Paul McCartney sang: 

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Now, somewhere in the black mining hills of Dakota

There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon

And one day, his woman ran off with another guy…

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Here’s a mighty song from The Beatles' legendary 9th studio album, also known as The White Album. 

In this post, 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 “Rocky Raccoon” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Rocky Raccoon?

“Rocky Raccoon” was primarily written by Paul McCartney. However, it is credited under the Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership, like all The Beatles’ songs. It first appeared on The Beatles' 9th studio album (commonly known as The White Album), released in 1968.

McCartney wrote “Rocky Raccoon” while on a retreat in India with Yogi Maharishi Mahesh. The rest of the band was there, along with Donovan Leitch (a Scottish folk singer).

The song tells the story of a young man named Rocky Raccoon whose woman...

Years ago, I was playing a gig at a lounge by the beach in Los Angeles with a friend who played keyboards with Sting.

I had called this song, and after we hit the last chord, my friend turned to me and told me this crazy story.

He was in England and was about to go play a gig with Sting.

Their mode of transport was an old World War II vehicle refurbished. The band hopped in, and as they rode from Sting’s residence to the gig, they passed by all these beautiful barley fields.

He told me, “Those were the fields of gold.”   

Pretty cool, huh? 

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

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Fields of Gold” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Fields of Gold?

“Fields of Gold” was originally written by Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner.

It was released on his brilliant 1993 solo album Ten Summoner’s Tales. 

The song is almost like a meditation on love, memory, and time. Lyr...

For anyone who has lost someone, the holidays can be tough.

Here’s a song about just that.

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 “Last Christmas” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Last Christmas?

“Last Christmas” was originally written by George Michael from the British pop duo Wham! in 1984. 

It’s a song about heartbreak. Michael sings the story of a person who gave their heart to someone the previous Christmas but was let down. This year, they believe they won’t make the same mistake again.  

Wham! recorded “Last Christmas” with Andrew Ridgeley in London at the famous Sarm West Studios. It blends a synth-pop sound of the ‘80s with catchy melodies and a festive yet slightly melancholic feel.  

Upon its release, the tune became a hit, especially in Europe. Although it was beaten for the #1 spot by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” ...

Behold… 

Here’s one of the most played and most recognizable Christmas songs of all time.

It sounds festive and laid back all at once. 

The blend of Spanish and English has made it a unique crossover tune that comes back year after year.  

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 “Feliz Navidad” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Feliz Navidad?

“Feliz Navidad” was originally written by Puerto Rican musician José Feliciano. He wrote it as almost a throwaway idea, thinking it might resonate with fellow Puerto Ricans and Latin listeners. 

From there, it grew a life of its own.

“Feliz Navidad” was released in 1970 on Feliciano’s Christmas album of the same name. At this time, he was living and working primarily in New York and Los Angeles. Instead of crafting something elaborate, he intentionally kept the lyrics simple and to the point, repeating a bilingual message that could be understood b...

Glenn Frey sang:

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Well, I'm runnin' down the road tryna loosen my load

I've got seven women on my mind

Four that wanna own me, two that wanna stone me

One says she's a friend of mine

=== 

Truer words have never been spoken.

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

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Take It Easy” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Take It Easy? 

“Take It Easy” was originally written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey. Browne thought it would be a perfect song for Glenn to sing, so the Eagles first recorded it. “Take It Easy” was released as a single in 1972 and later appeared on their self-titled album Eagles.  

“Take It Easy” has a classic Americana folk-rock sound. The lyrics convey a carefree yet restless narrative. Browne originally started drafting the song but got stuck. Glenn Frey, who lived upstairs from him at the time, finished it by adding the unforgettable “flatbed Ford” lines...

Here’s one of the Eagles’ most epic ballads. 

The song was inspired by real-life tensions within the band. Shortly after, the lead vocalist on this track left the group. 

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 “Take It To The Limit” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Take It To The Limit?

“Take It to the Limit” was originally written by Randy Meisner, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey of the Eagles. It was first released on their iconic 1975 album titled One of These Nights. “Take It to the Limit” is a slow ballad in a triple meter that’s become one of the Eagles’ most signature tunes. 

The song was inspired by touring musicians pushing life to the limits. The road can be brutal with endless weeks of travel, limited sleep, and powerhouse performances expected every night. That's the big idea behind "Take It To The Limit". 

Randy Meisner sang the lead and delivered a soaring performance, recorded...

The legendary Chuck Berry sang: 

"All I want for Christmas is a rock and roll electric guitar..."

And I’ve got to agree with him. 

That’s one of the coolest presents you could put on a wishlist.

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 “Run Run Rudolph” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Run Run Rudolph?

“Run Run Rudolph” is a classic rock and roll Christmas song originally written by Chuck Berry and Johnny Marks. The song tells the story of a young boy eagerly awaiting Christmas. He’s urging Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to hurry up and deliver the presents with Santa.

This concept is beautifully blended with Berry’s iconic rock and roll style. Now, the official title is “Run Rudolph Run”; however, most people call it “Run Run Rudolph” because that’s what the lyrics sing. 

The song was first recorded by Chuck Berry in 1958 and has since become a standard of holiday music. 

“Run Run Ru...

Here’s a song from what I believe to be one of the greatest songwriters of all time…

The lyrics touch on many core human ideas of aspirations, community, and connection.

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 “Piano Man” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Piano Man?

"Piano Man" was originally written by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. It’s a brilliant song he wrote, inspired by playing gigs in the nightlife of Los Angeles, California. 

The song is almost entirely autobiographical. You see, in the early ‘70s, Joel had just moved from New York to Los Angeles and began playing local cocktail lounges. He did this for about six months and observed the patrons, who became the characters in “Piano Man”.   

"John at the bar" was really a bartender, "Paul" was a local real estate agent and aspiring writer, while "Davy" was indeed in the Navy. The song is a self-reflection on Joel’s own life and the ...

Years ago, I was playing a wedding gig, and the husband and wife wanted this song for their first dance.

It was quite strange.

I’d wondered if they’d ever read the lyrics… 

But 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 “With Or Without You” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote With Or Without You?

“With or Without You” was originally written by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., the 4 members of the Irish rock band U2. 

It was released in 1987 as the lead single from their fifth studio album, The Joshua Tree. The song lyrically emphasizes tension and contradiction often found in relationships.  

“With Or Without You” was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno producing. The song has a very atmospheric sound between the layered sounds and guitar textures that The Edge created. The recording process involved a lot of experimentation, and th...