Top 5 Classic Rock & Pop Mandolin Songs

[@eddiecarter9831]

My top 5 would include most of these, except I might would trade "Battle of Evermore" for "Going to California," but both are great songs!

[@Aman-gn1oz]

Hands down Losing my religion is the best!

[@RockPopMandolin]

I think so...

[@angrytedtalks]

I recently inherited my grandfather's mandolin (he died in 1965, but my aunt kindly gave it to me). I played violin as a kid, but gave it up. I play a little guitar since then but self taught and very amateur. The mandolin is like coming home. The strings are the same as the violin but strummed or plucked more like a guitar. I was delighted to find I can play almost any tune by ear, but my tremolo is atrocious and chord knowledge rather scant. I will practice these songs to improve my skills, many thanks.

[@RockPopMandolin]

That’s awesome, mate. Have fun with the mando. I know you’ll enjoy it.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

The great thing, though, is that for a lot of guitar chords, all you have to do is reverse them and then you can play them on the mandolin!

[@fireheartis1]

My Granddad played the Mandolin and he was teaching me. He died before he can finish teaching me how to play, and I don't know why but I never searched out a new teacher. I am 40 years old now and don't know if I can learn how to play now but I sure would love to try. My Grandad was a very good Mandolin player, and he didn't learn how to play until he was in his late 20's. I don't know if I can learn it this late in life though.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Lovely story. Glad you had that connection with your Grandad. I started playing late in life too, so it's never too late to learn. Your Grandad would be proud that you've picked it up again!

[@vegnewb]

I love the way you speak. It is professional but not forced or contrived.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks very much. I guess it comes from working as a broadcaster for many years.

[@carolestronski2220]

Thank you for this! Going to have my son who is a music teacher teach me mandolin and this helped me a lot thank you so much!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Wonderful! You're welcome! I have some video lessons aimed at beginners too. Check them out! www.rockpopmandolin.com

[@mug5022]

I also really like Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart by Chris Cornell. Learned it today.

[@Enthropical_Thunder]

How about "piano man" by Billy Joel? The song may heavily empathise harmonica and the good ol , well ... piano, but somewhere in the mittle of the song is a small mandolin hidden, giving the whole song a romantic Venice kind of vibe,.

[@crochet937]

I really like Maggie May! Oh, now, I'm really liking Losing My Religion!

[@jamesmorrison2063]

Great list! I saw Steve Earl play Copperhead Road. I believe he slides up to the 5th fret.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool. I’ve got another list coming soon!

[@tmpopson1]

Wow! I love Boat On the River. Just recently picked up mandolin and will be playing these and more traditional songs

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, it’s a fun song!

[@sherrihowe5631]

Maggie Mae will always and forever be my number one ❤ but …. This is your personal list ! Haha ! Not mine . The sound of a good mandolin song brings tears to my eyes … love it 🥰

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool! I love Maggie May too, of course. There really is no right answer, is there?

[@EmilyFord-t3k]

Mandolin Wind, Rod Stewart

[@gonzalosotomunoz8951]

Stand de poison,la mandolina le da un poder a esa hermosa canción.

[@trilliumpictures9650]

It would be great to learn "Girl from Ipanema" on the mandolin. I am enjoying your videos with many thanks.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thank you!

[@trueoverlie9627]

Hey Mike, Just stumbled across this channel. So awesome!! Happy to see someone out there doing mandolin lessons. Hope you make it real big someday!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks so much! Enjoy!

[@kwnorton5834]

Fortunate to find this now - we’re working on recording a mandolin in a bunch of songs. Good list.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool! Good luck with the recording.

[@kwnorton5834]

@@RockPopMandolin Thank you! We turned out house into a studio and are working with a Nashville producer. Should be interesting. We may need that luck, lol.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool! If you need any mandolin tracks, let me know. I do that too.

[@foxman105]

Yeah the moment you mentioned Mandolin songs I thought of Loosing my Religion by REM. I was like: Either he's gonna mention this song or he's a hipster. My grandfather used to play the mandolin and after his death the instrument lays dormant as a memento. While I don't want to touch his mandolin, I've been thinking of getting my own. I tried a guitar but I discovered that my university years of leaning on desks and writing down notes for hours without break left me with double cubital tunnel syndrome... I can't really hold a guitar without both of my hands' ring and pinkie finger going numb. I discovered that holding the guitar more vertical than standard mitigates this problem, but I'm limited by the dimensions of the instrument.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Try the mando. It might be easier on your hands, then.

