Rock, Reggae

Badfish Chords

Sublime Beginner Key of A 4 Chords 3 min read Updated Jul 2026

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

A · D · E · G

Badfish Chords – Guitar

Sublime’s laid-back ska-punk anthem about a lonely, misunderstood creature. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Ska Upstroke (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Emphasize the upstrokes on the “and” beats for that classic ska feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

I can’t wait ’til I get home

E

To pass the time in my room alone

A

Badfish you ain’t no friend of mine

E

I don’t feel like carrying on

A

You think you’re the only one

E

Who has decided it’s too much to run

A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Verse 2

A

I feel like I’m a stranger

E

In a strange, strange land

A

I’m just a badfish out of water

E

I don’t think she understands

A

She thinks I’m a porcupine

E

Take a look at what you’ve done

A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talking ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Bridge

A E A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

A E A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Practice tip: Practice switching between the A and E chords cleanly, as this is the core progression of the song. Use a metronome to keep the ska rhythm tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Badfish"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, D, E and G.

Is "Badfish" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Badfish" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Badfish"?

It was written by Brad Nowell, and released in 1992.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

A · D · E · G

Badfish Chords – Ukulele

Sublime’s laid-back ska-punk anthem about a lonely, misunderstood creature. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Ska Upstroke (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Emphasize the upstrokes on the “and” beats for that classic ska feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

I can’t wait ’til I get home

E

To pass the time in my room alone

A

Badfish you ain’t no friend of mine

E

I don’t feel like carrying on

A

You think you’re the only one

E

Who has decided it’s too much to run

A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Verse 2

A

I feel like I’m a stranger

E

In a strange, strange land

A

I’m just a badfish out of water

E

I don’t think she understands

A

She thinks I’m a porcupine

E

Take a look at what you’ve done

A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talking ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Bridge

A E A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

A E A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Practice tip: Practice switching between the A and E chords cleanly, as this is the core progression of the song. Use a metronome to keep the ska rhythm tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Badfish"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, D, E and G.

Is "Badfish" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Badfish" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Badfish"?

It was written by Brad Nowell, and released in 1992.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

A · D · E · G

Badfish Chords – Piano

Sublime’s laid-back ska-punk anthem about a lonely, misunderstood creature. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Ska Upstroke (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Emphasize the upstrokes on the “and” beats for that classic ska feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

I can’t wait ’til I get home

E

To pass the time in my room alone

A

Badfish you ain’t no friend of mine

E

I don’t feel like carrying on

A

You think you’re the only one

E

Who has decided it’s too much to run

A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Verse 2

A

I feel like I’m a stranger

E

In a strange, strange land

A

I’m just a badfish out of water

E

I don’t think she understands

A

She thinks I’m a porcupine

E

Take a look at what you’ve done

A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talking ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Bridge

A E A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

A E A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Practice tip: Practice switching between the A and E chords cleanly, as this is the core progression of the song. Use a metronome to keep the ska rhythm tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Badfish"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, D, E and G.

Is "Badfish" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Badfish" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Badfish"?

It was written by Brad Nowell, and released in 1992.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

A · D · E · G

Badfish Chords – Banjo

Sublime’s laid-back ska-punk anthem about a lonely, misunderstood creature. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Ska Upstroke (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Emphasize the upstrokes on the “and” beats for that classic ska feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

I can’t wait ’til I get home

E

To pass the time in my room alone

A

Badfish you ain’t no friend of mine

E

I don’t feel like carrying on

A

You think you’re the only one

E

Who has decided it’s too much to run

A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Verse 2

A

I feel like I’m a stranger

E

In a strange, strange land

A

I’m just a badfish out of water

E

I don’t think she understands

A

She thinks I’m a porcupine

E

Take a look at what you’ve done

A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talking ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Bridge

A E A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

A E A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Practice tip: Practice switching between the A and E chords cleanly, as this is the core progression of the song. Use a metronome to keep the ska rhythm tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Badfish"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, D, E and G.

Is "Badfish" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Badfish" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Badfish"?

It was written by Brad Nowell, and released in 1992.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

A · D · E · G

Badfish Chords – Mandolin

Sublime’s laid-back ska-punk anthem about a lonely, misunderstood creature. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Ska Upstroke (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Emphasize the upstrokes on the “and” beats for that classic ska feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

I can’t wait ’til I get home

E

To pass the time in my room alone

A

Badfish you ain’t no friend of mine

E

I don’t feel like carrying on

A

You think you’re the only one

E

Who has decided it’s too much to run

A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Verse 2

A

I feel like I’m a stranger

E

In a strange, strange land

A

I’m just a badfish out of water

E

I don’t think she understands

A

She thinks I’m a porcupine

E

Take a look at what you’ve done

A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talking ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Bridge

A E A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

A E A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Practice tip: Practice switching between the A and E chords cleanly, as this is the core progression of the song. Use a metronome to keep the ska rhythm tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Badfish"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, D, E and G.

Is "Badfish" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Badfish" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Badfish"?

It was written by Brad Nowell, and released in 1992.

Atap to play

Dtap to play

Etap to play

Gtap to play

Key

A

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

A · D · E · G

Badfish Chords – Harmonica

Sublime’s laid-back ska-punk anthem about a lonely, misunderstood creature. Beginner difficulty in the key of A.

Ska Upstroke (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: Emphasize the upstrokes on the “and” beats for that classic ska feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

A

I can’t wait ’til I get home

E

To pass the time in my room alone

A

Badfish you ain’t no friend of mine

E

I don’t feel like carrying on

A

You think you’re the only one

E

Who has decided it’s too much to run

A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Verse 2

A

I feel like I’m a stranger

E

In a strange, strange land

A

I’m just a badfish out of water

E

I don’t think she understands

A

She thinks I’m a porcupine

E

Take a look at what you’ve done

A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talking ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Bridge

A E A

I ain’t no prophet, I ain’t no prodigal son

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

A E A

I ain’t no mad dog, Englishman

E A

I ain’t talkin’ ’bout no messiah

Chorus

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

A

I just want to have some fun

E

I don’t want to hurt no one

A E

A badfish, a long, long way from home

Practice tip: Practice switching between the A and E chords cleanly, as this is the core progression of the song. Use a metronome to keep the ska rhythm tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Badfish"?

You need 4 beginner-friendly chords: A, D, E and G.

Is "Badfish" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 4 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Badfish" in?

It is in the key of A.

Who wrote "Badfish"?

It was written by Brad Nowell, and released in 1992.