Here's one of the most defining songs of the early ‘60s soul era. 

It’s got a smooth vocal, incredible groove, and you only need 4 chords total to play it.

So, it’s a great song for newer players.

In this post, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Stand By Me” chords and guitar lesson!

Who wrote Stand By Me?

“Stand by Me” was originally written by Ben E. King along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The song is anchored in a groovy bass line and a simple chord progression, while the lyrics sing of love and devotion even in tumultuous times. 

Released in 1961, “Stand By Me” became one of the defining songs of the early soul era. King’s smooth voice and spiritual music background gave the song depth.

The recording session took place at Atlantic Studios in New York City, with production by Leiber and Stoller. Reportedly, Stoller came up with the bass line. That repeating pattern, paired with Latin-ting...

Here’s one of the gutsiest, bluesiest rock songs ever recorded. 

Check out these lyrics Gregg Allman sang:

===

I've been run down

I've been lied to

And I don't know why

I let that mean woman make me a fool

She took all my money

Wrecked my new car

Now she's with one of my good time buddies

They're drinkin' in some crosstown bar…

===

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Whipping Post,” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Whipping Post?

“Whipping Post” was originally written by Gregg Allman and first performed by The Allman Brothers Band. It’s a song about betrayal. Gregg Allman was married 7 times.

He drew heavily on the blues in this song, and it’s gone on to become one of the Allman Brothers' most beloved songs. 

“Whipping Post” was first recorded in 1969 for The Allman Brothers Band’s debut album, produced by Adrian Barber at the legendary Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia. It f...

Here’s a song that was originally banned from the radio.

Yet it’s gone on to be recorded by many famous artists.  

In this post, I’m going to share some insider tips on the bluesy guitar style behind.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “I Put A Spell On You” chords and guitar lesson!

Who wrote I Put A Spell On You?

“I Put a Spell on You” was originally written and recorded by Screamin' Jay Hawkins in 1956. The song is a dramatic 16-bar blues set to a rolling triplet feel. It sings of an obsessive lover who is telling the object of his affection that he’s placing a spell on them to keep them close. 

The story behind the song is as fascinating as its sound. Hawkins originally intended it as a straight rhythm and blues ballad, but when he recorded it in New York at RCA Victor’s studio, he delivered it with an over-the-top, almost horror-show performance. According to accounts, he arrived at the session heavily intoxicated, and his singing was wild, even screaming and grow...

This ain't your typical nursery rhyme about an innocent little lamb. 

It’s a legendary blues song that started with Buddy Guy and exploded with Stevie Ray Vaughan.

In this post, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. (Both Buddy Guy’s and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s versions.)

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Mary Had A Little Lamb” chords and guitar lesson!

Who wrote Mary Had A Little Lamb?

“Mary Had a Little Lamb” (not the nursery rhyme) was originally written by blues legend Buddy Guy. He released his version in 1967, and it’s got a classic, funky, Chicago blues feel. 

Then, later in 1983, Stevie Ray Vaughan recorded an epic blues guitar version for his debut album, Texas Flood. This album was recorded at Jackson Browne’s personal studio in Los Angeles in late 1982. They banged the entire record out in just a couple of days. The sessions were largely live in the studio, capturing the raw chemistry between Vaughan and Double Trouble, hi...

Here’s one of the most defining songs of late ‘60s rock…

It’s an extremely short song, but it's had a HUGE impact. 

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “The Letter” chords and guitar lesson!

Who wrote The Letter?

“The Letter” was originally written by American musician and songwriter Wayne Carson. It was first recorded and released in 1967 by the American rock band The Box Tops. 

It’s now considered one of the defining singles of the late ‘60s. “The Letter” clocks in at 1:57 seconds, so it’s incredibly concise but still packs a punch. The premise of the song is simple: a man receives a letter from his lover asking him to come home. He bolts into action, buys a ticket for an aeroplane, and can’t leave fast enough. 

The rhythm section also mirrored this energy in a driving, brisk feel. 

