Best Songs on Acoustic Guitar - Part 6

Thus far we have covered a bunch of awesome songs that feature the acoustic guitar. Unfortunately we have only just covered the tip of the ice burg. So why not keep the list going? Here are a few more songs that have earned a much deserved spot on the list of best acoustic songs.

What's It's Like - Everlast. This song, like a few that have made this list is, at least to me, not that special. But what is special about it is the melody the acoustic guitar picks through out the song. What is great is that it opens in a minor chord, but the rest the other chords in the transition are major. It just works so well together. The lyrics are a little generic in that they just discuss people who have hard lives. But other than the amazing melody on the guitar, the other thing that makes it great is the fact that the singer, Everlast, used to be the rap group House of Pain. And to me that is cool that he can be so versed to write rap songs and cool blues songs. Again the song's topic is really nothing special, but the guitar work is simple and beautiful enough to make the song worthy of this list.

The Dance - Garth Brooks. I am not a country music fan by any means. But I love Garth Brooks. The guy can sing a song and portray an emotion like no other in his genre. The Dance is one of those amazing break up songs that anyone going through one can listen to and know exactly what he is talking about. The acoustic guitar work in the song is subtle, and that is what makes it so good. The piano leads the songs, but underneath is the beautiful finger picking of the chords the guitar is playing. It is all around an amazing song. Perfect lyrics, perfect guitar, perfect voice, perfect everything. Garth makes the list of the best acoustic songs with The Dance.

Pink Moon - Nick Drake. Nick Drake is one of the musicians who, like so many others, died way before his time. He was young and he was a genius. To pick one song of his worthy of this list was in itself a difficult task. But Pink Moon captures what he was great at. Writing amazing lyrics set to awesome guitar work. The song is a perfectly basic song, only featuring the guitar and Drakes awesome voice. I could write a book on how great Nick Drake is so I am going to stop it right there. But if you have never heard anything by Nick Drake, you should check him out.

That's it for now. Hope you have found this list helpful and perhaps maybe you'll discover some new music which you'll love. These songs are truly worthy to be mentioned on the list of best acoustic songs.

Benjamin J. Cloyd is a guitar instructor and has a website called best acoustic songs where you can find and print great songs for beginners to intermediate to advanced. He also has a humorous clothing line for musicians at Music Tshirts ETC.

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Best Johnny Cash Songs

Johnny Cash is a musical legend that will live on forever. Almost everyone has heard about "The Man in Black" and many of his songs are still played today. The dark attire he wore on stage earned him this nickname and his deep voice could never be mistaken for anyone else's. His personal traits enhanced his music and added to his popularity.

He had a unique personality that integrated a serious and humble manner with a rebellious side that made him stand out from all other signers in the 20th century. His songs often revolved around the less fortunate and some were very sad in nature. However, many of them reflected a dark side with a hint of humor that helped to make Jonny Cash famous.

His music reflected so many different feelings that his songs appealed to all types of listeners. Many believed that he spent much time in prison due to the content of some of his songs but he actually only spent short periods behind bars. However, he often visited prisons to sing for inmates for whom he felt compassion.

Here are a 10 of the best Johnny Cash songs that are still popular today:

1. I Walk the Line- Recorded in 1956, this song spent six weeks as number one on the country music charts and it even made number 19 on the pop music charts. In 2004, it was ranked number 30 on the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list created by the Rolling Stone magazine.

2. Folsom Prison Blues- This song was first recorded in 1955 but the famous "Live" version was recorded in California at Folsom State Prison in 1968.

3. Cry! Cry! Cry! - Released in 1955, this song entered the music charts at number 14. It sold over 100,000 copies and earned Cash a featured spot on "the Louisiana Hayride Tour", which jump-started his career.

4. So Doggone Lonesome- Recorded in 1955, Cash wrote this song as a tribute to Ernest Tubb, whom he admired greatly.

5. A Boy Named Sue- In 1962, this one spent three weeks at the number 2 spot on the "Billboard Hot 100" chart and it also made the top of the charts for "Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks" and "Hot Country Songs".

6. Get Rhythm- This song was recorded in 1956 and it's believed that it was written for Elvis Presley. It's one of his most upbeat songs that centers abound optimism.

7. Big River- Released in 1958 it hit number 4 on the Billboard Country Music charts and remained on the charts for fourteen weeks.

8. Hey Porter- Recorded in 1954 and released in 1955, Cash wrote this song as he was returning home after spending four years in the US Air Force.

9. Man In Black- In a sense, this song was an explanation of why Cash wore black when he was performing and it was released in 1971 as part of an album with the same name.

10. Ring of Fire- Recorded in 1963, it stayed on the charts for seven weeks as number one and was the biggest hit of his career.

