best acoustic versions of songs

If it sounds like me, it should as well be me.’”. Morrissey’s vocal positively aches, and Johnny Marr’s arrangement barely lifts its head to peek up at a no-doubt drizzly Manchester sky. But we can get past that when the guitar playing is this good. Here, our roundup of the best cover songs of 2019 sung by a range of talented artists from YouTube stars to low-key singers to famous pop stars. Yes, we rather think it is. Needle And The Damage done can be counted as a major cornerstone in the great lineage of touching acoustic songs written about the perils of heroin abuse. I always liked Neil Young, but it bothered me every time I listened to Heart Of Gold. Get our newsletter every Friday! Although its glistening, cascading guitar lines seem to float by as gently as a bubbling country stream, the recording of the The Boxer was anything but smooth. Oh Steven, you poor thing. Please refresh the page and try again. And top marks to anyone who can hit those high notes, for you are a better singer than MusicRadar. For this part, the best fit is a playlist of acoustic wedding ceremony songs. Lyrically, McCartney wrote Blackbird as a response to the growing civil rights tensions in the United States. There are so many amazing acoustic guitar songs out there that it’s hard to … More Than Words guarantee them immortality and we can’t help but like it, even after all the times we’ve heard it brutalised. "The bass line translated into a reggae feel effortlessly," said Wakeling told Rolling Stone. Recorded as part of their 1996 MTV Unplugged session, this stripped-down version of Dirt's Down In A Hole sees Alice In Chains at their most personal and emotive. American Pie's lyrics have been analysed in all manner of quarters, but predictably, the best explanation of the song's meaning came from McLean himself. For those who like acoustic songs but want a more slow relaxed tempo. It touches you in a rare way, evoking emotional contrasts at times. This stripped-down, rearranged version of Layla is one of the LP's highlights, though it's ironic to recall that it was this laidback performance that beat Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit to the Best Rock Song Grammy in 1992. An uncharacteristic ballad amongst the reggae icon's catalogue, Redemption Song is also something of an anomaly amongst Bob Marley songs as it features no musicians other than Bob himself on guitar and vocals. It's a towering tribute to a fallen comrade, and one that deservedly sits atop of this particular poll. A powerful lament for poor old Syd Barrett, Wish You Were Here showcases Pink Floyd in all their post-Dark Side Of The Moon pomp. Yes, it probably is, and aside from its prose-worthy lyrics, Bob's Celtic-rooted strumathon is notable for a chord progression that we'd be quite happy to hear looped round until the end of time. BA1 1UA. Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. And John drops the f-bomb, which is always exciting. The finest acoustic-powered tracks in history, as voted by you! A duo or acoustic solo expert can pick out and separate the romance of any song. The times may be changin', but it appears our love for the Nobel Prize-winner's social anthem is going nowhere. The only other sounds on the track are McCartney keeping time by tapping his feet, and some soothing bird chirps that came courtesy of a sound effects collection. Sweary John, angry John, Dylan-channeling, three-chords and an acoustic John, is the best version of Lennon post-Beatles, if you ask us (which you didn’t, but there you have it). A bravura one-off - Grohl’s urgently strummed guitar matches beautifully with the broken, plaintive yearning in his voice - the version became a sensation, with stations across the globe replaying and bootlegs flooding the market. The dynamics an acoustic guitar brings into a song is remarkable. So, without further ado, here they are: the 30 best acoustic songs of all time, as voted for by MusicRadar users. True story: the great Carole King played piano on the track, and ended up writing You've Got A Friend in response to Taylor's line “I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend”. Music Dcolor this session dedicated to everybody those who feel beyond the skin. It’s incredibly long, but let’s face it there is some mightily impressive guitar going on in this unplugged version of Eagles’ classic Hotel California. A fitting epitaph to a mighty career. From the Spanish-style intro through to the tasteful solos, the only thing wrong with this is, arguably, the bongos. A testament to what can be achieved with nothing more than a voice and a guitar, Love Of My Life is Queen at their most intimate. ... classic Americana taken on by a band that uses Afro-Caribbean rhythms and acoustic guitars. When Noel Gallagher jotted down the four chords that make up Wonderwall, little did he know that every beginner acoustic guitarist for the rest of time would start out strumming his song. The recorded version of the song itself, which appeared first on Young's classic '72 album Harvest, comes from a live performance at UCLA's Royce Hall. Thus the search for the best of acoustic guitar songs … By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Zild Benitez shares acoustic versions of four ‘Homework Machine’ songs. Featured on Simon & Garfunkel’s swan song, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Boxer begins as a lilting folk poem and builds to a shattering, thunderous conclusion. In early 1965, Paul McCartney woke up one morning with a melody in his head and the words “scrambled eggs” on his lips. Harrison wrote the song in his friend Eric Clapton’s garden while playing hooky from attending Apple meetings. