Love and Affection features both arpeggios and strumming, and Armatrading’s use of rich up-the-neck chord voicings creates an interesting study. She plays this song on an acoustic guitar; however, you could easily use a six-string for easier finger stretching.
1. XO by John Mayer
XO, an emotive pop song written and performed by Mayer, conveys an important message about seizing every opportunity to cherish love before external circumstances–represented by an “encroaching darkness”, for example–can diminish it. Her delicate guitar work and emotive vocals add an authenticity that often seems lacking in modern pop music.
Ryan Tedder co-wrote, composed, and co-produced XO along with Terius “The-Dream” Nash to become Beyonce’s debut contemporary hit single from her self-titled fifth studio album released in 2013. A music video directed by Terry Richardson featured her running around Coney Island amusement park.
Mayer stripped back the track during a recent concert in Australia to its essential elements: an acoustic guitar and soulful vocals. This new rendition still conveys all of its emotion and beauty as before without any stadium-sized spectacle or radio-seeking gloss.
2. Something by George Harrison
George Harrison’s Something was one of his most successful compositions and is widely believed to have been inspired by Pattie Boyd (later married Eric Clapton). While this track may have been inspired by Pattie (who Clapton claimed served as his inspiration for Layla), another woman named Dorothy may have also inspired it. This hit became one of Harrison’s biggest hits and is widely considered his finest guitar solo work by music critics.
This song is best-known for featuring “the Hendrix chord,” made famous by Jimi Hendrix on later songs and used extensively throughout his oeuvre. Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley have all covered it at various points during their careers; Shirley Bassey performed her rendition while Ray Charles used “it on other songs as well”. George Harrison proved himself capable of creating hits by himself with this success song that went on to sell millions and become part of The Traveling Wilburys alongside Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison as founding members along with Bob Dylan Dylan, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison among others.
3. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol’s slow-building ballad, “This Slow Building Love Song”, became their signature tune, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart and becoming their signature sound. A perfect love song, its lyrics poetic but unpretentious; its build-up and climax perfectly executed; with guitars providing that extra bit of ambience that keeps this listener coming back for more time after time. It truly remains timeless music.
Snow Patrol released their music video for this track in June 2006 using time-lapse photography to depict members in an environment created to look like a hospital room, perfectly conveying its meaning. It’s an outstanding piece of work which highlights why they composed such an emotive track.
Eyes Open was another massively successful album for the band, solidifying them as one of Britain’s beloved indie acts. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t sell as many copies than its predecessor Chasing Cars; additionally it contained several reworked tracks and covers from Reindeer Section – a Scottish indie supergroup led by Gary Lightbody which features various musicians playing alongside one another; these didn’t fit seamlessly with its theme and were rather unnecessary considering this release already contained over thirty tracks.
4. Always by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi have become the third group to reach one billion views with their 1994 song Always, following 2000’s It’s My Life and 1986’s Livin’ On A Prayer. Marty Callner directed video features Jack Noseworthy, Carla Gugino and Jason Wiles portraying an emotionally charged breakup scene.
Interestingly, this song was initially a #1 single in its own right; however, its success was cut short by short-lived #1s by Whigfield’s Eurodance hit and Pato Banton’s commercial reggae cover of The Equals’ 1966 beat classic Baby Come Back that Ali and Robin Campbell from UB40 collaborated on together.
Its original version is an inspiring anthem of perseverance and determination; unfortunately it also falls prey to a trap that plagued many rock songs during the late ’80s and 90s as artists and labels made power ballad after power ballad just to fill crappy CDs. Jon Bon Jovi straining his limited vocal range to force out emotion through emotive delivery is compounded by needless and awkward vocal ad-libs from other performers onstage.
5. Better Together by James Blunt
If you’re in search of an emotional love song to learn on guitar, this one is perfect. Extreme’s hit from 1991 made this ballad all about falling in love even more powerful, making this the ideal song to show your loved ones just how much you care – making this ideal for Valentine’s Day or other special events!
James Blunt may not be your typical singer-songwriter, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming an amazing guitarist. While his voice may not be the most melodious in the world, his lyrics more than make up for any flaws; singing with great passion makes his songs truly emotional and emotive – as does holding eye contact with an audience to build connections and make connections that far surpass anything other performers could provide.
James Blunt may divide fans, while others applaud his music. On his fourth album Moonlanding he delivers some amazing tracks including an acoustic version of Better Together that stands out. Additionally, there are lighter tunes like No Bravery which tell a humorous and yet sincere account of his time spent fighting in Kosovo.
6. All of Me by John Legend
Legend was still relatively unknown when he wrote this stunning love song for then-fiancee Chrissy Teigen and their wedding in 2013. Nabil Elderkin (Kanye West, Frank Ocean) directed black-and-white video features scenes from their honeymoon trip in Italy as well as first kiss footage as husband and wife.
Tim Nugent provides tight rhythmic foundation for Love and South to build upon, though they more than hold their own when using Love’s Fender Strat equipped with Nova Twins pedals – something she remains coy about doing.
“All of Me” stands out in particular because it stands out against a sea of hits filled with hooks and beats on the Hot 100 chart at that time. Here, Legend showcased his voice with simplicity – no hooks or beats were present in its composition!
7. You’re My Everything by Shania Twain
Twain’s 1997 hit is widely regarded as one of the most beloved country pop crossover songs ever created.
Twain’s music was inspired by those who doubted her feelings for Mutt Lange, her producer at the time. Lange was legendary within music circles – having produced classic albums like AC/DC’s Back in Black and Def Leppard’s Paranoid. But Twain knew she and Lange were perfect together despite outside opinions; together they wrote an album commemorating their relationship despite all opposition.
Twain’s fans embraced both the song and video, which showed her performing on a beach while male model John Devoe looked on. This provocative clip marked a first for female country artists; however, its sexual imagery caused some controversy among her more conservative fan base.
Twain recently discussed her 1997 hit single on Song Exploder and explained its significance as it has come to represent “that type of triumph you feel when you face challenges head on and emerge victorious”. Her reflection is an inspiring tale about how hit singles can come to symbolize more than their original inspirations.
8. Slowhand by Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams made waves in an era when popular music had become overstuffed, by offering an accessible sound that resonated with the public. From arena-ready stompers to heartland ballads, Bryan’s hits like 1983’s Cuts Like a Knife title track and soundtrack singalong “This Time” propelled him into international stardom.
Adams and longtime collaborator Jim Vallance explored familiar territory on this stripped-back album recorded during the pandemic lockdown, with only minimal chord changes used throughout. Though most songs on it are uncensored PG-13-rated, their simplicity and vocal strength make them hard to overlook.
Finger-picked arpeggios provide an interesting counterpoint to power chords and bluesy bends on this acoustic collection; its only shocker being its long gestation.