So, you want to learn how to become a better guitarist in a band?

You want to improve your skills playing behind singers?

And you don’t want to practice a bunch of boring scales and exercises…

Well if so, this post below might help you out. I’m going to break down a classic song from the 70s that features brilliant guitar work from the late great Reggie Young. (Young was a world-class guitarist who played in many bands accompanying singers masterfully on countless hit records.)

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

Who Wrote Drift Away?

"Drift Away"  was written by songwriter Mentor Williams in 1970. Now, it was first recorded by John Henry Kurtz in 1972. But the version that put the song on the map was done by Dobie Gray in 1973. 

It’s a classic soul tune with a laid-back, feel-good vibe. It blends together elements of rock, soul, and even country. 

There’s just something about “Drift Away” that is soothing. The song almost provide...

Behold… a perfect song to play in a balmy breeze on an island under a coconut tree.

But while this song sings of sipping margaritas and a laid-back lifestyle. If you look under the surface it actually has undertones of mistakes made in a relationship.

Ever been there?

Well, jamming this song just might help you out.

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

Who Wrote Margaritaville?

"Margaritaville" was written by the legend Jimmy Buffett (RIP) and his producer Norbert Putnam. Buffett was an American singer-songwriter and musician known for his laid back tropical vibes. He recorded over 30 albums in his career. 

“Margaritaville” was released in 1977 on his album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. It became one of his most well-known songs, and it was recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida.

The song sings about the relaxed life of a man who is sipping margaritas while reflecting on how he ended up in a tropic...

Behold… one of the most iconic feel-good pop hits from the '60s.

It moved listeners then, and it’s still moving them now. 

In fact, check out what people are saying on YouTube:

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“This song feels like frolicking in a flower field with someone you love”

Or… 

“This is the song that plays in the heads of every Golden Retriever on the planet 24/7.”

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Those may be true.

In this post, I’m going to break down the guitar style behind this gem. So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Happy Together” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Happy Together?

"Happy Together" was written by Gary Bonner and Alan Gordon. Two blokes who were a part of the Brill Building songwriting community. The Brill Building songwriting community refers to a group of songwriters, producers, and music publishers who worked in and around the Brill Building, a famous office building located at 1619 Broadway in New York City, during the 1950s and 1960s. This building became a central hub for popular mu...

Here’s an iconic song, that can at first feel slightly romantic. Until you dive deeper into the stories behind it and uncover a sinister undertone.

Now, I’ve got to let you know upfront, this song ain’t for beginners. Playing the iconic guitar parts requires seriously stretchy chords and articulate playing. It’s an advanced guitar song for sure.

So, you’ve been warned…

If you’re still with me, grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Every Breath You Take” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Every Breath You Take?

“Every Breath You Take" was written by Sting (a.k.a. Gordon Sumner) the bassist and vocalist for British rock band The Police. It’s become one of their most iconic songs and has an interesting history.  

Sting wrote the tune during a rocky period in his personal life, specifically around his separation from his first wife Frances Tomelty. While the vibe of the tune can feel romantic at first, it has sinister undertones. Sting himself has described it as a “dark” song...

Here’s an iconic song that came straight out of a heated battle between Tom Petty and MCA Records.

He was in a fight over the ownership of his own music. He wasn’t going to stand down or be manipulated by the many thieves and bureaucrats of the music industry. Mike Campbell came up with the guitar riff and wasn’t going to show it to Tom Petty. He thought it was too simple and was about to toss out the whole idea.

Below I’m going to get into the juicy facts behind this epic rock anthem. 

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

Who Wrote Refugee?

"Refugee" was written by Tom Petty and Mike Campbell. It is one of the most iconic songs recorded by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. “Refugee” was released as the second single from their third album, Damn the Torpedoes in 1979. The song was written during a period of struggle for the band, both personally and professionally. 

Tom Petty had been involved in a heated legal battle with his recor...

Here’s a brilliant tune that’s been called "a song that won't die."

