If you're a fan of music from the '70s, then you've probably heard this iconic tune. 

It's a beautiful song about a 30-year-long-term relationship.

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 “Sara Smile” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Sara Smile?

“Sara Smile” was originally written by Daryl Hall and John Oates. However, Oates has said it’s primarily a Daryl Hall song. Hall had most of it written, and then Oates contributed some minor lyric editing. 

The inspiration for this song came from Hall’s girlfriend, Sara Allen. They stayed together for 30 years. This song was sent as a heartfelt farewell postcard to Sara after their breakup.

It was released in August 1975 on the album Daryl Hall & John Oates. (This record is sometimes called The Silver Album because of its metal-looking cover.) “Sara Smile” was recorded at a few different studios in Hollywood, California, with Daryl Hall, John Oates, a...

Is this the greatest rock riff ever?

Possibly…

Well, to be accurate, it’s actually a series of riffs and sections.

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind this masterpiece.  

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

Who Wrote Back in Black?

“Back in Black” was written by Angus and Malcolm Young, plus their new lead singer, Brian Johnson. You see, the Australian rock band AC/DC had just lost their lead singer, Bon Scott, to a sudden death caused by alcohol poisoning. 

Scott was only 33. 

But, instead of writing a sad ballad, they came up with something edgier. Something that matched his wide spirit. They wanted to march him out with an epic song as tribute. Johnson said he wrote the lyrics based on what he imagined Scott would say if he could come back and speak for himself. That’s where lines like, “Forget the hearse 'cause I never die” came from.

“Back in Black” was released as the title track for A...

Here’s a classic tune from the '90s to which a metalhead on YouTube commented:

===

No shame. I'm a metalhead, and this is one of my favorite songs (ever). It grooves on drums and bass, riffs on guitar, and she's got a voice like an angel.

===

He's got a point.

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the guitar style behind this masterpiece.

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

Who Wrote Lovefool?

“Lovefool” was an international breakthrough hit for the Swedish rock band The Cardigans, released in 1996. It was written by Peter Svensson and Nina Persson, the band’s guitarist and lead vocalist.

It’s got a sugary-sweet sound with lyrics that sing of a girl falling deep in love. The girl is pleading with a lover who doesn’t love her back, begging him to lie if necessary – just to keep her feelings alive. Persson said she was fascinated by the idea of someone willfully living a fantasy on the inside just to avoid heartbreak.

The ...

Here’s a song that got its inspiration from the back seat… Bob Seger sang:

=== 

Out in the back seat of my '60 Chevy...

Workin' on mysteries without any clues... 

Workin' on our night moves… 

===

Originally, Seger thought it wasn’t going to be a hit. 

Why?

Because, it was a slower tempo. Plus, he felt it was too reflective. But history showed differently. 

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 “Night Moves” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Night Moves?

“Night Moves” was written by Bob Seger and became a song that was a turning point in his career. It was released in late 1976 as the title track to the album of the same name.

Though the album was credited to Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Night Moves itself was recorded with session musicians from the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. 

It was recorded at both Sound Studio One in Detroit and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama. As...

Here’s an exciting tune Paul McCartney said was one of his favorite early Beatles songs. 

It starts off with a wicked riff, and then catapults into fast strumming. 

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 “I've Just Seen A Face” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote I've Just Seen A Face?

“I've Just Seen A Face” was written primarily by Paul McCartney, but like many Beatles tunes, it is credited to the McCartney/Lennon songwriting partnership. It’s an upbeat, folk-leaning Beatles tune that marked a stylistic change from their earlier pop-rock sound. 

McCartney said that the song came to him quite suddenly. He said it was one of the fastest songs he ever wrote. This is a common theme with many hit songs from all kinds of different artists. It’s almost as if the songs fall out of the ether.

The lyrics sing about someone falling in love at first sight with lines like: 

“I’ve just seen a face I can’t for...

At 18 years old, Van Morrison sang:  

=== 

And here name is...

G… 

L…

O…

R…

I…

GLORIA. 

===

You only need 3 chords to play this epic garage rock anthem.

And it's a perfect song for newer players, and advanced ones too.

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 “Gloria” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Gloria?

“Gloria” was written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician Van Morrison at just 18 years old.  It was first recorded in 1964 by his Belfast band Them, during a session at Decca Three Studios in West Hampstead, London.

Though the track was originally the B-side to “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” it quickly took on a life of its own through a massive amount of airplay and live gigs. 

At its core, “Gloria” thrives on a primal rock 'n' roll energy and teenage lust.

There’s not much more that needs to be said in the lyrics. It’s just raw expression and a chorus that spells out her na...

Elvis Presley sang: 

===

Your kisses lift me higher

Like the sweet song of a choir

You light my morning sky

With burning love 

===

Here's a rocking tune about love that consumes you. It was a huge hit for Elvis Presley. 

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 “Burning Love” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Burning Love?

Despite being recorded famously by Elvis Presley, “Burning Love” was actually written by Dennis Linde in 1971.

The legend has it, he wrote the lyrics and riff in about 20 minutes. This is a pattern I’ve seen with many songs. Sometimes they just fall out of the ether. Linde wrote it while at home playing around with a drum kit. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration turned into one of rock history’s most fiery hits.

The track was first recorded by Arthur Alexander in late 1971. His version has more of a boogie R&B sound. 

However, Elvis’s version put the song on the map.

The ...

Here's a tune that was originally rejected by famous artists like Billy Idol, Bryan Ferry, and even The Fixx.

It wasn’t until Simple Minds recorded it, and it was placed in the film The Breakfast Club, where it really took off.

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 “Don't You Forget About Me” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Don't You Forget About Me?

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” was written by two songwriters, Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff, specifically for the 1985 film The Breakfast Club. 

This tune has become one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s, but its backstory is surprising. It was first offered to several famous artists like Billy Idol, Bryan Ferry, and even The Fixx, to record. But they all declined the offer. It eventually landed with Simple Minds – who also weren't keen on recording someone else’s material.

The band finally agreed to record it after being shown a rough cut of ...

Here’s a controversial tune from the 1960s that’s even been linked to a fan’s death.

The band is The Rolling Stones, and you only need to know 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 “Under My Thumb” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Under My Thumb?

“Under My Thumb” was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, two members of the English rock band The Rolling Stones. 

It was recorded in March 1966 at RCA Studios in Hollywood and released later that year on the album Aftermath. One of the unique things about this track is its distinctive use of the marimba, played by Brian Jones. 

This was not a common sound to mix into rock and roll – especially during the 60s. Along with the marimba, Keith Richards played both acoustic and electric guitars. The track was produced by Andrew Loog Oldham.

Lyrically, “Under My Thumb” tells the story of a relationship in which the ...

Imagine walking into your band rehearsal with a new song and telling your mates the hook goes:

===

We all live in a yellow submarine

Yellow submarine, yellow submarine...

=== 

Well, that’s what Paul McCartney did when he introduced this song to The Beatles that he wrote specifically for Ringo Starr to sing.

Below I’m going to dive into the guitar styles behind it.

So grab your axe and let’s get started with this “Yellow Submarine” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Yellow Submarine?

As I mentioned above Paul McCartney is the primary songwriter for “Yellow Submarine”. However, the tune was officially credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership. The inspiration for this little ditty came about after McCartney thought of the line "We all live in a yellow submarine." 

It’s one of the select Beatles songs Ringo Starr sang the lead on. Ringo brought his unique and lighthearted character to The Beatles' catalog. His lead vocals can also be heard on other tunes like "With A Litt...