Here’s an iconic song with an interesting backstory.

David Bowie wrote it, inspired by real-life events.

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 “Heroes” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Heroes?

"Heroes" was co-written by David Bowie and Brian Eno. It was released as the title track for Bowie’s 1977 album of the same name. “Heroes” was inspired by two lovers Bowie saw in a tryst in front of the Berlin Wall. 

You see, Bowie was recording at the legendary Hansa Studio – by the Berlin Wall in Germany -- when he looked out the window and saw two lovers kissing. Although he didn't originally reveal who the lovers were, later Bowie came out and said it was his producer, Tony Visconti, and his mistress, a backing vocalist named Antonia Maass.

The song's lyrics capture a fleeting moment where people can feel heroic.

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And I, I would be king

And you, you would be my queen

Though nothing wou...

Here’s an example of “They just don’t make 'em like they used to!”

David Bowie was a musical genius, and below I want to share with you some insider tips on one of his most famous songs. 

It’s got storytelling, drama, and an unparalleled emotion. Still to this day, it’s an incredibly unique and musical rollercoaster.

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

Who Wrote Space Oddity?

“Space Oddity” was written by the legend David Bowie. It was released first as a single in 1969, and then later included on his self-titled album in the U.S.

One thing I love about many great songs is…

THEIR STORIES.

“Space Oddity” tells the story of Major Tom, an astronaut who launches into space and has quite the journey. He experiences isolation and wonder, and the dangers of space to boot.

The song was recorded at Trident Studios in London in 1969, and the acoustic guitar drives a pretty big production. With instruments like Mellotron, stylophone, bas...

Here’s a nostalgic tune that sounds like you're floating out to sea into the haze.

You only need a handful of chords to play it, and it also has an incredible groove.

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 “Into the Mystic” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Into the Mystic?

"Into the Mystic" was originally written by Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It’s a vibey song that blends elements of folk, jazz, and pop into a very unique sound. Morrison wrote it during a time of great creative freedom in the late 1960s.

The original title was “Into the Misty”. But it was changed last minute. Though the lyrics are poetic and slightly ambiguous, the title change gave the song a deeper meaning. It made it transcend from a song of scenic imagery to having now a deeper philosophical meaning. The sea becomes a metaphor for the vastness of life’s seasons and cycles.

"Into the Mystic" was recorded i...

I still get the chills every time I hear the Bee Gees harmonize. 

They’d been singing together since they were kids and had an incredible sound. 

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on one of their most famous songs.  

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “How Deep Is Your Love” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote How Deep Is Your Love?

"How Deep Is Your Love" was originally written by all three brothers in the Bee Gees: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb.

The song was specifically created for the soundtrack to the 1977 film, Saturday Night Fever. The Bee Gees were initially given the film script and asked to write songs for specific scenes. “How Deep Is Your Love” is a soft and sophisticated pop ballad with incredible vocal harmonies. The lyrics capture a feeling of vulnerability in a relationship. 

The Bee Gees wrote it in a recording studio in Château d'Hérouville, France. The melody came together quickly at the French chateau, a setting pe...

I still get the chills every time I hear this song. 

Cat Stevens is a masterful songwriter, and this is one of his most famous tunes.

Below, I’m going to share with you some insider tips on the guitar style behind it. (Including a way to combine lead and rhythm.) 

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

Who Wrote Father and Son?

“Father and Son” was originally written by Cat Stevens, who later changed his name to Yusuf Islam. It was released in 1970 on his monumental album Tea for the Tillerman. 

The narrative is a fascinating conversation from a father to his son. It addresses many issues in life, of struggle, freedom, and happiness. The father sings from experience and caution, telling his son to slow down and think before he makes big decisions. 

“Father and Son” was recorded at Morgan Studios in London, with Stevens performing acoustic guitar and vocals. The arrangement is subtle, but Islam’s vocals are powerful and theatri...

Tony Lewis sang:

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Josie's on a vacation far away

Come around and talk it over… 

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Here’s one of the most famous tunes from the epic English pop-rock band The Outfield. 

It’s chock-full of mighty rock guitar techniques. 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 “Your Love” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Your Love?

“Your Love” was written by John Spinks, guitarist for the English rock band The Outfield. 

Like many legendary tunes, it came together fast when Spinks, living in East London at this time, invited the lead singer for the band, Tony Lewis, to his flat to work on some song ideas.

The song sprang to life when, according to Lewis, the opening line “Josie’s on a vacation far away” came together in about twenty minutes on Spinks’ porch. The song tells a promiscuous tale of a young man inviting an older woman over while his main girl is away. Although the song blatan...

Mick Jagger sang:

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“It's the honky tonk women

That gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues…” 

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I heard no lies. 

In this post, I’m going to share with you some insider guitar tips on one of the Rolling Stones’ most popular tunes.

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

Who Wrote Honkey Tonk Women?

“Honky Tonk Women” was originally written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones. It’s a fascinating song about a man’s run-ins with female nature. It describes the chaos and unpredictability found in bars and honky-tonk venues.

Richards said the song was inspired by a mixture of real-life experiences and his passion to blend the feel of country and rock. While Jagger said he wanted to highlight the charm and danger of these women.

The original recording was done at Olympic Studios in London and released as a single in 1969. The arrangement is raw and famously features a strong, cowbell, bluesy guitar ri...

Let's go back in time to 1963...

Here's a funky, soulful tune that's been played and recorded by tons of phenomenal artists.

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 “Sunny” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Sunny?

“Sunny” was originally written by Bobby Hebb in 1963. However, the song has been recorded by so many different artists that it is now considered a standard.

The original inspiration for “Sunny” came from some pretty terrible circumstances in Hebb’s life. His brother was stabbed, and his mother passed away, so he wanted to write something positive, something to bring some light into the darkness. 

The song was originally recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, and featured Bobby Hebb on vocals with a backing band that had more of a soulful groove to it.  

Upon its release in 1966, “Sunny” became an international hit, topping the charts in the United States and Europe. In addition to this s...

Here’s a nostalgic song about the complexities of the American dream.

It’s also a great example of how you can blend together strumming and cool riffs to fancy up your playing. 

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 “Pink Houses” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Pink Houses?

"Pink Houses" was originally written by American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp. 

The song has an interesting contrast and has become one of Mellencamp’s biggest tunes. It’s almost a celebration and critique of American life all at once. 

Mellencamp was inspired to write “Pink Houses” after driving along Interstate 65 near his hometown in Bloomington, Indiana. He saw a black man sitting in front of a pink house on a front porch, and the image inspired the first line of the tune. Mellencamp later explained that the song isn’t meant to be cynical but rather an honest reflection on how many people live good, decent lives...

They say that two things in life are unavoidable: death and taxes. 

Here’s a song about a guy feeling down from the ladder.

The guitar part blends fun bass lines, swinging rhythms, and even some bluesy chord changes to boot.

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 “Sunny Afternoon” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Sunny Afternoon?

“Sunny Afternoon” was originally written by Ray Davies, the lead songwriter of the English rock band The Kinks. The song’s lyrics have a similar theme to “Taxman” by The Beatles, which was released earlier the same year, 1966. With lyrics like:
The tax man's taken all my dough,” expressing the pain of higher tax bills. 

Davies captures the plight of a man who has lost his fortune and must adjust to a more modest way of living, capturing both humor and a subtle critique of social and economic circumstances. Despite the troubled circumstances, the protagonist in the s...