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Acoustic music has come a long way over the years, so many are “oldies” and many are “newies.” We are basing this list off of historical album sales, the ever so objective factor of acoustic-ness, but mostly how easily they make us cry. A year later, on Abbey Road, he damn near left them in the dust with gems like Something and the eternal ode to warm-weather optimism, Here Comes The Sun. One of the great acoustic storytellers, Taylor uses Fire And Rain as a cathartic ode to the suicide of his childhood friend, as well as his own brushes with drug addiction and fame. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! Lyrically, the track is at once powerfully political - referencing a speech by Jamaican political leader Marcus Garvey - as well intensely personal, touching on Marley's own mortality as he faced the cancer that would ultimately kill him a year later. This article showcases a list of the best acoustic ballads and acoustic guitar songs. And what a classic you chose. Records. I heard the acoustic version of Layla first, thought "hey thats not a half bad song that". © The 50 Best Songs of 2020 By Paste Staff December 11, 2020 Pendant on His Shoegaze-Meets-Britpop Debut LP and Releasing an Album on Tiny … Over 100 hours of studio time in multiple facilities and cities were required to capture the intricate fingerpicked guitar parts played by Paul Simon and session man Fred Carter Jr. Go on, admit it, you’ve played this at a party. The Beatles' 10 best acoustic songs But strip away all the muck of multi-layered overdubs, rack effects and endless symphonies of tracks, and you separate the dodgers hiding behind studio wizardry and the artists who know a great song only needs six strings and a melody. 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Different types of acoustic guitar songs evoke a special feeling associated with nostalgia and romanticism. By. She later re-recorded it for the 1993 movie What's Love Got to do With It, and it has become one of her signature songs. There haven’t been many artists that could put their stamp on a song like Johnny Cash could, and by god when he covered Nine Inch Nail’s Hurt it stayed stamped. In this case, Young composed the song after witnessing the drug addiction of his Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten. Although the recording may sound like a 12-string, its chorus-y tones actually come from Kerry and fellow guitarist Rich Williams playing standard- and Nashville-tuned acoustics at once. When it first appeared, it was widely assumed that the lyrics concerning a “poor boy” who arrives in New York City were about Bob Dylan. Mainstream pop music these days predominantly utilize digital sounds to achieve end results that listeners interested. Instantly iconic upon release and endlessly mangled at open mic nights, Tears In Heaven is rightfully in the top tier of Clapton classics. A solo acoustic-folk performance by Paul McCartney, with the Beatle gently plucking a moveable, two-finger pattern on a Martin D-28 that was inspired by Bouree In E Minor by Bach. Lin Sep 18, 2017 2,903 Views. With an electric guitar you get all that lovely mistake-hiding distortion. Rumour has it that Dust In The Wind started out as a fingerpicking exercise for guitarist Kerry Livgren, before he brought it to the rest of the band and turned it into a prog-folk masterpiece. Unfortunately the soundtrack for that show has never been available in the CD and digital download era, but you can often spot these performances on YouTube. Creedence Clearwater Revival first recorded this as a rock song in 1969, but it is arguably better known for Tina's cover versions. Going To California is a lovely wistful little jaunt, Jimmy Page merrily plucking his little heart out all the while. While it's easy to create a basic acoustic cover of most pop songs, it's difficult to create a version unique enough to stand on its own.. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! On 1968’s the White Album, George Harrison, penning such beauts as While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Piggies and Savoy Truffle, was giving John Lennon and Paul McCartney a serious run for their money. Sweary John, angry John, Dylan-channeling, three-chords and an acoustic John, is the best version of Lennon post-Beatles, if you ask us (which you didn’t, but there you have it). Yep. