Paul | Guitar Lessons and Performance - Paul Elwood

Composition 030125

Composition 030125 was inspired by “The Hollow Men“, a 1925 poem by T.S. Eliot, known for its themes of spiritual emptiness, paralysis, and disillusionment in the post-World War I era, famously concluding with the line,”This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper”.

The poem describes “hollow men” who are “shape without form, shade without colour, / Paralysed force, gesture without motion,” trapped in a state of inaction and spiritual limbo, unable to confront reality or “death’s other kingdom”.

Key Themes and Imagery

Spiritual Emptiness:

The men are “stuffed” with straw, lacking substance and conviction, existing in a state of despair and inaction.
Paralysis and Inaction:

They are unable to act, caught in the gap “Between the idea / And the reality” and “Between the motion / And the act”.
Fear of Judgment:

They fear the “eyes” of “death’s other kingdom,” representing a truth or spiritual reality they cannot face.

Paul2026-04-30T07:54:08-04:00

Every Breath You Take

every breath you take ”

Every Breath You Take” is a song by the English rock band the Police from their fifth and final studio album Synchronicity (1983). Written by Sting, the single was the biggest American and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks (the band’s only No. 1 hit on that chart), and the Canadian RPM chart for two weeks. Their fifth UK No. 1, “Every Breath You Take” topped the UK singles chart for four weeks. It also reached the top 10 in numerous other countries. In May 2019, the song was recognised by BMI as being the most played song in radio history.

“Every Breath You Take” is the Police’s and Sting’s signature song, and in 2010, it was estimated to generate between a quarter and a third of Sting’s music publishing income. At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, “Every Breath You Take” was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Record of the Year, winning in the first two categories. For the song, Sting received the 1983 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).

Intro G | G | Em | Em | C | D | G

G […]

Paul2026-05-02T13:33:37-04:00

All My Exes

All_My_Exes lead sheet and tabs

“All My Ex’s Live in Texas” is a song written by Sanger D. Shafer and Lyndia J. Shafer, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released on April 10, 1987 by MCA Records as the second single from Strait’s seventh studio album, Ocean Front Property, following the album’s title track. Becoming his 11th number one hit single, Strait received his first Grammy Award nomination for “All My Ex’s Live In Texas” for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 1988 Grammy Awards.

The song has been used in various forms of media, including Strait’s version in the films Road House (1989), Necessary Roughness (1991), Cold Creek Manor (2003), Power Rangers (2017), and Bumblebee (2018), and in television with Halt and Catch Fire in 2016, Ash vs Evil Dead in 2015, and Chuck in 2011. Canadian rapper Drake name checks Strait and the song in the opening lyrics of his 2012 single “HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right)”.

“You have to be willing to eat–or not eat– for it. Then you’re a musician.” – Johnny Copeland

Paul2026-04-22T12:33:24-04:00

L.O.V.E.

download the l.o.v.e. leadsheet

“L-O-V-E” is a song written by Bert Kaempfert and Milt Gabler, recorded by Nat King Cole for his 1965 studio album L-O-V-E.

The song was composed by Bert Kaempfert with lyrics by Milt Gabler, and produced by Lee Gillette. The trumpet solo was performed by Bobby Bryant. The song had previously appeared as an instrumental track on Kaempfert’s album Blue Midnight (1964).

For international versions of his L-O-V-E album, Nat King Cole also recorded versions of “L-O-V-E” and other songs, in Japanese (mixed with English words), Italian, German, Spanish and French. In this last language, the song was renamed “Je Ne Repartirai Pas” and translated by Jean Delleme.

English singer Joss Stone recorded a cover of “L-O-V-E” for the soundtrack to a commercial for Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance. The ad, starring Keira Knightley and directed by Joe Wright, debuted on September 24, 2007, on E!, Bravo, and VH1.

Stone’s version was released digitally on September 18, 2007, reaching number 100 on the UK singles chart and number 75 on the Swiss Hitparade. It was later included as a bonus track on the deluxe version of her third studio album, Introducing Joss Stone (2007), […]

Paul2026-05-02T13:32:38-04:00

Miss Celie’s Blues

miss celies blues leadsheet

“Miss Celie’s Blues“, also known as “Sister”, is a song from the Steven Spielberg film The Color Purple (1985), with music by Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton and lyrics by the two of them with Lionel Richie, performed by Táta Vega. The song was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song in 1986.

