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Criminal

Chords

4.9421 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse 1]
  AmI've been a bad, bF7ad girl,
  AmI've been careless with a F7delicate man.
  AmAnd it's a sad, sF7ad world,
  AmWhen a girl will break a boy
F7Just because she can.
[Pre-Chorus]
 CDon't you Bbtell me to deF7ny it,
I've done Cwrong and I want to
BbSuffer for mAmy sins.
  CI've come to Bbyou cause I need
Ab7Guidance to be G7true
And I just F7don't know where I can beAb7gin.
[Chorus]
F7What I need is a Cm7good defense
'Cause I'm F7feelin' like a crimCm7inal.
And I F7need to be redeemed
To the Cm7one I sinned agaiBbnst
Because he was Ab7all I G7ever knew of F7love.
[Verse 2]
  AmHeaven help me for the F7way I am.
AmSave me from these evil deeds.
BeF7fore I get them done.
  AmI know tomorrow brings the F7consequence at hand.
But AmI keep livin' this day like
The F7next will never come.
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, Chelp me, but don't Bbtell me to deF7ny it.
I've got to Ccleanse myself.
Of Bball these lies till I'm Amgood enough for him.
 CI've got a Bblot to lose and I'm Ab7bettin' high
So I'm G7beggin' you beF7fore it ends
Just tell me where to beAb7gin.
[Chorus]
F7What I need is a Cm7good defense
'Cause I'm F7feelin' like a crimCm7inal.
And I F7need to be redeemed
To the Cm7one I sinned agaiBbnst
Because he was Ab7all I G7ever knew of F7love.
[Bridge]
    EbLet me knCb7ow the way
    Ab7Before there's hCb7ell to pay.
    EbGive me roCb7om to lay the Ab7law and let me go.
    EbI've got to maCb7ke a play
    Ab7To make my Cb7lover stay.
    EbSo, what would an Cb7angel say?
The Ab7devil wants to know.
[Chorus]
  F7What I need is a Cm7good defense
'Cause I'm F7feelin' like a crimCm7inal.
And I F7need to be redeemed
To the Cm7one I've sinned agaiBbnst
Because he was Ab7all I G7ever knew of F7love.
F7What I need is a Cm7good defense
'Cause I'm F7feelin' like a crimCm7inal.
And I F7need to be redeemed
To the Cm7one I sinned agaiBbnst
Because he was Ab7all I G7ever knew of F7loooooooooooove. Cm7Love
[Outro]
F7    Cm7    F7    Cm7    F7    Cm7

All chords in this song (9)

The story behind the song

"Criminal" delves into the feeling of guilt that comes from easily achieving something by using one's sexuality. Released as the third single from her debut album Tidal, the song explores the emotional aftermath of such an experience. Fiona Apple, a singer-songwriter who began writing songs in her youth, crafted this track to reflect on this complex emotion. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. At its heart, "Criminal" is a raw exploration of vulnerability and self-reflection.

AI-written from these sources:Criminal (Fiona Apple song) — Wikipedia ↗Fiona Apple — Wikipedia ↗

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Chord Book

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

Criminal

by Fiona Apple

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Ab7

Cm7

[Verse 1]

Am F7

I've been a bad, bad girl,

Am F7

I've been careless with a delicate man.

Am F7

And it's a sad, sad world,

When a girl will break a boy

Just because she can.

[Pre-Chorus]

C Bb F7

Don't you tell me to deny it,

I've done wrong and I want to

Bb Am

Suffer for my sins.

C Bb

I've come to you cause I need

Ab7 G7

Guidance to be true

F7 Ab7

And I just don't know where I can begin.

[Chorus]

F7 Cm7

What I need is a good defense

F7 Cm7

'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal.

And I need to be redeemed

Cm7 Bb

To the one I sinned against

Ab7 G7 F7

Because he was all I ever knew of love.

[Verse 2]

Am F7

Heaven help me for the way I am.

Save me from these evil deeds.

Before I get them done.

Am F7

I know tomorrow brings the consequence at hand.

But I keep livin' this day like

The next will never come.

[Pre-Chorus]

C Bb F7

Oh, help me, but don't tell me to deny it.

I've got to cleanse myself.

Bb Am

Of all these lies till I'm good enough for him.

C Bb Ab7

I've got a lot to lose and I'm bettin' high

G7 F7

So I'm beggin' you before it ends

Ab7

Just tell me where to begin.

[Chorus]

F7 Cm7

What I need is a good defense

F7 Cm7

'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal.

And I need to be redeemed

Cm7 Bb

To the one I sinned against

Ab7 G7 F7

Because he was all I ever knew of love.

[Bridge]

Eb Cb7

Let me know the way

Ab7 Cb7

Before there's hell to pay.

Eb Cb7 Ab7

Give me room to lay the law and let me go.

Eb Cb7

I've got to make a play

Ab7 Cb7

To make my lover stay.

Eb Cb7

So, what would an angel say?

Ab7

The devil wants to know.

[Chorus]

F7 Cm7

What I need is a good defense

F7 Cm7

'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal.

And I need to be redeemed

Cm7 Bb

To the one I've sinned against

Ab7 G7 F7

Because he was all I ever knew of love.

F7 Cm7

What I need is a good defense

F7 Cm7

'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal.

And I need to be redeemed

Cm7 Bb

To the one I sinned against

Ab7 G7 F7 Cm7

Because he was all I ever knew of loooooooooooove. Love

[Outro]

F7 Cm7 F7 Cm7 F7 Cm7

About Criminal Chords by Fiona Apple

Learn how to play Criminal by Fiona Apple with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Criminal chords”, “Criminal guitar chords”, or “Fiona Apple Criminal 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 Criminal chords and for experienced players who want accurate Criminal lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, F7, C, Bb, Ab7, G7.

FAQ — Criminal by Fiona Apple

How do I play "Criminal" by Fiona Apple on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Criminal" by Fiona Apple 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 "Criminal" by Fiona Apple free?

Yes. The chords for "Criminal" by Fiona Apple are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Criminal" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Criminal"?

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

Is "Criminal" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Criminal" in?

The chords for "Criminal" show the original chord names (including Am, F7, C, Bb, Ab7, G7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.