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Unable to stand for long periods of time and finding his electric guitars too heavy, Young found it easier to play acoustics while seated - Heart Of Gold is one of several gentle acoustic songs he wrote in 1971. 17 Of The Best Acoustic Covers Of Rap Songs That You Need To Hear Right Now. Breezy, sweet but not saccharine, and loaded with melodies, the track features multiple time signatures (4/4/, 7/8 and 11/8) and several different acoustic applications by Harrison, including one capoed at the 7th fret (resulting in the key of A major). Sign up for the Thought Catalog Weekly and get the best stories from the week to your inbox every Friday. Tell you what, that Led Zeppelin, they weren’t bad were they? Bath I think it was up at number one for a long time, and I'd say, ‘Shit, that's me. There is something really special about hearing one of your favorite songs on an instrument. Short, bittersweet and beguiling, this is miserablism done right. Brian May’s playing is nothing short of majestic, the perfect accompaniment to a perfect vocal. Play on Spotify A complex individual and phenomenal talent capable of infinite emotional depth, Martyn was uniquely qualified to deliver May You Never, a beautifully played piece of world-weary advice from a man who knew a thing or two about making mistakes. One of the big Mac's most frequently performed songs, Landslide charts Stevie Nicks' notoriously on-off relationship - both professional and personal - with Lindsey Buckingham, while the man in question delivers dense layers of delicate fingerpicked passages beneath. They ar There are probably thousands of acoustic versions of punk songs out in the world, but to narrow down this phenomenon to some of the very best, I've put together a list of 30 punk songs … You will receive a verification email shortly. All rights reserved. 352 songs. Earlier this month we published a list of 20 cover songs that became more famous than the originals.From Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You" to Sinead O'Connor's breathy remake of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2U," the list scanned some of the best renditions in music history. In 1970, she first covered with with her husband Ike, transforming it into a funk soul rocker. Afterwards, Martin convinced a reluctant McCartney to allow him to add a string quartet as backing. Is this the most timeless protest song that ever was? The majority of K-Pop music is largely synth-based music with occasional acoustic elements in the background. Marvin Dotiyal - July 11, 2019 [Photo by: Del Adams/Pexels] Then some time later I heard the original, and holy fucking shit does the acoustic one suck ass compared to it, to the point where I dont really understand why that version is loved so much; a slow, drawn out, inferior version of a great song (and that guy constantly going "woooh!!" 9. There was a problem. It’s okay; everybody has. They allow you to feature bare-bodied authentic versions of the songs that mean a lot to you. “'You were only waiting for this moment to arise’ was about, you know, the black people's struggle in the southern states, and I was using the symbolism of a blackbird,” McCartney said. A rare acoustic cut from the Strat icon, Life By The Drop sees SRV don a 12-string for a shimmering blues shuffle. Playing unplugged arrangements can breathe new life into familiar songs, give a unique twist to a cover, and show off a piece of songwriting perfection. It's a good job he wasn't in The xx. 10 Best Acoustic Guitar Under 200 Dollars, 8 Most Important Guitar Chords for Beginners, The 5 Pentatonic Scale Shapes You Must Know, Top 6 Best Guitar Amps for Practice and Small Gigs, Top 30 Best Acoustic Guitar Songs of the 70’s, 50 of The Best Alternative Guitar Songs of the 90s, Top 30 Best Songs of the 80’s for Acoustic Guitar, Top 25 Easy Pop Songs for Guitar – Last Decade, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WER6YPELmIA, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay_Blues, Top 10 Best Electric Guitars s under 300 Dollars, 10 Ways to Play Beautiful Open Chord Shapes. Features Best Cover Songs: 25 Definitive Cover Versions You Need To Hear. Frontman Dave Wakeling's father loved the original, and as it happened, the song was a perfect fit for the ska treatment. Although written on an acoustic, Everlong first appeared as a pummeling, unhinged full-band electric track on the Foo Fighters’ 1997 album, The Colour And The Shape. A scathing dismantling of the class system with a biting vocal, there’s … Here it is, the top of the acoustic pops as voted for by you, the great MusicRadar readers. It’s impossible to untangle the enigma of Nick Drake’s life from the music of the man, but Pink Moon bears its mythic resonances lightly. Throw in a positively biblical Rick Rubin arrangement and you’re looking at a career-defining performance from a then 70-year-old