20 Famous 12 String Acoustic Guitar Songs

Here is a compilation I did of 20 popular songs that are played on a 12 string acoustic guitar. How many can you recognize?

[@kcirtapatio]

In case anyone was wondering... 1. Ticket to ride 2. Wild horses 3. Maggie may 4. Stairway to heaven 5. Over the hills and far away 6. Wish you were here 7. ‘39 8. More than a feeling 9. Hotel California 10. Give a little bit 11. Closer to the heart 12. Fade to black 13. Wanted dead or alive 14. Free fallin’ 15. Hole hearted 16. Mama, I’m coming home 17. Breaking the girl 18. Jeremy 19. Cat’s in the cradle 20. I stay away

[@marshwetland3808]

Thanks for this. I failed htis test almost as badly as I failed PE.

[@davidmackay1198]

🤣@@marshwetland3808

[@phillippershing6315]

Finally! Someone who puts '39 in a 12 string video!

[@chordiepa.9268]

Indeed. A very underrated song.

[@steveparker3]

I was gonna say that too

[@rawknrolloutlaw]

Very well done, I am 64 and remember all of these songs well and you did them all justice, thank you for the walk down memory lane.

[@davejive1]

What a gas. So many wonderful 12 string songs written in the 70’s and your takomine 12 strings has a great sound.

[@neil5316]

Difficult to tell who enjoyed that more, you or me. Well done. Maybe one day I'll be able to knock out tunes on my 12 string as well as you do. Keep it up mate.

[@CCliffGeiger]

For me, this was a walk down memory lane! Out of the 20 songs you did, I got 16 right! The Major thing that blew my mind was, that these songs were written on a 12 string guitar! Outstanding Job Sir!

[@zipperhead101]

Man Brent, that was fun!!! I really dug listening to ya play. Sure enough was some good dang 12 string stuff in the seventies (and beyond) that had been sleeping in my memory. You did em justice my man! I got a really sweet Ibanez acoustic 12-string off in the case where it hasn't seen the light of day for months and months. As soon as this video is over (and I listen to it again at least once more), I'm gonna drag it out in the fresh air and back into my studio! (And then listen to your vid for a third time!!!) Party on, Brent!

[@Beatles123ful]

Awesome job! Performed perfectly. Just purchased a Guild 12 string this is a great guide of song to learn. Thanks

[@frantiseklukes4509]

Great video - no talking, just beautiful playing. Great to listen to.

[@jimbrauer7161]

That's fire, dude! Just got my first 12 string 2 days ago. Have played them before, never owned one...I'm a 6 string bandit...but I have to say, I LOVE my 12 string! So looking forward to rediscovering all those songs I loved to play before.

[@listairgin]

Nice demo! Thanks for sharing it with us all. 🌠🌅🌌👍🏻

[@charlielauffer7644]

Awesome! I just bought a Martin 12 string. Waited 6 months for it, you're a inspiration. Indeed!

[@patrickhilton9253]

I'm a big fan of 12 strings and I really enjoyed that. Well done.

[@noamglassner]

Great vid man!

[@pierrebourbonnais1495]

Very talented guy! Thanks so much!

[@ArielAlon]

Excellent! Listening to you gave me great joy. Didnt recognize half of the themes though...

[@TheGuitarman1968]

Sounds awesome! Great list of 12 string songs. Need to add some TRIUMPH from the '80s. Rik Emmett is a 12 string master.

[@federicodattellis5097]

Amazing playing dude. D´ont give a f... dislikes. I hope one day i could buy a 12 string and play in the mood you do. Salute you from Argentina, keep it rocking!

[@harveysalt4590]

Great stuff Brent sat here with my new 12 string nicking ideas. like to nick some of your talent too. Love it. Harvey

[@aicdbckmkemcm]

1. 0:00 Ticket to Ride 2. 0:54 Wild Horses 3. 1:33 Maggie May 4. 2:09 Stairway to Heaven 5. 3:09 Over the Hills and Far Away 6. 3:44 Wish You Were Here 7. 4:27 ? 8. 5:13 More than a Feeling 9. 5:42 hotel California 10. 6:45 Give a Little Bit 11. 7:32 Closer to the Heart 12. 8:23 ? 13. 8:49 Wanted Dead or Alive 14. 9:51 Free Falling 15. 10:39 ? 16. 11:49 ? 17. 13:11 ? 18. 14:11 ? 19. 14:42 Cat’s in the Cradle 20. 15:54 ?