It seems to keep striking a chord with new generations and new audiences ever since the 60s. It all started when guitarist and vocalist Justin Hayward was gifted by his then-girlfriend (and later wife), Ann Marie Guirron, a set of satin bedsheets.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Nights In White Satin” guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Nights In White Satin?

"Nights in White Satin" was written by Justin Hayward, the guitarist and vocalist for the English band The Moody Blues. It was first released in 1967 on their album Days of Future Passed.

Amazingly, Justin Hayward wrote "Nights in White Satin" when he was only 19 years old! The song was inspired by a gift of satin bedsheets given to him by a girlfriend. In interviews, Hayward mentioned the song came together rather quickly. It was all based on the emotions he was experiencing at the time. It was a very raw and immediate song. 

The song has a bit of a h...

Did you know The Beatles used many strange recording techniques when making some of their biggest hits?

In this post, I want to share with you an example of this. This song is rooted in the blues, as many Beatles songs are. But these 4 lads from Liverpool put their own stamp on it. John Lennon also borrowed/stole a very famous riff from the great Chuck Berry.

In fact, He’s even quoted as saying, “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry.'” 

Grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Revolution” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Revolution?

“Revolution” was written by John Lennon (with credit to Paul McCartney as well) and performed by The Beatles. It’s one of their most politically charged tracks. Story Behind the Song

The song was tied to the turbulent political climate of the 1960s. Lennon was influenced by the protests and radicalism of the era but wanted to make a statement that encouraged change through less violent means. He famo...

Did you know this iconic cut marks one of the first rock and roll tunes to ever use feedback as part of the song’s production?

It was created by accident when Paul McCartney hit a low bass note that sent John Lennon’s acoustic guitar into a spiral.

The riff is epic. And, of course, you’ll find a ton of essential blues elements you can have fun jamming with for hours.

So, grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “I Feel Fine” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote I Feel Fine?

“I Feel Fine” was primarily written by John Lennon. However, it is credited to the songwriting partnership of Lennon-McCartney. It’s known for its catchy guitar riff and innovative production techniques. 

One of the cool things that happened at the beginning of the song is apparently Paul McCartney played a low A on his bass while Lennon’s guitar was leaning against McCartney’s amp. The vibrations from the low bass note caused Lennon’s guitar, a semi-acoustic Gibson to start feeding back. You can hear the ...

Did you know millions of songs from the past 100 years of popular American music, use common blues principles? 

The better a musician understands the fundamentals of the blues, the easier and faster they will learn to play their favorite songs – if they want to play popular American music from the past 100 years.

In this post, I want to share with you a tiny “sample” of this. So grab your guitar, tune up and let’s dive into this “Heartbreak Hotel” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Heartbreak Hotel?

"Heartbreak Hotel" was written by Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden, and Elvis Presley. Elvis received a co-writing credit although his contributions are often debated. Mae Boren Axton was a schoolteacher and songwriter, while Tommy Durden was a steel guitarist and songwriter.

The song has a haunting backstory.

The lyrics were inspired by a story Durden read in a newspaper about a man who committed suicide by jumping out of a hotel window, leaving behind a note that read, "I walk a lo...

If you’d like to skyrocket your rhythm and blues guitar playing and be able to jam grooves like the legends…then this funky "Long Train Runnin'" chords and guitar lesson could help you on your way.

Now keep in mind, this ain’t easy! 

In fact, if you’ve been playing guitar lesson than a year, I’d recommend coming back to this song at a later date. This tune uses a lot of 16th-note rhythms and some sophisticated chords that expand beyond the usual garden variety of most guitar players. It's a blend of rock, funk, and rhythm and blues. Plus, all the other lessons online don’t show you the nuances and subtleties that I’m going to. These make all the difference in nailing it just like the record. 

If you’re still with me, buckle up, and let’s dive into this "Long Train Runnin'" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Long Train Runnin’?

"Long Train Runnin'" is a song by the American rock band The Doobie Brothers. It was originally written by a founding member, Tom Johnston. "Long Train ...