# Cool songs to learn on guitar **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 14, 2004, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357 "2004-01-14T05:29:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gyt\_fx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@gyt\_fx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyt_fx)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/1 "2004-01-14T05:29:00Z")
What are some cool (Rock, obiviously) songs to learn on guitar? I’ve been playing (electric) guitar for about a year and a half and am pretty good. Almost all songs that I can find tabs for and practice for 1-10 minutes I can learn fairly easily. I listen to hardcore rock/punk/emo. Bands such as Thrice, Green Day, Blink 182, Coheed & Cambria, AFI, Strung out, NOFX. So I have pretty much tried all of the songs I wanted to learn by them. Can you suggest some good guitar riffs? Any difficulty is accepted (I like a challenge 🙂 ). Please exclude all [except easy] fingerpicking songs, [I’m not very good at doing that]. Please exclude suggesting Just solos from songs. I have many to learn if I wanted to, [such as Weezer solos]. ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/2 "2004-01-14T19:27:06Z")
Hmmm. Green Day, Blink-182, AFI? I’ll resist the temptation to make a joke here about you wanting to learn a fourth chord… alright. I did it! Seriously, though, they’re great bands; I am just now discovering the talent that lies behind the seemingly simple three-chord format of Green Day and Blink-182. I’d say you should try on something a little older, like some **Dire Straits** or **Led Zeppelin**. Good songs from the former include the ubiquitous _Money for Nothing_ and _Sultans of Swing_; from the latter try _Ramble On_ (bring a friend who plays acoustic guitar), _Travelling Riverside Blues_ (or **Eric Clapton** ’s version of the same blues song, “_Crossroads_”). _Rocks Off_ by **The Rolling Stones** has a great–and simple–riff, and then evolves into a moderately tough tune. And really, anything by the Stones is guaranteed to be pretty good (_Start Me Up_, _Honky Tonk Woman_, etc.) and relatively simple to play. Since Zep and the Stones are basically the grandparents of the music you currently listen to, I’d be surprised if you didn’t (a) enjoy some of it immensely, and (b) learn a few riffs that you’ll hear again and again in newer songs. Also: with your tastes, you’ll probably recoil in terror at the suggestion that you check out _Ana Ng_ and _See the Constellation_ by **They Might Be Giants** , but I assure you that those songs are descended from the same tree-dwelling monkeys as every song that **Green Day** plays. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/3 "2004-01-14T20:31:51Z")
Bottom line: move on to other bands you love and learn their songs. Per **Jurph** , I could recommend a number of bands - either similar to your tastes (Nirvana, Jimmy Eat World, Eve 6), bands that most guitar players end up learning (Zep, Hendrix, Stevie Ray) or the originators, which are great and important to learn (Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, the Beatles). But none of that matters if you don’t love them and have a passion for playing them. So, listen to more music, decide what you like and learn it. If you have a type of music you know you love but don’t know which bands to learn within that style, let us know… ---
**Author:** ![gyt\_fx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@gyt\_fx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyt_fx)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/4 "2004-01-15T00:50:39Z")
I resent that **Jurph**. I can pretty much play… All of their songs, and they actually have some that do think outside the 4 chord wonder box. AFI’s early stuff was typical punk, however their latest 3 cd’s or so have moved on to more of a progressive hardcore rock, and I can play most if not all of it. I have listened to Led Zeppelin at times, not much more than a few songs at a time or so. I haven’t tried any of their songs though (only ACDC of ole hardrock). Some other bands requested: Jimmy eat world - Doesn’t quite whet my taste of music, however some of their songs are enjoyable to listen/play. Nirvana - Of course I’ve tried Nirvana songs: easy. Much of the dillema I have with learning songs from other bands I like (such as Less than Jake, NOFX, a lot of AFI, CKY, and some of Strung out and Thrice); is that they have 2 guitar parts… and I am but one man. So usually the cool sounding verse sounds terrible with no rhythm backin it up. And of much of the music/bands you listed… From what I’ve heard of them their music is classified by me as… probably about intermediate. I’m looking for advanced stuff. Thanks for suggestions, I’m going to check into some of it now. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/5 "2004-01-15T01:50:05Z")
