He mixes heavy subject matter with beautiful song structures, sometimes mimicking Beatlesque composition. When it comes to songwriting, Elliott Smith has an honest way of writing that few can even come close to. His music is not as widely known as it should be, though he did receive some mainstream success. “Say Yes” by Elliott SmithĮlliott Smith is perhaps one of the greatest songwriters of the late 20th century. It has an iconic pulse that is crucial to the song’s signature sound. Take extra care to really practice the strumming rhythm of the song. You’ll need a capo on the 2nd fret to play the chords with open voicings as heard on the recording.

You’ll know exactly what it is once you hear it.įor the most part, this is a pretty straightforward song to play. This is otherwise known as “playing the 6ths,” and uses isolated sections of a chord between 2 strings. The song begins with an iconic intro riff that is played utilizing a technique often heard in country music. This is particularly apparent with the strumming rhythm and the walking bass line of the chord melody. I’ve Just Seen A Face is a great love song that includes many folk tropes of its era. Many of their oldest releases were hinged on cover renditions of popular music at the time. This classic song comes from a turning point in the creative career of The Beatles. A great performance of Unchained Melody will likely be an unforgettable occurrence. Slow dances are still in fashion, and there are not many songs as fitting for a slow dance as this. Arpeggiating the chords will add a delicate accompaniment under the vocals. It’s very simple to play, consisting of common open chords. If you’re looking to knock someone off their feet (and have the vocals to do it), learn this song.

Because no producer credit was given at its release, Spector took the credit for himself. Their version was actually released as a B-side to a single released by one of Phil Spector’s groups. Unchained Melody has been performed by countless artists and has been featured in films such as Ghost.īy far the most popular version of this song is by The Righteous Brothers. This track has enjoyed several decades of extreme popularity. Perhaps one of the most romantic songs written in the 20th century is the song, Unchained Melody. It might be more difficult to nail down the French verses than the actual guitar part. Take some time and learn this one, you’ll be glad you did. Just in case you’re worried, there are some regular barre chords throughout the song’s chorus. Learning this will definitely break you out of any box your playing might be in. This isn’t a strum-along like others on this list, and because of that, you’ll be playing some creative lines. It’s far easier than it looks and sounds. However, you should take the chance and get the song under your own fingers. Watching someone play it might make you think the same thing. To someone that’s listened to the song, it might seem as if it is difficult to play. This beautiful song from Rubber Soul, with its heavy French language and iconic descending melody, is very recognizable. Perhaps one of their most famous love songs is the track, Michelle. Don’t be too surprised if you see another song or two of theirs in this list.

Many of the songs in their catalog are about love, in one way or another.

The Beatles are no stranger to love songs.

Stuck in the middle bass tab