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Best Of The Blues Songs
On The Acoustic
Welcome to my best of the blues songs page where you'll find a variety of blues artists and songs you can easily learn on the acoustic guitar.
Help yourself to the free chord sheets and demos, and if you need or want to purchase the full tutorial lessons, you can do so at a small fee from the prices listed above.
Best Of The Blues Songs
Chords, Lyrics, Demos, Tutorials
Alabama Shakes - Hold On
Albert Lee - Two Step Two
Amos Wilburn -One Scotch Bourbon Soda One Beer
Big Bill Broonzy - Key To The Highway
Blind Boy Fuller - Untrue Blues
Cab Calloway - Minnie The Moocher
Bobby Charles - Goin Fishin'
Buddy & Ella Johnson - Lover Bird
Clarence Henry - I Don't Know Why I Love You But I Do
Damon Fowler - Old Fools Barstools And Me
Donald Kinsley - Big Boss Man
Grisman & Garcia - The Thrill Is Gone
Howlin Wolf - Evil, Who's Been Talking
Janis Joplin - Trouble In Mind
Jimmy Reed - Bright Lights Big City, Take Out Some Insurance
Joe Bonamassa - Around The Bend, Get Back My Tomorrow, Mountain Time
Joe Cocker - You Are So Beautiful, You Can Leave Your Hat On
John Moreland - Blacklist, Salisaw Blue, You Don't Care Enough For Me To Cry
Johnny Taylor - Last Two Dollars
Long John Baldry - Let The Heartaches Begin
Mose Allison - Your Mind Is On Vacation
Muddy Waters - Got My Mojo Workin'
Richie Havens - Here Comes The Sun
Robert Johnson - Kindhearted Woman Blues, Me And The Devil Blues, Walkin Blues
Sam Myers - I Got The Blues
Shirley & Lee - Let The Good Times Roll
Sleepy LeBeef - Bright Lights Big City
Soloman Burke - Cry To Me
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Cold Shot, Life By The Drop, Pride & Joy, The House Is A Rockin
Tab Benoit - Jambalaya - My Buckets Got A Hole In It
The Blues Bothers - Gimmie Some Lovin, Hey Bartender, She Caught The Katy, Sweet Home Chicago
The Mystix - Wish I Had Happened
The Powder Blues Band - Doin It Right
The Vaughan Brothers - Tick Tock
Todd Snider - Double Wide Blues, Fortunate Son, In Between Jobs
Tom Waits - Fumblin With The Blues
Tommy McLain - Jukebox Songs
Tuba Skinny - I Get The Blues
Whitey Morgan - Bad News
Alabama Shakes Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Hold On ... info soon
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Albert Lee Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Two Step Two ... info soon
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Amos Wilburn Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
One Scotch One Soda One Beer was recorded by Amos Wilburn in 1953. It eventually became part of several compilation albums.
The song was a top ten as a single release for Amos Wilburn.
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Big Bill Broonzy Songs
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Key To The Highway - info soon
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Blind Boy Fuller Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Untrue Blues .. info soon
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Bobby Charles Songs
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Goin' Fishin' was recorded by Bobby Charles back in 2004 for his album Last train To Memphis.
There is no indication the song was ever released as a single.
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Buddy & Ella Johnson Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Lover Bird is a track from the 1958 album from Buddy and Ella Johnson album called Sing Me.
I have no idea if this track was ever released as a single.
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Cab Calloway Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Minnie The Moocher was first recorded by Cab Calloway way back in 1931 and it's been the first jazz song to sell over a million copies. It was the biggest chart topper in 1931.
It's also one of the hardest scat songs to duplicate because it's so fast. Cab also appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers singing this number.
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Clarence Henry Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
I Don't Know Why I Love You But I Do was a 1961 single released by Clarence Frogman Henry. The song was written by Paul Gayten and Bobby Charles.
The song reached #6 in the UK and #11 in the US R&B chart.
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Damon Fowler Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Old Fools Bar Stools And Me ... info soon
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Donald Kinsley Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Big Boss Man is a 1960's song written by Jimmy Reed and has also been recorded by Donald Kinsley, Elvis Presley, BB King and others. Donald Kinsley is a blues guitarist/reggae guitarist and played in the backup band for Peter Tosh and has recorded with BB King, Albert Lee and Bob Marley and The Wailers.
There is no indication which album his version of this song was recorded on.
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Grisman & Garcia Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
The Thrill Is Gone is an old bluesy song from 1951 and was recorded by BB King and was a minor hit in 1970.
Grisman and Garcia put this song on their 1991 album. I don't believe they released their version as a single.
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Howlin Wolf Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Evil is a track from Howlin Wolf's first studio album which he strongly disliked when it was first recorded back in 1969.
Howlin Wolf had previously recorded the song first in 1954 and again in 1959. The song peaked at #43 on the US R&B charts.