**gyt\_fyx** , I don’t know a whole heck of a lot about recent guitar rock, but I’ve heard (and dug) some Green Day and Blink 182. I think I can come up with a few songs with a definitive punk streak you might enjoy playing: [ul] [li]“Cult of Personality” by Living Colour – no need to play like the heavily produced studio version. A guitar-playing bud of mine used to slop this tune up, but it still sounded cool.[/li][li]“Live Wire” by Motley Crue – No kidding. Give it a listen.[/li][li]“Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes – You can further slop up this already-sloppy song to your heart’s content. Or maybe speed it up, even.[/li][li]“People Who Died” by the Jim Carroll Band – off the _Tuff Turf_ movie soundtrack. Something tells me you’d lke this song.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/6 "2004-01-15T01:58:28Z")
Thought of two more that I’m less sure you’d go for … but they’re worth suggesting: The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Yertle the Turtle” and “Higher Ground”. … BTW, **gyt\_fyx** , do you like Jane’s Addiction? Maybe “Stop!”? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/7 "2004-01-15T01:58:42Z")
Give **House of the Rising Sun** a try. I don’t think it’s really hard, I knew some guys that weren’t all that great but they could play H-R-S. I just has an interesting pick to it. ---
**Author:** ![TERRA\_Rising](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TERRA\_Rising](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TERRA_Rising)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/8 "2004-01-15T02:14:20Z")
Um, there’s always “Enter Sandman” and “Smooth Criminal” if you want easy and cool songs. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/9 "2004-01-15T02:18:33Z")
Another thought: listen to Cheap Trick’s “She’s Tight”. Most of Cheap Trick’s fare probably wouldn’t be up your alley, but I have a hunch about “She’s Tight”. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/10 "2004-01-15T06:57:51Z")
Nirvana’s _Nevermind_ album is filled with good riffs ranging from the easy to moderate difficulty range. Black Sabbath’s “Best of” compilation _We Sold Our souls for Rock and Roll_ is practically a textbook for good riff writing. In the more difficult range, try pretty much any Led Zeppelin album (except _Presence_), Van Halen’s first album (start with “Running With the Devil” or “Ain’t Talkin’ 'bout Love.” They’re both easy riffs that sound like the shit) or either of the two albums that Ozzy did with Randy Rhoads (The opening riff of “Crazy Train” is one of the coolest of all time and it’s also pretty easy). ---
**Author:** ![gyt\_fx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@gyt\_fx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyt_fx)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/11 "2004-01-15T15:32:04Z")
Ill check 'em out **Bordelond**. I have thinkin about tryin some RHCP’s songs since my friend knows some one bass, but most are insane funky guitar picking and I’m not all that good. **Terra Rising** , of course I’ve learned those; a while ago. **Diogenes the Cynic** , I’ll check out some more Black Sabbath. I know Crazy Train and Iron man, and then another one I cant put a name to right now… Thank you for all suggestions, however [not to look a gift horse in the mouth or anything] if possible, could you please include song names rather than a whole album. I’m not going to go out and spend 10-20 bucks on a CD that I wont listen to much, and my dad doesn’t have All the CD’s in the world; and of course I can’t DOWNLOAD the music… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/12 "2004-01-15T16:14:33Z")
Thought of another song: how about Black Flag’s “TV Party”? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/13 "2004-01-15T16:25:09Z")
> [@gyt\_fx](#): > > I resent that **Jurph**.I’m looking for advanced stuff. I’m not familiar with the type of music being discussed, but if you’re willing to consider something other than rock, I suggest “The Girl From Ipanema.” Cool, interesting, and somewhat challenging. Get the sheet music to get the right chord sequence. Transpose it to A, and everything will be a barre chord except the home chord (A major 7) and the next to last chord in the bridge (both of which can be barred to play in higher keys). Along with 7ths, minor 7ths, and major 7ths, it has some intriguing jazz chords (9ths and such). Though it may sound intimidating, none of them are terribly difficult to play, and they’re a refreshing change from most rock songs. The chord sequence walks up and down the fretboard while shifting between types. I think it’s a gas to play. I don’t pick, but there’s plenty of opportunity to work in leads and riffs. And the song is inherently cool. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/14 "2004-01-15T16:33:30Z")
