Play These Quirky Cake Hits on Acoustic Guitar.
If you’re a fan of Cake’s offbeat lyrics, laid-back vocals, and punchy rhythms, this collection of Cake guitar songs is for you. These acoustic tutorials break down seven of their biggest tracks—from “Frank Sinatra” to “Short Skirt Long Jacket”—and show you how to capture that signature Cake sound on your own guitar.
Whether you’re just starting to build confidence with your rhythm or want to dive deeper into alternate grooves and chord styles, these lessons will keep you sharp, creative, and always in the pocket.
These Cake guitar lessons are rhythm-focused and built for acoustic players who want to improve their timing, strumming control, and groove feel. Every tutorial includes the chords you’ll need, a printable chord and lyrics sheet, and a demo video so you can see the parts in action.
While I don’t teach fingerpicking, I do blend arpeggio-style picking with steady strumming to mimic the original feel of the song in a way that works great on acoustic. You’ll find that even these quirky, electric-based tracks translate surprisingly well to solo acoustic when you know how to approach them—something I’ve helped players with around the world since 2007.
Each lesson helps you lock into the rhythm and build confidence with Cake’s unique timing and energy. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with grooves you can reuse in lots of other songs too.
Frank Sinatra is a track from Cake's second studio album, "Fashion Nugget," released in 1996. While it was one of the four singles released from the album, the song did not achieve notable chart success. Despite this, "Frank Sinatra" has become a concert favorite among Cake fans.
The song showcases Cake's signature style, blending elements of alternative rock, funk, and country. John McCrea's deadpan vocal delivery, coupled with the band's use of trumpet and vibrant instrumentals, contributes to the unique sound that Cake is known for.
The lyrics of "Frank Sinatra" include references to the iconic singer and actor Frank Sinatra, as well as other cultural elements. The song's catchy and upbeat nature, combined with its humorous and satirical lyrics, has endeared it to fans over the years.
While it may not have achieved commercial success on the charts, "Frank Sinatra" remains a noteworthy and beloved track in Cake's discography. Its enduring popularity is reflected in its status as a staple in Cake's live performances.
I play a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern here in standard tuning with some lead. The chords here are Em, C, G and a B7.
Love You Madly is a track from Cake's fourth studio album, "Comfort Eagle," released in 2001. Despite not being released as a single, the song has gained recognition and popularity among Cake fans. "Love You Madly" showcases Cake's distinctive musical style, characterized by its combination of rock, funk, and alternative elements.
The "Comfort Eagle" album as a whole received positive reviews for its experimental sound and witty lyrics, and "Love You Madly" contributes to the album's overall eclectic vibe. While it may not have been officially released as a single, the song has found its audience and has been featured in various media, adding to its enduring appeal.
The chords you'll need in this one are D, G and F with some lead in standard tuning and a capo 2nd fret. For rhythm play a down down down down up down up and repeat pattern.
Never There is a notable song by Cake, released as a single from their third studio album, "Prolonging the Magic," in 1998. The song received positive reception and achieved success on various charts. It reached the top position on the US Alternative Songs chart and reached number 29 on the US Adult chart. Additionally, it gained popularity in Australia, where it reached number 30.
The music video for "Never There" was filmed in the band's hometown of Sacramento, California. The song itself is characteristic of Cake's alternative rock sound, featuring lead singer John McCrea's distinctive vocals and the band's signature use of various instruments, including trumpet and vibraslap.
"Never There" is known for its catchy melody and engaging lyrics, and it remains one of Cake's well-known tracks. The success of the song contributed to the enduring popularity of the "Prolonging the Magic" album, which also featured other notable songs like "Sheep Go to Heaven" and "Let Me Go."
Some lead in the rhythm on this one which has a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning. For chords play Em, Am, D, C and a Cmaj7.
Rock And Roll Lifestyle is a track from Cake's debut album, "Motorcade of Generosity," released in 1994. It was the first single from the album and marked an early entry for Cake into the alternative music scene. The song's lyrics critique the materialistic and extravagant aspects of the rock and roll lifestyle, addressing themes of consumerism and the pursuit of fame.
