I’m sitting down to write you this today, about 2 miles away from where rock legend Tom Petty wrote “Free Fallin”.

Back in the day he lived in Reseda, California in the San Fernando Valley.

There’s a famous quote from Harlan Howard, a world-renown songwriter, who said, “All you need for a great song is three chords and the truth”. 

I think Petty shows this powerful point in this classic song.

So grab your axe and let’s dive into this “Free Fallin" chords and guitar lesson! 

Who Wrote Free Fallin'?

"Free Fallin'" was written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. They had been writing a lot of tunes together and this track became one of Petty's most iconic songs. It debuted as a lead single for Petty's solo album, Full Moon Fever, in 1989. 

It’s a very simple tune, that apparently started off as a joke. Lynne was playing the chords and Petty was improvising lyrics about "free fallin'."  

As they developed the idea, the song took on a deeper meaning. Petty reflected on his quintessen...

Are you a fan of rock guitar?

Well if so, I want to let you in on a little secret. You see, there are countless rock hit songs that use this trick in their guitar parts. And it’s quite fun.

Maybe even a little addicting, so watch out.

What’s the secret?

Well, go through this “Runnin' Down A Dream” chords and guitar lesson and you’ll find out!

Who Wrote Runnin' Down A Dream?

"Runnin' Down a Dream" was written by Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, and Jeff Lynne. It’s an energetic classic rock song that was released in 1989 as part of Petty's debut solo album, Full Moon Fever.  

Although it was a solo album, it still featured many of Petty's longtime collaborators, including members of the Heartbreakers. During this time, Petty was experiencing a burst of creative freedom. He was working a lot with Jeff Lynne, who was not only the co-writer on this anthem, but a producer of the album as well. Lynne's influence along with Mike Campbell’s iconic guitar riffs really helped shape the sound ...

Here’s an epic rock song Tom Petty wrote after some crazy person tried to burn down his house (with him in it)!

You’ll discover some mighty rock guitar techniques. And, it’s a great so for newer players too because you only need a couple of chords to play it.

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this “I Won’t Back Down” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote I Won’t Back Down?

"I Won’t Back Down" was written by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. It was released in 1989 as the lead single from Petty’s first solo album, Full Moon Fever. The song was inspired by a crazy experience Petty went through when someone set fire to his house in Encino, California. Only about 10 minutes away from where I am typing this post right now.

Petty and his family were inside when it happened in 1987. Thankfully, they managed to escape but the house was pretty much destroyed. This left a profound impact on Petty, and this became the genesis for “I Won’t Back Down”. The song reflects his determination to...

You may not be able to tell listening to the lyrics and feel-good vibe of this tune… but it was inspired by a very traumatizing experience. 

Sherman Kelly (the lead singer and keyboard player of the band King Harvest) wrote this after he and his girlfriend were viciously attacked by a gang on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

In this post, I’m going to break down a couple of different versions and also a famous cover by Thin Lizzy.

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this “Dancing in the Moonlight” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Dancing in the Moonlight?

"Dancing in the Moonlight" was written by Sherman Kelly in 1969. The most famous version was recorded by the band King Harvest. This band was founded by Kelly’s brother, Wells Kelly, along with his friends in France. Kelly played keyboards and sang vocals on the most widely known version of this song released in 1972.

Sherman Kelly wrote this hit after a very traumatic experience. You see, he wa...

Here’s a moving song that’s often been associated with peace and anti-war movements. 

After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon went on to keep creating original music. The song I want to share with you today, he wrote in the 70s and it may be one of his most monumental tunes.

In this blog post, I’m going to break down 2 different versions – an easy version and a more advanced one. 

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this “Imagine” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Imagine?

"Imagine" was written by John Lennon, and released in 1971 on an album with the same name. The song came out of a period where John was reflecting on a deeper philosophical level. He was picturing a world without war, possessions, or religious and nationalistic boundaries. 

