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Bad News

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Capo 1st fret
Intro
      A          A          A          A
|          |          |          |          |
      A          A          A
|          |          |          |
          A
Well, bad news travels like wildfire, good news travels slow.
They call me "Wildfire", 'cause ev'rybody knows
      D7                                 A
I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go.
E7
Always gettin' into trouble
                                                                   A
And leavin' little girls that hate to see me go.
A
They tried to hang me in Oakland and they did in Fransisco.
But I wouldn't choke, I broke their rope and they had to let me go,
                 D7                                 A
'cause I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go.
E7
Always gettin' into trouble
                                                                   A
And leavin' little girls that hate to see me go.
                   A
Now, from north to south to east to west, the story is the same.
From one state to another I have to change my name,
                 D7                                 A
'cause I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go.
E7
Always gettin' into trouble
                                                                   A
And leavin' little girls that hate to see me go.
Bridge
      B          B          B          B
|          |          |          |          |
      B          B          B
|          |          |          |
B
Well, now I picked peaches in Georgia, I lumberjacked in Maine.
I've been hired, fired and jailed; any town you can name,
                 E7                                 B
'cause I'm bad news ev'rywhere I go.
F#7
Always gettin' into trouble
                                                                   B
And leavin' little girls that hate to see me go.

Bad News chords and lyrics

Free chords for Bad News by Johnny Cash. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

Capo 1st fret
Intro
|     A     |     A     |     A     |     A     |
|     A     |     A     |     A     |
They call me "Wildfire", 'cause ev'rybody knows
But I wouldn't choke, I broke their rope and they had to let me go,
From one state to another I have to change my name,
Bridge
|     B     |     B     |     B     |     B     |
|     B     |     B     |     B     |
I've been hired, fired and jailed; any town you can name,

Bad News Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Bad News by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Bad News chords”, “Bad News guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Bad News chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Bad News chords and for experienced players who want accurate Bad News lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, D7, E7, B, F#7.

Frequently asked questions about Bad News

How do I play "Bad News" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Bad News" by Johnny Cash on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Bad News" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "Bad News" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Bad News" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Bad News" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Bad News"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Bad News" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Bad News" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Bad News" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Bad News" in?

The chords for "Bad News" show the original chord names (including A, D7, E7, B, F#7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.