Chordplay - The Chords of Mötley Crüe

Here's the next episode of Chordplay with The Chords of Motley Crue.
Mick Mars is a hard rock/metal and Sunset Strip guitar legend and while some music fans might not consider Motley Crue metal, their early output (especially Shout at the Devil) was on the cusp of being metal music, especially when combined with the cult-themed logos, heavy-attack music, gothic lyrics, and overall sonic delivery.
This lesson takes a look at a number of hard-hitting riffs and unique chord-based ideas that have popped-up in Mick's rhythm style, which is aggressive and raw most of the time, but he always seems to find a way to put it all together cleanly, using either a hard rock or blues-rock based musical approach.
Mick's signature blend of sustained power chord ringing and partial double-stop riffs moving, along with his slick single-note melodic lines and fills - his rhythm style is interesting to study and learn from, not to mention getting an earful of his growling guitar tone.
It's also interesting that Mick was tuning down a whole step before ANYONE was really doing that and definitely carved his own style and sound in the hard-rocking 1980s.
In some ways, he set a tone for the dropped tunings and growling sounds that were coming from alternative and grunge bands that dominated the scene throughout the 1990s.
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[@wholelottaglove]

I’ve always thought Mick Mars has been vastly underrated. Great guitarist

[@gresnid3453]

Me too, man. IMHO, "Wild Side" is one of the most ass kickin' songs ever.

[@JeffJE44]

One of my fav Mick solos is in the song Tonight from Too Fast For Love album. Check it out if you haven't heard it. 🤘👍

[@10secs2lovetffl]

@@JeffJE44 Tonight is a cover from a lesser known band The Rasberries... Mick's greatest guitar solo IS his solo on Toast of the Town. Before laugh you ass at wearing fools. Go listen to it once or twice. Although once IS all you'll need to completely agree with me.

[@gianpaolousai1768]

Me too

[@jeffgarrison7056]

Agreed! He made that band! He created a heavy rockin soundscape that was the foundation of Motley Crude.

[@fandlpetroleum]

"Mick Mars is the secret weapon of Motley Crue." Damn, that's well put.

[@fivestring65ify]

The first two albums were built around his guitar tone.

[@Kamy.GG.Official]

*You sir have mastered the art of combining storytelling & teaching.* *Can't wait for the episodes on Scorpions, Europe, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, G'n'R, Chris Rea, Satch, Yngwie, Vai, Kiss, Toto, WASP & Whitesnake.*

[@RycheForOrder]

Motley Crue is and always will be a part of what is defined as metal for anyone that grew up in the 80s/90s metal hard rock genre.

[@duckydrummer6331]

The thing that draws a lot of guitar players to Mick Mars is you feel like you can play whatever he plays. His riffs and solos are very playable but true rock and roll. But one time I heard Mick playing some blues and he just tore it up. He didn't sound like he does with MC.

[@Scottocaster6668]

One of your best lessons. I could spend all day in the room with you trading Mick licks. Memorable riffs and solos. 👍👍👍👍 Anyone else started singing "City boy blues" when Dave started playing it? Yep, me too!😝👍. This needs a Part 2.

[@martinlahaie6012]

Man you made me pick up my guitar this morning ....😳 Man those were the days been 15 years old at the time SATD album got out...my parents went bezerk seeing the cover and the inner sleeves ... Mick Mars is a legend ... Greatings from Québec !! Merci et bon week-end !

[@scottparker7918]

I've always thought Mick was way underrated. It's almost like he wasn't even a known Mötley member, but how do you have one of the greatest 80s rock band without a guitarist? You don't. Mick is what gave them their sound, and since his diagnosis at 19 years old he has had to deal with a bone fusing disease, ankylosing spondylitis. That disease is why Mick hunches over like he does. Mötley Crüe is my all time favorite band and Mick Mars is definitely one of the main reasons why. Mick should get more recognition than he actually does, but at least the members of his band recognize how good he his. Nikki has a tattoo of Mick. You can't get much more props than that in my opinion. Thanks for doing this video.

[@brianpartlow5530]

Mick wasn't drunk driving, ODing, or doing porn so he never hit the news. He is the talent of the band, the other guys are the bad boy personality of the band.

[@Clifford2005]

Too young to fall in love is an awesome song

[@chrisweissert7397]

Probably my favorite Chordplay so far. It doesn't have to be crazy difficult to sound good. AC/DC? KISS? Keep it simple and rock.

