Birthday by The Beatles is a perfect little rocker for developing electric guitarists! One of the big hits from their 1968 double-album The Beatles (often referred to as “The White album”), Birthday is a light-hearted, blues-based number with clear, distinctive guitar lines.

End of the Line by the Travelling Wilburys is one of the hits from their 1988 album Traveling Wilburys Vol.1. Featuring no less than George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, the Traveling Wilburys were a breath of fresh air in the late ‘80s. Whilst “just a three-chord song” End of the Line is a perfect demonstration of just how good those three chords can sound! Its a great chart for developing guitarists.

Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish is the title track from her second album Happier Than Ever. Released in 2021, the casual, old-school guitar style makes it sounds more like a 1950s Country lament until the energy starts to build towards the Grunge/thrash style ending. An intelligent mix of chords and the blending of styles make it a great song for acoustic guitarists.

Señorita is a 2019 hit song by singer Shawn Mendes with Camila Cabello. Initially released on Mendes’ self-titled third album, Señorita became a global hit and has since become one of the most streamed songs of the current decade. With it’s distinctive guitar solo intro and finger-style chord accompaniment it’s a perfect song for nylon-string acoustic players.

Karma Police by Radiohead is from their influential 1997 album OK Computer. Karma Police was the 2nd single from the album and remains one of Radiohead’s most recognisable songs. The acoustic guitar part is an integral element and the intelligent variety of chords makes it a rewarding rhythm guitar chart . . .

House of the Rising Sun is an old American folk song restyled into a hit song in the 1960s by English rock group The Animals. Their tough blues sound projected the new British rock sound and turned House of the Rising Sun from a coffee-house folk number into an international rock hit. The distinctive guitar arpeggio intro quickly became a guitar lessons staple . . .

Californication by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers is the international hit song from their 1999 album of the same name. Bolstered by the return of guitarist John Frusciante, the album Californication and it’s title track became their most successful release . . . .