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 ...

If you want to learn a simple song that can potentially make your audience go crazy, cutting rug on the dance floor all night long… then this post can show you how.

We will be primarily looking at The Beatles’ version of this song. But it has been brought to fame through a number of iconic versions.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Twist And Shout” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Twist And Shout?

"Twist and Shout" has an interesting backstory to it. Multiple artists contributed to its fame. The original writers were Phil Medley and Bert Berns (credited as Bert Russell). And, it was first called "Shake It Up, Baby", (a clever title inspired by the twist dance craze which began with the American rock and roll singer and dancer Chubby Checker.)

The song was first recorded by the Top Notes in 1961, and produced by legendary producer Phil Spector. 

However, this version didn’t gain much traction. Bert Berns, unhappy with Spector's production, decided to give the...

If you’re looking for a fun and groovy song to play without having to learn a ton of chords…then this post might just have exactly what you are looking for.

Below is an iconic song that has been played at countless parties, and cover gigs. It only uses 3 chords. It’s so simple. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Today I’m going to take you through the history of this song, and also how to recreate the iconic electric guitar stylings of Mike Campbell that have rocked the radio airwaves for decades now.

So buckle up, and let’s get cruising with this “Breakdown” guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Breakdown?

"Breakdown" is a classic song written by Tom Petty and recorded by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was first released as the band's debut single in 1976 and featured on their self-titled album. The song quickly became one of their signature tracks and helped to establish their reputation as a powerful rock and roll band.

"Breakdown" was inspired by Petty's love of the music of the 1960s...

If you’re looking to unleash the swampy bluesy guitar sound you hear on CCR’s iconic recording of “Born On The Bayou”... then this mighty guitar lesson can show you how.

From the guitar chords (of which there are only 3)... to the classic riffs and backbeat groove, we’re going to leave no stone unturned.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive into this “Born On The Bayou” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Born On The Bayou?

"Born on the Bayou" is a classic song by Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by the band's lead singer and songwriter, John Fogerty. It was released on their 1969 album Bayou Country. The song has a Southern swamp-rock style, typical of Creedence Clearwater Revival's music. It's set in the bayous of Louisiana and draws on the imagery and mystique of the Southern landscape. The lyrics tell the story of a man who reminisces about his life growing up in the bayou and his longing for that simpler, more primal existence. It captures the essence of the region’s ...

Calling all space invaders! 

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to start rocking your guitar like David Bowie/Mick Ronson… then this post will show you how.

Using just a couple of chords and some powerful rock guitar techniques you can play this song in your cover band, at an open mic night, or even for a backyard party to amaze friends and family.

So tune up, and let’s dive into this “Ziggy Stardust” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Ziggy Stardust?

"Ziggy Stardust" is a song by British musician David Bowie, released in 1972. It is part of the concept album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," which is considered one of Bowie's most iconic works. Bowie wrote "Ziggy Stardust," both as a song but also as part of a larger narrative for the album. The character Ziggy Stardust is a fictional androgynous rock star who acts as an alien messenger to humanity, bringing a message of hope amidst an impending apocalypse.

The song "Ziggy Stardust" nar...