Have you ever felt like music these days just isn’t as good as it was in the past?

Well, here’s a song about just that.

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Old Time Rock And Roll” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Old Time Rock And Roll?

“Old Time Rock and Roll” was originally written by George Jackson and Thomas E. Jones III. But the most famous recording of it is Bob Seger’s from his album Stranger in Town, released in 1978.

It’s a song about enjoying the simple things in life, specifically the raw, unpretentious style of early rock and roll. The narrator is frustrated with modern music and wants to harken back to the good ole days of old-time rock and roll. 

Although Seger didn’t write it, he felt an immediate connection with its message and delivered an iconic performance. He said in interviews that while he didn’t write it, he felt it was one of the most “honest” songs about ...

There are countless lessons online for this song, but unfortunately, most are garbage. 

Below, I’m going to share with you what I believe to be the MOST accurate approach, and some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Fly Me To The Moon” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Fly Me To The Moon? 

“Fly Me to the Moon” was originally written by American composer and pianist Bart Howard in 1954. At first, it was titled “In Other Words”, but then he changed the name, and it has gone on to become a standard of the Great American Songbook. The first recording of it was done by Kaye Ballard (as a ballad) in 1954:

However, the song didn’t really break through until Frank Sinatra got his hands on it. His version, arranged by Quincy Jones and performed with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1964, became the gold standard of the song.

Sinatra took a different approach. They transformed it into an upbeat swinging groove, giving it a timeless ...

Here’s a tune that's been a staple of classic rock radio ever since its release in 1969.

It’s a perfect example of Americana rock, with a swampy, Mississippi style.  

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

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

Who Wrote Proud Mary?

“Proud Mary” was originally written by John Fogerty, the primary songwriter and singer/guitarist for the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. It first appeared on their 1969 album Bayou Country. Like many Fogerty tunes, it celebrates the hard-working lifestyle of commoners along the Mississippi River. He was inspired both by the idea of the riverboats on the Mississippi and the notion of a fresh start, with lyrics like:

Left a good job in the city

Workin' for the man every night and day...

“Proud Mary” was recorded at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco in early 1969. Creedence used this studio a lot. John Fog...

Here’s a tune that's a drunkard's dream if I ever did see one. 

It’s a perfect example of Americana rock, with a rootsy, funky style. 

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Up On Cripple Creek” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Up On Cripple Creek? 

“Up On Cripple Creek” was originally written by Robbie Robertson of the Canadian-American group known as The Band. The song blends storytelling, humor, and American rhythm & blues roots. The lyrics sing about a truck driver traveling to a place called Cripple Creek to see a woman named Bessie.  

Although The Band members were Canadian and from the northern U.S., they were fascinated with the sounds of the American South and brought this influence to their music. 

“Up On Cripple Creek” was recorded at the famous A&R Studios in New York City, with John Simon producing. One of the most interesting elements about the song is the use of a Hohne...

Here’s a song that's sure to have your audience singing along.

It blends 5 chords with rhythm and blues, rock, and folk in a special way.

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

“Have You Ever Seen the Rain” was written by the legendary John Fogerty of the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, sometimes abbreviated as CCR, or simply Creedence. It was released in 1971 on their album Pendulum and features the classic sound the group is known for. Creedence consists of 4 members: John Fogerty, his brother, and fellow guitarist Tom Fogerty; the bassist Stu Cook; and the drummer Doug Clifford. 

The song has a catchy groove and was written during a time of musical success for the band. But it also hints at the drama and chaos the band was enduring as well. With opening lines like:

Someone ...

Here’s a riff that’s become one of the most recognizable in all of rock and roll history.

It’s got a driving rhythm, and the guitar parts are mighty.

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 “Barracuda” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Barracuda?

“Barracuda” was written by Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Roger Fisher, and Michael Derosier. It was released in 1977 as the lead single from Heart’s second studio album, Little Queen. 

It kicks off with an aggressive galloping guitar riff Roger Fisher came up with after being inspired by Led Zeppelin’s “Achilles Last Stand.” Ann Wilson is also a big fan of Robert Plant, and so this riff set the stage for her soaring vocals. The song has some very interesting rhythms and time signature changes. One of the biggest keys to getting the sound is putting a lot of energy into the guitar part.

This opening riff has become one of the most recognizable riffs in rock gu...

Here's a song about a man slowly waking up to the realization that his love is dead and his relationship is over. 

It’s an underrated Beatles song, but it packs a punch.

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “For No One” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote For No One?

“For No One” was written by Paul McCartney. But, like all Beatles songs, it’s credited to the Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership. The song is about coming to the realization that a relationship has ended. The man’s love has detached, and he’s waking up to it. Perhaps not in its fullest sense and complete truth. But still, the protagonist remains calm and stoic. McCartney wrote this about his relationship with Jane Asher.   

“For No One” was included on The Beatles’ 1966 album Revolver, which is often cited as one of the most influential records in history. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, and features an...

I’ve always found songs titled women’s names interesting…

“Roxanne” 

“Peg”

“Josie”

But here’s one of the darkest, most mysterious of them all.

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on a guitar style behind it.

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

Who Wrote Eleanor Rigby?

“Eleanor Rigby” was written primarily by Paul McCartney; however, it’s credited under the typical Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership. The song marks a clear shift in The Beatles' sound and direction to now including orchestral and classical influences. 

This was heavily do to George Martin’s influence. But “Eleanor Rigby” was released on the Beatles’ album Revolver in 1966.  

The lyrics sing of a woman named Eleanor Rigby who “picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been.” The song carries a sense of loneliness and isolation. It portrays the lives of people who live and die almost completely alone. Father McKenzie is anothe...

Here’s one of the first songs ever to blend Christmas and rock and roll.

It’s one of the most famous holiday tunes of all time.

But keep in mind, it's not for beginners. There are many advanced chords to know. 

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips for how to play it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Jingle Bell Rock” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Jingle Bell Rock? 

“Jingle Bell Rock” was originally written by two American songwriters, Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe, in 1957.

It was one of the first Christmas songs ever written in a rock and roll style, which was exploding in popularity during this time. Because of the theme of Christmas and the influence of rock and roll, the song was considered quite controversial. In fact, many radio stations would not play it. These two had not yet mixed together in society. 

But the recording for “Jingle Bell Rock” was done in Nashville, and the arrangement blends country twang, early rock rh...

Whether you know this song from the famous television show “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or from some other cover, here’s one of the most famous Christmas songs of all time. 

You only need a handful of chords to play it.

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Holly Jolly Christmas” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Holly Jolly Christmas? 

“Holly Jolly Christmas” was originally written by Johnny Marks. Marks was an American songwriter who specialized in writing Christmas songs. He wrote many standards, like  “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and “A Marshmallow World.” 

He wrote “Holly Jolly Christmas” in the early 1960s, and the first popularized version of it was recorded by Burl Ives.

Burl’s unique voice, coupled with the song’s cheerful spirit, created a classic. 

The song’s narrative is about the simple pleasures of the Christmas season, like ...