Johnny Cash had many more hits that are memorable. Whenever he appeared before an audience he always made his introduction with the phrase "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" and then he would go straight into a song. Johnny Cash will always be remembered as one of the most influential musicians of his time.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Best Johnny Cash and June Carter Songs Recorded Together

Both Johnny Cash and June Carter were successful singers and songwriters with promising careers. It was their careers that most likely brought the two of them together. As they appeared on stage and sang songs, they apparently fell in love with each other. Cash made his feelings for Carter public in 1968 when he asked her to marry him right in the middle of a live concert. They were performing in London, Ontario.

She accepted and on March 1, 1968, the two were married. They both successfully continued in the music business after their marriage and they sang many duets together. Throughout their country music careers, Cash and Carter had many excellent songs recorded together both before and after they were married.

Here are 5 of the best Johnny Cash and June Carter songs recorded together:

1. Jackson

2. If I Were a Carpenter

3. Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man

4. Help Me Make It Through the Night

5. Oh, What a Good Thing We Had

Of course, these are just a few of the many Johnny Cash and June Cater songs available, there are many more that are considered big hits as well. With so many excellent songs out there, it's had to narrow it down to only 5 but these are the ones that seem to stand out the most.

In 1967, "Jackson" won the Grammy Award for the "Best Country and Western Performance, Duet, Trio or Group" category. In 1970, "If I Were a Carpenter" won them another Grammy Award in the same category.

Many believe it was the passion and love that flowed through each of the notes when they sang together that made them such an admired duet. Other musicians often try to sing some of the songs these two performed but it just never seems to have the same effect. The two had a good life together that lasted into their 70s. On May 15, 2003, June Carter Cash passed away at age 73. Johnny Cash passed away on September 12, 2003 at age 71.

They both had a difficult time throughout the years and they were both married to other people before falling in love with each other. This may be why they made such a great couple when they did get married. Whatever their secret was, some of the best Johnny Cash and June Cater songs recorded together will surely make you smile, laugh and cry as you remember a couple that made a huge mark on the music industry.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Best Songs on Acoustic Guitar - Part 5: Covers

The list continues. Here are a few more songs that could be added to the list of the best acoustic songs. Only this time, they are all cover songs.

Signs - Tesla. Not a lot of covers have made the list thus far, in fact if memory serves me correctly I think only one other one has. But here is another. Telsa is one of those 80's bands that has basically made a career on three of four songs, Signs being one of them. Originally done as a protest song in the sixties by Five Man Electric Band, Tesla made the track very much their own. They decided to go acoustic with it, which was an awesome choice and they added their flavor of rock. For an acoustic jam, it is definitely rocking. Again it is a cover, but a great cover at that. That is why Tesla's version of Signs deserves to make the list of best acoustic songs.

Boyz N The Hood - Dynamite Hack. This song is amazing because of how ridiculous it is. It was part of a compilation disk released by MTV called Rap Goes Punk. Basically MTV got a bunch of punk bands to do iconic rap songs. Dynamite Hack was asked to Boyz N The Hood, originally by N.W.A. They did the songs, but not as I think most expected them to. Instead of doing it their dirty, grungy kind of way, the boys played a beautifully finger picked number and gently sang the lyrics. It was hilarious. But the guitar part was very complicated and intricate, not what Dynamite Hack is known for. Again this song is not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination, but it is funny and clever enough to make the list of one of the best acoustic songs.

Wild Horses - Bush. Bush is one of those band you either love or hate. But love them or hate them, they did an amazing rendition of The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses on Jay Leno. It wasn't a straight up acoustic number, but the lead was played on an acoustic guitar. Okay there was only one acoustic instrument in the set, but this songs needs to make the list. It was an amazing rendition of an amazing song. I never thought anyone but The Stones could do that song, but I have to give Bush credit, they slayed it.

That's it for now. Three awesome cover songs that feature the acoustic guitar. Again, they may not be amazing or mind bending, but they all have that one undefined quality that makes them worthy of being added to the list of best acoustic songs.

Benjamin J. Cloyd is a guitar instructor and has a website called best acoustic songs where you can find and print great songs for beginners to intermediate to advanced. He also has a humorous clothing line for musicians at Music Tshirts ETC.

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Best Songs on Acoustic Guitar - Part 2

As stated in the first article of this series, the acoustic guitar is a bare-bones instrument. Its sound quality almost solely depends on the skill and technique of the player.

Here are a few more songs that feature great acoustic guitar parts. All of them deserve to be mentioned on a list of best acoustic songs.

1. She Talks to Angels - The Black Crowes. This songs comes to us via the Brothers Robinson, that would be older brother Chris and young brother Rich. The two brothers formed the Black Crowes in the late 80's and this song was on their 1990 debut album "Shake Your Money Maker," which was a huge album for them. The song start with a beautiful acoustic guitar melody played by little brother Rich that repeats throughout the track and the lyrics and vocal melody supplied by Chris fit the song perfectly. And the lyrics are absolutely perfect. It is a very sad, yet incredibly beautiful song at the same time.

