Bad Habits

by Ed Sheeran

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Lyrics

Ooh.

(B)Ev ’ry time you come a round, you know I can’t say no.

(B)Ev ’ry time the sun goes down, I let you take con trol.

It (B)I can feel the par a dise be fore my world im plodes.

And to (B)night had some how to won der ful.

My bad hab its lead to (B)late nights, end ing a lone.

Con ver sa tions with a (G)stran ger I bare ly know.

Swear ing this will be the (B)last but it prob a bly won’t.

I got noth ing left to (E)lose, or use, or (G)do.

My bad hab its lead to (B)wide eyes, stare in to space, and I know I lose con (G)trol of the things that I say.

Yeah, I was look ing for a (B)way out; now I can’t es cape.

Noth ing hap pens af ter (E)two.

It’s true, it’s (G)true, my bad hab its lead to (B)you.

Ooh.

My bad hab its lead to (B)you.

Ooh.

My bad hab its lead to you.

(B)We

took the long way ’round

and (B)burned

’til the fun ran out.

Now, my bad hab its lead to (B)late nights, end ing a lone.

Con ver sa tions with a (G)stran ger I bare ly know.

Swear ing this will be the (B)last, but it prob a bly won’t.

I got noth ing left to (E)lose, or use, or do.

My bad hab its lead to My bad hab its lead to you.

Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of D at 125 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great workout for syncopated right-hand melody over steady left-hand chords in the key of D. At 125 BPM, the pulse feels driving but manageable — your real challenge is the off-beat phrasing in the melody, which lands between beats more often than on them. Start hands-separate and slow the tempo to around 80 BPM so you can internalize where those syncopated notes actually fall. Your left hand will cycle through a repeating chord pattern, so once you've nailed the shapes and transitions — particularly moving cleanly between B minor and F-sharp minor — lock that in as muscle memory before layering the right hand on top. When you combine hands, the tendency is to rush the melody to "catch up" with the chords; resist that by counting eighth notes out loud. A light touch on the sustain pedal, lifted at each chord change, will keep things clean without sounding dry. This is the song that'll genuinely solidify your comfort with syncopation against a steady bass — a skill you'll use constantly in pop piano.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Bad Habits" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Bad Habits"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
What other Ed Sheeran songs work for kids?
Try "Sing", "SING", "DIVE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.