🎸 Top 70s Southern Rock Songs
You Can Learn on Acoustic Guitar 

I’ve gathered the best 70s southern rock songs that sound great on acoustic guitar.

Whether you're a fan of 38 Special’s anthemic riffs, ZZ Top’s Texas twang, or the soulful slide work of Elvin Bishop and Bonnie Raitt, you’ll find something here to sink your teeth into.

Each lesson comes with a free chord sheet, a video demo, and the option to purchase the full step-by-step tutorial.

Currently my 70s section is being rebuilt but all links work here.

Caught Up In You was the breakout hit from 38 Special’s 1982 album Special Forces, and it remains one of their most recognizable songs.

Blending the band’s Southern rock roots with a polished 80s arena-rock sound, the track showcased a more radio-friendly direction. It quickly climbed the charts, reaching #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting #1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart—marking 38 Special’s first Top 10 hit.

The song features lead vocals by Don Barnes and was co-written by Barnes and guitarist Jeff Carlisi, along with Survivor’s Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan. 

Fade To Blue marked a later-but-still impactful entry in 38 Special’s catalog, appearing on their 1997 studio album Resolution.

This track leaned into a pop-rock direction, featuring a subtle mandolin riff that softened the band’s signature Southern rock  and while not a blockbuster single, it did climb to number 33 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, demonstrating the band’s sustained presence in rock radio well into the 90s

Hold On Loosely is a signature track from their 1981 album Wild‑Eyed Southern Boys album from 1981.  This tune perfectly blends Southern rock swagger with catchy hooks.

The opening riff nods to The Cars, while the chorus drives home the band’s melodic hard-rock charm.

If I'd Been The One is a standout track from their 1983 album Tour de Force and showcases 38 Special's ability to blend emotional depth with Southern rock swagger.

The song soared to #19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and captured the top spot on the Mainstream Rock Airplay.

Co-written by band members Don Barnes and Jeff Carlisi alongside Larry Steele and Donnie Van Zant—and produced collaboratively with Rodney Mills—it reflects a tighter, more polished AOR style.

Somebody Like You ...  surfaced in 1986 as the second single from 38 Special’s seventh studio album, Strength in Numbers.

The track climbed to #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #6 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart.

Strength in Numbers marked a late-career comeback for 38 Special, earning gold certification and reminding fans of their prowess with memorable hooks and polished production.

Papa Come Quick appears on Bonnie Raitt’s Grammy-winning 1991 album Luck of the Draw. While it wasn’t released as a single, the song stands out for its uptempo rockabilly flair and storytelling charm, co-written by Billy Vera, Chip Taylor, and Manion.

The album itself was a massive success, selling over 7 million copies and producing several hit singles like “Something to Talk About.” Though “Papa Come Quick” didn’t chart, it remains a fan favorite for its playful energy and showcases Bonnie’s versatility beyond her signature ballads and bluesy numbers.

The track helps round out Luck of the Draw as a dynamic, genre-blending release during the peak of her commercial resurgence.

I Fooled Around And Fell In Love was released in 1975 on Elvin Bishop’s album Struttin’ My Stuff. Interestingly, while Bishop is a skilled guitarist and bandleader, the song's lead vocals were performed by Mickey Thomas, a background singer in Bishop’s band at the time—who later became famous with Jefferson Starship.

The single became Bishop’s biggest hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976 and going gold. Its smooth blend of Southern rock and blue-eyed soul helped the track endure as a staple of ‘70s soft rock playlists.

It’s widely considered a one-hit wonder, but it remains one of the era’s most iconic love songs.

Sure Feels Good appears on Elvin Bishop’s 1975 album Juke Joint Jump, a record that blends blues, boogie, and Southern rock with Bishop’s signature laid-back charm.

Though the song didn’t chart as a single, it showcases Bishop’s joyful vocal style and guitar work, often backed by his band’s tight, funky grooves. The track contributed to the album’s overall appeal, helping solidify Bishop’s reputation as a rootsy, good-time performer.

Juke Joint Jump was released between two of Bishop’s biggest albums — Let It Flow (1974) and Struttin’ My Stuff (1976) — placing it squarely in his creative prime.

Dixie Chicken is the signature title track from Little Feat’s 1973 album Dixie Chicken, released January 25 on Warner Bros.

The song was issued as a single in March 1973 in the U.S. (backed with “Lafayette Railroad”) and later in the UK. The album is often regarded as their landmark release, as it marked a key lineup shift (adding Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, and Kenny Gradney) and leaned more into New Orleans funk/R&B grooves.

Though Dixie Chicken didn’t make a huge commercial splash initially, the title track became Little Feat’s best-known anthem and a staple of their live performances.

Willin was written by Lowell George and first appeared on Little Feat’s 1971 self-titled debut album.

Because George had injured his hand, Ry Cooder was recruited to play slide guitar on that initial recording. The band re-recorded “Willin’” at a slower, more iconic tempo for their 1972 Sailin’ Shoes album.

Though it never charted as a single, “Willin’” became Little Feat’s signature tune, beloved for its road‑worn lyrical imagery and soulful, understated style.

Jukin City is featured on Molly Hatchet’s acclaimed 1979 album Flirtin’ with Disaster.

Though not issued as a major charting single, it remains a beloved deep cut among fans for its gritty southern rock groove and storytelling.

The Flirtin’ with Disaster album itself reached #19 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart and later earned platinum status.

For guitar players, “Jukin’ City” offers classic southern rock chord progressions and an opportunity to explore slide or blues‑tinged leads in a compact, energetic arrangement.

Keep On Smiling ... the bands most well-known song, was released in 1974 as part of their album of the same name.

This upbeat, feel-good track became their biggest hit, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song's positive message of perseverance and optimism, coupled with Jimmy Hall's soulful lead vocals, resonated strongly with listeners.

Its success helped propel the "Keep On Smilin'" album to No. 37 on the Billboard 200 chart. While Wet Willie never achieved the same level of commercial success with their subsequent releases, "Keep On Smiling" secured their place in the pantheon of 1970s Southern rock bands and remains their signature song, still played on classic rock radio stations today.

Leona is a single from the 1975 Wet Willie album Dixie Rock.

This song was released as a single and made it to #69 on the US rock charts in 1975.

She's A Heartbreaker is a track from ZZ Top’s 1976 Tejas album, released by London Records.

It was penned by band members Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard. The song clocks in around 3:02 in length and has become a solid deep cut in their catalog — often featured in fan playlists though it wasn’t a major hit single.

While it didn’t climb high on mainstream charts, Tejas itself reached #17 on the Billboard LP chart and showed the band exploring more melodic and country-inflected sounds on that era’s work.

Tube Snake Boogie was released in 1981 as a single from ZZ Top’s El Loco album.

It became a hit on rock radio, climbing to #4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song was written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard, and features the band’s signature blend of blues‑rock energy and witty lyrical double entendre.

In the liner notes of ZZ Top’s 1992 Greatest Hits, the band mentions that “tube snake” can refer playfully to a surfboard — though many fans debate its sexual innuend

The track is produced by Bill Ham and recorded/mixed by Terry Manning, and it remains a lively staple in their live sets decades later.