2. Dust in the Wind - Kansas. Cliche? Yes. Corny? Perhaps. But no matter what your feelings are about this over-played, over-done song, it is still worthy to be on this list of best acoustic songs. The whole song is centered around a repeated finger-picked melody that does not deviate often. It's one of those songs everyone knows, but may not know who sings it. The lyrics are what you would expect from a band called "Kansas," kind of blah and cliche, but the memorable finger-picked acoustic guitar part is the reason this song makes a bid to be on this list.

3. Over the Hills and Far Away - Led Zeppelin. I am kind of deviating from the list a bit here because this song is not a genuine "acoustic" song. However it is Zeppelin and they were going to make an appearance at some point. I think it is fair to say when people think of a Led Zeppelin acoustic piece, "Stairway to Heaven" instantly comes to mind, but not me. The acoustic guitar part that leads "Over the Hills and Far Away" I think is one of the best uses of acoustic guitar in music. It is fast, it is clean, and Robert Plant's voice works so well with what Jimmy Page is doing on guitar. That is why "Over the Hills and Far Away" makes the cut for one of the best acoustic songs.

4. To Be With You - Mr. Big. It does not get more 80's than Mr. Big. One, of what seems like a million bands of the time that blew up fast and faded even faster. Though the 80's metal genre was notorious for turning over crappy bands left and right, every once in a while a gem of a song slipped in, and that is where "To Be With You" comes in. With a simply chord transition with a sold vocal performance by singer Eric Martin, the song has stood the test of time. Everyone knows the song, and whether they want to admit it, everyone loves the song. Simply put, it deserves to, at least, be a mention on the list of best acoustic songs.

Benjamin J. Cloyd is a guitar instructor and has a website called best acoustic songs where you can find and print great songs for beginners to intermediate to advanced. He also has a humorous clothing line for musicians at Music Tshirts ETC.

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The Yardbirds: Anatomy Of A Rave Up In 5 Songs

Introducing Eric "Slowhand" Clapton

Eighteen year old Eric Clapton joined The Yardbirds in 1963, blew the doors off the London blues scene, and moved on in 1965 just as they had their first hit single. It was during this time that he was given his nickname "Slowhand" - which was a goof on the fact that he actually played quite fast. Indeed quite a few of the early Yardbirds live recordings display some of the fastest playing around. One could easily have termed it 'speed blues', but the phrase on the street for this bombastic style of blues was 'rave up' - the sound of the Clapton era. Clapton's Yardbirds style ferocious rave ups again and again on their classic record 'Five Live Yardbirds'.

Five of the ravest cuts from 'Five Live Yardbirds' are Too Much Monkey Business, Respectable, Pretty Girl, Here 'Tis, and Who Do You Love. They run the gamut from cooking swagger to full on jittery rave up - often within the space of a single song. These are classic blues and rock songs given the Yardbirds treatment and taken to a new landscape.

Too Much Monkey Business

The record starts with the classic Chuck Berry song 'Too Much Monkey Business'. This is a good one to jog too. Right away they employ the classic Yardbirdism of turning the guitar solos into whole band high intensity blasts of raw blues plasma - classic rave up. Young Mr. Clapton busts solos that are amazingly precise, and driven - the perfect foil for the rests in the verses.

Respectable

Penned by the Isley Brothers, The Yardbirds make it their own. The intro slides in and drops a hint at the double time rhythm coming down the pipe. Clapton's guitar solos begin with tasteful restraint. The steam starts to build in the 2nd half of the song when they drop into a shuffle verse of Humpty Dumpty then over the wall with blurring hands shaking the rhythm nearly to death before they drop out with a classic slow blue exit

Pretty Girl

The boys treat this Bo Diddley classic fairly straight - at the beginning anyway. Introduced with a loose swagger, by the time the choruses kick in things start to fly. Again displaying their trademark of laying down a nice riff, then cranking it up, letting it back out, then really pouring it on rave up style.

Here 'Tis

You can't get more rave than this. Another Bo Diddley tune, 'Here 'Tis' opens up and burns from start to finish. This is blues rave up at its most intense. Built furiously up and up again and again, then dropping the whole shebang into Jim McCarty's drum break. You can almost hear the audience trying to catch it's breath while Keith Relf begins his warning "There's more... There's more... Here it comes... Here it comes..." Then slamming back in with Eric's blazing riff trading with Samwell-Smith's stomping bass. They build it back up one last time and a halt on a dime. What an ending!

Who Do You Love

Yet another Bo Diddley verse. This one was added to the record as a bonus track for the 2003 re-release and it fits right in. The track fades in fast and furious before pulling back to make room for walking 47 miles of barbed wire. Things chug along nice and smooth for a bit, then almost sneaking into the rave up. Each time through the cycle the fevered strumming peaks higher until the final fade. A great version, and a great bonus to the record.

Fast Train To God Status

It would not be until he left The Yardbirds and hooked up with John Mayall and the Blues Breakers that London tube riders would see the writing on the wall proclaiming "Clapton Is God". But you can hear his train rolling into the station at full speed with The Yardbirds on 'Five Live Yardbirds' as well as 'For Your Love', 'Sonny Boy Williamson and The Yardbirds' and the American compilation 'Having A Rave Up.' After Claption left and was replaced with Jeff Beck (and Later Jimmy Page) the band explored new and exciting sonic directions, but their stamp on the rave up sound would become history.

