Best Songs By Kenny Loggins
On The Acoustic

Welcome to my best songs by Kenny Loggins page where you'll find songs from Kenny Loggins you can easily learn on the acoustic guitar.

You'll find free demos, sample videos, chord sheets, rhythm tips and more. If you require a full instructional video tutorial you can get one for a small fee. Discount pricing listed above.

Danny's Song was written by Kenny Loggins in 1971 and first released on the debut Loggins and Messina album Sittin’ In. Inspired by the birth of his brother’s son, Danny, it’s a warm, heartfelt tribute to family life and the simple happiness that comes with love, commitment, and parenthood.

The song became a major hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., and it has remained one of Loggins’ best-known classics. It’s also been recorded by several artists over the years, including Anne Murray, whose version hit #1 in 1972, along with Melissa Etheridge and others.

Footloose  was co-written by Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford and recorded by Loggins as the title song for the 1984 film Footloose (Pitchford also wrote the movie’s screenplay).

With its driving beat and feel-good lyrics, the song perfectly matches the film’s themes of youthful freedom, rebellion, and the pure fun of dancing. Released as a single, “Footloose” became a massive hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for three weeks in 1984. It also charted highly internationally and earned Loggins a Grammy nomination.

The Footloose soundtrack went multi-platinum and helped define the sound of 80s movie music.

For the First Time is a romantic ballad performed by Kenny Loggins for the 1996 film One Fine Day (starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney). It was written by James Newton Howard, Jud Friedman, and Allan Rich, and released on the movie’s soundtrack.

The song became a standout Adult Contemporary hit, reaching #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart (his only AC #1) and also peaking on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. It received major awards attention too, earning a nomination for Best Original Song.

The mood is classic Loggins: warm, reflective, and built around the feeling of unexpected love finally “clicking” into place.

Heartlight  was written by Kenny Loggins, Burt Bacharach, and Carole Bayer Sager and released on Loggins’ 1982 album High Adventure.

Inspired by the themes of the blockbuster film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the song echoes the movie’s sense of wonder, connection, and hope. Its memorable chorus—“Turn on your heartlight, let it shine wherever you go”—encourages listeners to open up, stay true to themselves, and share their inner light in a world that can feel lonely or cold.

“Heartlight” became a major hit, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. While the E.T. connection helped at the time, the song has endured on its own thanks to its uplifting message and Loggins’ heartfelt vocal performance.

House at Pooh Corner  appeared on the 1972 self-titled debut album by Loggins and Messina. Written by Kenny Loggins and inspired by A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories, it’s a gentle, nostalgic look back at childhood and how quickly time moves on.

The lyrics picture Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood, with the “house at Pooh Corner” symbolizing a safe, imaginative place where everything felt simple.

Its soft melody and warm storytelling helped make it one of the duo’s best-loved songs, and it’s been covered by other artists over the years. Loggins later revisited it in 1994 on his children’s-themed album Return to Pooh Corner.

Til the Ends Meet  appears on Kenny Loggins’ 1985 album Vox Humana. While it wasn’t released as a single, it’s long been a favorite among fans who enjoy Loggins’ more reflective, relationship-centered songs.

Musically, it’s a smooth mid-tempo ballad built around his warm lead vocal and a polished 80s arrangement, blending synth textures with a fuller, emotional backdrop. Lyrically, the song focuses on love that lasts through real-life pressure—commitment, perseverance, and choosing each other even when it takes work.

The chorus carries the theme clearly, promising to “love until the ends meet” and keep going as long as they stay together. It’s a heartfelt deep cut that still feels timeless.

Watching the River Run  appeared on Loggins and Messina’s 1973 album Full Sail and was later released as a single in 1974.

Written by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, the track blends Loggins’ smooth, expressive vocal with the duo’s laid-back California sound—acoustic guitar, warm harmonies, and an easy, flowing groove that fits the title perfectly.

Lyrically, it’s a reflective song about stepping back from life’s noise, letting time move forward, and finding calm in nature and in simple moments. While it wasn’t one of their biggest pop hits, it became a fan favorite and a staple on classic rock and soft rock playlists for its peaceful, timeless feel.

Your Mama Don't Dance  is one of Loggins and Messina’s signature hits. It first appeared on their 1972 album Mother Lode, then took off when released as a single in 1973.

Written by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, the song is built on an upbeat, piano-driven rock groove with Loggins delivering a spirited lead vocal. Lyrically, it playfully teases the generation gap—young people wanting to go out and have fun while parents just don’t “get” the new music and nightlife.

The chorus is instantly memorable, and the track’s energy helped it become a major success, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s remained a classic rock staple, with later covers helping keep it in the spotlight.