s an excellent step up for players moving beyond easy pop songs on piano into piano bar songs and more expressive territory.
8. John Legend – “All of Me”
| Difficulty level | Advanced |
| Key(s) | F minor |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Syncopation |
| Try Adding | More dynamics for added expression |
Although “All of me” sounds rich and expressive, the structure is built around repeating chords, making it manageable with steady practice. The flowing accompaniment gives you a chance to develop independent control in the left hand while shaping the melody clearly in the right. It’s also one of the most popular choices when players look for pop songs to play on piano at weddings or special events.
9. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
| Difficulty level | Advanced |
| Key(s) | C major |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Right and left hand chords |
| Try Adding | Rubartos for a more interesting flow |
The steady tempo and repeating chord progression make “Let it Be” one of the best pop songs to learn on piano, especially for beginners building confidence with chord changes. The harmony follows a predictable pattern, which helps new players focus on rhythm and coordination rather than complex fingerings.
10. Gloria Gaynor – “I Will Survive”
| Difficulty level | Advanced |
| Key(s) | A minor |
| Meter | 4/4 |
| Technique | Dotted Rhythms |
| Try Adding | Articulation for more impact in the left hand |
The iconic groove and repeating chord progression make “I Will Survive” a great pop song to learn on piano, especially for players who are more comfortable with rhythm and chord changes. The harmony cycles through a clear pattern, allowing you to focus on maintaining the disco-style groove while keeping your left-hand accompaniment steady.
Top practice tips for piano pop songs
Skoove is here to help with our top 5 tips to get you started with simple techniques that make a big difference to your playing.
- Master basic chord progressions
Start with common pop chords like C, G, Am and F. Just like with classical music these form the foundation of many songs and help you play along quickly. - Practice hands separately, then together
Learn the left-hand chords and right-hand melody or patterns separately. Combine them slowly to build coordination without frustration. - Keep a steady rhythm
Use a metronome or backing track to maintain consistent timing. Pop music relies heavily on groove, so locking in the rhythm is key. - Add dynamics for expression
Play softer during verses and stronger in choruses. This brings the song to life and connects emotionally with the music. - Break songs into manageable sections
Divide the song into intro, verse, chorus, etc. Focus on mastering one part at a time before putting it all together.
Ready to play the best piano songs?
There are countless great pop songs you can learn on the piano and this list is just a starting point to spark your inspiration. If you want a simple, structured way to keep discovering and mastering new music, Skoove’s interactive online piano lessons make it easy to learn while building your skills step by step. When you know a few of the best pop songs to play, you’ll always be ready to start a singalong at a party or impress friends with your favorite tunes. Start exploring new songs today and keep your piano journey growing. Happy practicing!
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