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Learn the Best Chicago Songs on Acoustic Guitar
Welcome to my best Chicago guitar songs page, where you’ll find acoustic-friendly arrangements of some of the band’s most iconic soft rock classics. Whether you're a fan of their early horn-driven hits or the smoother ballads of the late '70s and '80s, these lessons will help you bring Chicago’s signature sound to life on your acoustic guitar.
Songs like "If You Leave Me Now," "Beginnings," "Color My World," and "Saturday In The Park" are all here, along with free chord sheets, rhythm tips, and video demos to get you started.
If you'd like step-by-step instruction, full video tutorials are available for a small fee. Just look for the "Add to Cart" button below each song section.
Free Chord Sheets, Rhythm Tips & Full Video Tutorials
Baby What A Big SurpriseBeginnings
Color My World
If You Leave Me Now
Old Days
Saturday In The Park
Will You Still Love Me
Wishing You Were Here
Baby What A Big Surprise
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Baby What A Big Surprise hit the airwaves in the fall of 1977 from the bands album "Takin It On Uptown".
The track reached #4 in the US and #3 in Canada.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one with a capo 3rd fret in standard tuning and no lead work necessary. Play a down down up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords A, E, D, Esus, G, C, Gbm and an E7.
Guitar Lesson Details
These Chicago acoustic guitar lessons are arranged with solo players in mind. You'll find standard tuning, easy-to-follow chord progressions, and strumming rhythms that capture the groove and feel of each original track. For every song listed here, you'll get a free chords and lyrics PDF, a rhythm breakdown, and a demo video so you can hear how the song sounds when played all the way through. Whether you're tackling Chicago's earlier hits or later ballads, each lesson helps improve your timing, dynamics, and feel.
If you need extra guidance, complete lesson tutorials are available for a low cost and cover every section in detail, from intro to outro.
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
Beginnings
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Beginnings is a number from the early days of the band going back to 1969, The song was released as a single from their 2nd album "Poem 58".
The song failed to chart in the initial released but did chart at #1 with re-release in 1971.
Chords And Strumming
For this song I like to play a steady up and shuffle with some chop strumming for rhythm in standard tuning. No lead but a few riffs here and there while playing the chords Amaj7, G6, Dmaj7, Cmaj7, Fmaj7 and a G.
Guitar Lesson Details
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List For Best Chicago Guitar Songs
Color My World
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Color My World was a single from the bands 2nd album known as Chicago II as the band had to change their previous name due to a potential lawsuit. The song was a b-side to two other singles but eventually this one made it to #7 on the US charts. Frank Sinatra wanted to record the song but wanted a 2nd verse written, but the band declined.
This one is arpeggio all the way through in standard tuning with a bit of lead near the end as you play out the flute section.
Chords And Strumming
Chords here are Fmaj7, Am, A#, D#, Ab, Gb, D7, Abmaj7, Gbmaj7, Gmaj7, Bbm, C, Fmaj7, A# and a C.
Guitar Lesson Details
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
If You Leave Me Now
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If You Leave Me Now was a monster #1 hit song in many countries when it was released back in the summer of 1976.
The track is from the album "Together Again".
Chords And Strumming
For this number play a down up stop up down up rhythm and a capo 4th in standard tuning. No lead work but a few chords in this one including a G, D/Gb, Em, Bm, A7, D, E, C7, Fm, C, Gbm, B7, Am7, G6 and a Cm.
Guitar Lesson Details
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List For Best Chicago Guitar Songs
Old Days
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Old Days is a number from 1975 off of their album "Hideaway".
The song reached #3 in the US.
Chords And Strumming
No lead here in standard tuning while playing the chords Em, Dm, F, G, C, Esus, E, Am, Am/Ab, Am/D, D/Gb and a Gsus. I play a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern and some chop strumming and shuffles throughout.
Guitar Lesson Details
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
Saturday In The Park
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Saturday In The Park hit the airwaves in 1972 and hails from the bands album "Alma Mater".
The one peaked at #3 in the US and #2 in Canada.
Chords And Strumming
Another number with a bunch of chords and they are Am,
D7, G7, C, Bm, Dmaj7, Em, G/F, D, G, G/E, Gm, A#m and an Eb in standard
tuning and some lead required. For rhythm you can play a down up stop up pattern along with some steady up and down shuffle strumming and lots of accents.
Guitar Lesson Details
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List For Best Chicago Guitar Songs
Will You Still Love Me
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Will You Still Love Me was released as a single in 1986 from the album Chicago 18.
By this time Peter Cetera had departed and bassist Jason Scheff had taken over a lead vocalist.
This was their first bit song reaching #2 in the US with Scheff singing lead.
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 1st fret in standard tuning and a few riffs throughout. A simple down down up down down and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords F, G, C, G/E, D, C/B, Am, Dm, Dm/B, Ddim, D/Gb, G#, Gsus, Dm7 and a G6.
Guitar Lesson Details
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
Wishing You Were Here
- Learn To Play On Guitar
Wishing You Were Here is a track from 1974 form the bands album entitled "Life Saver". It was the only single from that album.
The song topped the charts in the US.
Chords And Strumming
No lead in this one played in standard tuning with the chords Dm, E7, Eb, A#, C, A, D and a Gm. You'll need a down down up down down up and repeat rhytj pattern with some arpeggio as well.
Guitar Lesson Details
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List For Best Chicago Guitar Songs
Chicago’s timeless blend of rock, jazz, and pop created some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century — and they translate beautifully to solo acoustic guitar. These lessons are designed to help you build confidence and capture the essence of each track, whether you're playing for yourself or performing live.
Be sure to check out the free demos and chord sheets, and if you’d like more structure in your practice, grab the full tutorials to go deeper into each arrangement. Enjoy learning these great Chicago songs — and keep on strumming!
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