[@QuynhNhuMandolin]

Thanks for sharing. Greetings from a Vietnamese Mandolinist 🌷

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thank you. I check out your channel, too. Really great. Your tremolo technique is superb!

[@QuynhNhuMandolin]

@@RockPopMandolin thank you for your kind words 🌹

[@Gainfulwahwah]

After midnight (really rocks on mando).... i will survive (rocks too, nice chord progression).... killing in the name of.... my Top 3

[@RockPopMandolin]

Nice. Love those songs. Would love to try RATM on the mando, too!

[@Gainfulwahwah]

@@RockPopMandolin It´s in d.... and it´s kind of made for mandolin... but here is my inspiration... lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKC7lXdrgdyUadE

[@elaineparker6171]

I've just started to play Mandolin and I love it! Also...thank you for acknowledging Ray Jackson as the Mando player on Maggie May. He deserves the credit but he can at least hold his head high. He is from my home town! The band he played in, Lindisfarne, also released a song called Lady Eleanor..which has a beautiful Mando piece running through it

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool! I’ve heard of that song but never listened to it. I’ll check it out.

[@klyde171]

I needed a page like this

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool! Welcome on board!

[@jorgengustafsson4549]

Love to hear the facts behind each of the chosen songs. Keep up the good work, Mike!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks mate. Good luck as you head home. Perhaps we’ll visit you someday.

[@olegvologin627]

Maggie May

[@GeoJesse]

Galway Girl by Steve Earle has some amazing mandolin too!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Really? Don't know that one. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@GeoJesse]

@@RockPopMandolin yep. IMO better mandolin than copperhead road. Both good in their own respect but Galway Girl really gets me jamming whenever I hear it!

[@GeoJesse]

@@RockPopMandolin kzbin.info/www/bejne/n364c3abdrBqeck

[@haroldream3270]

I know two great songs that feature mandolin in concert or record. Battle of Evermore, Led Zeppelin. And Heart, dream of the Archer.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, I have a lesson for BoE on this channel. Will check out the Heart tune.

[@gweilospur5877]

Ray Jackson also played great mandolin on Lady Eleanor by Lindisfarne.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@chrisb1953]

He also found it tough getting the recognition for Maggie May.

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@chrisb1953 I have another Jackson song tutorial coming soon.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Another good Mando song is "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls! But I like the songs you put on the list, too.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, I love Iris. In fact, I have a lesson on it here on the channel and an interview with Tim Pierce, the guy who played the part on the song.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

@@RockPopMandolin Awesome! I'll have to check that out! 😀

[@rodrich1644]

Would love for you to cover Going to California. Please

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks Rod. I want to do that song but Don Julio has such a great lesson on that already that I'm not sure I could do better. But I will probably get around to doing it soon. Here is the link to Don's lesson: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4a2nmCJfsd0qKs

[@mandobrando9405]

First video to 1k likes on your channel Congrats!!! Keep on rocking!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks, but I think you mean 1k views. I’d love to have 1k likes! Lol! Keep on rocking too!

[@GuitarisGreat1]

Great video, lovin it! Have a great weekend :)

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks! You too!

[@rzed9067]

Ray Jackson well done, Lady eleanor amongst others is another one of his classic parts on Nicely out of tune. Did loads if other stuff too with Alan hull and others associated with Lindisfarne. Sorry if some other person has made this reference.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool! Thanks for the info.

[@frankortega4280]

“Found out about you” by The Gin Blossoms has an interesting mandolin part.

[@RockPopMandolin]

I like that song. Will add it to my list.

[@ginny5937]

I'm seeking a mandolin song - just a short part of it - played in some of the Hallmark romance movies, and the lyrics are, "Oh oh, I've gotta get back to you..." with intense mandolin playing. Can someone help me find the name of the song and the group? Thanks!

[@SomeJustice19k]

Were you a radio DJ in the past because your voice sure sounds like it. Great video and awesome channel!!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Hi Mike. Thanks for the compliment. Actually, I worked in TV and radio news for many years. I was a news and sports announcer.

[@Far2006]

Dance Tonight, from Paul McCartney is missing. Great list though.

[@tatianapearson6043]

Fat Man by Jethro Tull is another great mando tune! 🙂🎶

[@matthewballay6202]

Another great mandolin song had a mandolin solo called Please Please Please let me get what I want by the smiths

[@RockPopMandolin]

Oh, good suggestion. I'll check it out!

