Is "It's No Good" 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 "It's No Good"?

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 "It's No Good" use?

Just 7 chords: Ab, Abmaj7, Abmaj9, Adim, C, Cm, Cm7. Take it one section at a time.

What other Depeche Mode songs work for kids?

Try "PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE", "STRANGE LOVE", "PERSONAL JESUS". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

It's No Good

· by Depeche Mode

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Lyrics

I’m going to take my (Cm)time,

I have all the time in the world

to make you mine.

It is writ ten in the stars a bove,

when the gods al de (Cm)cree

you’ll be have right here by my side,

(Ab)o right next to me.

You can run but you can not hide.

Don’t say you want me,

don’t say you need me,

don’t say you love me,

it’s un der stood.

Don’t say you’re hap py

out there with out me,

I know you can’t be

’cause it’s no good.

I’ll be fine (Cm)time,

I’ll be wait ing pa tient the ly,

till you the signs,

and come run ing to my o pen arms,

when will you al ise, (Cm)cree

do we have to till our col lide,

(Ab)o pen up your eyes.

You can run can’t turn back the tide

Don’t say you want me, don’t say you need me, don’t say you love me,

it’s un der stood.

Don’t say you’re hap py out there with out me, I know you can’t be

’cause it’s no good.

I’ll be fine

I’m going to take my (Cm)time,

I have all the time in the world

to make you mine.

It is writ ten in the stars a bove.

Don’t say you want me, don’t say you need me, don’t say you love me,

it’s un der stood.

Don’t say you’re hap py out there with out me, I know you can’t be

’cause it’s no good.

Don’t say you want me, don’t say you need me, don’t say you love me,

it’s un der stood.

Don’t say you’re hap py out there with out me, I know you can’t be

’cause it’s no good.

Don’t say you want it’s no good.

It's No Good by Depeche Mode — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “It's No Good” by Depeche Mode 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 F 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.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence with extended chord shapes — your right hand will navigate Abmaj7 and Abmaj9 voicings that stretch beyond basic triads, so take a moment to learn each shape in isolation before you try them in tempo. Your left hand drives an oompah bass pattern, bouncing between a low root and a mid-register chord hit, which at 100 BPM should feel steady but energetic — keep that rhythm relaxed and even, almost like a pulse you could tap your foot to. The trickiest transition is moving between Abmaj9 and Adim: the diminished chord sneaks in quickly, so loop that two-chord change hands-separately until it's automatic. Watch the shift from Cm7 to C major too — it's just one note difference, but rushing it smudges the dramatic color change that makes this song pop. Once those transitions click, you'll have real fluency with major seventh and minor seventh shapes you'll use everywhere.

Frequently asked questions

Is "It's No Good" 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 "It's No Good"?: 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 "It's No Good" use?: Just 7 chords: Ab, Abmaj7, Abmaj9, Adim, C, Cm, Cm7. Take it one section at a time.
What other Depeche Mode songs work for kids?: Try "PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE", "STRANGE LOVE", "PERSONAL JESUS". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.