If you trace back the roots of rock and roll… you’ll wind up at the blues.

Below, I want to share with you a perfect example of this. Here’s a tune that became a huge hit for 2 different artists. 

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

Who Wrote Hound Dog?

“Hound Dog” was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller – a legendary songwriting duo from New York. They were known for writing dozens of rock and R&B hits during the 1950s and 1960s.

They wrote “Hound Dog” in 1952 when they were still teenagers. At its core, it’s really a blues tune. The first person to record “Hound Dog” was Big Mama Thornton in August 1952. Her version is raw and more down-home. 

Then, later in 1956, Elvis recorded it at RCA Studios in New York City.

Elvis’s version hit #1 on the Billboard pop chart, R&B chart, and country chart all at once. It stayed there for 11 weeks, which was a record at the time. 

When Elvis’s version came out, Jerry Leiber reporte...

Have you ever wondered what the easiest way to play the C chord on guitar is?

Perhaps you’ve looked at a few chord dictionaries or songbooks and you’ve seen a bunch of different variations. And, you aren’t sure which one to use.

Well, below I’m going to share 5 easy ways for how to play the C chord on guitar.

Starting with…

1) The One Finger C Chord

In my humble (but accurate) opinion, this is the easiest C chord to play on guitar. It only requires your index finger on your fretting hand. To play it, place your: 

• Index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string
• Keep it on it’s tip
• Strum from the 3rd string down

This C chord can be learned by total beginners in an instant. However, you want to try to only strum 3 strings. If a player strums other adjacent strings open, this is not going to lead to an ideal sound for a C major chord.

From there we have…

2) Two Finger C Chord

This chord shape adds an additional string, in comparison to example #1. To play it, place your...

True story:

Years ago, I used to teach one-to-one guitar lessons. I had this great student who came excited to play each week, and he put in the work. One day, he missed his lesson, and I didn’t hear from him.

I left him a few messages but I never heard anything back…

Until one day, he sent me a text and said, “Hey, can I come back in for lessons?” I said, “Sure” and set up a time.

When he came back in, he told me the reason he was gone was because he was driving down the highway, fell asleep at the wheel, and toppled off the freeway into a ditch. He ended up in the hospital but thankfully lived.

When we opened up his lesson book the last song we were playing was, “Highway to Hell”. And he said, “Yeah man, it was like I was on a highway to hell.”

Anyway, this kind of spooked me out a bit. So I haven’t taught how to play the song since.

But below, I’m going to give it another try. So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Highway To Hell” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote ...

I’m a sucker for 3 things in a song:

1) Lyrics about trains

2) Swampy guitar parts

3) THE BLUES

Below I want to share with you some insider guitar tips on a classic song that’s got all 3.

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

Who Wrote Midnight Special?

“Midnight Special” is a traditional American folk song that goes back for generations. 

Its origins are deeply rooted in the oral traditions. However, the song's earliest documented lyrics appeared in 1905 as noted by sociologist Howard Odum. 

But, these lines were common in many other African-American songs of that era and didn't specifically reference a train or light. The first printed reference to "Midnight Special" as a song was in a 1923 issue of Adventure magazine. 

The "Midnight Special" refers to a passenger train, and in the song, its light symbolizes hope and freedom. Prisoners believed that if the train's light shone on them, it was a sign of impending release or...

Picture this… 

It’s Saturday night in a club. 

The dance floor is packed, and the energy in the room is palpable. The crowd is ready for an epic anthem to take them to the next level.

Something they can sing along to…

And something where the volume can be cranked up to 10 and bring them back to their younger years.

Well, here’s a little ditty that just might do the trick.

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

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Hit Me With Your Best Shot?

“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” was written by Canadian musician Eddie Schwartz. While Eddie did have his own solo career, he is best known for writing for other artists. For example, he wrote “All Our Tomorrows” for Joe Cocker, “Don’t Shed a Tear” for Paul Carrack, and “The Doctor” for The Doobie Brothers.

But his biggest hit came when he wrote “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, and a demo made...

Bon Jovi sang:

=== 

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive

===

This man knows the truth.

There's nothing like getting on a motorcycle and experiencing the true freedom a man can create.  

This song demonstrates a number of essential rock guitar techniques, and below I’m going to share some insider tips on how to play in Richie Sambora’s guitar style. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Wanted Dead Or Alive” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Wanted Dead Or Alive? 

“Wanted Dead or Alive” was written in the mid-'80s by Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Ritchie Sambora. It has a blend of gritty cowboy imagery and rockstar life. The song was written while Bon Jovi and Sambora were on tour supporting their Slippery When Wet album, around 1986. They were inspired by the success of other acoustic-driven rock tunes like Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” and Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California”. 

Jon Bon Jovi wanted to write his own version. That w...

One of my all-time favorite blues musicians is Muddy Waters.

This guy could sing, play, and lead a band like a boss. A great example of this is his tune “Mannish Boy”.

Ever heard it?

It starts off with this incredible call & response between Muddy’s voice and his guitar. 

He sings:

===

Oh, yeah

(epic blues lick)

Oh, yeah

(epic blues lick)

Everything gonna be alright this mornin'

===

And so on and so forth.

The licks he plays are tasty, soulful, and the epitome of blues guitar. In the video above, I take a quick look at them. This song is a blues standard originally done by Muddy Waters but many other great artists have covered it as well. 

Jon MacLennan

Many a man has lost a woman to someone new who makes her feel like she used to.

Here's a landmark song about a poor bloke going through just that.

You only need 4 chords to play it. 

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 “Bye Bye Love” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Bye Bye Love?

"Bye Bye Love" was originally written by a husband-and-wife songwriting duo, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. It initially faced rejection by over 30 artists before the Everly Brothers recorded it, and turned it into a massive hit.

It became a breakthrough song for them that introduced a fresh blend of rockabilly, country, and early rock 'n' roll that would influence generations to come.

"Bye Bye Love" sings about the sorrows of a man who has lost his lover to someone else. The theme of heartbreak and loneliness has resonated with many audiences.

"Bye Bye Love" was recorded at RCA Victor Studios in Nashville, Tennesse...

Here’s an incredible song that’s moved the world. 

It’s timeless…

And chock-full of feeling and soul.

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 Weight” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote The Weight?

“The Weight” was written by Robbie Robertson, the guitarist for The Band. A group that got its name from backing up many famous musicians like Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Neil Young, and more. 

“The Weight” is one of the most iconic songs in American rock history. It’s a storytelling tune blended with a rootsy Americana vibe. 

It was originally featured on The Band’s 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink. Although Robertson wrote the tune, it starts with vocals from Levon Helm, the group's drummer and only American member.

“The Weight” tells the story of a weary traveler who arrives in Nazareth, Pennsylvania – a subtle nod to the town where Martin guitars...

Glenn Frey sang:

===

So she tells him she must go out for the evening

To comfort an old friend who's feelin' down

But he knows where she's goin' as she's leavin'

She is headed for the cheatin' side of town

You can't hide your lyin' eyes

And your smile is a thin disguise

I thought by now you'd realize

There ain't no way to hide your lyin' eyes

===

Many of the Eagles’ lyrics have deep and true insights in them. Here’s a tune that’s become one of their most beloved songs. Below, I’m going to take a look at some interesting facts about how to jam in this style on guitar.

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

Who Wrote Lyin' Eyes?

“Lyin' Eyes” was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, two founding members of the American rock band the Eagles.

The song was inspired by a night out on the town when Glenn Frey saw a younger woman with a much older, uglier, but wealthier man. She had it all with a big old house and security, but it...