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A Bad Dream

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
 D   Am   C   Emx2
[Verse 1]
DWhy do I Amhave to fly Cover every town up and dEmown the line?
DI'll die on the Amclouds above and Cyou that I defend I Emdo not love
[Chorus 1]
I wFake up, it's a bad dDmream, no one on my sGide
I was fighting Embut I just feel too Ftired to be fighting
DmGuess I'm not the fighting kGindG7  
[Verse 2]
DWhen will I mAmeet my fate? BCaby, I'm a man and I was Emborn to hate
DWhen will I Ammeet my end?  CIn a better time you could Embe my friend
[Chorus 2]
I wFake up, it's a bad dDmream, no one on my sGide
I was fighting Embut I just feel too Ftired to be fighting
DmGuess I'm not the fighting kGind
Wouldn't mind it Emif you were by my Fside
But you're long gone, Dmyes, you're long gone nGow
EmYeah...F.
[Bridge]
DmWhere do we Ggo?
I Emdon't even Fknow
D7My strange old facGe
And I'm thinkiEmng about those DmdaysG  
And I'm thinking about those dFays
[Solo]
 D   Am   C   Emx2
[Chorus 2]
I wFake up, it's a bad dDmream, no one on my sGide
I was fighting Embut I just feel too Ftired to be fighting
DmGuess I'm not the fighting kGind
Wouldn't mind it Emif you were by my Fside
But you're long gone, Dmyes, you're long gone nGow
EmYeah...F.
[Outro]
Dm         G
Em         F
D7         G
Em         Dm   G
F

All chords in this song (9)

The story behind the song

"A Bad Dream" is partially inspired by W. B. Yeats' poem "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death," aiming to capture a dreamlike quality. The song evokes the serene silence of being high in a plane, like a Spitfire, where the sounds of conflict below are muted. It paints a picture of being so far above the fray that a sense of peace, almost a quiet detachment, takes over. This feeling of distant observation and quiet contemplation is at the heart of the song.

AI-written from these sources:A Bad Dream — Wikipedia ↗Keane (band) — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

A Bad Dream

by Keane

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

D Am C Em

[Verse 1]

D Am C Em

Why do I have to fly over every town up and down the line?

D Am C Em

I'll die on the clouds above and you that I defend I do not love

[Chorus 1]

F Dm G

I wake up, it's a bad dream, no one on my side

Em F

I was fighting but I just feel too tired to be fighting

Dm G G7

Guess I'm not the fighting kind

[Verse 2]

D Am C Em

When will I meet my fate? Baby, I'm a man and I was born to hate

D Am C Em

When will I meet my end? In a better time you could be my friend

[Chorus 2]

F Dm G

I wake up, it's a bad dream, no one on my side

Em F

I was fighting but I just feel too tired to be fighting

Dm G

Guess I'm not the fighting kind

Em F

Wouldn't mind it if you were by my side

Dm G

But you're long gone, yes, you're long gone now

Em F

Yeah....

[Bridge]

Dm G

Where do we go?

Em F

I don't even know

D7 G

My strange old face

Em Dm G

And I'm thinking about those days

[Solo]

D Am C Em

[Chorus 2]

F Dm G

I wake up, it's a bad dream, no one on my side

Em F

I was fighting but I just feel too tired to be fighting

Dm G

Guess I'm not the fighting kind

Em F

Wouldn't mind it if you were by my side

Dm G

But you're long gone, yes, you're long gone now

Em F

Yeah....

[Outro]

Dm G

Em F

D7 G

Em Dm G

About A Bad Dream Chords by Keane

Learn how to play A Bad Dream by Keane with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Bad Dream chords”, “A Bad Dream guitar chords”, or “Keane A Bad Dream 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 A Bad Dream chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Bad Dream lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, Am, C, Em, F, Dm.

FAQ — A Bad Dream by Keane

How do I play "A Bad Dream" by Keane on guitar?

Open the free chords for "A Bad Dream" by Keane 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 "A Bad Dream" by Keane free?

Yes. The chords for "A Bad Dream" by Keane are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "A Bad Dream" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "A Bad Dream"?

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

Is "A Bad Dream" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "A Bad Dream" in?

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