[@ponzo1967]

I always thought KISS stood for K.eep I.t S.imple S.tupid

[@jamesdowning521]

Dude you are a well spoken , insightful guitarist . Your knowledge and prowess on guitar is exceptional .... running down all the bands and guitarist of mine and your generation is a tribute to the best days of guitar playing and the best times of our lives .. Nothing compares to those times or frankly those bands back in the eighties and early nineties . Mick Mars never got his due and he deserves some much payback it's crazy , he is as much the best musician in Motley and is certainly the glue that made that machine roar up and down the Sunset strip and into everyone town across the planet . MICK Mars is a sleazy , heavy , thoughtful and inspiring musician legend . PERIOD . Your Channel Rocks bro . Keep it Rolling Sincerely JD

[@ernstbindewald639]

Hi David, memories are coming back this Day ;-). Great tutorial and riffs..,. THX ;-);-)

[@azbababooey]

I completely agree with you, open chords of 70s/80s rock, all though simple, still sounds so much better than some of the technical play of today. And it’s completely evident in the joy you take in playing them in this video. Your lessons are really just awesome in the mixing of theory and understanding what he was going for, it just ties it all up so nicely.

[@larryshepherd5380]

Mick Mars is the greatest underrated guitarist of all time. He wrote some of the greatest riffs of the 80's.

[@i5150v1]

Larry Shepherd sorry that title goes to Dave Meniketti

[@larryshepherd5380]

@@i5150v1 great guitarist. Y&T was a very underrated band. Not just Dave. And some of his playing during the solo stuff blew my mind We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[@garychilders6634]

@@larryshepherd5380 Mick and Dave are secret treasures.

[@ccmkoho]

Larry Shepherd , biggest cliche there is “underrated guitarist”. If I had a buck for every time I heard that. From Clarence White to Mike Campbell, to ........

[@jimcreee3299]

When I saw the thumbnail , thought he's got to start with "to young to fall in love"

[@image30p]

I think this might be my favorite episode yet. I busted out laughing at least three times. And MM is definitely underrated. His riffs and the way he put them together was incredibly tasty. Thanks for a great lesson! Super awesome.

[@RobSchauland]

Fireflies in dogfights...runnin' hot in the streets. Cool riff! Then when Vince hits that high note on "head out" and the solo comes in... perfection. Mick is so overlooked.

[@scottparker7918]

City Boy Blues, one of my faves off Theater of Pain. Great Tune, but I'm such a Crüe fan I love all of their songs.

[@jasonlieberman4606]

Mick was very accurately the "engine" of the band, and it stands to reason... he came to Crüe having played since before the others were even born, and he'd paid his dues in the LA scene for years already, devoutly sticking with his instrument even while working to feed a few kids and dealing with the earlier stages of his disease. With all that experience and grit culminating in the chance to work with some high-energy kids including that do-or-die Nikki, it only adds up that he'd carve out an unmatched legacy in story of rock n roll

[@AFloodofSolaceJohnWhigham]

Great job! You are right, this is vastly underrated material!! Thanks for all the hard work you put into making these videos. Keep it up!!

[@kajlaxstrom]

Loving your videos and your format. Giving lessons, breaking down styles and giving really good insight and history about bands. I really appreciate the effort you put in. Thumbs up!

[@tallkeesh]

Great video as always! Your enthusiasm for music makes me smile. I love these tunes. My favorite Mick riff is 10 Seconds To Love.

[@MrJaydeep777]

What a great and insightful look at Mick's guitar playing. Great job!

[@livefromstudioa8245]

This is just a fantastic analysis of great rock and roll riffing. Also, tremendous guitar tone. Really awesome chewy tone. Thank you!

[@woodwa1963]

Great Lesson👍🏻Great introspective of Mick Mars

[@arrosconpollo1]

Thank you for teaching about Mick Mars!!!

[@RonRuminski]

Great video. Love Mick’s guitar work

[@martino5150]

You’re so good Dave! Thanks!

[@jlahaus]

The main riff from Too Young to Fall in Love is still my favorite Crue riff. The music video for the song was great too. Thanks for another great lesson!

[@scottparker7918]

You should definitely do a Crüe Part 2 for the other albums, PLEASE!

[@SketchEtcher]

Yes please do more Crue. Mick was so underrated that he deserves it!

[@guitardoc102]

Great lessons. Really enjoy your channel. Thanks

[@robbieblackmore7272]

Been watching your channel for a little while now and I’m really enjoying your content and the calm, knowledgeable way you teach. As a huge Crüe fan from the Day, I’ve gotta say this quickly became one of my favorite guitar videos anywhere on YT. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@youtoo2233]

Mick Mars definitely one of my favorites from the 80s. Once again some Great Playing! This is definitely one of my favorite KZbin channels

[@martinvanburen3124]

So glad I found this page. These tunes are broken down really well and his rig sounds killer.

[@reverendg5937]

Dave you always have the Best Lessons!!! Love It!!!! Keep Up the Great Work!!!

[@ddean8493]

Awesome lesson. Great memories. Thanks !!!

[@J24777]

Awesome David!!!! Keep it going!!! Glad you are doing the Videos!!!

