Now playing

Bastard

Chords

4.739 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

EmThe old bastard left his tiDes and his suGit
DA brown Gbox, Dmothballs and bGowling sChoes
Emand his opinion so you'd nevDer have to cGhoose
DPretty sGoon, you'll Dbe an old bGastard Ctoo
A7You get smaller as the world gets big
CThe more you know you know you don't know shit
A7"The Whiz Man" will never fit you like "The Whiz Kid" Cdid
So wGhy you gotta aDct like you Emknow when you doDn't knCow?
A7It's OK iCf you don't know everything
So wGhy you gotta aDct like you Emknow when you doDn't knCow?
  A7It's OK Cif you don't know everything
EmClose your eyes close your Dears young maGn
DYou've sGeen and hDeard all an oGld man cCan
EmSpread the facts on the floDor like a Gfan
Dthrow awGay the onDes that make you fGeel bCad
(Palm muted)
A7Kids today gettin' old too fast
Cthey can't wait to grow up so they can kiss some ass
A7They get nostalgic about the last ten years
A7before the laCst ten years have passed
(Normal down strums)
So whGy you gotta acDt like you kEmnow when you donD't knoCw?
A7It's OK iCf you don't know everything
So whGy you gotta acDt like you kEmnow when you donD't knoCw?
A7It's OK iCf you don't know everything
Em D Am C Em/B Am C
Em(EnDteAmr VCocEm/Bals)A  C  
Em D/F# D Am/C C Em/B Asus4
Cmaj7 A11 Cmaj7
Am7 Cmaj7 A9 Cmaj7 Am9
Cmaj7 Am11 Cmaj7 Am13 Cmaj13
Am11 G6
EmTears land on a haDnd on the cGhest
DThe old Gbastard hDad a paradGigm aCrrest
A7He got smaller as the world got big
CThe more he knew he knew he didn't know shit
A7"The Whiz Man" never fit him like "The Whiz Kid" dCid
So Gwhy you gotta Dact like you Emknow when you dDon't kCnow?
A7It's OK iCf you don't know everything
So whGy you gotta acDt like you kEmnow when you donD't knoCw?
A7It's OK iCf you don't know everything
[Outro]
G C A Bdim C
G G7 C A Bdim C
G G7 C A Bdim C
G C A Bdim Cmaj9

All chords in this song (23)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Bastard

by Ben Folds

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em/B

D/F#

Am/C

Asus4

Cmaj7

A11

Am7

Am9

Am11

Am13

Cmaj13

Bdim

Cmaj9

Em D G

The old bastard left his ties and his suit

D G D G C

A brown box, mothballs and bowling shoes

Em D G

and his opinion so you'd never have to choose

D G D G C

Pretty soon, you'll be an old bastard too

You get smaller as the world gets big

The more you know you know you don't know shit

A7 C

"The Whiz Man" will never fit you like "The Whiz Kid" did

G D Em D C

So why you gotta act like you know when you don't know?

A7 C

It's OK if you don't know everything

G D Em D C

So why you gotta act like you know when you don't know?

A7 C

It's OK if you don't know everything

Em D G

Close your eyes close your ears young man

D G D G C

You've seen and heard all an old man can

Em D G

Spread the facts on the floor like a fan

D G D G C

throw away the ones that make you feel bad

(Palm muted)

Kids today gettin' old too fast

they can't wait to grow up so they can kiss some ass

They get nostalgic about the last ten years

A7 C

before the last ten years have passed

(Normal down strums)

G D Em D C

So why you gotta act like you know when you don't know?

A7 C

It's OK if you don't know everything

G D Em D C

So why you gotta act like you know when you don't know?

A7 C

It's OK if you don't know everything

Em D Am C Em/B Am C

Em D Am C Em/B A C

(Enter Vocals)

Em D/F# D Am/C C Em/B Asus4

Cmaj7 A11 Cmaj7

Am7 Cmaj7 A9 Cmaj7 Am9

Cmaj7 Am11 Cmaj7 Am13 Cmaj13

Am11 G6

Em D G

Tears land on a hand on the chest

D G D G C

The old bastard had a paradigm arrest

He got smaller as the world got big

The more he knew he knew he didn't know shit

A7 C

"The Whiz Man" never fit him like "The Whiz Kid" did

G D Em D C

So why you gotta act like you know when you don't know?

A7 C

It's OK if you don't know everything

G D Em D C

So why you gotta act like you know when you don't know?

A7 C

It's OK if you don't know everything

[Outro]

G C A Bdim C

G G7 C A Bdim C

G C A Bdim Cmaj9

About Bastard Chords by Ben Folds

Learn how to play Bastard by Ben Folds with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Bastard chords”, “Bastard guitar chords”, or “Ben Folds Bastard 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 Bastard chords and for experienced players who want accurate Bastard lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, D, G, C, A, A7.

FAQ — Bastard by Ben Folds

How do I play "Bastard" by Ben Folds on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Bastard" by Ben Folds 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 "Bastard" by Ben Folds free?

Yes. The chords for "Bastard" by Ben Folds are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Bastard" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Bastard"?

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

Is "Bastard" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Bastard" by Ben Folds with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Ben Folds below.

What key is "Bastard" in?

The chords for "Bastard" show the original chord names (including Em, D, G, C, A, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.