[Intro]
B F# G#m E
[Verse 1]
B F#
Did you really beam me up
G#m E
In a cloud of sparkling dust
B
Just to do experiments on
F#
Tell me I'm the chosen one
G#m
Show me that this world is bigger than us
E
Then sent me back where I came from
B
For a moment, I knew cosmic love
[Chorus]
B
Now I'm down bad crying at the gym
F#
Everything comes out teenage petulance
G#m
Fuck it if I can't have him
E
I might just die, it would make no difference
B
Down bad, waking up in blood
F#
Staring at the sky, come back and pick me up
G#m
Fuck it, if I can't have us
E B
I might just not get up, I might stay down bad
F# G#m
Fuck it if I can't have him, down bad
E
Fuck it if I can't have him
[verse 2]
B F#
Did you take all my old clothes
G#m E
Just to leave me here naked and alone
B
In a field in my same old town
F#
That somehow seems so hollow now
G#m E
They'll say I'm nuts if I talk about the existence of you
B
For a moment I was heavenstruck
[Chorus]
B
Now I'm down bad crying at the gym
F#
Everything comes out teenage petulance
G#m
Fuck it if I can't have him (Fuck it, if I can't have)
E
I might just die, it would make no difference
B
Down bad, waking up in blood
F#
Staring at the sky, come back and pick me up
G#m
Fuck it, if I can't have us
E B
I might just not get up, I might stay down bad (Like I lost my twin)
F# G#m
Fuck it if I can't have him, down bad
E
Fuck it if I can't have him
[Bridge]
B F#
I loved you hostile takeovers,
G#m
Encounters closer and closer
E
All your indescent exposures
B
How dare you say that it's...
F#
I'll build you a fort on some planet
G#m
Where they can all understand it
E
How dare you think it's romantic
B
Leaving me safe and stranded
F# G#m
'Cause fuck it I was in love
E B F# G#m
So fuck you if I can't have us
E
'Cause fuck it I was in love
[Chorus]
B
Now I'm down bad crying at the gym
F#
Everything comes out teenage petulance
G#m
Fuck it if I can't have him (Fuck it, if I can't have)
E
I might just die, it would make no difference
B
Down bad, waking up in blood
F#
Staring at the sky, come back and pick me up
G#m
Fuck it, if I can't have us
E B
I might just not get up, I might stay down bad (Like I lost my twin)
F# G#m
Fuck it if I can't have him, down bad
E
Fuck it if I can't have him
[Outro]
B F# G#m E
How to play "Down Bad" by Taylor Swift on guitar
[Intro and Outro Chords]
- B F# G#m E
- Use a clean tone with light reverb to capture the emotional
ambiance of the song.
[Verse and Chorus Chords]
- Chord Progression: B F# G#m E
- The strumming pattern can be a steady mix of down and up strokes,
emphasizing the downstroke on the first beat to drive the emotional
weight of the lyrics.
[Chord Details]
- B Major: Barre chord on the 2nd fret, using the A major shape.
- F# Major: Barre chord on the 2nd fret, using the E major shape.
- G# Minor: Barre chord on the 4th fret, using the E minor shape.
- E Major: Open chord or barre chord on the 7th fret, using the A major
shape.
[Strumming Pattern]
- Suggested Pattern: Down, Down-Up, Up-Down-Up
- Focus on accentuating the first and third beats to give a pulsing
rhythm that matches the dramatic theme of the song.
[Common Mistakes]
- Rushing through the chord transitions, especially between G#m and E.
Take your time to ensure smooth transitions.
- Not giving enough emphasis on the emotional expression through dynamics.
Play softly during introspective lyrics and increase intensity during
frustrated or despairing parts.
[General Tips]
- Listen to the song multiple times to understand the emotional undertones.
- Practice the chord changes slowly before playing along with the song.
- Ensure your guitar is well-tuned to standard tuning to match the original
track.
[Bridge Chords and Details]
- Same chord progression with slight changes in strumming to reflect
the buildup of the song's bridge.
- More emphasis on dynamics and expressive playing to convey the emotional
peaks.
[Lyrics Meaning]
- "Down Bad" portrays the feelings of intense heartbreak and frustration,
using metaphors of cosmic encounters to express profound emotional
experiences and longing for an unreachable love.