Best Songs On Electric Guitar
When it comes to popular music, the acoustic guitar is the corner-stone. It is, for me, the most honest of all musical instruments.
Exactly what do I mean by that? It is a bare-bones instrument that does not enable the player to hide behind anything. It really is unlike the electric guitar which could take advantage of effects and distortion. Those effects offer the guitar player some room for sloppy technique. The acoustic guitar, on the other hand, is what it really is. If the musician misses a note or their technique is not clean, it’s very noticeable.
With its softer tone, not only is the skill from the guitar player tested, but it’s also crucial for that lyrics and vocals from the song to be great as well. These elements combined is what truly makes a great acoustic guitar song.
With that in mind I’ve come up with a small set of what I feel are the best acoustic guitar songs. Some simple, some much more difficult, but all need to be considered one of the best acoustic guitar songs.
1. Butterfly – By Weezer. Starting off the list is one of my favorite songs of all time. “Butterfly” from the geek rock group Weezer is easy, yet amazing. Away from their second album (and some would say their utmost) “Pinkerton”, the band was able to require a simply chord transition, a lovely melody, and heartbreaking lyrics to craft and melancholy breakup song about lost love. Again the background music is simple, but it is well deserving to make this list.
2. Sweet Baby James – By James Taylor. I believe most people would agree that “Sweet Baby James” is clearly one the best acoustic guitar songs of most times. Off of his second album of the name, James Taylor, beloved singer/songwriter wrote this haunting tune while driving to satisfy his baby nephew the first time. The finger picking technique applied to this track is tough and involved, yet flows so beautifully during. With his amazing voice, amazing playing guitar, and his knack for writing hits, James Taylor hit the nail directly on the head with this one.
3. St. Augustine – By Band of Horses. This song appears on the debut album of Band of Horses, an indie band that released the album in 2006. The acoustic guitar work is perfect for the song, a leveled combination of strumming and plucking, as well as the lyrics are boarder-line mind-blowing. But the thing that makes this song worthy to become mentioned on the list of best acoustic guitar songs is the harmony of the two vocalists. It really is subtle, but it is there, and it was what really sets this song apart.
4. Tears in Heaven – By Eric Clapton. Little needs to be said once the name Eric Clapton is mentioned. The guy is a guitar and music legend. Most noted for his blues and guitar, however his acoustic guitar skills are rarely paralleled. Sadly certainly one of his best acoustic guitar songs was written after the tragic death of his young son. Clapton put his emotions with his heartfelt lyrics, but additionally into the acoustic guitar the main song. It is masterfully finger picked by Clapton as well as the melody almost always brings a tear to the listeners eye. That’s the reason it earned a place on this list.
Though this list is short, simply because it could go on forever, it captures the depth of what can be done with an acoustic guitar when played properly.
Just thought you may well be interested in reading this guide: best acoustic guitar and acoustic guitar tuner.
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