[2025] Classic and modern Western hits with badass power chords: from timeless standards to recent favorites

Dig Up Her BonesMisfits

Misfits – Dig Up Her Bones

This dark yet catchy number by the Misfits, leaders of the American horror punk scene, was released under their new lineup after reuniting.

The shocking lyrics—about “digging up her bones” out of longing for a deceased lover—are said to be legendary among fans.

Coloring this heartrending tale are simple yet heavily distorted power chords.

The aggressive riff that rings from the intro through the entire track fuses with the melodic vocals to create a world of sorrowful, beautiful gothic romance.

Strum this riff on guitar, and you might just feel the protagonist’s maddening emotions possess you.

My GenerationThe Who

The Who – My Generation

This is the anthem released in 1965 by the legendary British rock band The Who, a track that rewrote the very history of rock.

Guitarist Pete Townshend’s windmill-like arm swings and the power chords he slams into the guitar are nothing short of revolutionary! That simple yet devastatingly powerful sound is said to have opened the door to later punk and hard rock.

The stammering, shouted vocals seem to express the inarticulate anger and sense of alienation felt by youth toward the adult world.

And the searing line “I hope I die before I get old” continues to shake listeners’ souls to their core, no matter the era.

The MiddleJimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World – The Middle (Official Music Video)

After being dropped by their label, the American band Jimmy Eat World achieved the remarkable feat of hitting No.

1 on the U.

S.

Modern Rock chart.

This song became the symbol of their comeback.

The crisp, no-frills power-chord riff is unbelievably cool! Its straightforward lyrics—“Don’t sell yourself short”—mirror the band’s own story and give listeners a powerful push forward.

It also drew attention when Taylor Swift covered it in a commercial, so many people likely remember its catchy melody.

It’s an energetic track that fills you with a positive, “Let’s just go for it!” kind of feeling.

Misery BusinessParamore

Paramore: Misery Business [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

With a power-chord riff that explodes right from the intro, it’s guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping! This is the track by the American rock band Paramore, released in 2007, that became their breakthrough worldwide.

Set in F minor, its simple yet hard-hitting power chords drive the song’s breathless momentum forward.

The lyrics, said to be based on vocalist Hayley Williams’s personal experiences, express jealousy and anger over someone she likes in a raw, straightforward way.

That naked emotion, combined with the palm-muted riffs that erupt into the chorus, lock listeners in and won’t let go.

Grab a guitar and try your hand at this impulsive riff!

Song 2Blur

Blur – Song 2

One of the hit songs by Blur, the UK alternative rock titans who dominated the 1990s.

It’s a little over two minutes long, and the song essentially alternates between “quiet” and “loud” sections built on almost the same chord progression, but the explosive shift into the loud part is irresistibly cool.

There’s also a video where the RAT distortion is switched on right at that moment, perfectly capturing the spirit of the era.

From a guitar-playing perspective, there’s nothing particularly difficult; it’s all about conveying the cheap, high-register feel of the clean parts and the full-bodied intensity of the distorted sections.

Want You BadThe Offspring

The Offspring – Want You Bad (Official Music Video)

A single by The Offspring, the American band that, along with Green Day, sparked the pop-punk boom in the 1990s.

With an upbeat 8-beat tempo and a pop sensibility running throughout, it’s a refreshing track you’ll want to blast with the windows down on a sunny day drive with friends.

There’s nothing particularly difficult about the guitar parts, but creating that sense of momentum hinges on clearly articulating where to use tight palm muting and where to let notes ring out, all while keeping a slightly distorted tone crisp and well-defined.

It’s My LifeBon Jovi

Bon Jovi – It’s My Life (Official Music Video)

A 2000 smash hit by the globally successful American rock band Bon Jovi.

Many would probably name this as one of Bon Jovi’s signature songs.

Musically, it’s a medium-tempo rock tune in a minor key, and the guitar parts feature many sustained chord shapes, making it relatively easy for beginners to play.

The interlude uses a special effect called a talk box—a flashy tool that was also memorably featured in the band’s hit “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Bon Jovi has quite a few songs that are comparatively easy to play, so this could be a great starting point to explore their catalog.