There are some great bands these days who invoke the sonic fire of old school rock and roll - but do it in their own way. I'm very excited about a cookin' 3 piece called The Lovely Savages.

Get their blistering EP 'YES' for FREE at: http://www.thelovelysavages.info/

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The Yardbirds: Anatomy Of A Year With Jeff Beck In 5 Songs

Jeff The Engineer

In 1965 Eric Clapton was devoted to what he considered unadulterated blues. He was not interested in being part of the Yardbirds' forays into pop music and left the band. Clapton suggested Jimmy Page as his replacement who, happy doing session work, in turn recommended his friend Jeff Beck. Beck only recorded one album with the Yardbirds. Aptly released as 'Yardbirds in the UK. It was later released as 'Over Under Sideways Down' in the US, and thanks to a doodle of the recording engineer by rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja, it also came to be known as 'Roger The Engineer'.

Though Beck was the only new member, the record could have been a different band entirely given how much their style had evolved from the blues tribute days with Clapton. Gone were the thrusting rave ups of Bo Diddley and other standards; all of 'Roger's' songs were original. The new sound did retain plenty of blues influence, but also introduced a snappy, curt guitar sound, soaring vocals and quirky interludes bordering on the psychedelic. Beck also added spice with a new device: the fuzz box.

While 'Roger The Engineer' was a wholly different animal from the Clapton years, a number of songs really capture Jeff Beck's contribution, and in some ways presage the directions he would go with his solo career.

Over Under Sideways Down

The Beck sound was on full display on the record's second song. Opening with the unforgettably hooky fuzz riff it's instantly clear why this song was a hit. Nice doses of backbeat rock, with Jeff's reverse bent chords under the middle "Hey!" sections, a touch of psychedellia, and back into the hook. A great song that perfectly encapsulates the sound of Jeff Beck era Yardbirds.

The Nazz Are Blue

Though cribbing a well-known blues riff for intro and standard 5 and 7 rock for the verse, the song showcases distinctively Beckish sounds during the break down. Most notably hauntingly sustained bends and his special way of glissing and shaking solo notes and intervals. If that weren't enough, Jeff sings this one.

Jeff's Boogie

On the surface this tune sounds like a straight up blues configured instrumental jam. But the collection of breaks could serve as an encyclopedia of Beck's early repertoire of signature licks and tricks. You get the fast, stair-stepping runs, the funky bent chords, the pretty Les Paul harmonized riffs, harmonics, the kitchen and the sink.

He's Always There

Blending quirky arrangement, pop leanings and almost psychedelic backup vocals, 'He's Always There' has a sound all its own. Beck's lonely fuzz counter melody is very cool and lends the song an ominous feel. The outro solo almost suggests Steppenwolf.

What Do You Want

This is one of the most endearing tracks on the record. The rhythm guitar and drums are clearly connected to the band's earlier sound, but the arrangement is all pop. The fuzzy bass sounds fresh today. Beck's rapid riffs are perfect punctuation, and his feedback and sustain riffs take the song out leaving us wanting more. The recipe is perfect on this one.

And Jeff Boogies..

Jeff Beck wasn't a member of the Yardbirds long before he sauntered off on his wiggy solo career. But his contribution to The Yardbirds in that short time was huge. His creative aesthetic dovetailed well with the rest of the group and produced some intriguing and influential music - not to mention a number of hit singles! The most lasting effect of Beck's Yardbirds could arguably be said to be a sound that sent them careening into the arms of Jimmy Page.

There are some great bands these days who invoke the sonic fire of old school rock and roll - but do it in their own way. I'm very excited about a cookin' 3 piece called The Lovely Savages.

Get their blistering EP 'YES' for FREE at: http://www.thelovelysavages.info/

View the original article here

Tips for Writing Songs - Get Better One Day at A Time

If you are like most songwriters I know, you are probably familiar with the frustrating feeling of being stuck in a rut. You know in yourself that it's vital to write something, anything daily; however, there are times when songwriting just seems impossible. Perhaps you don't have enough energy to do it, you could be missing out on the muse, you fail to internalize the essential tips for writing songs, or you are overly critical during your first few attempts. Whatever your reason is, there's still hope. It's still possible for you to get your everyday writing done in a productive way if you only incorporate some brand new exercises to your routine.

So the next chance you get, introduce some great tips for writing songs - a 5-day songwriting exercise. It's one of the perfect ways to start successful songwriting!

Day 1 - Do the research mash-up. First, it's important to give yourself some interesting material to work with. Go online, look for interesting reports, read the papers and go through stories that grab your attention, look for words and phrases that catch your attention. Notice the graphics that accompany those stories and get your descriptive skills to work. Jot down what the pictures are telling you. Get something that grab your imagination and allow some time for you to think about the topic till your next songwriting session.

