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...

If you look closely at many iconic Beatles songs, you'll find they have roots in rhythm & blues. 

The guitar in this legendary song rips a boogie-woogie bass line. right along with the piano part.

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 “Lady Madonna” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Lady Madonna?

“Lady Madonna” was written by the great Paul McCartney. However, it’s credited to the typical Lennon/McCartney partnership in The Beatles. The inspiration came from McCartney seeing a photo in National Geographic of a mother with her children. That was when the idea hit him.

It’s a tribute to everyday women juggling the toils of trying to be a mother while also a provider. 

“Lady Madonna” was recorded at Abbey Road Studios on February 3rd and 6th, 1968. The sessions were done with George Martin producing. McCartney played piano and sang lead vocals, Lennon and Harrison played guitars and sang backing v...

Is this the EASIEST AC/DC riff?

AC/DC has some of the best fist-pumping stadium riffs I’ve ever done heard, and this tune is a shining example.

You only need 3 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 “TNT” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote TNT?

“TNT” was written by brother guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young, plus AC/DC’s lead singer at the time, Bon Scott.

This song is pure rock and roll energy. The “Oi! Oi! Oi!” chant became one of AC/DC’s most epic stadium anthems. The recording for “TNT” took place in 1975 at Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia, with producers Harry Vanda and George Young at the helm. 

It was released that same year in December on AC/DC’s album ”TNT”. The next year (1976), it was featured on their first international release, High Voltage.

In Australia, it was a major hit, reaching #11 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. 

The riff itself is a perfect e...

While not originally a Halloween song, this tune’s haunting title has made it a staple of countless Halloween playlists.

It also has a surprising and complex backstory 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 ULTIMATE “Spooky” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Spooky?

"Spooky" was originally written by saxophonist Mike Shapiro (who recorded under the name Mike Sharpe). It began as a jazzier, instrumental piece. But the song has a pretty interesting backstory.

You see, the first instrumental version recorded by Sharpe was a minor success. It reached number 57 on the U.S. pop charts in 1967. However, shortly after the rock group Classics IV got hold of it, and took the haunting melody and added lyrics. Their version became the most popular and brought the song to a whole new audience.

The song's lyrics describe a relationship with a "spooky little girl." The line, "love is kinda crazy wit...

Behold… a smash hit song that launched Carlos Santana’s legendary album, Supernatural, into the stratosphere.

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 “Smooth” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Smooth?

"Smooth" was written by Itaal Shur and Rob Thomas. The song has quite an interesting backstory. You see, in the late ‘90s, Santana was working on a comeback album, Supernatural, and looking to collaborate with younger artists to reach a newer audience. Clive Davis, then the head of Arista Records, suggested Rob Thomas, the frontman for Matchbox Twenty. 

The genesis for “Smooth” began with Shur, who passed the track to Thomas, which at the time was called “Room 17”. Thomas then came up with different lyrics and melody inspired by his then-fiancée (now wife), Marisol Maldonado. 

This woman is a babe.

And the song’s lyrics, like the "hot one" like "seven inches from the midday sun" to the "Spanish Harle...

Here’s a legendary song that began as a folk arrangement.

But later in the studio, The Rolling Stones brought in a pianist and a percussionist, and the song took on a whole new life.

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on the RHYTHM & LEAD guitar style behind it. 

So grab your axe, and let’s dive into this “Sympathy for the Devil” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Sympathy for the Devil?

“Sympathy for the Devil” was written by Mick Jagger, although it’s credited to the Jagger/Richards partnership. It’s the opening track on the Rolling Stones’ iconic album Beggars Banquet. Jagger came up with both the chords and the lyrics. He said later that Keith Richards helped shape the groove and was responsible for taking it from a folk ballad to an electric rocker.

That’s a pretty big contribution.

The song was recorded at Olympic Sound Studios in London in June 1968. Producer Jimmy Miller was at the helm and helped them develop it through a series of takes. In addition to ...

Countless hit songs are just a woman’s name, like: 

* Alison

* Peg

* Dirty Diana

Below, I’m going to share some insider tips on a sweet example of this from The Allman Brothers Band.

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

Who Wrote Melissa?

“Melissa” was written by the legend Gregg Allman before The Allman Brothers Band was even formed. He wrote it while living in Florida about a girl he used to know from his youth.

What’s interesting is that “Melissa” was written around the same time as some of his earliest songs, but it wasn’t recorded and released until years later. Sometimes songs sit on the back burner.  But “Melissa” is a mellower ballad that shows a different side of The Allman Brothers Band. It contrasts their usual blues-rock jams with a softer, melodic singer-songwriter side.  

“Melissa” was eventually recorded for the 1972 album Eat a Peach, which was a landmark release for the band. 

Although it didn’t chart as highly as ...

Here's a song from the legendary 1994 Eagles album Hell Freezes Over.

Now the Eagles went through a lot.  

And after a 14-year hiatus of life beating them down, they came back and sang: 

===

When we're hungry

Love will keep us alive 

===

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 “Love Will Keep Us Alive” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Love Will Keep Us Alive?

“Love Will Keep Us Alive” was actually written by 3 guys: Jim Capaldi, Paul Carrack, and Peter Vale. It was a cover. Jim Capaldi was a British songwriter and drummer, best known for his work with the band Traffic. Paul Carrack is a British singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He’s known for his work with Ace, Mike + The Mechanics, and Squeeze. Peter Vale is yet another songwriter and collaborator on this tune. 

“Love Will Keep Us Alive” was written in the ‘90s and pitched to a whole slew of artists before it eventually ended u...

NPR included this tune in their “100 most important American musical works of the 20th century.”

It's got a groove that makes you want to move. 

When I first heard this song, I thought it was written by Santana. However, much later, I found out the truth.  

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 “Oye Como Va” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Oye Como Va?

“Oye Como Va” was originally written by legendary American musician Tito Puente. It’s all built around a catchy keyboard groove often known as a montuno in Latin music.

The song appeared on Puente’s album El Rey Bravo. Puente led a full Latin orchestra – timbales, horns, flute, piano, bongos, congas, vocals – which crafted his signature sound.

In fact, a couple of my friends have played percussion for him.

However, Carlos Santana recorded a cover of this tune on his classic album Abraxas. 

His version infused rock elements like distorted ...