Is "How Bad Can I Be" 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 "How Bad Can I Be"?

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 "How Bad Can I Be" use?

Just 12 chords: A, A6, A7, Apow, C, D, E, E7, +4 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other John Powell songs work for kids?

Try "THNEEDVILLE", "FUNERAL FOR A TREE", "LET IT GROW". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

How Bad Can I Be

· by John Powell

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Lyrics

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

I’m just do ing what comes nat ’ral (A)ly.

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

I’m just fol low ing my (D)des ti ny.

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

I’m just do ing what comes nat ’ral (A)ly.

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

How (CN.C.)bad can I pos sib ly be?

Well there’s a (E7)prin ci ple in na ture (Prin ci ple in na ture.) that al most ev ’ry crea ture knows, called “sur (E7)viv al of the fit test,” (Sur viv al of the fit test.) and check it; this is how it goes:

The (E7)an i mal that wins got ta scratch and fight and claw and bite and punch, and the (E7)an i mal that does n’t, well, the an i mal that does n’t winds up some one (CN.C.)else ’s (A7)lu lu lu lu lunch.

(Munch munch munch munch munch.) I’m just say in’!

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

I’m just do ing what comes nat ’ral (A)ly.

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

I’m just fol low ing my (D)des ti ny.

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

I’m just do ing what comes nat ’ral (A)ly.

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

How (CN.C.)bad can I pos sib ly be?

(Munch munch munch munch munch.) I’m just say in’!

How (CN.C.)bad can I pos sib ly be?

(A7)(Ahh!) There’s a (E7)prin ci ple in busi ness (Prin ci ple in busi ness.) that ev ’ry bod y knows is sound.

It says the (E7)peo ple with the mon ey (Peo ple with the mon ey.) make this ev er lov in’ world go ’round.

So I’m (E7)big ger in’ my com pa ny, I’m big ger in’ my fac to ry, I’m big ger in’ my cor p’rate sign.

(Big ger, big ger, big ger, Ev ’ry bod y out there, you take care of yours, and (CN.C.)me, I’ll take care of (A6)mine, mine, mine, mine, (A7)mine.

(Shake that bot tom line.) Let me hear you say, (E)“Smog u lous smoke!” (Smog u lous smoke.) “Schlop pi ty schlopp!” (G)(Schlop pi ty schlopp.) Com (E)plain all you want; it’s nev er, ev er, ev er, ev er gon na stop.

(Stop!)

Come on, how bad can I pos sib ly be?

How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

(I’m just build ing the e (D)con o my.) How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

(CN.C.)(Just look at me pet tin’ this pup py.) How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

(A (A)por tion of pro ceeds goes to char i How (E7)ba a a ad can I be?

(How bad could I pos sib ly (D)be?

Let’s (A)see.) How (E7)(Buy, a a ad sell, I be?

(All the (Fmaj13)trade, to mers are squash.) ing,...) How (E7)(Pork, a a ad fat, I be?

(...and the (Fmaj13)cut, ey’s mul ti ply smash.) ing!) How (E7)(Gold, a a ad yen, I be?

(...And the (Fmaj13)mark, R.

peo ple are pound.) ing,...) How (E7)(Short, a a ad coal, I be?

(...and the (Fmaj13)oil, yers are de war.) ing!) How (E7)(Buy, a a ad sell, I be?

(Who cares (Fmaj13)trade, if a few trees are squash.) ing?) How (E7)(Pork, a a ad fat, we be?

(This is (Fmaj13)cut, so grat i smash.) ing!) How (E7)bad,

how (Fmaj13)bad can this pos si bly (E)be?

How Bad Can I Be by John Powell — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “How Bad Can I Be” by John Powell 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 E at 88 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 "How Bad Can I Be" 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 "How Bad Can I Be"?: 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 "How Bad Can I Be" use?: Just 12 chords: A, A6, A7, Apow, C, D, E, E7, +4 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other John Powell songs work for kids?: Try "THNEEDVILLE", "FUNERAL FOR A TREE", "LET IT GROW". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.