The best songwriters know how to master chord progressions and use them to compose songs. A great chord progression will set the mood and bring out both melody and lyrics of any tune they write.
Most songwriters start with chords before writing the lyrics for their song – this approach has proven more successful than starting from melodies alone.
Bob Dylan – I See a Darkness
After creating the acoustic masterpiece that was his debut album, Bob Dylan shows no signs of relenting with this release. Through this piece he manages to conjure an aura of dark foreboding while offering some of the most exquisite acoustic melodies ever heard – a tribute to heroic ballads of past generations that only Dylan can pull off successfully.
Dylan was blessed with poetic talent that few others can match, creating lyrical masterpieces that mesmerized listeners. No other writer can match his talent when it comes to creating melancholy melodies and haunting melodies like his haunting melodies on this record, making his music impossible not to enjoy. Other songs on the album were equally compelling but Baby Let Me Follow You Down stood out as being truly special: its folk chord progression breathed new life into an otherwise dark and somber album proving that Dylan wasn’t simply an uncaring hardened cynic.
Brantley Gilbert – Just As I Am
Brantley Gilbert has become a celebrated country songwriter through hits like “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “Bottoms Up,” proving to be both prolific and versatile tunesmith. He’s composed songs for Jason Aldean, Colt Ford, as well as others such as himself – using chord grids you can learn to play many of his most iconic tracks!
These easy guitar songs for beginners offer you the chance to practice various chords. Although your fingers may initially feel awkward while switching chords, practicing is key in order to build strength and dexterity necessary to successfully playing guitar.
Rehearsal of song arrangements is another key part of becoming a better guitarist, so make sure that you review these songs string-by-string to make sure that you are playing the correct notes. Doing this regularly will make memorizing chords much simpler, making your guitar sound closer to its artist recording and help develop better guitar playing skills.
Bob Dylan – The Times They Are Changing
After an unfavorable Newsweek profile of Dylan, this song served as a protest against falsehood and distortion. Its melodic structure draws from traditional Irish-Scots ballads; Dylan at this point was still exploring new sounds and styles, which is evident from its solemn tone.
As in his other works, this song by Bob Dylan can be read as an indictment of imminent destruction; yet unlike his other pieces it does not depict total darkness and despair; instead it strikes a balance between urging humanity towards change while accepting that some things must remain the way they are.
Dylan performed this song numerous times over his career, from live albums At Budokan and MTV Unplugged specials, to featuring it as a bonus track on his 2001 compilation Love and Theft. His performances often slow down the tempo for an air of regret or fatigue in the lyrics.
The Beatles – I Want You Back
John returned to Trident Studios on February 22nd after having recorded a demo version of this song during their January 1969 Get Back sessions to officially record it as soon as he had refined its arrangement and wanted Yoko to know what he felt about her.
The opening verse is an amazing example of Beatles composition, boasting both vocal and guitar interplay between its four members. Ringo’s jazzy change in measure 8 from toms to snare drum and Paul’s bass hijinks stand out especially.
The final minutes of “Ghost of You and Me” are also noteworthy for their use of repeated guitar chords over various rhythmic, tempo, and time signature variations, creating a distinctively seductive quality which is amplified by John’s indecipherable scream in measure 22 and then cut to wind-like white noise instead of its abrupt conclusion found on Anthology releases.