[@pamleckybooks8319]

7. 39 Queen

[@fooniestudios2531]

20. I Stay Away by Alice In Chains

[@stephenmason2151]

11:49 Mama I'm Coming Home - Ozzy

[@justin0185]

12 - fade to black - Metallica 15 - hole hearted - extreme 16 - mama I’m coming home - ozzy Osborne

[@HeySalina]

17. Breaking the Girl - RHCP

[@stevenowen82]

Great sounding guitar! You’re a great player

[@sedonawalt]

Love the way this guy is enjoying the music! Nice playing also!

[@cowlevelcrypto2346]

Ahh the Memories! Thanks! :D

[@petermanley1908]

Fantastic 12 string playing!

[@kjellsiimon7097]

Thanks for sharing! Time well spent listening to ya! I own a 12 string Cataluna since many years, and loving it for its volumeanous sound. So different from ordinary 6 string westerns. Less attack to be used in the shorter notes, more for harmony struming. However, I think America used a combonation on "Tin Man".

[@ravensmead1558]

Many thanks Brent , you've inspired me to give the 12 string a go !!

[@scout3541]

Good stuff. I really enjoyed.

[@kevinlee975]

Well done! You are an inspiration!

[@JJDoole]

Ticket To Ride was played on a Rickenbacker 360-12 electric 12-string. Beatles songs on acoustic 12-string include Help and You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away.

[@cmankool]

You are 100% right John. I originally just did this video for some friends and family for fun. Funny to see how many people found there way to the video to check it out though. Help or You've Got to Hide Your Love Away would have been good choices. I just really like Ticket to Ride.

[@cuda426hemi]

John used his little Rickenbacker 325-12 made especially for him at about this time as well (Beatles for Sale) - LOTS of guitar on that track. 🎸

[@samburkes7552]

John Doole, most exactly!! Also that little lead line on "I've Just Seen A Face"..prob. played on that same Framus 'Hootenanny' 12-string John played on "Hide Your Love Away" & "Help"..Think there's an acoustic 12-string rhythm part on "I'm A Loser"..I think.

[@cdautrey]

Excellent!

[@malcolmboynton7652]

just stumbled across your video. nice job. was hoping to see my favorite 12 string song. walk right in. rooftop singers 1963?.

[@marionkizzard4242]

Awesome music to my ears, brilliant LOVED IT. MAAZ.OZ

[@vladartov2817]

Thank you!

[@jeffreyhawes]

that was good nice to listen to music unplugged

[@1066wastrel]

had to read the comments to get No2, Cat`s in the cradle`s double date ALMOST threw me, then it twigged, great playing man, a 12 string is my next (don`t tell her, cos it`ll be my 11th-how ironic is THAT!!) loved it, thankyou.

[@fbrieden]

Nicely done and sounds just like my all-black Tak 12 string cut away.

[@sh230968]

Very nice Over The Hills and Far Away.

[@67buzzo]

Just bought the same takamine 12 string guitar , love it!

[@mitchmitchelluk25]

Very poor that you have 2 dislikes, I think you have done a great job thanks for doing the videos buddy

[@cmankool]

Thank you very much Stuart! I appreciate the kind words. I know that by putting my videos out on KZbin I'm subject to everyone's opinion and criticism. My friends and I actually have a good laugh with the dislikes (ha ha) ;)

[@mitchmitchelluk25]

@@cmankool thanks for the reply, it’s hard times right now all over the world and your videos sure will make a difference to many people wherever they are, keep up the good work and I look forward to watching more when I get the chance Brent..

[@peterking1270]

Keep it up,mate.

[@ranabirgahir462]

Nice One

[@chordiepa.9268]

I've watched a few of these 12-string compilations and you're the only person to include 39. Kudos to you. It deserves a lot more attention and respect than it gets. I first heard 39 in 1977 on a college radio station. I was so enamored I went out that weekend and bought the cassette just for this song.When I decided to take up the guitar 5 years later, I told myself I was going to learn it. 24 years later I finally put my mind to it. Whenever I play it to an audience there's always someone that asks; What was that?! They're always surprised when I say Queen. Lol.

[@j.d.schultzsr.9215]

Been picking 12s since 1964. Now with a houseful, spend most acoustic time with 1982 Yammy FG260. A few of my favourites: 1. Mississippi Delta Blues (J. Rogers/Merle Haggard 2. Love In Vain (Stones) 3. You"ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (Beatles) 4. I'm Looking Through You (Beatles) 5. Mama You've Been On My Mind 6. Goin' Up The Country (Henry Thomas/Canned Heat) 7. Big River (J. Cash/Travelling Wilberries)

[@troyrichardson2438]

Awesome playing! You can see the love for the music in your face when you play. Beautiful sunburst Takamine your playing!