The version that became famous was recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. This studio became...

Here’s a tune that became a breakthrough song for Australian-American musician Rick Springfield.

He was struggling as an artist and doing acting work on the side to supplement his income.

Then this song took off, and the rest is history. 

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Jessie's Girl” chords and guitar lesson!

Who wrote Jessie's Girl?

“Jessie’s Girl” was originally written by Rick Springfield, and it was released as a single from his album Working Class Dog in 1981. 

The song is about a blatant love interest with his best friend’s girlfriend. The narrator is jealous of his friend Jessie and longs to find “a woman like that.” The song captures frustration and not getting what you want.

Springfield has said that the inspiration came from a real-life experience when he became infatuated with a girlfriend of a friend he knew during his time in Los Angeles. The friend’s real name was Gary, but...

“The nearer your destination, you know the more you’re slip sliding away.”

Ladies and gentlemen, here is a song with a lot of deep meaning behind it.

It’s from, in my opinion, one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Paul Simon.

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Slip Sliding Away” chords and guitar lesson!

Who wrote Slip Sliding Away?

“Slip Sliding Away” was originally written by Paul Simon and first released on his 1977 album Greatest Hits, Etc. It’s the first cut on the album. After this, a later version appeared on Paul Simon’s Concert in the Park and other compilations. 

The song showcases Simon’s signature sound. He blends folk, pop, and masterful songwriting in a completely unique way. Lyrically, “Slip Sliding Away” is about the fleeting, ephemeral nature of life and love. 

Lines like “Slip sliding away, you know the nearer your destination, the more you’re slip sliding away” hold ...

Does this dress make me look fat?

Should I wear this?

How do I look?

Here’s a song about something many men have experienced… waiting for a woman to get ready. 

It takes a lot of work to put on all the makeup and body shaping undergarments. 

Clapton wrote this song while he was waiting. 

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Wonderful Tonight” chords and guitar lesson!

Who wrote Wonderful Tonight?

“Wonderful Tonight” was originally written by Eric Clapton in 1976 and released in 1977 on his album Slowhand. It’s one of his most tender ballads. The inspiration came from his good friend’s wife, Pattie Boyd. Clapton famously fell in love with Pattie while she was still married to George Harrison, and it caused a lot of heartache. 

As the lyrics sing, Boyd was taking a long time choosing what to wear, trying on different outfits, and asking for his opinion. Rather than being impatient, Clapton sat ...

If you’re a fan of 12-string guitars and George Harrison… then I think you might enjoy this post.

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on one of his most iconic songs. 

And no, you don’t need a 12-string for it to sound good. This lesson works for any guitar.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Give Me Love” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Give Me Love?

“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” was originally written by George Harrison. Harrison’s songwriting truly flourished after the Beatles broke up, and this tune was a part of his acclaimed album Living in the Material World. 

During this time, Harrison was deeply entrenched in eastern philosophy and spirituality. The song is almost a mantra, similar to “My Sweet Lord” in that it repeats themes and ideas over and over. This made the song resonate with listeners on many levels. It’s a unique hybrid of a spiritual search and pop sensibility. 

The song was recorded at Apple Studios and later at the Record Pl...

Yippie-yi-o! 

Yippie-yi-yay!

Here’s a galloping guitar part with an outlaw spirit. 

This song has been recorded by many artists. But the most famous is the Johnny Cash version. 

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Ghost Riders In The Sky” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Ghost Riders In The Sky?

“Ghost Riders in the Sky” was originally written in 1948 by Stan Jones, a radio actor, songwriter, and forest ranger. Jones worked in Death Valley National Monument and was fascinated by Western folklore.

The tune was inspired by stories he had heard about spectral riders and supernatural cattle drives. The melody itself was loosely taken from an older Irish tune called “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye.” Some say this song dates back to the 1700s as a drinking tune.

But Jones reshaped it into a cinematic story about a lone cowboy who saw ghostly riders blowing smoke and fire in the sky. One of the riders ...