Day 2 - Brainstorming. Get in touch with a friend, then send each other a list of at least 30 nouns with creative descriptors, like "sweet lies," or "golden keys." Go over your lists for combos that strike you. Then practice merging adjectives from one list to nouns from the other, combining new meanings and new phrases. Take note of the ones that make you want to write more.

Day 3 - Nuggets and Titles. Based from your brainstorming results, create some potential song titles. Remember that they can be anywhere from a single word to five, and should be original, interesting, universal and evocative. Don't try to hard to make it perfect, just use the phrase + word combo that appeals to you.

Day 4 - Surgery. Now, choose a well-known song that you like and rewrite the lyrics. Replace the title with your favourite phrase from your day 3 session, then forget all that you know about the song's original lyrics. Just make sure that the words that you use fit the melody of the song. Now you have a foundation.

Day 5 - Open season. Create your own work of art based on the lyrics that you wrote for the popular song. Next, separate the melody from the lyrics of the song and write your own music, editing your words as needed so as to conform to your own melody. Allow yourself to change the words as the lyrics and melody come together.

Here you go -- great tips for writing songs plus good entries that will help inspire future songwriting.

Jim Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

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Top 5 Bob Dylan Songs That You Should Know About

Who doesn't know Bob Dylan? Even if you are not a music aficionado, you know him too well. He is an iconic songwriter-singer who made America's greatest songs for nearly four decades. He depicted America's rich and highly-faceted culture through his piano, guitar and harmonica. Best known for his nasal voice, Bob Dylan songs derived his early influence in Woody Guthrie.
This iconic figure has written hundreds of songs. While his song list goes on and on, here are the top 5 Bob Dylan songs of all time:

1. Desolation Row - this came from his album "Highway Revisited" and was the final track on this album; featuring an electric guitar. According to Dylan, this song has a minstrel tone that gained its inspiration from the carnival singers in blackface.

2. Masters of War - came from the album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan." This song has an endless appeal because of its versatility and was considered as his greatest social commentary.

3. Like a Rolling Stone - This song was first released as a single and is considered as Dylan's most recognizable songs.

4. Subterranean Homesick Blues - Dylan's very first Top Billboard Hit from the album "Bringing it All Back Home." This is one of his songs which feature the electric guitar as well.

5. Visions of Johanna - From the album "Blonde on Blonde," this song was said to be inspired by Joan Baez, who the songwriter was dating at the time the song was released. One of the Bob Dylan Songs that mirrors his life as he entered New York City.

As for Bob Dylan albums, here are my top 3 picks:

1. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - this is one of the Bob Dylan albums that is hard to forget - one of his most groundbreaking creations. Considered as the very 1st statement of Dylan's recording career, the songs on this album are mainly responsible fro putting Dylan in the map. One of the songs that stood out in this album is "Blowin' in the Wind," and this collection is distinguished by love songs such as "Girl from the North Country" and poetic protests such as "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." On Freewheelin", Dylan catapulted from the Woodie Guthrie influence of his debut album, and showed himself to the world as the groundbreaking songwriter-singer he has since proven to become.

2. Highway 61 Revisited - most Bob Dylan albums have rock-infused songs where he grabs the rock and roll's baton. This one-of-a-kind compilation includes timeless folk-rock classics such as "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Desolation Row" both considered as one of his best songs. If you are looking for an album with some of the most distinguished rock and blues licks ever placed on vinyl, you won't be disappointed with this one.

3. Blonde on Blonde - this album was created in a studio in Nasville with musicians that are very accustomed to country music. Yes, Highway 61 has made Dylan a path forger and trendsetter in the modern folk-rock sound, however, Blonde on blonde was a more decisive compilation when it comes to Dylan's newfound relationship with the new sound. His imagery-laden loquacious poetry has become more harmonious, and his synergy with the Band has reached new heights.

These are the songs of Dylan no music collection should be without - all from one of the greatest dynamic artists in modern American music.

Jim Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

View the original article here

Best Songs on Acoustic Guitar

When it comes to popular music, the acoustic guitar is the corner-stone. It is, in my opinion, the most honest of all the musical instruments.

What do I mean by that? It is a bare-bones instrument that does not allow the player to hide behind anything. It is unlike the electric guitar which can 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 is. If the musician misses a note or their technique is not clean, it is very noticeable.

With its softer tone, not only is the skill of the guitar player tested, but it is also crucial for the lyrics and vocals of the song to be great as well. These elements combined is what truly makes a great acoustic guitar song.

With that in mind I have come up with a small list of what I feel are some of the best acoustic guitar songs. Some simple, some a lot more difficult, but all deserve 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" by the geek rock group Weezer is simple, yet amazing. Off of their second album (and some would say their best) "Pinkerton", the band was able to take a simply chord transition, a beautiful melody, and heartbreaking lyrics to craft and melancholy breakup song about lost love. Again the music is simple, but it is well deserving to make this list.