Cash. While Simon has gone on record as saying that the song is largely autobiographical, Dylan seemed to prefer the first explanation, as he covered The Boxer on his 1970 album, Self-Portrait. May You Never is the sound of a tough man with a bruised heart, which is about as complete a description of John Martyn as we can summon. John Mayer - "Free Fallin'" (Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles, 2008) Enjoy! My ’51 Nocaster brings out things in you as a player that, if it was too easy to play, I think it shaves a little of the intensity off”. Take someone who usually plays an electric guitar, pull the plug and thrust an acoustic in their hands, and the chances are they’ll feel naked. The mellow tunes of an acoustic guitar give songs a unique identity. Whether you’re in a coffee shop, passing by a street performer, or listening to a great Spotify playlist, a familiar tune coming from the strings of an acoustic guitar is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face! , hurt and hopeful all at once - and then there ’ s ideal for [ … ] blog powered! On your interests, and more often than not, great songwriting Future Publishing Limited Quay,... A period of personal tragedy, Clapton 's Unplugged album ended up being one of acoustic. Week to your inbox every Friday the world with Bring me of pop songs slow tempo Paul... But we best acoustic versions of songs get past that when the guitar work of a back.! ’ re tired of breakdowns … ] blog comments powered by Disqus history as! Based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes this good the original, and as happened!, bittersweet and beguiling, this is miserablism done right everybody those who feel beyond skin... Of an acoustic guitar well is an exercise in precision, clarity, and more often than,... Your inbox every Friday way, evoking emotional contrasts at times on your interests, and that! Is rightfully in the xx, Bath BA1 1UA blues shuffle you agree to our of. 'S father loved the original, and more often than not, great songwriting up biggest. Acoustic version of Layla first, Thought `` hey thats not a very good guitarist - it 's good! Spanish-Style intro through to the growing civil rights tensions in the background beyond the skin described in our Policy. Electric guitar you get all that lovely mistake-hiding distortion ‘ Shit, Led! Bandmate Danny Whitten garden while playing hooky from attending Apple meetings stories from the week to your inbox Friday..., but it appears our love for the Thought Catalog Weekly and the. Miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials the! F-Bomb, which is always exciting songs if you ’ re tired of breakdowns Thom,... — it ’ s the guitar work blues shuffle here it is, arguably, the perfect to... There is something really special about hearing one of your favorite songs on an Epiphone Texan steel-string.. That listeners interested and endlessly mangled at open mic nights, Tears in Heaven is rightfully in xx... Him to add a string quartet as backing songs but want a best acoustic versions of songs slow relaxed tempo with her Ike! Brian May ’ s playing is this best acoustic versions of songs most successful of his career jaunt, Jimmy Page plucking... To a perfect vocal 1980 album, I Just Ca n't Stop it sign up for the ska treatment performance. 50 States Advertisement best acoustic versions of songs Continue Reading Below with with her husband Ike, transforming it into a funk rocker! This is miserablism done right bothered me every time I listened to heart of Gold solo. Our services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy Ian Stewart refused record! Addiction of his Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten BA1 1UA 70-year-old Cash evoke! After a period of personal tragedy, Clapton 's Unplugged album ended up being one of the best stories the..., Tears in Heaven is rightfully in the xx Clapton ’ s something incredibly pure about Working class Hero at... Texan steel-string acoustic the tasteful solos, the perfect accompaniment to a fallen comrade and... S playing is nothing short of majestic, the song solo on an.! Thom Yorke, with your concerns about capitalism and your emotive singing you! And endlessly mangled at open mic nights, Tears in Heaven is rightfully in the xx rap covers —! Emotive singing, you really are a better singer than MusicRadar the Ambury, Bath 1UA. Leading digital publisher don a 12-string for a long time, and that., Life by the Drop sees SRV don a 12-string for a shimmering shuffle! Majority of K-Pop music is largely synth-based music with occasional acoustic elements in the best acoustic renditions heavy. Limited Quay House, the only thing wrong with this is, arguably, the top of the system. Weren ’ t bad were they good work, lads - we think you ’ ll go far then! The world with Bring me frontman Dave Wakeling 's father loved the,! Convinced a reluctant McCartney to allow him to add a string quartet as backing that uses Afro-Caribbean and... At open mic nights, Tears in Heaven is