OK, so I was feeling a little more towards the Classic Rock side and did one of my live session on the Facebooks and YouTubes with one of my favorite songs…
It’s “The Boys Are Back In Town” by Thin Lizzy… and even if you don’t care much for the song, the chord progression is super cool, with movements you just don’t see very often in rock music (there’s even some “jazz” in there!)
Anyway, hope you dig it, and maybe can spend some time with it today.
46 replies to "The Boys Are Back In Town"
As an amature song writer and guitarist for 40 some odd years, I am so amazed at how someone could sit down one day and decide to write a new song and come up with a cord progression like that? And then put words to it?? Was the guy part alien or what? And Griff an expert to figure it out. Thanks again.
Greetings from Oz .If you like Thin Lizzy counterpoint solos Check out “Southern River Band” from Western Australia. Bunch of larrikins but conceals some great musicianship. Great live act
You had me during the first 55 seconds. If I could replicate that, I would be absolutely thrilled. Any chance of more of it??? I really like that style. Any hints as to where to find that?
Actual lesson was fine as always. Just not really my thing.
love this song and the group. great lesson.
You are right in thinking that Thin Lizzy were an awesome group. Possibly comparable with Status Quo in term of followers.
Regrettably Phil Lynott wasn’t taking the ‘long course’ to fame and died too young, as Jimi Hendrix did.
There styles of playing incorporated: Hard Rock, Blues (of course), Heavy Metal, Folk Rock.
I have enjoyed your explanation of the form of the tune and will admit that I may never aspire to playing it being in my seventies now. I do however ‘promote’ your Website and your instruction processes to whoever will listen to me. Keep up the great work Griff.
Thank you for what you do! Its not easy being a teacher. You’ve got to be the best. God bless you and please, keep on rocking!
a few months back, you mentioned how much you liked Gary Moore, which took me to google. I discovered “One Night in Dublin”, a tribute to Phil Lynott. Which was great, and lead me to his incredible blues song “Still got the Blues”. Not only was he a great guitarist, he can sing as well. WOW.
thanks for explaining the thought process for harmony guitar parts!! Great lesson!!!
What a mature crowd, i guess im not, at about 1min50 sec griff says “what can i say, i go both ways” and nobody said anything….hmm
Anyhoo, another quality lesson
I really dig this classic song. How can you not like the main riff – its is so catchy.
Great taster lesson. Great tune and even better band. I was lucky enough to see them several times in London at the Hammersmith Odeon (now the Apollo) including for the live recording of The Jail Break tour. Thanks for reminding me. 😊
Griff – Fun lesson as always and nicely done in a manner that all levels of players can enjoy! Love your down to earth style. You are good bro!
Also one of my all time favourite songs. Looking forward to learning it. Thanks🤘
Hi Griff, great Lizzie track. And do you know where Phil Lynott got his inspiration from for the twin harmony guitars? Wishbone Ash! Still alive and kicking after 50 years mate!
What was the Jazz turn around. You didn’t finish it
iii vi ii V I
Cm FM Bbm7 Eb11 Ab
That should be Fm.
Starting @7:53.
My old time favorite is On the dark side . I am not cutting You up but I can hear that without the guitar being flat its not the same . Thin Lizzy might get pissed for being exact so no worries there.
Sorry dude, my patience wore out before you got to the tune. Can’t we just assume people know bar chords?
Of course we can’t!!
Can we just assume you’re in the wrong place?
Griff that was a great lesson! And one of my favorite tunes also! Reminds me of driving around in the summertime as a teenager cranking that song…thinking I was so cool lol. That lesson had so many great nuggets of info. Thanks again buddy!!
Can you provide Tabs please
Griff,
What I really enjoyed here was your willingness to experiment and think out loud as you were doing this. Made it a really organic and human video. Most teachers are only willing to show the final product. Well done.
Hey Griff- Where did you find that backing track that you were jamming over as you came in? Sounds like a take off on ZZ Top’s “It’s Only Love”…….One of my FAV’S. If you could point me in the right direction, I’d be much abliged!!! Thanx!
Thank you Griff; Gary and Scott!!!
Yes! I was never that excited until I began to not change oldies channels when Thin was rocking out Back in Town … younger me thought it a gay boy song … now I could care less … it really is a rocker!
Musical transvestite. 🙂
That was really fun – I agree! there have been times when THAT harmony on THAT song has brought me to tears.
That was superb Griff, a nice change up. Good fun.
I’m very pleased to see a classic rock song make its way into the mix!
Keep them coming…
Hey Griff – just checking…is the 3rd chord in the chorus a C# power chord, not a Cb?
Db, not Cb, I.e. the IV chord.
Hey Griff – just checking…is the 3rd chord in the chorus a C# power chord, not a Cb?
Thanks!, great lesson
GREAT cover by Thin Lizzy of the Bruce Springsteen (YES!) song : “The Boys Are Back in Town”. THANKS! for helping us Rock out today, Griff! 🙂
You are kidding, right!?
Right?
Oh, Lizzy, – how we loved them! I’m from Dublin, – grew up a couple of miles away from where Phil Lynott and Brian Downey were from. Back in those pre-U2 days, Lizzy were really our only hometown heroes on the world stage. Great band, especially live. Great songwriting, driving rhythm section, often with cool syncopations, and those twin guitar lines….
Lotsa good stuff there! Thanks for a quick rock lesson to keep us old blues guys young!
Blues\classic rock. For me that’s where it’s at
I`m looking forward to getting `stuck into `this one.
I saw them a couple of times in London,`Back in the Day`
A superb number by a brilliant live band.
Thanks Griff.
Very cool tune Griff, and not real difficult but has a couple weird chords I never took the time to finger out, haha… thanks for making it easy & giving me something to work on today with my digitech harmony man, & my new strandberg, hee hee
Cheers Griff
For the lesson enjoying the song lessons with whys and where’s I’ve been lucky enough to catch Lizzy on four occasions blew me away how tight a band could be
Great lesson – very informative. Learned a lot more than just the song
What Mark said. Lots more.
Thanks for the lesson Griff. Interesting chord sequence.
I think Thin Lizzy were underrated
Thanks for making this lesson !