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- Best Sam Cooke Guitar Songs
Learn These Sam Cooke Songs on Acoustic Guitar
Welcome to this tribute page for soul legend Sam Cooke, featuring acoustic guitar lessons for seven of his most iconic songs. Whether you're drawn to heartfelt ballads like “You Send Me” or powerful anthems like “A Change Is Gonna Come,” you’ll find something here to strengthen your rhythm and phrasing.
Each lesson includes a free video demo, a chord and lyric sheet, and rhythm tips to help you get started. Full instructional videos are also available for a small fee if you'd like step-by-step guidance.
Acoustic Guitar Lessons for 7 Classic Sam Cooke Songs
A Change Is Gonna ComeBring It On Home
Chain Gang
I'll Come Running Back To You
Twistin The Night Away
Wonderful World
You Send Me
A Change Is Gonna Come
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A Change Is Gonna Come was released by Sam Cooke as a B-side to the song Shake in Jan 1964 but was not released as a single until two weeks after Cooke was fatally shot in Dec 1964. He wrote the song referencing an event where he and his bandmates were turned away from a hotel due to the colour of their skin.
This song can be found on the "Ain't That Good News" album.
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm here I play a down up down up down down and repeat pattern in standard tuning with no lead in this one. For chords you'll need a G, Am, C, B7, Em, Daug, A7 and a D7.
Guitar Lesson Details
These Sam Cooke songs offer a great variety of rhythm styles, strumming techniques, and soulful chord changes that are fun and rewarding to play on acoustic guitar. Some tracks, like “Twistin’ the Night Away” and “Chain Gang,” bring a groovy, upbeat vibe, while others lean into slow, expressive strumming and dynamics. Whether you're practicing smooth transitions or expanding your soul repertoire, this collection provides a well-rounded challenge.
Each lesson includes:
- Free video demo performance
- Downloadable chord and lyrics sheet
- Rhythm pattern tips
- Optional full lesson video available for purchase
Back To Song List
Bring It On Home To Me
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Bring It On Home To Me featured Low Rawls on this song recorded in 1962 from an old retake on a number called I Want To Go Home by Charles Brown a few years earlier in 1959. The song reached #2 on the R& B chart and #13 on the Hot 100 charts.
Artists who covered the song over the years include, Sonny & Cher, John Lennon and Otis Redding just to name a few. This one is on "The Best Of Sam Cooke" album.
Chords And Strumming
I use a drop D tuning for this number and a capo on the 2nd fret. Rhythm wise you can play this one several ways by using a down down down up down up pattern or a down up down up down up and repeat or a combo of the two. Some lead her as you move through the chords of D, G, A, A# and a D7.
Guitar Lesson Detail
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
Chain Gang
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Chain Gang is a single from Sam Cooke from the 1961 album Swing Low.
This song peaked at #2 in the US and #9 in the UK.
Chords And Strumming
This one played in standard tuning with a root down up root up down up pattern with the four chords G, Em, C and a D. No lead work required here.
Guitar Lesson Detail
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List For Best Sam Cooke Guitar Songs
I'll Come Running Back To You
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I'll Come Running Back To You hails from 1957 and was written by Sam Cooke. The song reached #1 on the R&B charts and #18 on Billboard. This song quickly followed on the heels of You Send Me which was a #1 hit just a few weeks prior.
The song was never part of any album from Sam Cooke, just a single.
Chords And Strumming
I play it in standard tuning without any lead work playing a root up down up or a root up down up bass up down up rhythm pattern and I changed the chorus and added some walking bass. The chords her are G, Adim, Am7, D7, B7, C, A, D7 and a Gb but no lead work.
Guitar Lesson Detail
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
Twistin' The Night Away
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Twistin The Night Away was written by Sam Cooke and released is as a single back in 1962. It was a #1 on the R&B charts and hit #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It can be found on the 1962 album "Twistin The Night Away" and became one of those Sam Cooke top songs.
Chords And Strumming
I use a capo 2nd fret in this number in standard tuning playing a root up down up root up down up rhythm pattern but I'm using a walking bass with this one. No lead and play the chords G, Em, C, D and D7.
Guitar Lesson Detail
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List For Best Sam Cooke Guitar Songs
Wonderful World
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Wonderful World was released in the Spring of 1960 and it peaked at #2 in the US but hit #1 in The Netherlands.
This is another single release that never ended up on a Sam Cooke album. Download the free Sam Cooke Wonderful World lyrics sheet below.
Chords And Strumming
Some lead in this song in standard tuning with the chords G, Em, C, D, D7 and an A. For the most part you'll play a root down up down up root up down up rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Detail
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
You Send Me
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You Send Me was a huge commercial success for Sam Cooke back in 1957 as this song went to #1 on both Billboard and R&B charts. He wrote the both the music and lyrics. Cooke gave the writing credits to his younger brother LC Cook who spelled his name without the e on the end so Sam would not have to give away profits to the publisher.
The singing group The Manhattans released a version in 1985 and had a hit, but only Sam was able to get the song to #1. Teresa Brewer, The Four Seasons, Van Morrison, Steve Miller and several other artists have recorded this number.
Chords And Strumming
Play this one in standard tuning with a root up down up down root up down up down rhythm pattern and in the chorus you can play a down down up down and repeat pattern. Some lead required with the chords Daug, G, Em, Am, D7, C and an F.
Guitar Lesson Detail
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List For Best Sam Cooke Guitar Songs
These Sam Cooke songs are timeless, and they sound fantastic on acoustic guitar. Whether you're learning for performance or just for the joy of playing,
I hope these lessons help you connect with the soul and spirit of his music. If you enjoy this page, be sure to check out other classic soul and R&B guitar lessons here on the site.
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