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Who's Been Talkin is a track from Howlin Wolf's 2nd album released in 1962 called simply Howlin' Wolf.
All tracks on this album were previously released between 1960 and 1962 under the Chess label. Some people refer to this as the Rockin Chair album for obvious reason.
This number was not released as a single.
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Chords & LyricsJanis Joplin Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Trouble In Mind is an old song from 1925 that someone had requested from me with Joplin and a guitar player messin' around in what sounded like an impromptu jam session. I'm not sure if she ever recorded the song but it doesn't seem to appear on any official recording from Janis Joplin.
Chords And Strumming
I play a drop D tuning here with a simple down up down up rhythm pattern. The chords needed are D, A, G, B7, E7 and an A7. Some lead required in this one.
Full lesson, demo and chord sheet in zip file below.
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Jimmy Reed Songs
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Bright Lights Big City was written by blues artist Jimmy Reed and first recorded by him in 1961 for his Jimmy Reed Live At Carnegie Hall album.
The song made it to the US R&B chart and has become a blues standard down thru the decades.
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Take Out Some Insurance was only one of two singles released from the 1959 album by Jimmy Reed entitled Rockin With Reed.
The sold well in Louisiana apparently but did not make the national charts. You probably don't know this but The Beatles were the backup band for Tony Sheridan in 1961 on his release of this song.
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Joe Bonamassa Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Around The Bend can be found on the 2004 Joe Bonamassa album Had To Cry Today.
The song was never released as a single.
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Get Back My Tomorrow was a single from Joe Bonamassa in 2015 and reached #15 on the US digital blues downloads chart.
Chords And Strumming
You can use a down down up down down and repeat rhythm pattern in this one while in standard tuning. I use an Em, D, C, D/Gb, G6, Am and be prepared for some lead work and a riff in this for a solo play on acoustic.
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Mountain Time is a track on Joe's 2009 album Live From The Royal Albert Hall.
This track was never released as a single.
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Joe Cocker Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
You Are So Beautiful became a #4 hit in Canada and a #5 hit in the US for Joe Cocker back in 1975.
The song hails from the album I Can Stand A Little Rain. Billy Preston co-wrote this song with Bruce Fisher and first released it in 1974.
This was Joe Cockers highest charting single.
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You Can Leave Your Hat On was recorded by Joe Cocker but written by Randy Newman.
The track appears on the album Cocker from 1986 and was a top 40 in a few countries.
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John Moreland Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Blacklist is a song from John Moreland's 2013 album In The Throes.
The song was not released as a single.
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Salisaw Blue ... info soon.
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You Don't Care Enough For Me To Cry is a track from John Moreland's album High On Tulsa Heat which was released back in 2015.
The song was never released as a single.
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Johnny Taylor Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Last Two Dollars .. info soon.
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Long John Baldry Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Let The Heartaches Begin ... info soon.
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Mose Alison Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Your Mind Is On Vacation is an album from Mose Allison released back in 1976.
I don't believe this track was ever released as a single.
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Muddy Waters Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Got My Mojo Working was first recorded by Ann Cole in 1956. She was an opening act for Muddy Waters and even used his band. The following years, Muddy Waters decided to alter the lyrics slightly and came up with a new arrangement.
The song made it into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1957 as a song that helped shaped Rock N Roll.
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Richie Havens Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Here Comes The Sun was of course written by George Harrison back in 1969.
In 1971, Richie Havens recorded his version for the album Alarm Clock. He scored a #15 and #16 on the Billboard and Cashbox chart.
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Robert Johnson Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Kindhearted Woman Blues ... info soon.
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Me And The Devil Blues was the last song recorded by Robert Johnson in a warehouse in Dallas Texas that was converted into a makeshift recording studio.
The song was released as a single in 1938.
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Walking Blues was written by Delta Blues musician Son House in 1930 and was recorded by both Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.
The song was not a commercial success in those days.
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Sam Myers Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
I Got The Blues ... info soon.
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Shirley & Lee Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Let The Good Times Roll is a single from Shirley And Lee released back in 1956 and was written by the duo.
The song peaked at #20 in the US and is from the album of the same name.
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Sleepy LeBeef Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Bright Lights Big City has been performed many times by Sleepy Labeef in concert and the album where you'll find this track is from 2001 called Rockabilly Blues.
As started above, this is an old Jimmy Reed tune from 1961. Sleepy never released his version as a single.
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Soloman Burke Songs
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Cry To Me was released in 1962 and went to #5 on the R&B charts for Solomon Burke. A fee other artists went on to record the song including The Rolling Stones.
The song never appeared on an album by Solomon Burke.
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Stevie Ray Vaughan Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Cold Shot was a 1984 single from the Stevie Ray Vaughan album Couldn't Stand The Weather.
