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 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...

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 ...

Here's a song with one of the most recognizable and legendary guitar riffs of all time.

In it, Roy Orbison sang: 

=== 

Pretty woman walkin' down the street

Pretty woman, the kind I'd like to meet

===

It’s chock-full of great rock guitar techniques, and you only need a handful of 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 “Pretty Woman” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Pretty Woman?

“Pretty Woman” was originally written by Roy Orbison and his longtime collaborator Bill Dees. It’s a simple song of attraction between a man and a beautiful woman walking down the street.  

It went on to become one of the most iconic rock songs of the ‘60s.

“Pretty Woman” was recorded at Monument Records Studio in Nashville, with Fred Foster at the helm, producing. The track kicks off with one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history, played by Billy Sanford. He came up with the...

Here's an eerie song from one of the most legendary albums of all time!

It’s chock-full of great rock guitar techniques, and also fingerstyle.

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 “Brain Damage” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Brain Damage?

“Brain Damage” was originally written by English singer-songwriter Roger Waters. Waters is the co-founder of the band Pink Floyd, and the song first appears on their legendary 1973 album The Dark Side Of The Moon. 

Lyrically, “Brain Damage” is an interesting song. It almost sounds like it’s about a spectrum of insanity. A huge part of the song’s emotional weight comes from its connection to Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd’s original frontman and primary early songwriter. Barrett had left the band several years earlier due to severe mental health struggles, exacerbated by heavy psychedelic drug use and the pressures of fame.  

While “Brain Damage” isn’t necessaril...

Here's a song that will live on for 500 years… and then live on for 500 more.

It’s chock-full of great rock guitar techniques, and you only need a handful of 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 “I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)?

“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” was originally written by identical twin brothers Charlie Reid and Craig Reid of the Scottish rock band The Proclaimers. They wrote it in the late 1980s as part of a burst of songwriting that would eventually form their second album, Sunshine on Leith. 

Charlie Reid has said the song came together rather quickly. It’s all built around the simple theme of unapologetically committing to something. This idea is taken to extreme lengths in the song’s lyrics, like walking 500 miles, and then 500 more. 

“I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)” was recorded in Scotland at Castlesound Studios i...

Here’s one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock music history.

It comes straight out of the blues.

The fundamental principles of the blues are the foundation for this hit song.

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 “Day Tripper,” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Day Tripper?

“Day Tripper” was written in 1965 by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It’s credited to the typically Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership. The song marks a distinct point in The Beatles’ career where they were transitioning from a touring pop band into a more sharply defined studio-driven rock group.

Lyrically, “Day Tripper” is built around a sly double meaning. On the surface, it describes someone who is a tease, not committing, and never following through. Beneath that, the phrase “day tripper” has slang and drug-related overtones. 

“Day Tripper” was recorded in October 1965 at EMI Studios on Abbey Road i...