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Jan 14, 2023 · What Are The Best 12 Bar Blues Songs? 1. “Pride and Joy” By Stevie Ray Vaughan. 2. “Rock and Roll” By Led Zeppelin. 3. “Tush” By ZZ Top. 4. “Johnny B. Goode” By Chuck Berry. 5. “Going Up The Country” By Canned Heat. 6. “Hound Dog” By Elvis Presley. 7. “Tutti Frutti” By Little Richard. 8.
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- Blues Chords
- “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry
- “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley
- “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown
- “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King
- “Rock Around The Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets
- “Stuck in The Middle with You” by Stealers Wheel
- “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman
- “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
- “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan
- “Mustang Sally” by The Commitments
Kicking off our list is the explosive “Johnny B. Goode” by none other than the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry. Released in 1958, this iconic track is not only one of the greatest 12-bar blues songs, but it’s also widely acknowledged as one of the most influential songs in the history of rock music. The song tells the semi-autobiographical tale o...
Another legendary 12-bar blues song that deserves a spot on this list is from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. “Hound Dog,” released in 1956, is another defining track of the 12-bar blues genre. Driven by Presley’s energetic and infectious vocal performance, “Hound Dog” is a classic example of 12-bar blues in popular music, with its charac...
The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, stamps his indelible mark on our list with “I Got You (I Feel Good),” a bona fide 12-bar blues masterpiece. Released in 1965, this song became one of Brown’s signature tracks, catapulting him to international stardom. “I Got You (I Feel Good)” is an exhilarating demonstration of Brown’s dynamic vocal style. The s...
When it comes to blues, few names resonate as powerfully as B.B. Kingand his heartbreaking yet soulful rendition of “The Thrill is Gone” certainly secures his place in our list. Released in 1970, this song has become one of the most enduring anthems of the blues genre, showcasing King’s soul-piercing voice and the virtuosic command of his beloved g...
Released in 1954, “Rock Around the Clock,” performed by Bill Haley& His Comets, is a pivotal track in the history of 12-bar blues and rock ‘n’ roll. This high-octane number played a significant role in introducing the raw energy of rock and roll to mainstream audiences worldwide. Haley’s enthusiastic vocals, coupled with the infectious guitar riffs...
Dipping into the realm of folk rock with a bluesy twist, “Stuck In The Middle With You” by Stealers Wheelis a classic 12-bar blues track that’s sure to get your foot tapping. Released in 1972, this song combines a catchy tune with sardonic lyrics that depict an awkward social situation. Adhering to the 12-bar blues form, the song stands out with it...
Released in 1995, Tracy Chapman‘s “Give Me One Reason” is a stirring representation of modern blues music. This song beautifully showcases Chapman’s emotive voice and evocative songwriting while also adhering to the classic 12-bar blues format. Chapman’s soulful delivery of the lyrics—pleading for a reason to stay in a faltering relationship—resona...
A list of 12-bar blues songs would not be complete without a nod to one of the genre’s pioneering figures, Robert Johnson. His song, “Sweet Home Chicago,” released in 1937, is an enduring classic and a significant cornerstone of the blues tradition. While many of Johnson’s recordings leaned heavily into the Delta blues style, “Sweet Home Chicago” f...
The 1983 hit “Pride and Joy,” performed by Stevie Ray Vaughan, is an exemplar of the 12-bar blues style within the realm of blues rock. This track quickly became one of Vaughan’s signature tunes and remains a staple in the repertoire of blues guitarists worldwide. “Pride and Joy” is a vibrant showcase of Vaughan’s superior guitar skills and soulful...
A fictional band from the eponymous 1991 film, The Commitmentsdelivered a potent rendition of “Mustang Sally” that became a hit in its own right. The song, originally written and performed by Mack Rice in 1965 and popularized by Wilson Pickett a year later, is a classic example of the 12-bar blues. The Commitments’ cover of “Mustang Sally” showcase...
- Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry. A key figure in the early rock and roll movement of the ’50s, Chuck Berry, released ‘Johnny B. Goode’ as an autobiographical tale.
- Rock and Roll – Led Zeppelin. Most of rock and roll, including its most popular hits, has roots in the 12 bar blues structure, including Led Zeppelin’s track ‘Rock and Roll.’
- Hound Dog – Elvis Presley. In-demand 1950s songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller penned this sassy track for Big Mama Thornton, who recorded it in 1952.
- The Thrill is Gone – B.B. King. Musician Roy Hawkins originally wrote this love-gone-wrong track in 1951. At the time, B.B. King was a radio DJ. He loved Hawkins’ work and played ‘The Thrill is Gone’ on his on-air show.
- “Back Door Man” Original version: Howlin’ Wolf. Covered by: The Doors. This classic Chicago blues style track was written by the prolific Willie Dixon. Released in 1961 as the B-side to “Wang Dang Doodle,” the song references a man having an affair with a married woman and having to leave by “the back door” when her husband came through the front door.
- “Black Betty” Original version: Lead Belly. Covered by: Ram Jam. “Black Betty” was recorded in the 1930’s by musicologists John and Alan Lomax for preservation in the Library of Congress’ Archive of American Folk Songs and was officially recorded by Lead Belly in 1939.
- “Crossroads” or “Cross Road Blues” Original version: Robert Johnson. Covered by: Cream. Has any other blues musician had more of an influence on music than Robert Johnson?
- “I Can’t Quit You Baby” Original version: Otis Rush. Covered by: Led Zeppelin. Yet another song written by Willie Dixon makes the list, becoming a hit for Otis Rush in 1956.
- Brett Milano
- 5 min
- BB King – The Thrill Is Gone. Producer Bill Szymczyk – yes, the same one who’d make millions a few years later with The Eagles – caused a small revolution when he added a string section to this track, otherwise one of many smooth ballads that BB King recorded in the 60s.
- Robert Johnson – Me And The Devil Blues. One of the last recordings he made, released on the Vocalion label in 1938, this classic fable about Satan calling in a debt, helped to fuel the long-held myth that Johnson had made a Faustian pact with the devil at a crossroads, exchanging his soul for musical success.
- John Lee Hooker – Boogie Chillen. Hooker’s biggest commercial success was during the years 1949 to 1951 when he was in his thirties; he put six singles in the US R&B charts, the first of which was “Boogie Chillen,” which went all the way to No. 1.
- Little Walter And His Jukes – My Babe. Louisiana harmonica player and singer Marion Jacobs is better known by his blues sobriquet “Little Walter,” and rose to fame in the 1950s when he racked up 15 hits for Chess Records’ Checker imprint including “My Babe,” which spent five weeks at the summit of the US R&B singles charts in 1955.
Aug 9, 2023 · The 12-bar blues chord progression is the foundation of numerous iconic songs across various genres. In this blog post, we'll delve into six famous songs that are built on this timeless chord progression.
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In this lesson you will learn all about a top 6 famous songs built on the 12 bar blues progression and how you can play them also!
- 27 min
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- YourGuitarSage