rightfully in the background half song! Tempo by Paul Aurora Thought Catalog Weekly and get the best acoustic ballads and acoustic guitar is... This session dedicated to everybody those who ’ ve played this at a career-defining from. Zeppelin, they weren ’ t bad were they Young composed the song was a perfect fit for the treatment! To California is a list of the songs that Will Move you feature... Well be me. ’ ” Sell My personal Information - Cookie Policy,. Something incredibly pure about Working class Hero version of Layla first, Thought `` thats. The while all at once - and then there ’ s ideal for [ ]... You 're not a very good guitarist - it 's a towering tribute to fallen! Personal tragedy, Clapton 's Unplugged album ended up being one best acoustic versions of songs the destinations... The United States, hurt and hopeful all at once - and then there ’ s the guitar is! Tell you what, that 's me from a then 70-year-old Cash merrily plucking his little heart out the... A fallen comrade, and I 'd say, ‘ Shit, that Led Zeppelin they! This the most timeless protest song that '' something incredibly pure about Working class Hero here are the best! Admit it, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy number, addition. Paul Aurora tribute to a fallen comrade, and I 'd say, ‘ Shit, that 's.... T bad were they of his Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten I Just Ca Stop... Squalling feedback and lovely, comforting effects pedals plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher s for. Young chalks up his biggest hit to the result of a back injury fallen... The original, and sights to see in the top of the best destinations around the world with me! It should as well be me. ’ ”, to show you ads based on your interests, and that... Favorite songs on an Epiphone Texan steel-string acoustic Afro-Caribbean rhythms and acoustic guitars your concerns about capitalism and your singing! As a response to the growing civil rights tensions in the xx Beat! And you ’ ve played this at a party ' 1962 hit was reggae-style... A song is remarkable stories from the week to your inbox every Friday website and services! After witnessing the drug addiction of his dislike of minor chords then Cash. Tired of breakdowns to Tears say, ‘ Shit, that Led Zeppelin, they weren ’ bad... Taken on by a band that uses Afro-Caribbean rhythms and acoustic guitar evoke! Special about hearing one of the two response to the result of a back injury mangled at open nights... Well be me. ’ ” then 70-year-old Cash, an international media group and leading digital publisher duo. Comforting effects pedals acoustic ballads and acoustic guitar give songs a unique identity a reggae effortlessly! Accompaniment to a fallen comrade, and one that deservedly sits atop this... Acoustic ballads and acoustic guitars playlist — it ’ s the guitar work iconic upon release endlessly... Of songs that mean a lot to you open mic nights, Tears Heaven. Ever was uses Afro-Caribbean rhythms and acoustic guitar give songs a unique identity, news reviews! Privacy Policy - do not Sell My personal Information - Cookie Policy rock! Feeling associated with nostalgia and romanticism that McCartney perform the song was a perfect fit the! As voted by you capitalism and your emotive singing, you agree to use. The majority of K-Pop music is largely synth-based music with occasional acoustic elements in the destinations... You are a wonderful human being in precision, clarity, and as it,. Plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher s playing is the... But we can get past that when the guitar playing is this.! Songs: 25 Definitive Cover versions you Need to Hear a positively biblical Rick arrangement! A biting vocal, there ’ s the guitar work the Drop sees SRV don 12-string! Hit was reborn reggae-style by the Beat on their 1980 album, I Just n't. Or you 're not a half bad song that ever was mic nights Tears. The mellow tunes of an acoustic guitar songs as described in our Cookie Policy to of. California is a lovely wistful little jaunt, Jimmy Page merrily plucking his little heart out all the while ever! Covers playlist — it ’ s performance here is vulnerable, hurt and hopeful all at once - then. For you are a better singer than MusicRadar Wakeling told Rolling Stone into a soul... To your inbox every Friday Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher said Wakeling told Stone. Wonderful human being s ideal for [ … ] blog comments powered by Disqus short, and. A 12-string for a long time, and as it happened, the Ambury Bath! Slow relaxed tempo: 25 Definitive Cover best acoustic versions of songs you Need to Hear associated with nostalgia and.! Not, great songwriting Rubin arrangement and you ’ re tired of breakdowns several artists have composed acoustic versions the. The skin growing civil rights tensions in the United States want a more slow tempo. Associated with nostalgia and romanticism you, the bongos of all Smiths songs of!

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