The Grass Roots Guitar Lessons – Learn Their Classic Hits

The Grass Roots were one of the most recognizable American pop-rock bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s, blending catchy melodies, memorable guitar riffs and rich vocal harmonies into a string of radio hits.

If you're looking to learn some of their classic songs on acoustic guitar, this collection of six Grass Roots guitar lessons is a great place to start. From the driving rhythm of Let's Live for Today and Midnight Confessions to the melodic charm of I'd Wait a Million Years, Sooner or Later, Things I Should Have Said and Two Divided by Love, each lesson includes a video tutorial and printable chord sheet to help you learn these timeless favorites.

I'd Wait a Million Years was released as a single in July 1969 and later included on The Grass Roots’ album Leaving It All Behind. The song became a major hit, reaching No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and showcasing the band’s polished pop-rock sound.

A promotional performance clip appeared on several TV shows of the era, though no traditional music video existed. The single’s success helped revive the band’s chart momentum as they entered the 1970s.

Trivia fans might enjoy that the song exists in two mixes — a shorter single version and a longer album cut featuring an extended intro that rarely received radio play.

Let's Live For Today became a breakthrough hit for The Grass Roots in 1967, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song originated as “Piangi con me,” recorded by the British band The Rokes with Italian lyrics, before being adapted into English as “Let's Live for Today.”

Released as the title track of The Grass Roots' second album, the song captured the carefree spirit of the 1960s with its message of enjoying the present rather than worrying about tomorrow.

Its memorable bass line, driving rhythm and infectious “sha-la-la-la-la-la” chorus helped establish the band as a major force in American pop rock. It remains one of their best-known recordings.

Midnight Confessions was released in 1968 and became The Grass Roots’ biggest hit, climbing to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It later appeared on their album Golden Grass. Unlike many of their earlier singles, this track featured a full horn section, giving the song its signature punch.

Although no official video was made, the band performed the hit on programs like American Bandstand. The tune was originally recorded by The Ever-Green Blues (1967), but the Grass Roots’ version overshadowed the original completely.

Lead singer Rob Grill didn’t play bass on the recording — the track used top Los Angeles session players from the Wrecking Crew.

Sooner Or Later was released in 1971 as a single form the album Their 16 Greatest Hits. The song was written by Dennis Provisor, who was a keyboardist and vocalist for the band.

"Sooner Or Later" was released as a single in 1971 and reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It was the bands last top 10 in the US.

Things I Should Have Said came out as a single in 1967 and reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It later appeared on the band’s album Let’s Live for Today.

While the Grass Roots didn’t produce a true music video, they performed the track on several variety shows, boosting its visibility.

The song has been covered occasionally, though no version has eclipsed the original. Early mixes of the song included extra backing harmonies that were trimmed for radio length but can still be found on some compilation reissues.

Two Divided By Love is a song by The Grass Roots, a popular band from the 1970s. It was written by Michael Price and Dan Walsh.

The song talks about the pain of love when two people feel separated from each other. It was released as a single in 1971 and was part of their album called "Move Along."

The song did well on the music charts, reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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, visit his YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, or learn more about Kirby on his About Me page.