My Best Friend's Girl by The Cars | Detailed breakdown of the entire song | Part 1

[@dommccaffry3802]

Elliot's solos were like perfect pieces in their own right.

[@jagtone]

Right. Not so much guitar solos as mini-compositions - cadenzas, if you will.

[@darrentatem429]

Having been a Boston boy of about 12yrs old when the Cars hit the scene this just makes me so happy. Their 1st album was my first vinyl purchase with my allowance and paper route money.

[@bichon1964]

The Cars' first album is one of the best debut album ever IMO. Still have the vinyl, used it to the core. Great simple songwriting and genuine sound...

[@lees7836]

Elliot Easton, what a genius. Nice one Adrian. Thank you.

[@gda08]

Played in a band with Greg Hawkes and was backstage at their final show in 2011. Great group of musicians. Eliot is the most underrated guitarist from the "classic rock" era.

[@BloodySoup74]

Awesome playing!! I do have to say.. I believe Elliot Easton and Mike Campbell are the perfect examples of great guitar players that play to the song without over doing it. No needed extra riffs but they bite into it and the sound of the notes are laid out perfect.

[@donyoung7874]

You could add XTC's Dave Gregory to that list.

[@johnbedford4511]

Thanks so much Adrian. I didn't realise this fantastic song had so many layers to it. And you're the absolute master of guitar tutorial, best on youtube by far. Cheers

[@SD_Marc]

Dang, Adrian, killed it. Very nice. This is one of my favorite of the Cars' guitar songs. Ocasek is a metronome on rhythm.

[@Kendo276]

Awesome play through and breakdown! Elliot Easton is an amazing guitarist and so underrated. Thank you for the full display here.

[@jaredbracci3529]

One of the coolest things about EE is… he sounds like a guitarist who could be from NY, (He is) LA, London, Memphis, Backersfield, or Austin. He is comfortable everywhere, so it's harder to pigeonhole him & therefore he tends to get overlooked, but is as good as many of the legends.

[@JimmySaintThe]

Such a great teacher. Thanks for everything you do, so thorough and detailed, demonstrates you respect for this great music.

[@chuffa1130]

Thank you for breaking this down, I'm a bit surprised this material was on your radar, we love Elliot Easton local guy from my area in Massachusetts USA

[@pete.rizzuto]

Every lick is a bonafide ear worm… awesome work!

[@Blue_3rd]

I don’t know how this didn’t show up in my feed...but thank you! I remember when the album came out, this was my favourite track from it. Cheers.

[@markb6574]

Oh cool, one of my all time favourites! Thank you Adrian, excellent taste as usual

[@mikek1348]

THANK - YOU - ADRIAN!! In all the youtube expanse I have not found anyone who has done an accurate and COMPLETE forensic study of ALL the rhythm & lead parts of this song's recording the way you have just done! For quite some time I have been waiting for someone skilled to tackle this the way you have done. All of the guitar parts sound spot on. Now, in defense of others who have attempted or quasi analyzed this tune, maybe their focus was to streamline the guitar parts for one or two players in a live setting. That's fine but they never sounded close enough to the recording (whether due to key, correct neck positioning, or correct notes) to check the "that's it!" box for the lead guitar's parts (my apologies if such a tutorial exists that I hadn't yet found). Then there are the videos, including Eliott Easton's, that focus specifically on the rockabilly lick or the solo, or both, but not ALL the variations. Before I even viewed your presentation of your rhythm & lead findings at the beginning of the Part 1 video, I knew, because of your detailed past videos, this was going to be the one tutorial of this song that everyone will rely on. It speaks volumes to your tenacity and work ethic as a musician and is greatly appreciated. What a spectacular way to begin the new year on your channel and thank you for all of your time, hard work, perseverance, talent, and skills.

[@rodgermcmillen8662]

What a great tutorial on that song. Great tones for the different parts. The best one that I have seen on youtube. Love the look and sound of those Trent guitars

[@VincentBowe]

Fantastic breakdown of this classic tune Adrian. Really really well done!

[@royalmonocle1322]

Love this Adrian, had worked it out a few years back from other videos, will give it another go now that I have the definitive lesson! Elliot Easton is a beast

[@kingbee1971]

Can you imagine being a member of a band that can consistently produce such great music? What a great groove!

[@BlackRaven156]

Masterfully made tutorial!!! Your lessons are top notch!

[@cheapskate8656]

Wow, its amazing how well the song stands up as an instrumental.