2. Sweet Baby James - By James Taylor. I think most people would agree that "Sweet Baby James" is clearly one the best acoustic guitar songs of all times. Off of his second album of the same name, James Taylor, beloved singer/songwriter wrote this haunting tune while driving to meet his baby nephew for the first time. The finger picking technique used on this track is difficult and involved, yet flows so beautifully through out. With his amazing voice, amazing guitar playing, and his knack for writing hits, James Taylor hit the nail right 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 mixture of strumming and plucking, and the lyrics are boarder-line mind-blowing. But what makes this song worthy to be mentioned on the list of best acoustic guitar songs is the harmony of the two vocalists. It is subtle, but it is there, and it was what really sets this song apart.

4. Tears in Heaven - By Eric Clapton. Not much needs to be said when the name Eric Clapton is mentioned. The man is a guitar and music legend. Most known for his blues and electric guitar, however his acoustic guitar skills are rarely paralleled. Sadly one of his best acoustic guitar songs was written after the tragic death of his young son. Clapton put his emotions not only in his heartfelt lyrics, but also into the acoustic guitar part of the song. It is masterfully finger picked by Clapton and the melody almost always brings a tear to the listeners eye. That is why it earned a spot on this list.

Though this list is short, mainly because it could go on forever, it really captures the depth of what can be done with an acoustic guitar when played properly.

Benjamin J. Cloyd is a guitar instructor and has a website called best acoustic songs where you can find and print great songs for beginners to intermediate to advanced. He also has a humorous clothing line for musicians at Music Tshirts ETC.

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The Five Best Love Songs of All Time

While every generation has its own favorite love songs, some love songs are timeless; they have struck an eternal chord with young and old alike.

What do UK lovers consider the five best love songs of all time? Here they are:

1. The Power of Love, from "Frankie Goes to Hollywood"

"The power of love / A force from above / Cleaning my soul..."

While it's hard to define exactly what the campy lyrics mean, the haunting tune of this song inevitably draws its listeners in and makes them want to "purge [their] soul" and "make love [their] goal."

The Power of Love was first featured during the John Peel Sessions on BBC and was released as a Christmas single in 1983. It caught up with the holiday spirit and went on to become a timeless love ballad.

2. My Heart Will Go On, by Celine Dion

"Every night, in my dreams, I see you, I feel you / That is how I know you go on..."

Anybody who has seen the 1997 epic romance film "Titanic" (featuring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio) will surely remember this song and bask in the delicious bittersweet pang it never fails to elicit from the hearts of its listeners. Performed by Celine Dion, the ballad passionately captures the heart-wrenching beauty and tragedy of a love that could never be and yet still was, right up to the afterlife.

Composed by James Horner and with words supplied by Will Jennings, this song is one of the best-selling singles of all time. It sold more than a million copies in the UK alone, and more than 15 million copies in the rest of the world.

3. Never, Never Gonna Give You Up, by Barry White

"Never, never gonna give you up / I'm never ever gonna stop / Not the way I feel about you / Girl, I just can't live without you..."

The age of disco and free love might be over, but Barry White's soulful "Never Never Gonna Give You Up" continues to seduce us with its smooth talk and sensual words that tease the senses. Turn this music on beside your petal-covered king-sized bed, light a lava lamp or two, then invite your lover in and see where the melody takes you.

4. Love Me Tender, by Elvis Presley

"Love me tender, love me sweet / Never let me go..."

This Elvis classic was the theme song of the movie with the same title. The fact that 'The King' sang it already puts it in great position for being a love song classic. Elvis first performed it on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956. The record received an advanced 1 million orders the next day.

5. Unchained Melody, by the Righteous Brothers

"Oh, my love / My darling / I hunger for your touch..."

When composer Alex North and lyricist Hy Zaret wrote this song, they wanted something that would capture the feelings of someone yearning to see a long-lost lover. We will never know what went wrong with the first rendition, originally sung by Todd Duncan, but that version never hit the charts.

Nonetheless, "Unchained Melody" spawned more than 500 versions, and in 1965 - about a decade after its first release - it was sung by the Righteous Brothers, and the rest was history; the song remained a jukebox standard.

Its popularity further increased when it was used as the theme song of the 1990 box office hit "Ghost," which starred Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg. 

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Bhojpuri Songs in India Today

Music from Bihar is more popular than ever before. There was a time when music from Bihar was non-existent. Bhojpuri songs have in the last few years been popularised thanks to the Indian film industry popularly known as Bollywood. Bhojpuri is a language spoken not only in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh but also regions of Nepal, Mauritius and also parts of the Caribbean. It was considered as a language of the villages and spoken by the poor people. But in recent years, the people of Bihar are shedding the down trodden feel of Bhojpuri and adopting the language as their very own. Speaking this language is no longer considered as backward.

Hindi movies have introduced Bhojpuri item songs like "Munni badnam hui" and "Mai aai hu UP Bihar lootne". This has made the movies attractive to the masses of the Bhojpuri regions. In addition, it does spice up the film and attracts many people just to watch the videos. Interestingly these videos do attract large crowds and hence act as crowd pullers as far as Hindi movies are concerned. Hence more Hindi movie directors and producers are considering adding a Bhojpuri song in the films similar to adding a Bhangra (Punjabi song) to make it more attractive.

