Imagine by John Lennon is perhaps the most famous Pop ballad of all. The 1971 original was a huge international hit and in the decades since Imagine has built an enduring cultural presence that places it beyond the realms of mere Pop. There are many recorded cover versions, and it has become synonymous with Olympic Games opening/closing ceremonies, but the original still shines above all others. . .

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'Let Her Go by Passenger is one of the biggest hit songs of the 2010’s. Recorded in Sydney in 2012 for the album All The Little Lights, it took some time to find a wide audience but was a global hit by 2014. With it’s distinctive fingerpick intro and sweet minor chord progression, it’s a perfect track for acoustic guitarists.

Can’t Help Falling in Love is one of the most famous of all Pop ballads. Written for Elvis Presley’s 1961 film Blue Hawaii it is based on the 18th Century French love song Plaisir d’amour by Jean-Paul Martini . . . .

Riptide by Vance Joy is one of the biggest hit songs of the current Pop era. Released in 2013 it became a hit in many countries and has since become a staple of streaming services. The studio recording features distinctive Ukulele strumming but earlier live versions by Vance Joy are played on acoustic guitar. Here’s how to play it on guitar . . .

L’amour de Ma Vie is an old-school Pop progression featuring a laid back, medium-tempo rhythm that gives way, somewhat unexpectedly, to an EDM nightclub feel late in the track. The chord progression features old style ii-V-I harmony with a nice mix of open-position and bar-chord forms, making it a great chord progression for intermediate players.

Crazy On You by Heart is a great song for acoustic and electric guitars. A 1970s Rock classic, it features Nancy Wilson on acoustic guitar, her sister Ann Wilson on vocals and comes from Heart’s breakthrough 1975 album Dreamboat Annie that launched them to worldwide success.

Great use of edgy, punk energy that highlights how diverse Rodrigo’s songwriting is. Although you could play this on a good steel-string acoustic, it really is an electric guitar number. Put a bit overdrive into the tone and crank the amp up!