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Mr Bad Example

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Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

NOTE: Capo 2 for recorded key. Warren used no capo for live performances (see Youtube).
[Intro]
E
[Verse]
I sEtarted as an altar boy working at the B7church
B7Learning all my holy moves and doing some reEsearch.
EWhich led me to a cash box, labelled "Children's AFund"
AI'd leave the change and tEucked the bills inB7side my cummerEbund.
I Egot a part time job at my father's carpet B7store
B7Laying tackless stripping and housewives by the Escore.
I Eloaded up their furniture and took it to SpoAkane
and Aauctioned off Eevery last B7Naugahyde diEvan.
I'm Every well acquainted with the seven deadly B7sins
I B7keep a busy schedule, trying to fit them Ein.
I'm Eproud to be a glutton and I don't have time for Asloth
I'm Agreedy and I'm aEngry and I B7don't care who I Ecross.
[Chorus]
I'm AMr. Bad ExEample, inB7truder in the Edirt
I lAike to have a Egood time, and I B7don't care who gets Ehurt.
I'm AMr. Bad ExEample, B7take a look at Eme
I'll Alive to be a Ehundred and go B7down in infaEmy.B7  
[Verse]
Of Ecourse I went to law school, and took a law B7degree
And B7counselled all my clients, to plead insaniEty.
Then Eworked in hair replacement, swindling the Abald
Where Avery few are Echosen, and B7fewer still are Ecalled.
Then Eon to Monte Carlo to play chemin de B7faire
I B7threw away the fortune, I made transplanting Ehair.
I Eput my last few francs down on a prostiAtute
Who Atook me up to Eher room to B7perform the flag saElute.
EWhereupon I stole her passport and her B7wig
And B7headed for the airport and the midnight flight, you Edig?
And Efourteen hours later I was down in AdeAlaide
ALooking through the Ewant ads sipping B7Fosters in the Eshade.
I Eopened up an agency somewhere down the B7line
To B7hire aboriginals to work the opal Emines.
But EI attached their wages and took a whopping Acut
And Awhisked away their Eworkman's comp and B7pauperized the Elot.
[Chorus]
I'm AMr. Bad ExEample, inB7truder in the Edirt
I lAike to have a Egood time, and I B7don't care who gets Ehurt.
I'm AMr. Bad ExEample, B7take a look at Eme
I'll Alive to be a Ehundred and go B7down in infaEmyB7  
[Verse]
I Ebought a first class ticket on Malaysian B7Air
And B7landed in Sri Lanka, none the worse for Ewear.
I'm Ethinking of retiring from all my dirty Adeals
I'll Asee you in the Enext life, B7wake me up for Emeals!E  

All chords in this song (3)

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Mr Bad Example

by Warren Zevon

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

NOTE: Capo 2 for recorded key. Warren used no capo for live performances (see Youtube).

[Intro]

[Verse]

E B7

I started as an altar boy working at the church

B7 E

Learning all my holy moves and doing some research.

E A

Which led me to a cash box, labelled "Children's Fund"

A E B7 E

I'd leave the change and tucked the bills inside my cummerbund.

E B7

I got a part time job at my father's carpet store

B7 E

Laying tackless stripping and housewives by the score.

E A

I loaded up their furniture and took it to Spokane

A E B7 E

and auctioned off every last Naugahyde divan.

E B7

I'm very well acquainted with the seven deadly sins

B7 E

I keep a busy schedule, trying to fit them in.

E A

I'm proud to be a glutton and I don't have time for sloth

A E B7 E

I'm greedy and I'm angry and I don't care who I cross.

[Chorus]

A E B7 E

I'm Mr. Bad Example, intruder in the dirt

A E B7 E

I like to have a good time, and I don't care who gets hurt.

A E B7 E

I'm Mr. Bad Example, take a look at me

A E B7 E B7

I'll live to be a hundred and go down in infamy.

[Verse]

E B7

Of course I went to law school, and took a law degree

B7 E

And counselled all my clients, to plead insanity.

E A

Then worked in hair replacement, swindling the bald

A E B7 E

Where very few are chosen, and fewer still are called.

E B7

Then on to Monte Carlo to play chemin de faire

B7 E

I threw away the fortune, I made transplanting hair.

E A

I put my last few francs down on a prostitute

A E B7 E

Who took me up to her room to perform the flag salute.

E B7

Whereupon I stole her passport and her wig

B7 E

And headed for the airport and the midnight flight, you dig?

E A

And fourteen hours later I was down in Adelaide

A E B7 E

Looking through the want ads sipping Fosters in the shade.

E B7

I opened up an agency somewhere down the line

B7 E

To hire aboriginals to work the opal mines.

E A

But I attached their wages and took a whopping cut

A E B7 E

And whisked away their workman's comp and pauperized the lot.

[Chorus]

A E B7 E

I'm Mr. Bad Example, intruder in the dirt

A E B7 E

I like to have a good time, and I don't care who gets hurt.

A E B7 E

I'm Mr. Bad Example, take a look at me

A E B7 E B7

I'll live to be a hundred and go down in infamy

[Verse]

E B7

I bought a first class ticket on Malaysian Air

B7 E

And landed in Sri Lanka, none the worse for wear.

E A

I'm thinking of retiring from all my dirty deals

A E B7 E E

I'll see you in the next life, wake me up for meals!

About Mr Bad Example Chords by Warren Zevon

Learn how to play Mr Bad Example by Warren Zevon with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Mr Bad Example chords”, “Mr Bad Example guitar chords”, or “Warren Zevon Mr Bad Example 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 Mr Bad Example chords and for experienced players who want accurate Mr Bad Example lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, B7, A.

FAQ — Mr Bad Example by Warren Zevon

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What key is "Mr Bad Example" in?

The chords for "Mr Bad Example" show the original chord names (including E, B7, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.