Posted August 2, 2011 at 7:12 am | No comments
Known by its galloping opening riff and Robert Plant’s otherworldly scream over the top of it, “Immigrant Song” is a classic Led Zeppelin song from their third album, Led Zeppelin III. It was also released as a single without the band’s knowledge and against their wishes. Written by the band right after their first-even appearance in Iceland, they played it live just six days after. Their trip to “the land of the ice and snow” inspired Norse-themed lyrics, including references to Vikings and Valhalla. The line “Hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands” has inspired many to refer to Led Zeppelin’s sound as “Hammer of the Gods”.
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Posted August 1, 2011 at 7:12 am | No comments
“Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” is a song written in the late ’50s by Anne Bredon, and was made famous by Joan Baez and then even more famous by Led Zeppelin in late ’60s. This tab is of the Zeppelin version, which was originally credited as “Traditional arranged by Jimmy Page.” The story goes the Jimmy Page heard Joan Baez’s version and worked out his arrangement of the tune, which he then played for Robert Plant when they first met to discuss what would be on Led Zeppelin’s first record. The song did end up on their debut as the second track, and they played it live on the tours for that album, but not many since. Robert Plant has been playing the song live more recently after hearing Zeppelin cover bands do the tune.
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Posted July 31, 2011 at 1:07 pm | No comments
There is only one national anthem of rock ‘n’ roll, and that is KISS’s “Rock and Roll All Nite”. The make-upped rockers have had plenty of hits, but none as enduring as this anthem. The rock veterans usually close their explosive stage shows with this song, getting entire cities worth of people singing along with the chorus. “Rock and Roll All Nite” was written by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley in Los Angeles, inspired by “Cum on Feel the Noize” by Slade. It appeared on their 1975 album Dressed to Kill.
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Posted July 30, 2011 at 1:07 am | No comments
The Killers’ “When You Were Young” marked the bands departure from the more electronic and dance-oriented nature of their debut. Reportedly influenced by Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and “Thunder Road,” “When You Were Young” has a distinctly heartland rock sound to it. Peaking at No. 14 on the Billboard 100, the song is one of the Killers’ most successful songs. It was also nominated for the Grammy for “Best Rock Song” in 2007.
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Posted July 29, 2011 at 8:07 am | No comments
Along with “Carry On My Wayward Son,” “Dust in the Wind” is one of Kansas’s best-known and most beloved songs. It is the band’s only single to break into the Billboard 100’s top ten, and has been certified Gold for selling one million units. It was also certified Gold for digital downloads in 2008. “Dust in the Wind” was one of Kansas’s first acoustic songs, its melancholy guitar chords and melody differing greatly from the bombastic nature of many of their previous hits. The chimey guitar sound comes from two guitars, one in standard tuning and one in Nashville tuning, playing the same part.
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Posted July 28, 2011 at 8:07 am | No comments
“Electric Eye,” a heavy metal song by legends Judas Priest, appeared on their 1982 album Screaming For Vengeance. The song is the second track on that album after the intro song “The Hellion,” and when played live, Priest usually play “The Hellion” and go right into “Electric Eye.” The subject matter of the song is derived from George Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, with the idea of an “electric eye” coming from the name of the surveillance satellite in the book. Good luck playing Glenn Tipton’s guitar solo on this one!
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Posted July 27, 2011 at 8:07 am | One comment
Journey’s inspirational “Don’t Stop Believin’” is one of their most famous tunes. Appearing on their 1981 album Escape, it has retained incredible popularity and success long after its initial release, almost reaching 4.5 million digital downloads as of earlier this year. “Don’t Stop Believin’” begins with an instantly-recognizable keyboard riff of an intro, and singer Steve Perry soon starts in with his crystal clear falsetto, telling of young people wandering without a path. Neal Schon’s guitar solo comes in later in the song with a relatively simple melody played very expressively, doing some great note bending work. Try and not let this one brighten your mood!
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Posted July 26, 2011 at 8:07 am | No comments
“Any Way You Want It” is the opening track from Journey’s album Departure. The uplifting anthem was written by vocalist Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon, and they have said that it was inspired by Thin Lizzy, with whom they toured with. Journey often play “Any Way You Want It” to close out concerts, and consequently, it is featured on every single one of their live albums. The song has also appeared in many TV advertisements, including some for McDonald’s, Heinz ketchup, and Samsung.
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Posted July 25, 2011 at 5:56 am | No comments
One of John Mayer’s most recognized songs, “Waiting on the World to Change” was the first single from the tender singer-songwriter/guitar hero’s 2006 album Continuum. As it can be inferred from the title, the lyrics of “Waiting” lament the state of the world and the inability of those at the bottom to change anything. Despite the heavy subject matter, Mayer’s tune is sweet-sounding enough to woo the ladies with, so sing and play this one!
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Posted July 24, 2011 at 6:56 am | No comments
“Always With Me, Always With You” is the fourth track from Joe Satriani’s 1987 album Surfing With The Alien. The song gives a respite from the fast and complex nature of much of the rest of the album, its relaxed drum track and arpeggiated chords providing a solid foundation for “Satch” to take flight. Satriani begins very simply, his phrases building in speed and captivation until his short but amazing solo near the end. Good luck with the last couple licks of that one!
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