Rolling in the Deep is one of Adele’s best-known songs. Featuring an easy verse-chorus structure with masterfully controlled energy levels, Rolling in the Deep remains one of her signature tracks.
Beginners can easily learn this song due to its chord structure of power chords (excluding the third), making the strumming pattern all down-strums.
Keep your right hand palm-muted (by resting lightly on the bridge and slightly muting strings) during both intro and verse to create a bass-like tone. This will provide an impressive bass tone.
I Have a Dream by Adele
American singer/songwriter Rihanna’s career has seen her go from mumble rap to high level soft pop and back again. This beautiful pop song showcases some of her signature chord voicings while keeping with UDUD strumming patterns that have defined her music over the years.
Although multiple instruments are featured on this track, it’s best performed as an acoustic solo performance suited for your own skills using simple open chords and a capo on the second fret. Or try the more intricate finger picked version for added melody!
I Can’t Stop Thinking About You by John Mayer
John Mayer has written some unforgettable songs, and one that stands out live is this funk-rock anthem from 2006’s Continuum album called “Don’t Want Home”. This tune expresses feelings of impending doom as time marches forward unstoppably while longing for something better that can never really exist: home.
While Taylor hasn’t disclosed who or what inspired this song, it has become clear that it refers to an older gentleman she dated when she was 19, who played some tricky mind games with her heart and is now widely disliked among Swifties. Listen to it here.
Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Rolling in the Deep, written and recorded by British singer Adele, quickly became an international hit after its release in December 2010 as her debut single to chart in seven categories in America’s Billboard Hot 100 charts, as well as topping both album charts of 2011 and 2012.
Adele composed “Revenge,” less than 24 hours after her breakup with then-partner Adam Garfield, as an honest account of their painful separation and subsequent betrayal. Producer Paul Epworth encouraged Adele to harness her anger into something expressive through singing the lyrics at its extreme pitch and volume, showing off all sides of her voice.
I Am Not Alone by Lorde
Lorde’s debut hit single was an easy one to learn on an acoustic guitar; featuring six basic chords and an easy strumming pattern, making this song accessible even to beginning guitarists. Add slides or licks for even greater challenge!
Lorde’s emotive song about getting over someone teaches that accepting and honoring past memories are key to moving on from heartbreak. Its straightforward message resonates with teenagers especially during an era characterized by pop songs depicting lavish house parties with wall-of-sound synth productions and excess. Listening to this track can also help develop your chord progression skills as you learn how to smoothly transition between chord progressions.
Don’t Stop Me Now by Adele
Adele’s song was her debut number 1 hit in both the US and globally, peaking charts worldwide. A powerful ballad about an unsuccessful relationship, written following her own breakup. Its guitar chords are easy to play on both acoustic and electric guitars alike.
For your intro and verse you should opt for power chords, without a 3rd. This should not be difficult – simply count out 1&2, 3&3, 4& and mutes each string individually with your palm before transitioning into adding full chord sounds during chorus time.
I Have a Dream by John Mayer
Songs about dreams can be an increasingly popular theme in music. This trend is particularly common among bands who attract an audience that enjoys daydreaming, such as Phish, who boast an enormous fan base known for fantasy and dreaming.
Another song about dreams by Green Day, Boulevard of Broken Dreams can be found as part of American Idiot and describes feelings of loneliness while serving as a stark reminder that many dreams do not materialise despite our best intentions – often an unwelcome but important lesson to learn.