[@voronOsphere]

In High School, I was against Motley Crue, because the Rush fans and the Crue fans just seemed to want 2 different things out of their bands, but since then, I've come to realize that Too Fast for Love is a fantastic album and how can anyone not dig Looks that Kill?!!

[@gonr.2426]

It was a shit like Ford or Chevrolet....pure bullshit, its just rock and rol....and I like it !! \m/

[@thomasaquinas601]

I can't think of anyone else who has done an in-depth look at the Crue's guitar work. Thanks for this. When Shout came out, their sound was very unique and heavy. No one gives them the props they deserve.

[@brysonz]

You have a great channel here. Always great content, your knowledge and the way you deliver the message is so different and better than most other channels. Keep the coming!

[@loveguitars]

Hey Dave, Awesome!! Thanks!!

[@stringbender11672]

Very excellent post bro. Love me some Mick Mars🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@gregs8685]

Another great lesson!

[@chrispilmoor4403]

Really enjoyed that. Thanks from the uk.

[@jerkerjansson386]

I'm sure everyone who's been watching your channel for a while was expecting pentagrams and pyros and burning pants! Great video! Mick Mars' riffs are crushingly heavy on those first albums.

[@mikefreer7996]

Mr. Mars is a is a master. The greatest at giving a song what it asks for. Nothing more, nothing less. Not an easy task.

[@patrickmcquillan3039]

Awesome , l appreciate the insight into what is happening in the chord progression and the backline story , very good teaching techniques

[@brianpartlow5530]

Life time Crue fan. Mick is a legend! He's got that disease where his vertebrae are fused together, goes through surgeries, pain from hell and is still rocking!

[@fishfry4491]

Mick Mars is so very underrated. Great guitar lessons man! Love how you use the theory in explaining things. I'm still working on building a better working understanding of theory myself. Thanks for this video!

[@mikehoward587]

I finally feel like someone understands Motley! Many of your thoughts and views match my own...well done!

[@williamlayton1827]

So happy i found this channel.

[@dagemartinez2381]

First video I ever watched of you and I love the way you walk through this and your humility is great as well!! I'm a new fan!!

[@markdakel9253]

Great review of Crüe and Mick Mars

[@tomasagustinveravicentin7789]

i'm a huge Crue fan, thanks for this one!!

[@pdooley730]

Guitar players from all genres respect Mick. 100% agree with saying he’s the secret weapon of the Crue!

[@RobSchauland]

In The Dirt, they tried to paint this album as a "shark sandwich" if you get the reference, but in reality, if you like Mick, it's the album that is most "Mick". I think Mick was still all there and a lot of the style kinda plays more toward his actual style.

[@mathewhudson7649]

i absolutely loved the Crue n Mick...Thanks.

[@caljerm]

This Chordplay series is the greatest thing ever

[@mikeriesco6174]

I really appreciate how eclectic your tastes are...you can appreciate Mick Mars, just like you can appreciate guys like Steve Howe, Yngwie, classical guitar, and everything in between -- and so do I. So many people feel that their tastes have to just fit into a single genre, and that is so not true. You're also a great player, and a very relatable teacher...keep these coming!

[@angellolopezaguayo]

Fantastic as always. Gracias!

[@mariomendes993]

Motley Crue is a great band. Amazing video, sir. Mick Mars is a great musician.

[@jay_sun_michael]

Mick is one of the most underrated guitarists ever. He is a tone genius too. His tone on the Shout album is so gritty and heavy. Dr. Feelgood tone crushes. My favorite Crue record is self titled with Corabi. Great video! You're an awesome player! Happy Holidays

[@jeffersononetwo]

Awesome dissection bro! Great tone!

[@markclare9343]

Another good one 👍, Mars and AC/DC were my real beginning of serious playing.

[@enemymine5833]

You're like that great burger and shake joint down the street. It always delivers. Absolutely nothing but enjoyable late night guitar stuff. Thank you for you!

[@chrisbonney1093]

Nice work, man. Cool video. And motley rules.

[@patrickkish6662]

Killer lesson, and a great homage to Mick. I would dare to say that out of the four members, Mick was the only true to the bone musician. Honestly, the silent mastermind of the band. He brought the rock and the rip to the table. Thanks, Dave!🤘✊

[@scottparker7918]

I do vastly love Mick, but you can't have a rock song w/out lyrics and Nikki brought those to the table, especially in the first two albums. Musicianship, no not the greatest bass player, but great lyricist. Tommy was one of the best drummers of the 80s, you can't deny that.

[@patrickkish6662]

Good point, dude. It took the whole Crue🤘

[@CarrigansGuitarClub]

Excellent breakdown - reminds me of when I was trying to learn AC\DC, Motley, VH back in the 80's

[@foadrightnow5725]

Awesome video!

