Do you keep your guitar tuned a half step down to E flat? Want to know how to play those songs in the proper key? Well, look no further. Here are some common alternative tuning e flat tuning songs you may want to learn on guitar. Tune up your guitar strings to Eb tuning pitch and start learning these options today!
Our Favorite E Flat Tuning Songs For Electric Guitar
Here are our favorite electric guitar songs from the top musicians, guitarists, and bands today, played one half step down:
Guns N’ Roses – Paradise City
“Paradise City” is a song by American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, featured on their debut album, “Appetite for Destruction”. It is the sixth track of the album. It was released as a second single in November 1988, peaking at number 3 on the Mainstream rock chart and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Play this one at a high volume!
If you love GNR, try Sweet Child O’ Mine too!
Micheal Jackson – Beat it
This is an excellent guitar riff to learn. “Beat It” is a song written, performed and produced by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The song was released as the second single from the singer’s sixth solo album, Thriller (1982). “Beat It” was written by Jackson, Eddie Van Halen and Bruce Springsteen in 1982. The recording sessions took place at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. “Beat It” featured rock guitar riffs written by Eddie van Halen and a chorus sung by Jackson.
Alice in Chains – Nutshell
Jerry is an underrated guitarist in my opinion! “Nutshell” is a song by American rock band Alice in Chains, featured on their debut album, “Facelift” (1987). It was released as the second single from the album on April 3th, 1988. “Nutshell” reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 in Australia. The song was written by vocalist Layne Staley and guitarist Jerry Cantrell, who also produced it.
The Police – Every Breath You Take
Guitar players love playing this quality song choice. “Every Breath You Take” is a song made by the English rock band The Police from their 1983 album Synchronicity. Written by Sting, the song was released as the fourth single from the Synchronicity album. The song reached number one in the United States for two weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 and also topped the charts in Canada, Germany, and Spain. In 1984 it was nominated for three Grammy Awards; Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal.
Green Day – American Idiot
Ready for some pop punk guitar tones? “American Idiot” is a song by the American punk rock band Green Day, released in 2002 as the lead single from their album “American Idiot”. “American Idiot” was written by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and produced by GREEN DAY and Rob Cavallo. The song tells the story of an everyday man who loses faith in himself and society.
Linkin Park – In The End
Ready for a more modern rock guitar tune? “In the End” is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. The lyrics to the song were written by lead vocalist Chester Bennington and produced by Don Gilmore. The song was released as the first single from their second studio album, “Reanimation” (2004), on July 2, 2004.
AC/DC – Highway To Hell
Another classic that beginner guitarists can learn. “Highway to Hell” is a song written by Bon Scott, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young and originally released by Australian hard rock band AC/DC on their 1979 album Highway to Hell. The song was also released as the second single from that album, following up their 1979 big hit “Hell’s Bells”, in 1980. It is one of AC/DC’s signature songs.
Van Halen – Ain’t Talkin Bout Love
Crank your guitar amp and rock out! Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love is a song by American hard rock band Van Halen from their 1978 self-titled debut album. The lead vocalist of Van Halen was the late singer Sammy Hagar. “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” was released as the album’s first single on June 1, 1978 in the U.S., and June 6, 1978 in the UK. It peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1978 and reached number 2 in Australia.
Jimi Hendrix – Little Wing
Get out your Fender Stratocaster! “Little Wing” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966. The song was released as the B-side of “Castles Made of Sand”, but it was later re-released as the title track of a posthumous 1971 compilation album. The song did not chart in either the United States or the UK.
Heart – Alone
“Alone” is a song by the American rock band Heart. It is the third track on their second studio album Little Queen (1975). “Alone” was released as a single in 1976 and peaked at number 22 in the United States. Although it did not peak high on the Billboard Hot 100, it stayed on the chart for 21 weeks, making it one of Heart’s most successful singles.
Our Favorite E Flat Tuning Songs For Acoustic Guitar
Here are our favorite acoustic guitar songs played one half step down:
Extreme – More Than Words
An acoustic guitar classic. “More Than Words” is a song written by Warren Zevon, first released in 1980. It was originally recorded by the band Extreme in 1979 for their debut album Sophisticated Boom Boom. Extreme would go on to have the song re-recorded for their 1982 self-titled debut album. In 2007, “More Than Words” was awarded a BMI Pop Award honoring it as the most played pop song of the 70s and 80s decade.
Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn” is a song by the American hard rock band Poison, originally released in 1985. The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on both the U.S. and Canadian RPM charts. It is one of Poison’s biggest hits, and one of their signature songs.
Nirvana – About A Girl Acoustic
“About a Girl” is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. Written by frontman Kurt Cobain, “About a Girl” was released as a single in 1993 to promote the band’s compilation album Nirvana. In early 1993, the single was issued as part of a double A-side with “All Apologies”. The single was reissued in the United Kingdom in 2007. In 2009, “About a Girl” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Rise Against – Swing Life Away Acoustic
“Swing Life Away” is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against, originally released on their 2007 album, Appeal to Reason. It was released as the first single from that album and reached number one in both the Hot Modern Rock Tracks and Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks charts as well as number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was nominated for a Grammy at the 2008 ceremony.
Taylor Swift – You’re Not Sorry
“You’re Not Sorry” is a song written by Taylor Swift, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey. It was the only track on a demo recorded in Australia titled “The Moment I Knew”. The song was offered to various other artists, but Taylor chose to use it as the title track for her first album. In May 2006, Swift released the demo as an EP exclusively through her website.
Luke Combs – Six Feet Apart
Six Feet Apart is the first single from Luke Combs’ second studio album of the same name. It features Chris Janson and it was released on April 20, 2017. It has peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.[1] The song was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 6, 2017.
Daughtry – Home Acoustic
“Home Acoustic” is a song by American rock band Daughtry, released as the lead single from their third studio album, Break the Spell (2011). It was released to digital download on January 25, 2011. The song peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number 2 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart. It was certified Platinum by RIAA on July 9, 2012. A remix of the song featuring Flo Rida and Wynter Gordon was also recorded.
Audioslave – Like A Stone Acoustic
“Like a Stone” is a song by American rock band Audioslave. It was released as the second single from their second studio album, Out of Exile. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reached number one on both the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts. The song is featured in the soundtrack of the 2005 racing video game Need for Speed: Most Wanted and also appeared on its compilation Need for Speed: Underground 2.
Simon & Garfunkel – The Boxer
The Boxer is a song by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel, released in December 1969. It was written by Paul Simon over the course of one weekend on Martha’s Vineyard in August 1969, and recorded a month later.
The song was initially inspired by the civil rights movement as well as the boxer Sonny Liston, who died in 1970 while his friend Bob Dylan was composing the music for “George Jackson”.
Ed Sheeran – Wake Me Up
Here’s a nice acoustic guitar song in eb. “Wake Me Up” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released as the third single from his debut album + (Plus) on 24 July 2013, although it premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 11 June. “Wake Me Up” was written by Sheeran and production duo Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac, who also provided additional vocals and instrument on the track.
Final Words On the Eb Tuned Songs For Guitar
Thank you guitar players for reading and learning these songs e flat for guitars! Here are some more tips:
E flat tuning songs don’t have to be slow. There are a lot of upbeat covers in this tuning as well!
If you’re into country, check out Taylor Swift’s “Ours”. Sheeran, Hank Williams Jr., and Carrie Underwood also have e flat tuned songs.
If you are into metal or hard rock, check out Metallica, Thin Lizzy, Weezer, Motorhead, Slayer, Def Leppard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and other similar bands.