Many Bhojpuri singers are too taking up singing Bhojpuri songs for Hindi movies as compared to just singing for albums. Bhojpuri Playback Singers include; Manoj Tiwari, Dinesh lal Yadav'nirahua', Bharat Sharma, Pawan Singh, Radhe Shyam, Udit Narayan, Sharada Sinha, Manoj Tiwari, Kalpana Patowary, Guddu Rangeela and many other rising stars from the Bhojpuri world. Out of these singers, Manoj Tiwari and Sharda Sinha are most famous. Single handed they have taken the Bhojpuri language and propelled it to great heights. Kalpana Patowary another Bhojpuri singer, although being from the state of Assam she has taken up singing Bhojpuri songs and have excelled in it. She is so famous in Bihar for music that she is considered as the queen of Bhojpuri music. Singing in Bhojpuri is no longer taboo.

Although Bhojpuri songs are not freely available on the internet as compared to Hindi songs, nonetheless, they can be easily found on the streets of Bihar. It's very difficult to miss Bhojpuri songs and music specially on the streets of small towns in Bihar such as Muzaffarpur or Jehanabad. Bhojpuri music can still be bought on Amazon online store. Other places to buy Bhojpuri mp3's include eBay and auction stores, however availability are rather limited. Hence the best place to buy these songs is by visiting Bihar, the source of everything Bhojpuri.

Shalini Singh is a great fan of Bhojpuri language and music. To bring to the world Bhojpuri Songs, she has created a site with Bhojpuri videos along with its meaning and some of the words.

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What Wedding Songs Say About You

Every newly-wed couple wants their guests to have a blast at their wedding reception, and there are so many wedding songs out there in music land to accomplish that goal. Let's get started, shall we?

1. Dancing Queen, by ABBA - You cannot have a wedding without playing this classic disco song. ABBA was really popular in the 1970s and this song speaks to the masses. "Dancing Queen" says that the bride absolutely loves the film or play "Mama Mia!" and wants to live-out their "Mama Mia!" fantasy one last time during their happy ending, dream come true wedding.

2. Let's Stay Together, by Al Green - This popular love song was later sung by none other than the ever-popular Tina Turner. Listen to the words carefully, and it spells out what every couple hopes to attain throughout the duration of their relationship. This song says that the couple is madly in love, and they vow to uphold the meaning of their vows until the end of time.

3. Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette - Alanis had quite a hit with this song back in the 90s, but this masterpiece is absolutely timeless. A bride's words can best be described through Alanis' lyrics to her new husband. Basically, this song says that the woman got knocked-out by love and wants to tell the world!

4. Tik Tok by Ke$ha - Ke$ha may have a random dollar sign in her name and she may be completely off her rocker, but this song is a party starter and crowd pleaser! This particular song tells your guests that you are not serious all the time and that you have a childish streak that loves to escape every now and then.

5. Oh l'Amour by Erasure - Anything from the 80s says "good time" but anything by the group Erasure says "instant party." Erasure songs are classics, but the beat of this baby means that the groom misses the days when he had a hot rod and Michael Jackson's glove stowed-away in his closet. And that's not a bad thing... really!

6. Save The Last Dance For Me by The Drifters - A wedding HAS to have several songs included for slow dances and this is the perfect pick. This song says that the couple is comprised of old souls and are perfect soul mates.

7. Forever by Chris Brown - Ah, the song that started the whole "dancing down the aisle" craze! How can you not play this at your wedding?! Despite being a "trend-setting" song, it's actually quite sweet overall. This song says that the couple may really like double mint gum?! Kidding! The couple obviously really cares for each other and likes bubbly songs...

What do you think your pick for a wedding song says about you? Why?

Seward Park Tech is a full-service DJ and Lighting company providing services for Weddings, Corporate Events and all types of celebrations. For additional information or suggestions about wedding songs or trends in the Wedding field in general please visit our website, where you will find dozens of articles written by our staff of expert authors.

Searching for a DJ or Lighting Services for your event? Visit us at http://www.sewardparktech.com/

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Top 3 Tips for Writing Songs That Sizzle

Do your songs generate excitement? Or do you find yourself writing songs but ended up feeling stuck?

You may feel frustrated somewhere in the songwriting process, but the great news is that you may already be making good melodies, chord progressions and lyrics. You already have the right components in place -- your problem lies in putting them all together. Coming up with a nice theme for a song doesn't mean that you are on the right track.

I have been a musician for years, and I have heard many of my contemporaries lament how songwriting causes great anxiety and how that anxiety outweighs the feeling of contentment or gratification.

Have I just described you? If yes, then get a load of these top 3 tips for writing songs:

1. Structuring is a top priority. This stuff not guesswork, nor is it magic. This simply means getting chord progressions to work. A tall building would crumble if its load bearing walls; its structure isn't properly in place. In like manner, songs that have fragile progressions won't hold together.