[@ahazemy111]

LOve Mick Mars! Thanks! Great vid

[@bluesraincancun9217]

Someone has already mentioned it, but ill mention it again. I love your story telling while showing us how to play the song.

[@LEIFanevret]

Youre totally awesome! Thanks! And thanks! To Mick too!

[@bailey12444]

Mick Mars is my guitar hero, so underrated thanks for making this video

[@jessemusquiz4619]

I agree with EVERYTHING you said.. Thank you for making Videos. I like them

[@michaelgiordano2093]

You nailed it... I couldn't agree more... Mick Mars is the sound of Motley Crue... He's my favorite guitar player who doesn't get enough credit..😁😁😁

[@kevinsmith7-7-7]

Awesome David

[@gabecook3500]

Been playing for a few weeks now so I've been digging all over youtube for good lessons and videos explaining the intricacies of all the different notes and chords. You're probably the most eloquent explainer and knowledgeable guitar guy I've found. I cant see why you don't have more subscribers. Keep it the fuck up man!!!!

[@jessielee1520]

Dude I somehow stumbled across this video, and man I'm blown away! Sub'd and liked! Mick Mars is so underrated he deserves a fender reissue model guitar! They'd sell a tone of them! Love me some Old Crue. Great video man glad I found it!

[@mikeingram3515]

I really like the early stuff Mick was the majority of the talent in that band. Once again your talent as a great guitarist is showing thanks Dave

[@homeboyjethro]

always loved his tone and playing. very underrated.

[@brandonessick775]

Great job David!

[@warpedmetalhead]

I was the exact same way with the shout at the devil album!! Those were the days. Thanks for the recent movie suggestions. I'm enjoying watching the metal horror movies you suggested and now can't wait to watch demons. Keep recommending movies or make a list! Thanks rock on!

[@KyleSherrington]

Nice to acknowledge Mick...cheers

[@mrc2662]

This is just superb. I’d forgotten how beautiful the “....Children of the Beast” riff is. Great music and this is a cool channel

[@drewm5898]

Awesome!!

[@scottbivins4051]

Man your guitar playing just draws me in. All the theory goes in one ear and out but your playing is top shelf.

[@JeffJE44]

David - another killer vid. Thanks for giving Mick the recognition! Girls Girls Girls was the first used cassette I got at a flea market in 1988 for $3 when I was 10 and I still have it. #MissingThoseBadA$$80sRiffs 🤘😀🤘

[@TheCjbowman]

In Fort Collins back in the day, Jeff Scott Soto and his buddies brought back a cassette they got from a live show in LA with Starry Eyes on it. Told us about Nikki Sixx playing with his boots on fire and the craziness of the strip. We were blown away, and I was a fan of the Crue ever since.

[@mojoi_iv_v7_i975]

As others have said, Mick is criminally underrated I never aspired to play like him but his tone is second to none. His tone on the first two records is my gold standard for hard rock guitar tone. It's what I'm always striving for but can never quite get there.

[@drsts000]

totally agree. i also think that Mick is totally underrated. i think he writes great songs and his solos always make sense.

[@edminer9061]

Thanks for your video.

[@jimsandberg2000]

Thanks for the Mick Mars props, First two albums were awesome. Shout at the Devil rulez

[@brianosbment2343]

I've always loved Mick's playing and Motley Crue! I really dig these videos. I remember early on trying to play along with the Crue,on my guitar. I had no clue they were tuned down til later,lol. I had a good ear,but my playing just didn't sound like Mick. I can play these riffs now,lol. These videos bring back memories.

[@frooke2]

Good stuff, thanks!

[@kevy4548]

Are you mick mars's little brother? That was the best yet . Unreel

[@sergebasque8460]

Great guitare licks from Mick.

[@bluesraincancun9217]

Love Mick mars. He is a great guitarist. Mick brought all the musical ideas together. Wild side is just a hard hitting song! Fantastic!

[@ledgesintar]

I've been loving October even more due to this channel! This reminded me of when I was maybe just barely a teenager and I put my parent's stereo on the roof of our house and blasted "Shout at the Devil" for the neighborhood.... Good times : )

[@scottparker7918]

I used to move the speaker to the front porch when my Mom wasn't home for SATD. What the hell makes us do that as kids?! Hell I'm 46 and I still blast the rock & metal in my car from the Crüe, Pantera, Mudvayne and the list goes on. Guess I never really grew up in that aspect, and thank god I didn't and refuse to even if I live to 90.

[@timothyholmes4588]

wild side is the definition of heavy. love mick mars

[@monsterkxf]

Awesome dude! 🤘🤘

[@TheDrogich]

Hahaha, just yesterday I was thinking about when will you make Crue chordplay, and who would have guessed this will be out today

[@voronOsphere]

He's been a step or 2 ahead for me, too! Several times! He manages to satisfy my wish list before I can even get a wish list together!