Last month we lost a legend…

RIP Ozzy Osborne.

So below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind one of his most legendary songs with Black Sabbath. 

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

Who Wrote Paranoid

“Paranoid” was originally written by all four members of the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. 

The story is quite interesting… 

You see, they had just finished recording their second album, Paranoid. But their producer, Rodger Bain, said it wasn’t quite long enough and needed one more song. 

So Tony Iommi came up with the opening guitar riff and basic structure in about 20 minutes. Then, the rest of the band came together to finish it off and record it immediately.

Here’s the kicker, though…

It was meant to be a filler track for the album, but when the label heard it, they went against the band’s wishes and renamed the whole album af...

Behold… One of the smoothest songs of the ‘80s.

It’s about a Playboy who's got a shiny exterior but leaves behind a trail of broken hearts. 

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 “Smooth Operator” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Smooth Operator?

“Smooth Operator” was originally written by Nigerian-British singer-songwriter Sade Adu and Ray St. John. The song sings the story of a smooth and sophisticated man who travels the world and seduces women.  

It was recorded in London during sessions for Sade’s debut album Diamond Life. “Smooth Operator” was released in 1984 as a single and quickly became one of the band’s most famous tunes. The track is heavily jazz-based. The chords have a sophisticated sound blending elements of soul, pop, and R&B. The production is also features Stuart Matthewman on saxophone. This combination of understated instrumentation and Sade’s warm, controlled voice ...

Here’s one of Cyndi Lauper’s biggest hits.

It’s a powerful ballad that later became an important crossover tune between pop and jazz. 

There’s only a handful of chords you’ll need to know.

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 “Time After Time” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Time After Time?

“Time After Time” was written by American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper and musician Rob Hyman. It was released in 1983 as part of Lauper’s debut album She’s So Unusual. 

The story behind “Time After Time” is quite lucky.

You see, Lauper had essentially finished recording her debut album with hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and "She Bop" already in the can. But producer Rick Chertoff felt the record was short just one more song. The initial inspiration for the title came when Lauper saw an ad in the TV Guide for the 1979 science fiction film Time After Time, starring Malcolm McDowell as...

Here’s a song that transports you to another world!

John Lennon himself described it as “cosmic” songwriting.

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 “Across the Universe” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Across the Universe?

“Across the Universe” was originally written by John Lennon. However, it is credited to the Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership. During this time Lennon had been exploring Eastern spirituality, and the song’s most prominent lyric, “Jai Guru Deva Om” is a Sanskrit phrase which means "Victory to the divine teacher" or "Hail the divine guru".  

This phrase was used by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Lennon’s spiritual teacher. The lyric is sung over and over, giving it a mantra-like effect set to music. Lennon later described “Across the Universe” as a piece of “cosmic” songwriting. It was one of his favorite songs. 

The first studio recording was made in February 1968 at Abbey Roa...

Behold…

A powerful Dylan song originally from the 1973 film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”. 

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. As well as some great covers of this tune…

…And a fingerpicking version to boot.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Knockin' On Heaven's Door” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Knockin' On Heaven's Door?

"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" was written by the great American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. He wrote it for the soundtrack of the 1973 film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”. Dylan also appeared in this movie. 

The song is a simple but powerful folk ballad. Dylan wrote it for a pivotal scene in the film where Sheriff’s Deputy Slim Pickens is slowly dying from a gunshot wound. His wife is there and crying, as the lyrics sing…

 "Mama, take this badge off of me 

I can't use it anymore…" 

It’s a great scene.

The song wrestles with the issues of mortality and death. This made it resonate with millions o...

If you’re a fan of The Beatles and looking for a fun acoustic song to add to your setlist… 

Then this post may be just what you’re looking for.

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the opening cut from the legendary Let it Be album.

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

Who Wrote Two of Us?

“Two of Us” was credited to the typical Lennon/McCartney songwriting partnership. However, it was primarily written by Paul McCartney. It was recorded at Apple Studios in London on January 31, 1969. These sessions later became known as the Get Back/Let It Be project. 

“Two of Us” was released as the opening cut on the legendary Let It Be album in 1970. 

Earlier arrangements of this tune were tried out in a heavier rock vibe. But the final version ended up being this folk-style acoustic tune. In my opinion, with the soft and sweeter lyrical content, I can’t see it really working as a rock song. So the final arrangement with Lennon and McC...

A famous songwriter named Harlan Howard once said, “All you need is three chords and the truth". 

Below is a perfect example of this idea.

It’s a song about June Carter’s haunting love for Johnny Cash… while he was still married. 

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. I’m also going to show you ways of playing it in what I call “Carter Style”, plus an electric version a la Luther Perkins.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Ring Of Fire” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Ring Of Fire?

"Ring Of Fire" was originally written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore. It was inspired by June’s burning attraction to Johnny Cash while he was still married. She started by writing down the line, "Love is like a burning ring of fire."

Now, the first recording of this tune was actually done by Anita Carter, June's sister, in 1962. It was titled “(Love’s) Ring of Fire” and her voice sounds incredible on it:

But there was a problem. This trad...

Behold… one of the most famous songs of the ‘80s. 

From the opening saxophone solo to the funky rhythm guitar, this tune is sure to get recognized if you play it for friends and family. 

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 “Careless Whisper” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Careless Whisper?

"Careless Whisper" was written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the two members of the band Wham!. 

It’s one of the most recognizable and famous ballads of the ‘80s. The song is about a couple going to hit the dance floor, but the main character is hiding something. Particularly the lyrics: 

Guilty feet have got no rhythm…  

Some say it’s about infidelity ruining a relationship. The title "Careless Whisper" refers to how his secret was revealed, likely through a whispered conversation or rumor. One of the most surprising facts about "Careless Whisper" is that despite its massive success, Michae...

Here’s a legendary song from the ‘70s recorded at Capitol Records in Hollywood.

It’s only got 2 sections. 

And it’s for sure to get the crowd going.

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 “The Joker” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote The Joker?

"The Joker" by the Steve Miller Band was primarily written by Steve Miller himself. However, he did use lyrics from the 1954 R&B song "Lovey Dovey," so he ended up crediting Eddie Curtis and Ahmet Ertegun as well.

“The Joker” is one of the most iconic songs of the 1970s. It’s got a great laid-back groove and feel that defined a new era for the band.

The song is a bit vague in its meaning. It sings of nicknames Miller had picked up, drugs, and women in a playful manner. 

"The Joker" was recorded in the United States and marked a pivotal point in the Steve Miller Band's career. It was part of the album of the same name and was released in 1973. 

This t...

There’s an old tongue-in-cheek way of describing the career of an artist in the music business that goes like this:

“Who’s Jon MacLennan?”

“Get me Jon MacLennan!”

“Get me a young Jon MacLennan!”

“Who’s Jon MacLennan?”

Simply use the formula: 

“Who’s [Name]?”

“Get me [Name]!”

“Get me a young [Name]!”

“Who’s [Name]?”

And you’ve got it!

Below, is a famous song from the Eagles about just that. And, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind it.

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “New Kid in Town” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote New Kid in Town?

“New Kid in Town” was originally written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and J.D. Souther.

It was recorded and released as the lead single from the Eagles’ album Hotel California. 

The guys wrote it at the peak of their success. Yet they were already feeling anxiety around their own demise. The struggle to stay relevant as an artist. And, the constant threat of the “New Kid in Town”.

It was released...