[@williampicone5034]

Love it! Incredible breakdown. Thank you!

[@johnkibble75]

Best guitar content on KZbin, great stuff Adrian.

[@RPATX]

Yes! Thanks for doing this one!

[@firstboyonthemoon8876]

If you guys like this number, then check out the song Spanish Stroll (1977) by Mink Deville. It's safe to say that the inspiration for My Best Friends Girl probably came from that track.

[@davidgerrard8661]

Just thinking exactly that!

[@johng2880]

Anticipating part two!

[@tommcdermott11]

This is awesome, been messing with this song for 30 years, always trying to do it in F, lol! My head would explode if I found a better breakdown of this song than what's right here, thanks again for another excellent lesson on a great song.

[@mikedtubey]

Elliot Easton, One of the Most Creative Guitarists! Great Job!!!

[@withnail60]

Wow Adrian, mate you can play that guitar, or the guitar. I love your lessons, but I think I will just sit back and watch and enjoy you doing your thing! G’day from Australia.

[@ipadmornings]

Brilliant. What a way to kick off the year. Thanks, Adrian!

[@andrewbrooks8676]

An awesome tutorial for a great song. Thank you Adrian for this and your other amazing lessons.

[@oibal60]

Well done.

[@seantuite4223]

Just terrific Adrian…. One of my all time fav tracks 🎉

[@lucasolari3756]

GREAT VIDEO!!! with all the guitar parts, very very nice!!!

[@sledge1960]

I was wondering for a long time Adrian when you were going to get round to this old classic. Great stuff, what memories it rekindles.

[@67mck95]

Keep up the great work spot on every time

[@vincemaciunskas167]

Wish you were close enough for lessons, you’re an inspiration!

[@ramoncranert8177]

Yeah, Adrian! Elliot Easton was influenced by the Bakersfield (California) country sound. 🎸🤠

[@DennisMC1974]

Sounds Great Mate,I Love The Cars Seen Them Live When I was a kid in the 80s 😎🎸🤟👍

[@unrequitedmusic8004]

Cars drummer David Robinson lives in my town. Super nice guy.

[@billwaller4993]

Great choice. Always thought that the rockabilly guitar part sounds like the riff in the Beatles "I Will".

[@jaredbracci3529]

In fact it is. EE mentions this often. However, The ‘I Will’ part is a stagnant line. EE was looking for more movement, as one of his main techniques as a guitarist is to follow, or highlight the chord tones in his solos, much like a Jazz player would. It gives his solos, more sophistication and a sing song like quality.

[@CC-qb9sm]

Awesome choice and lesson!

[@jeffstanton5526]

Kick ass. Well done.

[@timdouglas620]

Between Elliot Easton and Mike Campbell… you’ve got a lifetime of guitar study. 👍

[@donccarlos9794]

Excellent work!

[@donyoung7874]

I bought the first Cars lp when it came out. It took my sister a little while to warm up to it. She thought it sounded like the Archies. How Best Friend's Girl ever sounded like the Archies is beyond me.

[@ozzyfarrow9872]

Great choice

[@jayditzer2082]

Great choice!

[@nocaster51]

MAN your tele sounds good.

[@tigertuft]

haven't started the lesson yet but thanks Adrian, the playthrough was a joy :)

[@davidgerrard8661]

Some of these great parts remind me of Spanish Stroll by Mink Deville. But that's like the Velvets. Very NYC Another classy choice Adrian 😊

[@John-uo4uc]

The tab I viewed and practiced with wasn't lining up with what my ears wanted to hear. Most of the time, it's my struggle with the rhythm or speed or both that is the primary setback. However, what you said about positioning is key for me. After sliding from G# to A, this tab shows open 1st string E, then 2nd fret and string C# note and 'A' note 2nd fret 3rd string before ending somehow with open E, B, E, G, 1st Fret G#. I first attempted learning this riff in 2012, but quit. Soon I will cross it off my bucket list- thanks.

[@bobd6711]

You make that shit look easy. Well done.

[@The..Butterfly..Effect]

Elliot Easton and the Cars is a unique band. -

[@chrsrans1]

You’ve done a fantastic job on this one, you should proud, thank you. 👍

[@ultrakool]

dood, you kinda resemble the cars keyboardist greg hawkes 🤔

[@LARRYWAITE]

thanks for breaking down this track -- reminds me a bit of how Harrison might have written his parts for a track like this. > tres tasty!

[@scenario1236]

Wow outstanding performance!