[@michaelkeith2883]

Mandolin Rain❤

[@seamusbrowne4909]

What about something from A Hot Piece of Grass. Hayseed Dixie.😊😋🤗

[@RockPopMandolin]

Don't know that one. I'll check it out.

[@rachezzel]

I'm getting my Mando on Friday! I name all my stringed instruments after places, so I'm naming it Nevarro after the planet in the MANDOlorian!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Awesome! You will love it!!

[@galdutro]

I highly recommend you checking out the song ‘Choveu’ by Brazilian Multi-instrumentalist Beto Guedes. It is a fabulous progressive rock song that features Mandolin as the predominant instrument.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Okay, thanks!

[@galdutro]

@@RockPopMandolin I also would like to recommend to you the album 'Clube da Esquina II' where Guedes had significant input. This album is the result of a collective of artists flexing their musical muscle while still making pop songs. Some highlights are 'Paixão e fé' with it's almost atonal harmony; and 'Pão e Água', 'Tanto' and 'Testamento' with its overwhelming arrangements.

[@jeffreyschmoldt7798]

Its funny if you watch the video from 1971 rod stewart. They don't even show day playing. Which sucks. Cause Maggie may is such a great song

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yeah. They hardly show the mandolin at all in that video. Ridiculous. It’s sad that Ray didn’t get the attention he deserved for playing such an iconic part. That’s why I highlighted him here.

[@rosslynemrys5829]

Back in the High Life, Steve Winwood

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, I like that song!

[@jseymourguenther6527]

“Back in the Highlife Again” by Stevie Winwood belongs on this list.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Nice song. But doesn’t make my list.

[@rondid]

"Please please please let me get what I want" by the Smiths. That mandolina ending by Johnny Marr is pure magic in a song 1:52 long

[@RockPopMandolin]

Really? Cool. Don’t know that one. I’ll check it out.

[@juancallejas4839]

Ordinary world by Duran Duran

[@kennethbradshaw967]

"The Battle of Evermore" by Led Zeppelin

[@RockPopMandolin]

It’s in Part II.

[@shanenguyeninternettroll6320]

Check out Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls 👌🏽

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, that song is on my list. Will do a lesson for it in the new year!

[@shanenguyeninternettroll6320]

Appreciate it dude

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@shanenguyeninternettroll6320 No worries!

[@chrisscholle1696]

Help me with my mandolin. I just got mine.

[@RockPopMandolin]

That's what this site is all about! Welcome to the club!

[@justinfitzpatrick191]

I would love to see you do Rose Tattoo by The Dropkick Murphys ❤️

[@RockPopMandolin]

Okay! I’ll check it out. I love that band. Thanks!

[@chrisscholle1696]

It’s so different than guitar.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yeah. Like a guitar upside down!!

[@freddyfnaf9812]

Compared to a violin

[@kelsawyers3597]

Never ,sylvan /dream of the archer,say hello all by heart. And we danced by the Hooters

[@kelsawyers3597]

Iris ,sympathy both by the goo goo dolls

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@kelsawyers3597 Excellent suggestions. Thanks!

[@ezeddie9747]

What about mandolin wind

[@thomassparks8294]

I agree with the song choices. But for me Copperhead Road should be ahead of Maggie May.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool. Love both songs. Galway Girl coming this weekend, by the way.

[@Mpactpics]

Thanks for your great tutorials. Not everybody wants to play bluegrass and country.do you have a tutorial for going to California? Am I overlooking it? like Losing your Religion was the crossover song for you, Going to California was the song for me.I have a fake book that includes some of the pop rock songs, but it's usually just the basic chords. Your in-depth interpretations are greatly appreciated, because that is the level that I would like to learn these songs. Thank you for the running start.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks man. Yeah, others have suggested Going to California, too. Although I love that song, I'm a bit hesitant to do a lesson, only because others like Don Julio have already done them. (Don's lesson is great by the way). But I'll look into it. Perhaps I'll do the song anyway. Here's the link to Don's lesson: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4a2nmCJfsd0qKs

[@ladyluck1963]

Please do some Radiohead!

[@RockPopMandolin]

For sure! It's in the works!

[@ladyluck1963]

Rock & Pop Mandolin Sir you have made my day.

[@josephmoore7391]

Have you ever done a video for Where do the children go? By the Hooters?

[@RockPopMandolin]

Don’t know that one. I’ll check it out.

[@bobwilson7551]

I’m surprised no Atlantic City by The Band.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Good suggestion. I'll check it out!

[@tassiespirit]

How about Copperhead Road?

[@RockPopMandolin]

Coming soon!! Thanks!