The lyrics were influenced by his wife, Yoko Ono. Lennon initially took sole credit for the song. But later recognized Ono's contribution as a significant influence on the song's lyrics and philosophy.

“Imagine” was recorded in...

True story:

Years ago, I had a gig up in Folsom, California performing with a Johnny Cash tribute band. We played for the ribbon cutting of the opening of the Johnny Cash bridge in Folsom, California. The ribbon was cut by Johnny Cash’s daughter Rosanne Cash. And, we were the band behind her that let it rip on the news for the opening. 

Today I want to share with you a song we played that day. You only need 4 chords to play it. 

So, grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Cocaine Blues” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Cocaine Blues?

"Cocaine Blues" was originally written by T.J. "Red" Arnall in 1947. It was recorded under the title of "Cocaine Blues" but it’s an adaptation of a late 19th-century song called "Little Sadie". However, Johnny Cash’s performance at Folsom Prison in 1968 is arguably the most famous version.

The song is a storytelling song. To be honest, the lyrics are pretty brutal. However, I think the overall message is positive and more of a cautionary ta...

All aboard sailors!

Here's a fun and groovy tune that's sure to get your audience up on the dance floor.

It may sound simple, but this song is definitely an intermediate-level guitar song. You’ll want to make sure you know how to play effortless bar chords and syncopated rhythms. 

Below I’ll walk you through key insights and strategies to keep in mind as you cruise along in your journey.

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this “Brandy” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)?

"Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" was written by Elliot Lurie, the lead guitarist and co-lead singer of the American pop rock band Looking Glass. It was released in 1972 on their self-titled album and became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

The song’s lyrics tell of a woman named Brandy who works as a barmaid in a busy harbor town. She waits for a sailor (the love of her life) to return back to her but he never comes. The sailor can’t fully commit because "his lif...

Here’s a hauntingly beautiful song that’s resonating with audiences around the world.

There are two famous versions. The original by Tears For Fears and the minimalistic piano cover by Gary Jules. In this post, I’m going to discuss guitar styles for how to play them both. And some behind the scenes on this powerful tune. 

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this “Mad World” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Mad World?

"Mad World" was originally written by Roland Orzabal, cofounder and main creative force behind the British pop rock band Tears for Fears. The song sings of deep emotional reflection and existential struggles.

It’s pretty bluesy and dark, but it’s moved a lot of people. Musically speaking, it’s very simple. Despite the melancholy feel of the lyrics, the original version of "Mad World" features a relatively upbeat new wave sound. Then the Gary Jules version lowers the key and hits a deeper emotional tone – for me at least.

In various interviews, Roland Or...

Here’s an iconic song that was released unfinished.

You see, Otis had recorded the rough vocal, but then shortly after was in a horrific plane crash and went on to join the choir invisible. 

Even the final whistling at the end was meant to be just a place holder where he was going to write more lyrics.

The band finished the production without him, and he never made it to the release. This is a very unique situation. 

So grab your 6-stringer and let’s dive into this “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Sitting on the Dock of the Bay?

"Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" was written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper. Otis took some time off in Sausalito, California. Sausalito is about 4 miles north of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. 

The waters tapping the shores here was what inspired Otis to come up with this tune. Particularly the lyrics:

“Sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away.” 

The song was recorded in two sessi...

Did you know the Beatles used many unusual recording tricks to create some of their biggest hits?

In this post, I want to share with you a strange example of this. The final recording was pieced together in the studio with some tape machine magic from producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick.

So, grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Strawberry Fields Forever” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Strawberry Fields Forever?

"Strawberry Fields Forever" is one of The Beatles' most iconic and experimental songs. It was written primarily by John Lennon but has some contributions from Paul McCartney. It is credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, as were all Beatles songs written by either or both of them. “Strawberry Fields Forever” was released as a double A-side single with "Penny Lane" in February 1967. 

The studio recording techniques used in this song at the time were quite unconventional and groundbreaking. 

The recording took place at EMI Studios (now Abbe...