[@zacharybyers]

This is a great video!

[@antonchigurh3226]

The bit at 1:57 is straight out of “Words of Love.” Ocasek & Easton had such delightful and downright intricate guitar interplay.

[@aidanhickey9845]

Straight out of "I Will."

[@Barry101er]

Certainly one if the great examples of New Wave; it’s all there.

[@midrangesupport]

Great job at this

[@heyjarrod]

… and for that country sounding lick-fourth position-Elliott is picking that subtle grace note on the high E 4th fret, before going back to the open E chord shape to finish the cycle. Slowed down and with that slap back delay/echo, sounds like he’s hitting it twice. I’ve been working on this song recently. I’m trying to get things as close as possible, so I’ll sometimes slow it down to 50%. 😝🤘🏻🎸

[@MrAnthony000004]

great lesson adrian well explained

[@Smiffy830]

Yep, there's other tutorial for this brilliant tune, but, they ain't Adrian's tutorial. If I'm going to learn I'll do it properly Adrian style. Oh & thanks for Kid, man you nailed it.😊

[@matthewprimeau8552]

awesome ....thanks!

[@JamesPetroff]

Shut Up and Play points out that the first Easton rockabilly riff is taken from the Beatles' "I Will." Elliot Easton probably changed the fingering on fourth and fifth notes because he is totally lifting it otherwise. He admits he used it from the song.

[@nick39]

Excellent job brother! Your execution of each part was perfect! Thanks for the lesson! This is one of my favorite songs. I have a request. Could you cover the rhythm and fill parts of Van Halen’s “Dreams”? I’ve seen quite a few solo lessons but not many rhythm a fill lessons. Thanks for your hard work! I subscribing to your channel. One more thing, you’re a fabulous musician!

[@rjdmccarthy]

Awesome.

[@raycochrane3971]

It, at the time reminded me of an updated Buddy Holly...still does.

[@ThaiThom]

I think Elliot Easton said in an interview this song is his favorite Cars song to play.

[@stuarthildersley565]

Excellent 👌

[@ChrisM541]

Excellent upload, superb tone, superb playing of a classic song. Is that guitar neck tiny or do you have uncannily long fingers? I think you can wrap them round the neck twice...maybe even three times!

[@billcook4768]

For a “New Wave” band, they could really rock when they wanted.

[@taylormade17]

Elliot and Ben ,,, two of my favs!

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Love this format ,GG 👏 Like deployed 👍 😎🎙🏎✅️

[@theaquabatsrule777]

Hell yeah

[@heyjarrod]

… and remember, in the intro, Rick holds that second chord just a bit longer. Can’t forget that one. 😝🤘🏻🎸🇺🇸

[@heyjarrod]

… and during the chorus, when Elliott hits those two A chords, don’t forget that third fret on the B string on that first downstroke. I believe that might be called a suspended cord? Then back to the A chord on the upstroke. You can really hear this on the isolated guitar track. What an eye-opener that is. 😝🤘🏻🎸🇺🇸

[@JasonM96]

Awesome job, Adrian. Is the studio recording one of those where they sped up the tape a bit? It sounds like it’s tuned somewhere between E and F.

[@knockitofff]

You ever think about doing a Greg Hawkes tribute?

[@chuckvandamme9835]

Anyone else think the twangy chorus riff was lifted from the Beatles' I Will? Sounds very similar to my ears

[@jaredbracci3529]

EE himself says it was the inspiration. But the ‘I will Riff” is static. (by no means do I mean not good) EE”s riff, moves with the chords, which is one of the signatures of his lead playing. He plays through the chord changes like a Jazz player would. Now that I think of it, he's kinda like an 80’s George Harrison with a little more flash.

[@lamper2]

How about THE MARBLES? FORGIVE AND FORGET? next Los Straitjackets should learn your play through and add it!

[@mellojello766]

Super like. Big banana on my face. Nice choice 👍

[@frankivassi4305]

Im confused in your explanation of the A/F# and what are you playing during the lick?

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

What did you use to get that Elliot Easton tone out of your Trent?

[@PaulWilliamsIE]

Adrian, you're a mind reader......

[@georgesamiotes3066]

That looks just like you front and center.

[@jagtone]

That's why they're called related minors.

[@crisprtalk6963]

I think the country stuff sounds better in F.

[@deathmaybeyoursantaclaus]

My face lit up when I read the notification. That's my weekend sorted! Great song choice!

[@burnsy55]

Excellent choice and lesson!