Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to have fun learning how to play rock music’s five best guitar songs? Rock is a sub-genera of pop music where the guitar plays a central role in the creating and arranging of the music. The following post gives you fun classic rock and party/anthem rock songs with videos that explain how to play them (including one bonus track). Keep reading How to Play Rock Music’s 5 Best Guitar Songs to learn how to perform them.
Information About the Videos
In each section, we’ll have two videos, one that has the song while the other teaches the guitar part. To slow down the track as you’re learning the part, click on the settings button (gear icon) in the lower right hand corner of the video window. Then, select either .75 or .5 playback speed.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission from purchases made through the links. I’ll only recommend products I use, use in lessons, or ones my students or colleagues have recommended.
How to Play Rock Music’s 5 Best Guitar Songs #1: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Okay, let’s start with the Beatles. This group is arguably pop music’s greatest band of all time. And if they’re not, they’re definitely in the conversation. While My Guitar Gently Weeps was written by George Harrison and features some tasty playing.
Mobile users: for best results viewing the videos, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
Video: Hear “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
Video: Learn “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
How to Play Rock Music’s 5 Best Guitar Songs #2: Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Speaking of pop music’s greatest rock band, we have the Rolling Stones. It’s been debated back and forth for years which band is greater: the Beatles or the Rolling Stones.
The Beatles could take it in terms of sheer cultural influence. However, the Rolling Stones could take it in terms of longevity, having produced hits in multiple decades. Flip a coin and choose. Jumpin’ Jack Flash is an excellent example of classic rock at its best.
Video: Hear “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
Video: Learn “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”
How to Play Rock Music’s 5 Best Guitar Songs #3: You Really Got Me
You Really Got Me is one of pop music’s earliest examples of a power chord riff combined with distortion. Also, it’s the first intentional use of the distortion effect. Dave Davies got the distorted amp sound by damaging his amp’s speakers.
This song had a huge influence on later bands, which is why it’s a classic rock diamond in the rough. In addition, it’s the easiest to play, so it’s a good one to start with if you’re a new guitarist.
Video: Hear “You Really Got Me”
Video: Learn “You Really Got Me”
How to Play Rock Music’s 5 Best Guitar Songs #4: Layla
Layla is one of pop music’s most iconic guitar songs, featuring Eric Clapton and Duane Allman with Allman playing slide. It’s a high energy track that immediately hooks you in with the main riff. This is post-Cream Clapton at his best, where his melodic playing adds an extra dimension to his songwriting.
Video: Hear “Layla”
Video: Learn “Layla”
How to Play Rock Music’s 5 Best Guitar Songs #5: Sweet Child of Mine
In the late ‘80s, Guns N’ Roses closed out the party/anthem rock format in style. The intro to Sweet Child of Mine started as a joke with Slash messing around on the guitar, but the song that developed out of it turned into their biggest hit.
Slash has a very melodic approach on the track that alternates between singable lines and idiomatic playing and is another example of classic rock at its best.
Video: Hear “Sweet Child of Mine”
Video: Learn “Sweet Child of Mine”
Honorable Mention: Eruption
Eruption gets an honorable mention because it’s the track that launched a thousand bands. However, it’s not really a song, which is why it doesn’t make the list. It was just Eddie Van Halen warming up, and the sound engineer hit the record button.
Nevertheless, Van Halen revolutionized party/anthem rock guitar, both in his playing style and in his instrument designs. Every time Van Halen released an album, guitar sales would go up, which is all you really need to say.
Video: Hear “Eruption”
Video: Learn “Eruption”
Here is the guitar tab for the songs.
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- These tracks are some of the best examples of classic rock and party/anthem rock songs and are a lot of fun to play.
- They represent a variety of playing levels from relatively easy classic rock (e.g., You Really Got Me) to very challenging party/anthem rock guitar parts (e.g., Sweet Child of Mine and Eruption).
- Be sure to use the speed controls (i.e., the gear icon) in the videos to practice these songs at slower speeds.
Have fun playing!
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