Black Flag? Blink-182? Dadburn whippersnappers! Why, back in my day… Well, my day actually sucked. You had to get your spot in the dorm stairwell by 7 pm and start trying to play _Stairway to Heaven_, or some other poser would already be sprawled out (with his hackysack and his Kerouac) picking out the intro to _Roundabout_ over and over and over. Maybe he’d get bored (or Belushi would smash his guitar) by midnight, and the second shift could take over – and keep everyone awake by trying to be Clapton on a cheap acoustic (ahhh… _Born Under A Bad Sign_ with an out-of-tune B string…). So have I convinced you to try some acoustic Zep’lin or Cream? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/15 "2004-01-15T16:36:32Z")
> [@](#): > > (with his hackysack and his Kerouac) Wow, that’s like poetic, if i say so myself… ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/16 "2004-01-17T15:35:55Z")
Second the suggestion of Chuch Berry. His style seems really simple, but if nothing else, you’re getting lead work that’s completely harmonized. I often think that Chuck was the inspiration for the solo in “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” by Tears for Fears. I love the solo in that song, and it’s almost all double-stops a la Chuck. Oh, and “Smoke on the Water” because it’s just so cool. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/17 "2004-01-17T18:33:06Z")
**gyt fx** I won’t suggest any songs for you but I will point out a subtle theme running through this thread. I think your most rewarding challenge would come from a little bit of study of obscure blues artists (no, not Clapton. A lit of _his_ stuff is the product of this method). It may be uncomfortable for you to listen to this stuff because the tempo and recording quality does not seem compatable with present day music. There’s your challenge. Take those songs and make them work into your style. Blues artists aren’t bragging when they say that the Blues are the roots of modern music. They are just stating what they matter-of-fact know about rock-jazz-blues. Who knows I may be a big fan of yours some day. Good Luck, Bubba ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/18 "2004-01-17T19:16:57Z")
Well that seems like a nice eclectic mix of suggestions. Think I’ll add my 2¢ and suggest **“Aqualung” by Jethro Tull**. I’m suggesting learning to play the _whole_ song. Sure, that legendary 6 note riff is easy to play, but the chords following it are somewhat challenging. The guitar solo is what I consider to be one of the best in rock and roll. Yeah, by today’s standards, it isn’t one of those “mile-a-minute” lightning guitar, speed demon type of solos. But IMHO, it speaks volumes. ---
**Author:** ![Brad\_Pittiful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Brad\_Pittiful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_Pittiful)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/19 "2004-01-17T19:25:50Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > **gyt\_fyx** , I don’t know a whole heck of a lot about recent guitar rock, but I’ve heard (and dug) some Green Day and Blink 182. I think I can come up with a few songs with a definitive punk streak you might enjoy playing: > [ul] > [li]“Cult of Personality” by Living Colour – no need to play like the heavily produced studio version. A guitar-playing bud of mine used to slop this tune up, but it still sounded cool.[/li][li]“Live Wire” by Motley Crue – No kidding. Give it a listen.[/li][li]“Blister in the Sun” by Violent Femmes – You can further slop up this already-sloppy song to your heart’s content. Or maybe speed it up, even.[/li][li]“People Who Died” by the Jim Carroll Band – off the _Tuff Turf_ movie soundtrack. Something tells me you’d lke this song.[/li][/ul] _People who Died_ is a great tune but, i think _It’s too Late_ by Jim Carroll Band is a better riff to play ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar/224357/20 "2004-01-17T19:35:48Z")
> [@Brad Pittiful](#): > > _People who Died_ is a great tune but, i think _It’s too Late_ by Jim Carroll Band is a better riff to play Nice call. **Gyt\_fyx** , “It’s too Late” is on the same soundtrack … or on the JCB album _Catholic Boy_.