2. Form is equally important too. Form in music pertains to how all the song components blend in together. Most songwriters have all their individual components down pat, but when put together, it sounds like the song is wandering aimlessly. The intro may be great, but it doesn't seem to be begging for the chorus!

3. Make your lyrics sparkle. Your lyrics should jump out at your audience. Do your lyrics fit the melody perfectly? Learn from the Masters. If you can, go to the public library or to your local music store and browse through the song books. You can always bet on timeless songwriters like McCartney, Lennon, Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, James Taylor and Paul Simon to incorporate good songwriting principles into their songs.

Keep in mind these tips for writing songs and you'll never go wrong. Remember, writing songs is an art form. Learning never stops, so it wouldn't hurt to keep on practicing to hone your craft. Making smart lyrics and catchy melodies entails a lot of practice. As you learn more about the basic songwriting principles and rules of the game, you will become more adept and skilful in bending those rules. Listen to the pros, and you will eventually master the art of songwriting. Listen to them; take note of the different techniques they use, and you won't miss out on the key ingredients to enhancing your skills.

Jim A. Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

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Vetiver Dives Into New Songs

I realized last night that it's quite possible that I see more shows at Mercury Lounge than anywhere else. I walked up to see Vetiver with Luke Rathborne, and the bouncer informed that he didn't need to see my ID anymore because he knows who I am by now. The woman inside who runs the guest list is a harder shell to crack, but I'll give it time. And I guess I need to give props to the Mercury Lounge bookers for always booking bands I want to see. Good job, guys.

Luke Rathborne was a prime example of why it's sometimes good to catch the opening act. For me, he was the standout surprise of the night and I wouldn't have minded if he played longer. He started off with no frills or introductory talk, dressed like a little like Andrew W.K. in white jeans and a white tee, except they looked washed and clean. His show was high energy, with him pounding away on the guitar while singing/screaming melancholic lyrics. "This guy can sing," someone in the audience said loudly. I have to agree. He also worked the stage more than any other act I can remember seeing at Mercury Lounge. He was all over the place. His recorded music is much more down tempo and folksy, but live he's more wild. In fact, I'm not sure he even played any songs off his Dog Years EP. No matter - I hope he rocks out every live show, because that is something to see.

Rathborne broke down at lightening speed, and Vetiver was next. Vetiver encompasses that feeling of the Pacific Northwest for me. I've never been there, but Vetiver makes me think of it. They're based in San Francisco, which I don't think even qualifies as "pacific northwest," but frontman Andy Cabic has certainly seemed to channel a northern woods folk vibe in the past.

They got to the new material off their just released (that day) The Errant Charm right away. As this album was literally released yesterday, most of their set I was completely unfamiliar with. I actually found myself wishing they played more older tunes, and from the crowd responses, I don't think I was alone. Don't get me wrong, they played a great show, but it's always a better experience when you are more familiar with the material. They played a couple tunes off Tight Knit, but I didn't recognize anything else.

Vetiver also seems to be going in a different direction with the new album. They still have that western sound incorporated into the songs, but the new songs seem to be leaning more towards a 60s bossanova feel with psychedelic jam elements. I felt like I should have been holding a cocktail instead of a beer and thickened my eyeliner more. They did play a cover of the Go-Betweens' "Streets of Your Town," right after a song that Cabic announced was partially inspired by them. For the most part, the band rolled along from song to song without much ado in between. The drummer was smiling and looking like he was having a good time, despite the fact that it was "steamy up here" on stage. It was pretty steamy down on the floor, too. Maybe it was for that reason that their set seemed to go on much longer than usual. Regardless, the band didn't let their energy drag, feeding off each other to keep it up. Towards the end I was certainly feeling the drag of the heat and contemplating getting out for air. A couple more songs. Ok, a couple more songs. I kept waiting for one of the songs I wished they would play, and my patience paid off. The very last song was "More of This." Yes! Many others in the crowd shared my enthusiasm at this, as this song probably got the most crowd reaction. We all found it within ourselves to end on an energetic high note. I want more of that, please.

Vetiver plays for their Berliner fans tonight, the first show of the European leg of their tour. Their first date back in the states will be at Brooklyn's Bell House on July 1oth, after which they head back west. In the meantime, grab yourself a copy of The Errant Charm here, and familiarize yourself with the new songs. Luke Rathborne has no further dates as of yet, but his double EP is available here, along with a book of poems.

http://www.bestnewbands.com/ staff writer Kelly Knapp is originally from Central Florida, Kelly moved to New York to be able to catch 10 times as many live concerts. Nothing beats that feeling of being surrounded by reverberating live sound for her, although hot snickerdoodle coffee on a cold day comes close. Kelly is also an independent jewelry designer on Etsy, where she has a small collection of pieces inspired by her favorite songs. Besides trying to catch every live show she possibly can and designing mixtape jewelry, Kelly loves a messy lo-fi bedroom tune, that fuzzy sound a vinyl record makes that's kind of like a crackling fire, and a good jam session with her friends.

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