"Bad Seed" is a song written by Bill Anderson that was originally recorded by American country artist Jan Howard.

Released as a single by Decca Records, it was the second top ten song on the US country chart in Howard's career.

[2] In later years, music website Wide Open Country named it one of the "5 Definitive Songs" in Howard's career.

[5] As predicted, "Bad Seed" made the top ten of the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Making its debut on October 8, 1966, it spent 13 weeks there and reached the number ten position by November 5, 1966.