Best Of 70s Rock Songs
On The Acoustic

It Never Rains In Southern California hails from the album of the same name and reached #2 in Canada and #5 in the US when it was released back in 1972. Albert Hammond never had another song break into the top 10, 20 or 30 since.

This one I play with a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning while playing a root down up root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Some lead work is required in this one and the chords required are a G, Am, D, D7 and an Em.

The Free Electric Band was a single from the album of the same name back in 1973 and managed to reach #48 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK the song peaked at #19.

I play this song in standard tuning and with a few riff but no lead work. For rhythm play a down down up down up down up and repeat pattern. The chords here are  a G, D, C and an F.

When I Need You was co-written by Albert Hammond  with Carole Bayer Sager and recorded it in 1976 on the album of the same name. The following year Leo Sayer released his version and had a huge international hit with the song.

A few chords in this one and they include a G, G/F, CE, Cm, Em, D, C, D/Gb, Adim, Am7 and a D7. Some lead work required while playing in standard tuning and a capo 3rd fret. For rhythm play a  down down up down up and repeat pattern.

I Never Cry is a ballad recorded by American singer Alice Cooper. It was released as a single from his album "Lace and Whiskey" in 1977. The song was written by Cooper and Dick Wagner, who also played the guitar solo.

The song became a hit for Cooper, reaching #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of his most popular and enduring songs. It has been covered by various artists, including Dwight Yoakam and Joan Jett.

Played in standard tuning use a down down down down up and repeat rhythm pattern, but when you you reach the chorus you can do a bit of shuffle strumming. This one is in standard tuning with the chords C, C7, F, Fm, D7, Am, Dm, G7, Em, Gsus and G. There is a bit of lead with some rhythm playing over a short riff.

I'm Eighteen is a song recorded by Alice Cooper that was released as a single from the band's third studio album "Love It to Death" in 1971. The song was written by Cooper, guitarist Glen Buxton, and producer Bob Ezrin.

"I'm Eighteen" is a classic rock anthem that captures the angst and confusion of adolescence. The song's lyrics describe a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world and is tired of being treated like a child. The song's driving guitar riff and catchy chorus helped make it a hit for Cooper, reaching #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"I'm Eighteen" has since become one of Alice Cooper's signature songs and is widely regarded as a classic rock staple. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Guns N' Roses, Foo Fighters, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Another one in standard tuning with the chords Em, C, D, Am and Bm but no lead work. You can use a shuffle strum for most of this song and down strokes as you blend the riff into the rhythm.

No More Mr. Nice Guy was recorded by Alice Cooper that was released as a single from the band's album "Billion Dollar Babies" in 1973. The song was written by Cooper and guitarist Michael Bruce.

The song's lyrics describe a man who is tired of being pushed around and taken advantage of, and decides to take a stand and stop being a "nice guy." The song's catchy chorus and memorable guitar riff helped make it a hit for Cooper, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"No More Mr. Nice Guy" has since become a classic rock anthem and one of Alice Cooper's most popular songs. The song has been covered by various artists, including Megadeth and Slash featuring Roger Daltrey.

The song's title has also become a widely recognized phrase in popular culture and is often used to describe someone who is no longer willing to be a pushover or doormat.

I play this one with a capo 2nd fret using a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and all down-strokes in the last verse. Just a few riffs in this one with the chords Am, D, G, Bm, F, C and Em.

You and Me is a wonderful ballad recorded by Alice Cooper that was released as a single from the album "Lace and Whiskey" in 1977. The song was written by Cooper and guitarist Dick Wagner.

"You and Me" was a hit for Cooper, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of his most popular songs. The song has been covered by various artists, including the band Lifehouse.

For rhythm play a down down up down up down up  and repeat pattern in standard tuning with some lead work required. The chords here are Dm, G, C, G6, E7, A7, F, Bm, A, E, A/Ab, Gbm and Am/G.

Something's Wrong With Me was a hit for Austin Roberts in 1972 and hails from the album of the same name. The song charted higher at #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 then one of his other well known songs "Rocky".

