Welcome to my collection of love songs from the 60s for acoustic guitar, where you'll learn to play some of the most beloved love songs from the era!
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced guitarist, our video lessons will guide you step-by-step through 10 classic tracks, including "A You're Adorable," "Sealed With A Kiss" by Brian Hyland, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers, and many more.
Enjoy free chord sheets, demos, and rhythm tips to enhance your playing experience. Dive into the timeless melodies and heartfelt lyrics of the 60s, and bring these iconic love songs to life on your acoustic guitar.
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A You're Adorable a.k.a the Alphabet song was first made popular in 1949 by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters.
Brian Hyland recorded this song for his debut album "The Bashful Blonde" in 1960 but never released his version as a single.
A handful of chords in this one consisting of D, B7, Em, A7, A, G, E7, Ddim and a Gbm with a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern throughout. No lead here in standard tuning.
Build Me Up Buttercup featured the bands new lead singer Colin Young and with it, their first big hit with this song. The song reached #3 in the US and # 2 in the UK.
The track is from the album of the same name which was released back in 1968.
This one can be played in standard tuning with a down up stop up down up stop up and repeat rhythm pattern. No lead here but a few riffs in the rhythm playing the chords C, E, F, G, C7, Fm, A#, Dm, Em, A7 and D7.
For Your Love was a departure from the blues sound of this band when they recorded and released this song in 1965. It became a top 10 in both the UK and the US. But in spite of that, guitarist Eric Clapton left the band because the band took this direction.
The song is from their 1965 studio album of the same name.
The rhythm pattern here is a down up down up down up down up and repeat pattern in standard tuning. No lead to worry about playing the chords Em, G, A, Am, B, E and Dbm.
Good Lovin was a single release by The Young Rascals in 1966. The song had been recorded twice before the Rascals did their version.
The song hit #1 in the US in the spring of 1966 and can be found on their album "The Young Rascals".
Only four chords here and they are D, G, A and E in standard tuning. A few riffs and a little lead work while playing a steady down up down up down up rhythm pattern.
Sealed With A Kiss was a #3 hit in both the US and UK in 1962 and the song was written by Gary Geld and Peter Udell.
The track is from his 1962 album of the same name.
This one has two different rhythm patterns you could play which is a root down up root up down up or a shuffle which is a root down up down up root up down up. A bit of lead work in this one as you play the chords Em, D, A, Am, G, E7, B7 and a Gb. A Capo first fret is where this one is and moves up one fret later, but I left that out of this arrangement.
Smile A Little Smile For Me was a debut single from The Flying machine off their album "The Flying Machine" from 1969.
The song was a #6 hit in the US and a #4 in Canada.
For the rhythm here play a root down up down up root up down up and repeat pattern with the chords C, G6, Am, Am/G, F, Dm, Gsus, G and A7. A bit of lead blended into the rhythm required here.
Somebody To Love was first recorded by a San Francisco group called The Great Society in 1965 but never had much impact. The writer, Darby Slick, has a sister-in-law in that group known as Grace Slick.
When these cats disbanded only after one year, Grace took this song with her to Jefferson Airplane. The song went on to reach #1 in Canada and #5 in the US and has become a 60s classic.
Play this with a capo 4th fret using the chords Dm, G, C and F. No lead work here while playing a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with down strokes in some places.
Unchained Melody was a song in a 1955 film of the same name. The Righteous Brothers recorded their version in 1965. Of course these two lads were not actually brothers at all. Bobby Hatfield won a coin toss with his duet partner Bill Medley and took the lead vocals on this song as both wanted to sing the lead.
Phil Spector put this "throw away" song on a B-side assuming it would not get played but the DJ's proved him wrong and the song went to #4. It can be found on the album "Just One In My life.
Standard tuning here with the chords G, Em, C, D, Bm, G7, A# and Cm will get you through this one with no lead work. Play a down down up down up down down and repeat rhythm pattern.
You've Lost That Lovin Feeling was a huge #1 hit in both the UK and the US when it was released in 1964.
The song can be found on the album of the same name.
Thank you for joining me on this musical journey through the 1960s! I hope my lessons have helped you master these classic love songs and deepened your appreciation for this unforgettable era of music.
Remember, each song displayed here has free chord sheets, demos, and rhythm tips to support your practice. If you enjoyed the free content, consider purchasing the full lesson tutorials for a more comprehensive learning experience.
Keep strumming and let the timeless romance of the love songs from the 60s continue to inspire your guitar playing. Happy practicing!