[@jlk8810]

Do I hear a Gibson? Now, your music is worth listening to thank you 🎶

[@jediprestes]

Ótima aula!!

[@davewill0819]

Very good job of highlighting the role of the 12 string in music history. I'd like to know if you have always strung your guitar with the high octave string above the lower octave string? I first played 12 string guitar on the 1960's (When You Walk in the Room, Needles and Pins, Look through any Window, Kicks) and have always strung my 12 strings with the low note above the higher string. Have you tried both and this is your preference or have you strung you guitar from the beginning? I'd love to hear comments from all 12 string players.

[@danielesilvaggi]

Wow just wow.

[@AmericanMonster]

Nice!

[@banditdarville.]

Most of the info below credited to kcirtapatio, I added the timestamps, hope this helps. 1. 0:06 - Ticket to ride 2. 0:51 - Wild horses 3. 1:31 - Maggie may 4. 2:07 - Stairway to heaven 5. 3:07 - Over the hills and far away 6. 3:43 - Wish you were here 7. 4:25 - ‘39 8. 5:12 - More than a feeling 9. 5:38 - Hotel California 10. 6:43 - Give a little bit 11. 7:30 - Closer to the heart 12. 8:21 - Fade to black 13. 8:47 - Wanted dead or alive 14. 9:49 - Free fallin’ 15. 10:37 - Hole hearted 16. 11:48 - Mama, I’m coming home 17. 13:09 - Breaking the girl 18. 14:10 - Jeremy 19. 14:39 - Cat’s in the cradle 20. 15:51 - I stay away To the video poster, very well played, and thanks for the video, I will see if I can learn to play some of these.......

[@jimfirmstone984]

Totally awesome Just bought Takamine blonde Jumbo 12 string today. Mine sounds a bit squeaky so I was wondering which stings and gauge you use?? PS there is nothing better than watching someone who is really enjoying when they play. Its so satisfying when on rare occasion when I get it all right even rarer when its witnessed. Go you good thing

[@Yu54m18]

Nice. Can't believe most everyone misses one of my favorite... The Wizard by Uriah Heep

[@NeglectedField]

Great choices - got *nearly* all of them. I think Good Times by David Lee Roth would've been a good one

[@cmankool]

That would have been a good one for sure!

[@keithh7477]

Love the 12 string jangle! Gotta go get my Guild JF30-12 off the wall.

[@mikeglasgow6656]

OH NO !!!!! THE FORBIDDEN RIFF

[@orvillegibson1945]

#5 , great picking. OtHaFA is a Zep classic.

[@JerryDechant]

This might be a weird question to ask, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway. :) I don't have a 12 string guitar, but I do have 2 acoustic guitars. I was thinking about tuning the second one to the octave up on the E A D G strings and the B & E like normal. Then I could record one on one track and play along with that track on the 2nd guitar to get the 12 string sound effect. Anyway, could I use the normal strings on the 2nd guitar, or would I have to replace the E A D G strings to be able to tune them up an octave without breaking the strings?

[@brucelanzerotti]

Excellent, I'd love to see you do some 12 string work on John Denver and Jim Croce, any chance?

[@zipperhead101]

And dang!!! What was #15? Killin' me, man!

[@CraigKostelecky]

Hole Hearted by Extreme.

[@kw...6438]

You missed" Suite Madame blue" 1975 and "Crystal Ball" 1976 both by Styx

[@brianmooney978]

Nice

[@celestelongway7315]

Finally, Metallica. Thumbs up from mtw and 99 in L.A. Former jam night hosts. Congratulations on your post

[@jeff0247598]

Pay the trolls no mind brother, sounds great! She really rings!

[@leizheng9089]

one feature of playing 12String, i guess, must be to grow giant and flexible fingers

[@timothyriley6161]

Like the knocks on hotel cali lol !

[@sutlumuzV2]

oh this is epic

[@JoYiSgUiTaR]

Great Video! I’d recommend checking out the music of artists like Ariel Camacho, Fuerza Regida, and Eslabon Armado, they use this type of guitar excellently

[@ralphambrosio2655]

Whoa!

