Born Under A Bad Sign

by Albert King

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Lyrics

Born un der a bad sign;

been down since I be gan to crawl.

Oh, if it was n’t for bad luck,

I would n’t (Am)have no luck at all.

(Bm)(Let me tell you.)

Hard luck and trou ble nev er is my on ly friend;

Been on my own an ev er since ry I big was ten.

Born un der a bad sign;

been down since I be gan to crawl.

Oh, if it was n’t for bad luck,

I would n’t (Am)have no luck at all.

I can’t and read; I nev is learned how on to write.

My whole head life an has been one ry me to my fight.

Born un der a bad sign;

been down since I be gan to crawl.

Oh, if it was n’t for bad luck,

I would n’t (Am)have no luck at all.

Born Under A Bad Sign by Albert King — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Born Under A Bad Sign” by Albert King 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 C at 100 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.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Born Under A Bad Sign" 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 "Born Under A Bad Sign"?
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.
How many chords does "Born Under A Bad Sign" use?
Just 6 chords: Am, Am7, Bm, C, D, E. Take it one section at a time.
What other Albert King songs work for kids?
Try "I'LL PLAY THE BLUES FOR YOU", "Born Under A Bad Sign". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.