[@tassiespirit]

@@RockPopMandolin Thank you so much.

[@magicbike68]

Have you heard 'Be my downfall' by Del Amitri?

[@RockPopMandolin]

No. Don't know that one.

[@magicbike68]

@@RockPopMandolin have a listen. I'm sure mandolin would fit especially the intro

[@RockPopMandolin]

magicbike68 Okay, thanks!

[@RockPopMandolin]

magicbike68 I checked it out. Great song! Thanks!

[@helethead]

Lindisfarne . Not ‘farm’. Rod knew who he as also.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Okay, thanks for the correction!

[@michaelsolomon6502]

What about Mandolin Wind? Rod Stewart

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, I love that one too. But not as much as Maggie May. Here’s my tutorial, by the way... kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6mnaIl7m9Oid9U

[@tommybrown4191]

The Hooters

[@RockPopMandolin]

Gotta love hooters!!

[@vipanchoudhary7714]

Please give tutorial on DDLJ THEME SONG with Tabs

[@RockPopMandolin]

Sorry, I don't do Tabs.

[@Krzyszczynski]

"When I'm Dead And Gone" by McGuinness Flint. A No 2 hit in the UK early in 1971, several months before Maggie May came out. As well as the recorded version (which no-one should have trouble finding) there's an excellent live rendering done for a BBC radio programme: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jInKk4SYep1pZ6s . (NB: avoid non-McG-F cover versions - the drum accompaniments are invariably inferior.)

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks!

[@larzhillbot1443]

Mandolin Wind should have been # 1

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks for your input!

[@bohzo5511]

Did you record in Japan?

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes! I live in Tokyo!

[@5lowburner]

Rock & Pop Mandolin Greetings from Kiyosumi, East Tokyo! I’m an English ex-pat, long time guitarist and vocalist, and found your channel when I started learning octave mandolin recently - thank you for your hard work. Maybe we could meet up and play together when the state of emergency is lifted? (080 471 80111)

[@RockPopMandolin]

Slowburner Cool! Definitely!! That would be cool. Do you play with a band?

[@5lowburner]

Not at the moment, RPM-san, but I can think of a few bars and cafés we could liven up if you were looking for guitar/octave mandolin/vocals? :-)

[@5lowburner]

Has KZbin become the 21st Century equivalent of ‘musicians wanted’ flyers on music shop walls? ;-)

[@samael71ful]

I like the idea of what your doing but could you go a slower for us not so adept please. For us newbs it's all to fast and frantic. I just cant seem to catch a lot of what your saying and showing. :o(

[@RockPopMandolin]

Oh, sorry about that. I will definitely try to slow down in the future. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@samael71ful]

@@RockPopMandolin that would be much appreciated thanks. Looking forward to seeing more videos from you.😁

[@drewpratt9212]

Isabellas lullabye

[@Freesoul84]

Goo goo dolls: Iris

[@RockPopMandolin]

It’s right here... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHvdqaSnhLeihJY

[@aj5401]

Most of the songs have f chord. With child hands, I CANT REACHHH HOWW :(

[@RockPopMandolin]

Try a different voicing. You can play an F chord with two fingers: second fret G string and third fret D.

[@sergeibowser5034]

Your mandolin is a folk one right?

[@RockPopMandolin]

What do you mean “folk one”?

[@5lowburner]

Our host is playing an archtop ‘F Style’ mandolin, which tend to be favoured by bluegrass and country players. The others ways of constructing mandolins are flat-top or ‘A Style’, which tend to be favoured by folk and celtic players; and traditional, bowl-back or Florentine style, which tend to be favoured by classical players. The preference is around how they each sound (and maybe also how uncomfortable they each are to play! ;-) See these links for more information: www.folkmusician.com/blogs/mandolin/a-vs-f-style-mandolin www.northfieldinstruments.com/instruments Hope this helps!

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@5lowburner Thanks for the explanation. I consider my mine a pop-rock mando! lol!

[@BattleDroid191]

Mandolin Rain ??????

[@RockPopMandolin]

Another good suggestion! Thanks!

[@redwinmedia]

Absolutely nothing from The Hooters, eh?

[@RockPopMandolin]

Not yet. But they are on my list.

[@Fissi0nChips]

Ah, no Battle of Evermore? Ridiculous.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Well, if you watch the video, I point out that it’s one song per band. And even though I just did a lesson for BOE, I prefer Going to California. To each his own!!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Also, my viewers seem to like Going to California better too. It got more views than BOE on the first day on this channel.