[@jamesnicholson9392]

James Scott Nicholson, I didn’t mean to offend anyone,and the grammar came out bad because of my microphone on my iPad. Brent there is nothing wrong with your playing and your axe sounds great,I was only sharing knowledge....people get so defensive when you correct them!!! If I was playing something wrong I would take criticism with open arms one man’s wisdom is another man’s knowledge once again hope I didn’t offend you I didn’t mean to, and the simple correction to myself the verses for wild horses are B minor toG to a minor to C 2D and then G again and like I said there is no Nashville tuning on that song one guitar in standard And the other in open G Hope this helps you like I said there’s nothing wrong with your playing sounds great

[@davidfarr8217]

Can someone tell me what number 16 is? It's amazing the way he jams it.

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

would be great if youtube can fix and show a mark between songs and a a way to advance tot he next.

[@Robin-ni8po]

nice

[@smhheppbullzllc7882]

Omg my friend is your fkn twin!!!! Yall look identical!! 😅😅 great songs FYI 🎵

[@Charles53412]

# 1 should have been Mr. Tambourine Man. It is the song that brought the 12 string to the forefront. Good job !!

[@blaws6684]

The topic is acoustic 12 strings. But I agree that mcguinn did make us all aware

[@Charles53412]

@@blaws6684 True ! So when one thinks about it. 'Walk Right In " by The Rooftop Singers would be #1. Not only is it pre-Beatles, and was written in 1932, but it features two 12 strings acoustic guitars as well.

[@blaws6684]

@@Charles53412 good call! The seekers used one too

[@Charles53412]

@@blaws6684 Yes they sure did . LOL, I forgot about them.

[@blaws6684]

@@Charles53412 and no autotune or compu-drummy crap.

[@captaincrankysdock9730]

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but you started to lose me around 1977. I love the 12 string, and I tend to look for songs that weren't necessarily performed on a 12 string, but sound perhaps better solo on a 12. Some ideas: "Diamonds and Rust" (Joan Baez), "Baby Blue" (Badfinger), "Roads to Moscow" (Al Stewart), "Paint it Black" The Stones (You don't miss the sitar so much when you use a 12 string), And that old party favorite, "Brown Eyed Girl".

[@msherer260]

Does anyone remember the 12 string on "It's Gonna Be Alright" by Gerry and the Pacemakers? Also "Ferry Cross the Mersey " original single.

[@musicreview3727]

May 1976: 39' by queen, one of my favorite song.

[@jamesnicholson9392]

JAMES SCOTT NICHOLSON, AGAIN, I FORGOT TO SAY THANX FOR THAT CHORD ON TICKET TO RIDE, I forget the name of it( the diagonal one) once again sounds great

[@samburkes7552]

..Have played "Ticket To Ride" on my Rick 12-string in a few bands...That 3-way chord is Gmaj7, Gopen6th, G flatted5th..That's what Harrison does on the recording on his Rick 12..

[@jamesnicholson9392]

Hey thanks again and I gotten a big fight with some guy that left a comment on your thing just because I corrected you in the G-Amin so I told him if I was doing something wrong I would want somebody to correct me nothing wrong with getting advice from somebody like I told him one man’s knowledge is another man’s wisdom and look at this we both helped each other out I think that’s the way life should be don’t you anyway your 12 string I used to Own one, when I first started playing guitar I wanted to play leads so I took six strings off then I was told guitar was no good because I ruined The neck it was 1983 and I didn’t know any better so I sold it for 50 bucks I Paid 800$ with fax I didn’t know you could reset the neck first guitar I ever bought anyway thank you hopefully we can keep helping each other I just learn music theory Through COVID James Scott Nicholson Ontario Canada

[@Moon62118]

1976 seems to be the time the greatest music of all time was released

[@SoutherMusings]

You must not have grown up through the 60s and 70s..Some good songs here though

[@uacmarine3378]

without cheating, first one sounds familiar, can't pin it. 2nd, oh yes, Wild Horses, Stones. 3rd, Maggie, Rod Stewart. 4th, Stairway to Heaven, Led Zep. 5th, no, sounds like?. 6th, Wish you were here, Pink Floyd. 7th, Nope. 8th, More than a feeling, Boston. 9th, Hotel Cal, Eagles. 10th, Give a little bit, Supertramp. 11th, no, familiar. 12th, no. 13th, Wanted ? Bon Jovi. 14th, Free falling, Tom Petty. 15th, know it, blank. 16th, Yep, sounds like?. 17th, Breaking the girl, Red Hot Chilies. 18th, nope, 19th, Cats in the Cradle, Harry Chapin. cover version, ? 20th, no, I didn't get the last one, familiar though. Think I got, 11, is that a pass? haha Thanks Brent, amazing playing, and they all sounded fabulous, cheers.

