Shh… Do you hear that? That sweet sound of piano music playing those love filled notes. For almost forever, the piano has been associated with love songs. With Valentines Day just around the corner, what better why to fill the air with that lovely spirit, than to learn a few piano pop songs!In the article below, you will find 5 songs that can easily be taught to students. You will also find the YouTube video as well as the YouTube tutorial on how to play each, as a bit of background on the songs. So, what are you waiting for, lets get to listening and learning!
Stevie Wonder – I Just Called To Say I Love You
Spending 3 weeks in the #1 spot in October 1982, this song became Stevie Wonders tenth number one hit on the R&B charts. This song won both a Golden Globe and a Academy Award for the Best Original Song. All skill levels should be able to play this song. The intermediate players, may tend to do a bit better than beginners.
Coldplay – The Scientist
The song is built around a piano ballad. It tells history about a mans desire to love, but most of all for an apology. When the song was released in the US, it reached on to number 18 on the US billboard Modern Rock Charts. Nick Southall of Stylus magazine wrote: “The piano that chimes through ‘The Scientist’ is captured perfectly, the warm depression of each individual key caught rather than a shrill ringing as is so often the case.”
Billy Joel – Just The Way You Are
Winning song of the year in 1979, Billy Joel reached the US Top 10 with this track, topping off at #3. This song turned Billy Joel’s career around just in time to make him a long lasting success. The inspiration for this was directly taken from the last line in the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons song “Rag Doll. When this song was published and released as a single, it was shortened from its original version by over a minute.
Elton John – Your Song
With The instrumental focus is on John’s Leon Russell – influenced piano work, it is truly a beautiful piece to listen and to learn. The song was released in the United States in October 1970 as the B-side to “Take Me to the Pilot”. “Your Song” was preferred by disc jockeys and eventually made the top ten on both the UK and US charts. “Your Song” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.In 2004 the song was placed at number 137 on Rolling Stone ’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time“.
Michelle Featherstone – I’m There Too
Michelle Featherstone began studying piano and composing original music at the age of nine. She has received awards from the Royal Academy of Music for piano and violin and the Bishops Award for voice. With her songs making there way to the film and tv sets over the past few years, you may have heard her and did not even know it was her. Having music featured in several films including “The Bridge to Terabithia”, “Peaceful Warriors” and Captivity, she is well on her way to a long lasting career.
With the above five songs, piano players can conquer valentines day! What other songs do you think should have made our list? Please share in the comments below!