Best Aerosmith Guitar Songs to Learn on Acoustic

If you’re looking to dive into some of the most iconic guitar-driven songs in rock history, this Aerosmith collection is a great place to start.

Spanning decades of hits, these lessons cover everything from the emotional ballad feel of “Angel” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” to the gritty, riff-heavy grooves of “Sweet Emotion” and “Rag Doll.” You’ll also explore timeless classics like “Dream On” and “Cryin’,” along with deeper cuts such as “Seasons Of Wither” that showcase the band’s bluesy roots and dynamic songwriting.

Each lesson is designed with acoustic players in mind, focusing on chord progressions, rhythm patterns, and signature elements that capture the essence of Aerosmith’s sound while keeping the arrangements practical and enjoyable to play.

Each lesson includes a free chord and lyrics sheet, a demo video, and rhythm breakdowns to help you lock into the Aerosmith groove.

Angel is a rock ballad by the band Aerosmith. It was released as a single from their 1987 album "Permanent Vacation." The song showcases Aerosmith's ability to create powerful and emotional ballads, with Steven Tyler's distinctive voice leading the way.

"Angel" did well on the charts, reaching the top 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song's success contributed to the revitalization of Aerosmith's career during the late 1980s.

An interesting trivia about "Angel" is that it was co-written by lead singer Steven Tyler and professional songwriters Desmond Child and Holly Knight. The song's memorable melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a fan favorite and a significant part of Aerosmith's extensive catalog.

Crying is a power ballad from Aerosmith, which was released in 1993 as a single from their album "Get a Grip". The song was written by lead singer Steven Tyler, guitarist Joe Perry, and professional songwriter Desmond Child.

The music video for "Crying" features a young Alicia Silverstone as the main character, who is seen as a rebellious teenager who runs away from home and gets into various adventures. The video also features Tyler playing a street musician who falls in love with Silverstone's character.

"Crying" became a commercial success, reaching the top 20 in several countries, including the US, UK, and Canada. The song's emotional lyrics and powerful instrumentation have made it one of Aerosmith's most popular songs and a staple of classic rock radio.

Dream On is a song by Aerosmith which was released in 1973 as the first single from their debut album, "Aerosmith." The song was written by lead singer Steven Tyler.

The song's lyrics describe the struggles and aspirations of a young person, urging them to hold onto their dreams and not give up on their hopes for the future. The chorus of the song features the iconic line, "Dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come true."

"Dream On" was not an immediate hit upon its release, but it became more popular over time and eventually peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976, three years after its initial release. It has since been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in various films and TV shows.

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing is another power ballad which was released in 1998 as a single from the soundtrack of the film "Armageddon." The song was written by professional songwriter Diane Warren.

The song's lyrics describe the feelings of a person who is deeply in love and wants to cherish every moment with their significant other, as they do not want to miss a single thing in their lives together. The chorus of the song features the iconic line, "I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep, 'cause I'd miss you, babe, and I don't want to miss a thing."

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Aerosmith's first and only number one hit. The song's popularity was further boosted by its use in the film "Armageddon," for which it was written, and it has since become a staple of classic rock radio and a beloved ballad among fans of the band.

Rag Doll was the last single to be released from the 1987 album Permanent Vacation. It was a top 20 hit in the US, The Netherlands and Italy. Tyler collaborated with Jim Vallance, a Canadian writer best known for his works with Bryan Adams.

I play this with a capo 2nd fret to stay in the original key but vocally this one is way up there. Played with the chords D, A, E, G, and F in standard tuning. Mainly playing down strokes for rhythm with some note picking under the lead singing in some parts. Some improvised lead in this one.

Seasons of Wither is a song by Aerosmith from their 1974 album titled "Get Your Wings." The song was written by lead vocalist Steven Tyler and showcases the band's bluesy and melodic style. "Seasons of Wither" is known for its haunting atmosphere and introspective lyrics.

The song explores themes of introspection, longing, and the passage of time. It features poetic and evocative lyrics that paint a vivid picture of a desolate landscape and a sense of yearning. The melancholic tone of the song is enhanced by Steven Tyler's emotive vocals and the band's atmospheric instrumentation.

"Seasons of Wither" is often regarded as one of Aerosmith's hidden gems and a fan favorite. While it was not released as a single, it has become a beloved track among Aerosmith enthusiasts and has been performed live by the band on various occasions.

With its introspective lyrics, haunting melody, and atmospheric sound, "Seasons of Wither" stands out as a testament to Aerosmith's musical depth and their ability to create emotionally resonant songs beyond their more commercially successful hits.

Sweet Emotion is a great number from Aerosmith which they released in 1975 as a single from their album "Toys in the Attic." The song was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and bassist Tom Hamilton.

The song's lyrics describe the experience of being caught up in the excitement and energy of a concert or performance, with Tyler singing, "You talk about things that nobody cares, you're wearing out things that nobody wears, you're calling my name but I gotta make clear, I can't say baby where I'll be in a year." The chorus features the iconic riff and the repeated phrase, "Sweet Emotion."

"Sweet Emotion" became a commercial success, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helping to establish Aerosmith as one of the most important rock bands of the 1970s. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in various films and TV shows. It remains one of Aerosmith's most popular and enduring songs.

Kirby Swinemar is an acoustic guitar instructor, performer and song arranger who has taught online for 21 years and created more than 4,000 original acoustic guitar lessons. He specialises in song-based acoustic guitar instruction, rhythm guitar techniques, and creating full-sounding solo arrangements that help beginner and intermediate players move beyond basic strumming.

Explore his work at Kirby's Guitar Lessons and on social media on his social media YouTube Channel and his Facebook Page. Learn more about Kirby on his About Me page.