[@jamesnicholson9392]

P.S. James Scott Nicholson Ontario Canada again just forgot to say I picked up a little something from Maggie Mae off you like I said nobody helps anybody on here as much as they act like they are there’s probably many people who noticed what I noticed in Wildhorses and hole hearted. If it was me I would appreciate the correction keep on rockin bro

[@nofanfare7426]

Track name and artist/band track #15 please please pleas🙏 That was awesome. I'm 62 and got my 1st 12 string a little over a week ago and I'm lookin' for some rocky tunes to bash out other than open tuning Zep songs and Pink Floyd.

[@nofanfare7426]

I've heard the riff b4 I just can't think who it is.

[@nigelevans9943]

i am a lefty really struggling to find a 12 string

[@ronb7481]

Dang, where's the song list? I wanted to write some down!

[@67buzzo]

Can someone tell me # 11 ,16, 19, 20? Thx

[@Tomb13]

11- Rush: Closer To The Heart 16- Ozzie Osbourne: Mama I'm Coming Home 19- Harry Chapin: ( Originally Recorded ) Cats In The Cradle Later Recorded by "Ugly Kid Joe" 20- Alice In Chains: I Stay Away 🤘

[@Filipx87page]

3:12 To play a riff like that on a acoustic 12-string, so I smack it. :)

[@rodlinvon-hugenstine5142]

HC Gonna get you jammed up

[@jamesnicholson9392]

To Mark Patterson,like I said,Iwas only trying to help...I don’t know why you’re pissing up a rope,Brent thanked me for my input,and it’s him I was talking to he is the one playing...

[@TheDavidtk240]

I have a Takamine 12 string, it never sounded this good.

[@GruvenTomMusic]

Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Life By the Drop”... particularly with the syncopated beats would be a challenge. Rock on.

[@radiobrewster]

Nice job. You, like me, are cursed with big fat hands and fingers. It makes it tough to be smooth on a 12, doesn't it? Congrats on not being blocked by Don Henley, lol.

[@jaeztheone]

lovely.......pity you excluded 1927 to 1965............maybe next time....thanks

[@charlesharter3068]

I'm usually pretty good at these things, but #s 7, 13, and 17 stumped me . I mean, I know the tunes, just can't place them as to title and band. Nice Harry Chapin/ Ugly Kid Joe .

[@blaws6684]

13 dead or alive. Bon jovi I have no idea on 7 or 17

[@kingjames8283]

It is sad in a way as I listen to all these lists of 12-string hits that no one knows or remembers John Denver. Not a single person covered his music esp; Annie's Song and the many others he recorded on 12-string. I'll be honest, some of these songs I didn't get as someone once said; strumming a 12-string acoustic is nothing more than noise which is all I hear. Some songs I did okay with but others I couldn't make them out. 12-strings are perfect for picking and I envy people who can do so. I'm not positive but did Nancy Wilson of Heart do some 12-string playing? Such a gifted and talented musician she was. In my head I hear what sounds like a 12-string in Crazy On You. I'll go look for a video to see if I'm right or not.

[@blaws6684]

She’s played that song on many types of guitar. She played it mostly on an ovation 6 string for live performances

[@samburkes7552]

Jim Barrow, thinking Nancy Wilson, good player she is..and a "babe", is playing all those parts on one of those carbon fiber top Ovation "Adamus" acoustic guitars..prop. the highest end guitar Kamen produced back then. They had a really "real" acoustic sound...but they were pricey!

[@markhill9275]

Where is Thank you, When the Levee Breaks, Living Loving Maid, Tangerine, That's The Way, Song Remains the Same, Teavelling Riverside Blues? You could fill the whole list with God Songs!

[@guitartec]

And You And I by Yes, no?

[@rightsideclyde1398]

Be careful how you play #9. They have an algorithm to detect unauthorized playing of their songs. Same goes for #12.

[@andrewmoore1735]

Missed "Perfection" by Badfinger

[@keegantoresdahl2025]

YAAAA HOTEL CALIFORNIA

[@samburkes7552]

Now, there ya go!! A quintessential acoustic 12-string backup track for the song..makes it!!

[@pjamesvee2869]

This guy is such a cute bear. HOT.