The Moody Blues created some of the most powerful and poetic rock songs of the late 60s and 70s.
Their unique mix of melody and message sounds amazing on acoustic guitar. This page features 10 of their best guitar-friendly songs, with chord sheets, rhythm tips, and demo videos.
Whether you're a fan of mellow ballads or upbeat rockers, these lessons will guide you through every step.
For My Lady was a single back in 1973 but only as the B-side to the A-side which was I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band.
The track is found on their album Seventh Sojourn.
This one is played in standard tuning with the chords G, Dm, C, Em, Am, G7 and Fm with a root down root up down and repeat rhythm pattern with some shuffle strumming and some picking blended into the rhythm.
Forever Autumn is a song written by Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues for a 1978 album release by Jeff Wayne entitled Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds.
The album featured a variety or artists in a sort of rock opera. In the UK as a single, this song reached the top 5 in 1978.
I play a capo 5th fret here in standard tuning with a root up down up root up down up rhythm pattern an some lead into the rhythm. for chords you'll need an Am, G, F, Em, Dm, C and a Bb.
Go Now was the first #1 hit in the UK in 1964 from the album The Magnificent Moodies but in the US the album was called Go Now.
The song reached #2 in Canada and #6 in the US.
There is some lead in this one which the original key is a capo 1st but I'm not doing that here.
Play a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords D7, G, D/Gb, Em, Em/D, C, G6, Am7, Adim and a Bm.
I Know You're Out There Somewhere is one of two singles from the Sur la Mer album from 1988.
This number reached #2 in the US, #15 in Canada and #52 in the UK.
Use a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern here in standard tuning with a few riffs in the rhythm as you move through the chords Em, Am, G6, Dsus, D, G and a C.
It's Cold Outside Of Your Heart is a track found on Justin Haywards 2013 album Spirits Of The Western Sky.
To my knowledge the song was never released as a single.
This one is played in standard tuning with the chords D, Dsus, G, A, A7, A7sus, Bm, Gbm and Em with some lead blended into the rhythm. I play a down up down up up down up and repeat rhythm pattern here.
Nights In White Satin was a single release by The Moody Blues back in 1967 from their album Days Of Future Past.
The song peaked in the UK at #19 but only managed #103 in the US. The song was #1 in The Netherlands.
Also played in standard tuning and a bit of lead required, play the chords Em, D, C, G, F, A, C, B7 and an Am. For rhythm I use a down up down up down up and repeat pattern with some shuffle strumming a a bit of lead work.
Question would have to be the bands most successful single even tho they never did have a #1 hit in the UK or the US, this one was close, peaking at #2 in the UK. In the US this song was #19.
But The Netherlands scored this song as a #1. The track can be found on their album A Question Of Balance from 1970.
I play a capo 3rd fret here in standard tuning but no lead required. For chords play a C, B, A, D, A/Db, Bm, E and a D/Ab with a down down up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Ride My See Saw was only one of two singles released from the bands 1968 album In Search Of The Lost Chord.
This song charted in more countries than did Voices In The Sky and did manage to reach #41 in the US, #42 in the UK and #12 in The Netherlands.
For chords here play a C, F, A+, G and Ab with some lead work required. In standard tuning play a down up down up repeat rhythm pattern.
The Story In Your Eyes hails from the 1991 album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour.
The song did chart at #7 in Canada, #11 in The Netherlands and #14 on the US Cashbox chart. The song failed to chart in the UK.
A bit of lead work in this one with a root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning. For chords play an Am, D, G, C, Em, Gbm, A, Bm, Bm/A, D/Gb and an E.
The Voice managed to hit #1 in the US back in 1981 and was the only song by The Moody Blues to do so.
This song hails from their album entitled Long Distance Voyager. This song failed to chart in the UK.
A bit of lead in this number in standard tuning with the chords Em, G, C, Am, F, D, Bm, E, A7, Dm, G6 and an A+ while playing a root up down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
From haunting ballads like βNights in White Satinβ to upbeat rockers like βRide My See Saw,β the Moody Blues gave us songs that still move people today. These guitar lessons will help you learn their unique sound and style in a fun and easy way.
Whether you're strumming for yourself or performing for others, these classics never go out of style. Be sure to check out the full tutorials if you'd like help with rhythm, transitions, and play-along practice.