The single found success on the Modern Rock chart, reaching the 31st position. Its witty and satirical lyrics, combined with Cake's distinctive musical style, contributed to the band's early appeal. The song's inclusion in an IKEA commercial in Sweden further extended its reach and introduced Cake to a broader international audience.
"Motorcade of Generosity" laid the foundation for Cake's subsequent albums, establishing their genre-blending sound and thoughtful lyricism. "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" remains a notable piece in Cake's discography, reflecting the band's ability to deliver socially conscious messages with a touch of humor.
Rhythm here is mainly down strokes playing the E, A and B chords in standard tuning. Some lead required.
Sheep Go To Heaven is a track from Cake's third studio album, "Prolonging the Magic," released in 1998. While the album was released in 1998, the song wasn't released as a single until 1999. "Sheep Go to Heaven" performed well on the charts, reaching the 16th position on the US Alternative Songs chart.
The music video for "Sheep Go to Heaven" is notable for its cartoonish style. In the video, the band members are dressed as members of the iconic rock band KISS, adding a humorous and playful element to the visual representation of the song. This creative approach aligns with Cake's penchant for unique and offbeat aesthetics in their music videos.
Musically, "Sheep Go to Heaven" is characteristic of Cake's alternative rock sound, featuring John McCrea's distinctive vocals and the band's fusion of various instruments. The song's title and lyrics touch on existential and philosophical themes, exploring the dichotomy between heaven and hell.
This song has the chords A, D, E, A7, G, D/Gb and F in standard tuning and a bit of lead. For rhythm play a shuffle rhythm with some walking bass.
Short Skirt Long Jacket is a standout track from Cake's fourth studio album, "Comfort Eagle," released in 2001. The song achieved notable success on various charts around the world. In the United States, it reached the 7th position on the Alternative Songs chart and an impressive 3rd position on the Adult Alternative Songs chart. Internationally, it charted in the UK, Germany, and Australia.
The song is known for its catchy hooks, memorable lyrics, and the distinctive trumpet lines that are characteristic of Cake's sound. The lyrics of "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" reflect on the speaker's desires in a potential romantic partner, and the song's upbeat tempo and energetic instrumentation contribute to its widespread appeal.
The music video for "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" is notable for its unique concept. It features people on the street being asked if they like the song, creating a quirky and engaging visual experience that complements the song's offbeat charm.
This one also has shuffle strumming with some bass for the rhythm in standard tuning but no lead work here. The chords are D, F, G and an A.
Stickshifts And Safety Belts is a track from Cake's second studio album, "Fashion Nugget," released in 1996. Despite not being released as a single, the song has gained recognition among fans of Cake and is often appreciated for its distinctive sound and lyrics.
The song features Cake's characteristic blend of alternative rock with elements of funk and country. It's known for its catchy melody and the unique vocal delivery of lead singer John McCrea. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and romanticism, with references to classic cars and the simplicity of a bygone era.
While "Stickshifts and Safety Belts" may not have been a commercial single, it has become a fan favorite and is often highlighted as one of the memorable tracks from the "Fashion Nugget" album. Cake's ability to infuse their music with humor, clever lyrics, and a variety of musical influences is evident in this song, contributing to the band's distinctive sound and style.
For rhythm in this one play a root down root down and some down strokes as per rock and roll with some lead and in standard tuning. The chords are E, A, B7 and a B.
If these Cake tutorials got your foot tapping and your strumming hand grooving, don’t stop here. The band’s catalog has plenty more fun tracks worth exploring—plus, their rhythm-first style is a great gateway to similar artists with clever lyrics and unconventional grooves.
Be sure to check out other alternative and indie rock artists featured on this site, especially if you enjoy guitar-driven music that breaks the mold. And if you’re building your own setlist of crowd-pleasing acoustic covers, these Cake songs are a perfect place to start.