Rock Music In The 70s 
On The Acoustic

1. Another Brick In The Wall is one of Pink Floyd's most famous songs and a standout track from their iconic 1979 album, "The Wall." The song is actually divided into three parts, creatively titled "Part 1," "Part 2," and "Part 3," each with its own unique characteristics.

Part 1:This section serves as an atmospheric introduction to the themes explored in the song. It features haunting vocals and sets the tone for what follows.

Part 2:This is the most well-known section of the song and is often referred to simply as "Another Brick in the Wall." It features a catchy melody, driven by a powerful guitar riff and infectious rhythm.

Part 3:This final section of the song features a more subdued and reflective tone compared to the energetic Part 2 and serves as a conclusion.  

"Another Brick in the Wall" became a massive hit for Pink Floyd, reaching number one on the charts in multiple countries, including the US and several European nations.

This one is played with a shuffle pattern using the chords Dm, F, C and G using Drop D tuning. A few riffs and a bit of picking is required for a solo performance.

Back On The Chain Gang was one of the hit singles from The Pretenders' 1982 album "Learning to Crawl." It reached high positions on the charts in the US, Canada, and the UK, showcasing the band's widespread popularity.

The song is known for its catchy melody, memorable guitar riffs, and Chrissie Hynde's powerful vocals. Lyrically, it reflects on themes of heartbreak and resilience, with Hynde lamenting lost love and expressing determination to move forward.

"Back on the Chain Gang" remains one of The Pretenders' most beloved and enduring songs, capturing the spirit of the band's sound and ethos.

Played in standard tuning, this one has a few riffs throughout as you play through it from start to finish. A simple root down up down up down up pattern will work here using the chords D, A, Em, A7, Dm, E and a B7.

Dancing In The Moonlight is a single from 1977 and can be found on the Thin Lizzy album Bad Reputation.

This song peaked at #14 in the UK and #4 in Ireland. This song title is sometime confused with a King Harvest song with the same name.

I play this with a capo on the 3rd fret using the chords Bm, A, E Dbm and a B. There is a riff in the beginning that is used throughout the song and you'll have a bit of standalone lead in her as well while playing a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern.

Fearless is a song by Pink Floyd from their album "Meddle," released in 1971. While it wasn't released as a single and didn't make it onto the charts, it's still a beloved track among fans.

The song has a calm and soothing vibe, with acoustic guitar and gentle vocals. One of its most distinctive features is the use of a crowd singing and chanting "You'll Never Walk Alone" toward the end, which creates a powerful and uplifting atmosphere.

This one is played in standard tuning with a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern and some riffs and some lead play as you'll see in my demo below. The chords you'll need are G, A#, C, A and a D.

Give Up Your Guns is a song written by Rupert Holmes and D. Jordan in 1972. It tells a big story about a bank robber who runs away. The song was sung by The Buoys for their first album called "The Buoys."

Even though "Give Up Your Guns" only reached number 84 on the charts, it became really popular in Europe. It was a big hit there when it first came out and again when it was released again in 1979.

For rhythm here you can use a 1-2-3 arpeggio up down up down up and down up down up in the ch in standard tuning. I added a little picking sequence at the end of this one while using the chords Em, Am, F, G, C and A# throughout the song. Original key is a capo 2nd fret.

How Long was from the British band Ace which was formed in 1972. One of their most well-known songs is "How Long," which was released in 1974 and became a major hit, reaching the top 20 in the United States and the top 3 in the UK.

The band was led by singer and guitarist Paul Carrack, who later had a successful solo career and became known for his soulful voice.

Although "How Long" remains their most famous song, Ace released several albums throughout the 1970s before disbanding in 1977.

I play this one in standard tuning with a capo 3rd fret using the rhythm pattern down up down up down down and repeat. There is some picking blended into the rhythm while playing the chords G, Fdim, Am, Em, Dm and Gsus.

Jailbreak is one of Thin Lizzy's most iconic songs, known for its infectious energy and memorable guitar riffs. It's the title track from their sixth studio album, released in 1976. The song tells the story of a daring prison escape and has become synonymous with Thin Lizzy's signature sound.

While "Jailbreak" didn't achieve significant chart success in North America, it reached number 31 in the UK, solidifying Thin Lizzy's popularity in their homeland and across Europe.

Music videos weren't as prevalent or elaborate as they are today however live performances of "Jailbreak" have been captured on film and video, showcasing the band's electrifying stage presence and Phil Lynott's charismatic performance style.

This one has a choppy rhythm with some steady up and down in places. I'm playing this in Drop D Tuning but it only has four chords which are G, D, Em and an A. There is some lead work in this one.

Talk Of The Town is a track by The Pretenders from their 1980 album "Pretenders II." While it didn't chart in Canada or the US, it did reach number 8 on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing the band's popularity in their home country.

"Talk of the Town" remains a fan favorite and a staple of The Pretenders' live performances, often praised for its infectious energy and relatable lyrics.

Despite not achieving widespread chart success, it's considered a classic example of The Pretenders' distinctive sound and songwriting style.

The chords for this one are G, C, Am7, B7, Em, D and a G6 in standard tuning. A root down up root up down up rhythm pattern will work here and there is no lead to be concerned about for this lesson.

The Boys Are Back In Town

is arguably Thin Lizzy's most famous and enduring song. It was released in 1976 as a single from their album "Jailbreak" and quickly became a rock anthem. The single was a #1 in Ireland and hit #8 in Canada and #12 in the US.

Lyrically, "The Boys Are Back in Town" depicts the excitement and camaraderie of a group of friends reuniting and hitting the town for a night of revelry. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the nightlife scene and capture the feeling of freedom and celebration.

The song's memorable guitar riff, composed by Thin Lizzy's guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson, has become iconic in the realm of classic rock. It's a driving force behind the song's infectious energy and has made it a favorite among fans and musicians alike.

This one has a down up down up rhythm pattern as well as some quick shuffles in this one. You also have some quick riffs in here. The chord you'll need are G, A, C, Bm, Em, Am7, D, D#, and F.

Wish You Were Here is a heartfelt song by Pink Floyd from their 1975 album of the same name. Even though it wasn't released as a single, it's often considered one of their greatest songs.

The lyrics express feelings of longing and nostalgia, reflecting on the absence of someone important. The music features beautiful acoustic guitar melodies and emotive vocals, creating a deeply moving experience for listeners.

While a live version of the song was released as a single in 1995, it didn't make it onto the charts. Nonetheless, "Wish You Were Here" remains a beloved classic in Pink Floyd's catalog.

I play this one with a down down up down up - down up down up down up rhythm and repeat in standard tuning. There are also a few riffs as you move through this one while plying the chords Em, G, A, C, D, Am and an Asus.