Classic Rock Songs Everyone Knows
On The Acoustic

Lonely Boy was a big song for Andrew Gold when it was released back in 1977. It reached #7 in both the US and Canada, hit #11 in the UK and reached #32 in Australia.

The track is from his 1976 album, "What's Wrong With This Picture". It was also used in several films including Boogie nights, The Waterboys and The Nice Guys.

For rhythm here play mainly down strokes and in a few places use some arpeggio in standard tuning. There is some lead with the chords A/Db, D, E/Ab, A, Gbm, E6, C7#sus, C#7, Abm7, C#m, Am/Gb, B7sus, B7, Esus, E, Dmaj7 and B.

The Way It Is was released in 1986 as the title track of Bruce Hornsby and the Range's debut album. It marked a big moment in Hornsby's career and showed off his unique musical style.

Bruce Hornsby wrote the song and is also the lead singer and pianist. The track features a mix of rock, pop, and jazz, known for its memorable piano riff and meaningful lyrics.

The song talks about social inequality and racial discrimination, calling for positive change. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart due to its catchy melody and important message.

"The Way It Is" has become a timeless anthem for social justice and equality, resonating with listeners over the years. The music video also highlights these themes with historical footage.

The song has been covered, sampled, and referenced by many artists, showing its lasting impact. It remains a key part of Bruce Hornsby's live shows, earning critical acclaim and a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1987.

I play a steady up and down shuffle rhythm pattern with the chords Am, Em, D, C, G and an F in standard tuning. There is some picking in this one.

Ah Leah hails from the 1980 album "Back On The Streets". The song was originally going to be an anti-war song but when that lead to a dead end, writers Mark Avsec and Donnie Iris turned it into a love song.

The song reached #6 in Canada and #19 in the US.

Play with a capo 2nd fret using the chords A, C, G, E, D, Em in standard tuning. There is some lead in this one with mainly a down stroke pattern.

The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" is one of Greg Kihn's most famous songs. Released in 1981, it came from the Greg Kihn Band's album "Rockihnroll." The song's catchy and relatable lyrics made it a quick hit.

Greg Kihn and Steve Wright wrote the song. It blends rock, pop, and new wave styles, featuring an upbeat tempo, memorable guitar riff, and lots of energy.

The lyrics humorously talk about how there aren't many breakup songs anymore. The singer is going through a breakup and wishes he had a song to relate to, mentioning classic breakup songs from the past.

"The Breakup Song" reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its catchy melody and fun take on breakups made it popular. The song is still loved on classic rock radio and has appeared in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

This track is one of Greg Kihn's signature songs and is a big part of his music career. It captures the sound of the early 1980s and is a hit at live shows, with audiences often singing along.

The chords here are Am, F, G, C and Dm in standard tuning with a few riffs in the rhythm. Play down up down up or down strokes or both for the rhythm pattern.

Hold On is a single from Gomm's very first album released back in 1987 entitled "Summer Holiday".

The song did well reaching #18 in the US and #44 in Canada.

I play a steady shuffle with a down down up down down pattern here in standard tuning. There is some lead work using the chords Dm, Am, A+, C and Gm.

Angel Eyes hails from Jeff Healey's debut album back in 1988 entitled See The Light.

The song reached #5 on the US Billboard Top 100. John Hiatt also covered this song in 1994 and again in 1998.

Missing You was the lead single from John Wait's 1984 album No Brakes.

The song reached #1 in the US and #9 in the UK. John Waite and Alison Krauss also recorded a bluegrass version for one of her albums in 2007.

Tina Turned also covered the song in 1996 as well as Brooks & Dunn in 1999.

I'm On Fire is of course is a song from Bruce Springsteen first released in 1985.

Canadian blues artist Matt Andersen from New Brunswick covered his version for the live album Live At Liberty Hotel. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and John Mayer to mention a few, also covered this song.