MUSIC_

From Green (1988), a song about the Vietnam War whose title refers to Agent Orange, the chemical used to destroy vegetation. I’m currently learning it as part of my guitar course.

This song from What Went Down (2015) got a 360° video: you can choose where to look while Foals play around you. I’m now working on it as part of my guitar course.

Dave Stewart’s guitar and Candy Dulfer’s saxophone have a conversation without words. This is the title track from Lily Was Here (1989), the soundtrack to the Dutch film De Kassière. I’m learning the guitar part as part of my course.

A ballad from Grave Dancers Union (1992). The video showed photographs of real missing children and asked viewers to help find them, giving the song a life beyond music. I’m playing it as part of my guitar course.

A psychedelic single written by Dave Mason in 1967. It was left off the original UK edition of Mr. Fantasy but reached number two in the singles chart. Now this strange little song is part of my guitar course too.

Recorded in Tokyo and released as a standalone single in 1973. The song was left off that year’s Tanx album and only joined it on later reissues. I’m currently learning it as part of my guitar course.

The closing song on MTV Unplugged in New York (1994), recorded the year before. It’s an old American folk song that Cobain knew through Lead Belly’s version. I’m now learning it on guitar as part of my course.

Back in 1964, Dave Davies got that dirty sound by slashing an amp speaker with a razor blade. The song appeared on the debut album Kinks that year. I stick to overdrive, and it sounds fantastic.

That winding riff from Nevermind (1991) gets its watery sound from a chorus effect on the guitar. I simply had to learn it, right up there with Smoke on the Water!

The smoke was real: this song from Machine Head (1972) followed the fire at Montreux Casino during a Frank Zappa concert. Deep Purple had planned to record there and had to find somewhere else. I play the riff sometimes — how could I not?

A riff from Diamond Dogs (1974) that Bowie played himself on the recording. One of my favourite songs, and I’m really proud I can play it.

Released on Heart Shaped World in 1989, it found a much bigger audience after its instrumental version appeared in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart. I’m currently learning it as part of my guitar course.

The famous “bass” line from Elephant (2003) is actually a guitar: Jack White used a pedal to shift it down an octave. One of the first riffs I learned. Sounds great with distortion.

Almost a lullaby from OK Computer (1997), though the lyrics are far from comforting. A glockenspiel doubles the chiming guitar melody. I play that riff — it’s hypnotic.

The riff from Definitely Maybe (1994) sounds a lot like T. Rex’s Get It On, something Noel Gallagher never tried to hide. I play it now and then — it sounds fantastic with overdrive.

From Help! (1965): in the film, it plays while the Beatles ski in Austria. For me, though, it’s all about that intro. I was ridiculously happy when I learned to play it.

By the time it appeared on Nevermind (1991), the song had become Breed. Before that it was called Imodium — yes, after the medicine. Explosive with distortion; I play it to blow off steam.

From (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995). The title nods to George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music. I play this one with chords — getting the rhythm right took me a while.

First a single in 1989, then part of Violator (1990). Martin Gore wrote it after reading Priscilla Presley’s book about Elvis. For me, this was the riff that started the whole guitar thing.