This song peaked at #29 on the US Rock albums chart.
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Life By The Drop is from The Sky Is Crying album from 1991.
This song was never released as a single.
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Pride And Joy was a #20 hit on the US Rock charts back in 1983. It was the only single from that album to chart.
It can be found on the SRV album Texas Flood.
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The House Is A Rockin was one of four singles from the Stevie Ray Vaughan album In Step, released in 1989.
This track peaked at #18.
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Tab Benoit Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Jambalaya ... info soon
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My Buckets Got A Hole In It is a classic blues-based country song dating back to the 1930s and most closely associated with Hank Williams, whose 1949 recording became a major hit. Tab Benoit revived the song on his 2011 album Medicine, bringing a swamp-blues energy to the old standard.
The song is traditionally credited to Clarence Williams, though it evolved through many early recordings. Benoit did not release his version as a single, and no official music video was produced. His interpretation features gritty guitar work and a loose, live feel that honors both country and blues traditions. By recording this song, Benoit connected his Louisiana roots to one of the most enduring crossover tunes in American music history.
Chords And Strumming
This song only has three chords which are E, A and a B7 and played in standard tuning. For rhythm you can play a root down root up down up pattern and there are a few riffs and a picking section required.
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The Blues Brothers - Learn To Play On Guitar
Gimmie Some Lovin ... was written in 30 minutes by The Spencer Davis Group back in 1966 when they were under pressure in the recording studio to come up with another hit song. This was the result and it made it into the top 10.
Steve Winwood also covered the song, but one of the best known versions hails from the 1980 cover by The Blues Brothers and was of course included in the movie. The song peaked at #18.
Chords And Strumming
Only an E, G, A and a C chord for this one in standard tuning but with a steady up and down rhythm pattern except where you're playing the horn riff, where you'll need to implement down strokes.
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Hey Bartender was first recorded by Floyd Dixon back in 1954. In 1978 the song regained traction once more as part of the movie The Blues Brothers.
Hey Bartender quickly became a signature song for this band and their version of this classic song remains one of the most well known out there on the musics scene.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one with a capo 2nd in drop D tuning using a steady up down up down with a walking bass line. Some lead required here with the chords D, G, and A.
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She Caught The Katy was an old blues tune first recorded back in 1968 Taj Mahal, who co-wrote the song with James Rachell.
In 1980, The Blues Brothers brought the song back for their album and movie and according to John Belushi's widow, it was his favourite blues song.
Chords And Strumming
Another capo 2nd fret but in standard tuning with the chords G, D, G7, C, Adim, F, D7 and a C7. You can play this one mainly with down strokes with a bit of shuffle here and there. Some lead work required.
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Sweet Home Chicago was first recorded by Robert Johnson back in 1936. In 1980 The Blues Brothers incorporated the song into the film and brought the song to a whole new audience.
The song was never released as a single but has become a well know song in the bands repertoire.
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This one is a three chord E, A B7 play with some walking bass runs and some lead blended in.
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The Mystix Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Wish I Had Answered ... info soon.
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The Powder Blues Band Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Doin It Right ... info soon.
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The Vaughan Brothers Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Tick Tock ... info soon.
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Todd Snider Songs
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Doublewide Blues is a track from the 2003 album from Todd Snider entitled Near Truths and Hotel Rooms.
The song was never released as a single.
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Fortunate Son is a 1969 song of course from CCR but was covered by Todd Snider on his 2008 album called Peace Queer.
The track was never released as a single.
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In Between Jobs is a track from Todd Snider's 2012 album Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables.
This track was never released as a single.
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Tom Waits Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Fumblin With The Blues ... info soon.
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Tommy McLain Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Jukebox Songs is one of the lesser-known recordings associated with Louisiana swamp-pop legend Tommy McLain, a performer best known for his 1966 hit “Sweet Dreams.”
Written by McLain himself, the song reflects the style that made him a favorite across the Gulf Coast, blending country, rhythm and blues, and rock influences into a heartfelt story centered around music and memory. The recording later appeared on the 2012 album Legends Making Memories by Willie Tee & Cypress, where McLain was featured as a guest vocalist.
Unlike many jukebox-themed country songs, this recording never became a national chart hit and there is no evidence of an official music video release. Even so, it developed a following among swamp-pop fans and regional audiences, with Louisiana bands continuing to perform it live. The song serves as a reminder of McLain’s talent as both a singer and songwriter, showcasing the warm, nostalgic sound that defined much of his long career.
Chords And Strumming
This one is in standard tuning with some walking bass with the chords C, F and a G. Play a down up down up down up and repeat pattern with some lead required in this number.
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Tuba Skinny Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
I Get The Blues ... info soon.
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Whitey Morgan Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Bad News ... info soon.
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Thanks for stopping by my best of the blues songs page and I hope the info here was helpful.
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