If these 3 songs, "Just What I Needed", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", and "Jessie's Girl" all had a baby… it would be this.

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 “Shut Up And Dance” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Shut Up And Dance? 

“Shut Up and Dance” was written by the members of Walk the Moon and two other songwriters, Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon. This seems to be a trend in the modern era – songs are written with an exorbitant number of writers. 

The song became a breakout hit for Walk The Moon in 2014, turning them from an indie-pop group with a cult following into a mainstream pop-rock success.

“Shut Up And Dance” was inspired by real-life events. The narrator (Nicholas Petricca, the band’s lead vocalist) was in a club in Echo Park, California, and it was taking forever to get a drink. He was frustrated because there was great music playing ...

Here’s an underrated Beatles song that’s great to play fingerstyle.

Using your fingers, like I’ll show you in this post, is one of the most powerful ways to sound like a piano. 

It’s a great way to accompany yourself or someone else.  

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Fool On The Hill” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Fool On The Hill?

“Fool on the Hill” was originally written by Paul McCartney, but it’s credited to the usual Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership. The song sings the tale of a fool on the hill. Since the beginning of time, there have been outcasts and men who have left society. They’ve lived alone in cabins in the woods. Some call them hermits, curmudgeons, or even fools, but they often have clarity and wisdom others lack.

The “Fool On The Hill” is about the idea of the misunderstood outsider. 

McCartney has said the song was inspired in part by the concept of the “holy fool,” a figure found in literature, religion, and philosophy, someone who...

Behold…  

The final song on the Beatles’ landmark album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

It’s quite the adventure of a song, and an incredible way to finish off the album. 

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 “A Day In The Life” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote A Day In The Life?

“A Day in the Life” was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and credited to the typical Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership of the Beatles. It’s almost a mashup of two completely different songs, with Lennon primarily writing the first part and McCartney writing the contrasting section.

Lennon’s part is very abstract and dreamy, while McCartney’s contrasting section is more grounded and realistic. To me, this very much reflects both their unique personalities and writing styles sandwiched into one song.

“A Day In The Life” was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London between January and F...

Behold…one of the most popular rock songs from the ‘90s.

It’s got incredible energy. 

And the songwriting is masterful.  

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 “Everlong” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Everlong?

“Everlong” was originally written by Dave Grohl with the Foo Fighters. It was released in 1997 as the second single from their second album, The Colour and the Shape.

Like many great songs, it came out of turmoil. You see, the Foo Fighters had just gone through a lineup change, and Grohl was in the middle of a divorce from his first wife, Jennifer Youngblood. Around this same time, he met Louise Post from the band Veruca Salt. Post became the inspiration for “Everlong”.  

Grohl has described the song as being about realizing you’ve met someone who makes you feel completely alive again after heartbreak. This was the intense spark and limerance of a new relationship. 

Hence lyrics l...

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 ...

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...

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...