This one is played with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern using the chords D, Dmaj7, G, Em, A7sus, A7 and a C. No lead in this one.

This Is Tomorrow is a song by Bryan Ferry, from his second solo studio album "In Your Mind," released in 1977 which marked his second solo effort after his departure from the band Roxy Music. The album features a mix of rock, pop, and art rock elements.

The track was written by Bryan Ferry himself. The song features a catchy and upbeat musical arrangement, blending elements of rock, pop, and art rock. It is known for its energetic rhythm and infectious melody.

This one has an all down strokes rhythm pattern in standard tuning but some lead required. The chords here are A, E, D, Db, B7, B, Gb and a D#.

If You Remember Me was written by Thompson after he left Manfred Mann and formed the group "Night" in 1979. The song reached #17 in the US.

The song was in the film "The Champ" which was remade in 1979.

I play a capo 1st fret here in standard tuning while playing a down down down up down up and repeat pattern. No lead required with the chords D, D/Gb, G, Gm, Bm, Em, A7sus, A7, A, Gb, Gbm and an E.

We Just Disagree is a popular song by Dave Mason from his 1977 album "Let It Flow.

The song was released as a single from Dave Mason's fifth solo album, "Let It Flow," in 1977. The song became one of his most successful and enduring hits. "We Just Disagree" was written by Dave Mason himself. The song's lyrics explore themes of relationship discord and the realization that sometimes people simply have different perspectives or opinions.

"We Just Disagree" achieved commercial success, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Its popularity on radio and its relatable theme contributed to its chart position.

All Of You is actually part of the soundtrack from the 1981 movie "Heavy Metal".

To my knowledge the song was never released as a single.

This one I play in standard tuning with some lead. For rhythm play a down down up down up down up and repeat pattern. Some down strokes will also come in handy and a down up down up pattern with a few riffs blended in. For chords you'll need an Em, A and a G.

Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes was a #1 hit in the UK and Ireland and a top 5 in Canada and the US where it hit the airwaves in 1970. The track is from the Edison Lighthouse debut album called Already.

This one is two frets higher in the key of A but too high for my vocal so my lesson here is in G, Cmaj7, Em, Am, A7, D, D#m, G7 and a C. You can play a down down up down down up down up rhythm pattern for the verse and a down down down up for the chorus. A few picking riffs here in standard tuning but a capo 2nd would be the original key. I left out the half step key change near the end.

Chevy Van was first released in 1973 but didn't really make it big until it was re-released two years later in 1975. The song peaked at #5 in both the US and Canada.

Love Is All Around is a song written and performed by Sonny Curtis, best known as the theme song for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," a popular American sitcom that aired from 1970 to 1977.

Curtis, a talented musician and songwriter who had previously worked with Buddy Holly and The Crickets, wrote the song specifically for the show.

The song's popularity extended beyond the show, with Curtis releasing it as a single in 1970. While it didn't achieve significant chart success on its own, "Love Is All Around" became a cultural touchstone due to its connection with the beloved TV series.

I play this with an Asus2, Dsus2, Gbm, Bm, E, and an A/Ab with an arpeggio pattern 123 up down up down up and repeat in standard tuning and no lead.

Romeos Tune is one of Steve Forbert's most popular and enduring songs and was released as a single from Steve Forbert's album "Jackrabbit Slim" in 1979. The album marked a significant point in Forbert's career, gaining attention for its folk and rock influences.

The track was written by Steve Forbert himself and features a catchy and melodic acoustic guitar riff, harmonica accents, and Forbert's distinctively soulful and emotive vocals.

"Romeo's Tune" became a commercial success, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Its radio-friendly sound and relatable lyrics contributed to its chart position.

The lyrics of "Romeo's Tune" depict a romantic longing and optimism, capturing the narrator's feelings of love and desire. The song's title refers to the idea of a "tune" that symbolizes love and passion.

Magnet And Steel is a track on the 1978 album entitled Not Shy, released by Walter Egan. He scored and #8 hit in the US and a #9 in Canada with this song, Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac sang back up vocals on this track as well.