If you’re a fan of fingerstyle guitar and great songs… then I think you’re going to enjoy this post. 

In it, I’m going to share some insider tips on Paul Simon’s legendary guitar style and one of his most famous tunes with Simon & Garfunkel.

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

Who Wrote Homeward Bound

“Homeward Bound” was originally written by Paul Simon and is a part of the legendary Simon & Garfunkel catalog. Simon wrote it in late 1965 while he was touring solo in England.

The inspiration for the tune came while he was waiting for a train at Widnes railway station in Cheshire, England. The opening line, “I’m sittin’ in the railway station,” was real. He was beat down, tired from touring, and wanted to go home.

But the “Homeward Bound” chorus section isn’t just about a physical destination; it’s also him struggling to feel connected to life. With lyrics like, “Every day’s an endless stream of cigarettes and magazines,” and “T...

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 ...

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...