During the song, composed in a blues/ragtime style, the singer explains to her “sister” that she has her in her mind as a kindred spirit. She sings that after a long period of loneliness on the road, she has finally become “someone” and hopes that her sister is also.

In the 1985 film, the song is sung by Shug to Celie, and portrays the romantic and sexual relationship blossoming between the two women. Although Shug was portrayed by Margaret Avery, her voice was synchronised by Táta Vega, and the harmonica at the beginning of the song was played by Sonny Terry. It appeared in the 2023 film adaptation of the stage musical as a nod to the previous film, performed by Taraji P. Henson as Shug.

This is Kia Hamm on vocals. If you’d like to hear more of Kia and Paul, here you go

“I’m not saying a guy shouldn’t take lessons … but […]

Paul2026-05-02T13:29:04-04:00

Ten Years Gone

Download the PDF for this lesson here

“Ten Years Gone” is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. Record producer Rick Rubin has described the song as, “A deep, reflective piece with hypnotic, interweaving riffs. Light and dark, shadow and glare. It sounds like nature coming through the speakers.”

Jimmy Page had originally intended the song to be an instrumental piece; he recorded around 14 guitar tracks to overdub the harmony section. Robert Plant later added lyrics, which are dedicated to an old girlfriend who, ten years earlier, had made him choose either her or his music. Plant explained this in an interview in 1975:

Let me tell you a little story behind the song “Ten Years Gone” on our new album. I was working my ass off before joining Zeppelin. A lady I really dearly loved said, “Right. It’s me or your fans.” Not that I had fans, but I said, “I can’t stop, I’ve got to keep going.” She’s quite content these days, I imagine. She’s got a washing machine that works by itself and a little sports car. We wouldn’t have anything to say anymore. I could probably relate to her, but she couldn’t relate to me. I’d be smiling too much. Ten years gone, […]

Paul2026-04-19T11:53:28-04:00

Angel Eyes

Angel-eyes chart

“Angel Eyes” is a jazz standard which has inspired many interpretations. Many singers have recorded versions of the song, including Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, June Christy with Stan Kenton, Chet Baker, Shirley Bassey, Neil Sedaka, Willie Nelson with Ray Charles, and Sting. Ella Fitzgerald, who recorded “Angel Eyes” at least four times, named it her favorite song.

Instrumental versions were recorded not as often as vocal takes, by the likes of Benny Carter, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Dave Brubeck, Kenny Burrell, Joe Albany, and more recently by McCoy Tyner, Gary Thomas and Joe Lovano.

“I’m not saying a guy shouldn’t take lessons … but if you want to play like the artists, you have to go and get what they’re putting on records and take it from there … “ – Grant Green

Paul2026-05-02T13:30:16-04:00

In My Room

Download the sheet music PDF:

“In My Room” is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released on their 1963 album Surfer Girl. It was also released as the B-side of the “Be True to Your School” single. The single peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (the A-side peaked at number 6, for a two-sided top-40) and was eventually inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. “In My Room” was ranked number 212 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The song is written in the key of B major and features a flat VII A major chord.

Gary Usher explained that: “In My Room” found us taking our craft a little more seriously. Brian and I came back to the house one night after playing ‘over-the-line’ (a baseball game). I played bass and Brian was on organ. The song was written in an hour … Brian’s melody all the way. The sensitivity … the concept meant a lot to him. When we finished, it was late, after our midnight curfew. In fact, Murry [the Wilson brothers’ father] came in a couple of times and wanted me to leave. Anyway, we got […]

Paul2026-04-16T10:29:53-04:00

Sunny

“Sunny” is a soul jazz standard written by the American singer and songwriter Bobby Hebb in 1963. It is one of the most performed and recorded popular songs, with hundreds of versions released (BMI lists “Sunny” No. 25 in its “Top 100 songs of the century”.) and its chord progression influencing later songs.

Bobby Hebb’s parents, William and Ovalla Hebb, were both blind musicians. Hebb and his older brother Harold performed as a song-and-dance duo in Nashville, beginning when Bobby was three and Harold was nine. Hebb performed on a TV show hosted by country music record producer Owen Bradley.

Hebb wrote the song after his older brother, Harold, was stabbed to death outside a Nashville nightclub. Hebb was devastated by the event and many critics say it inspired the lyrics and tune. According to Hebb, he merely wrote the song as an expression of a preference for a “sunny” disposition over a “lousy” disposition following the murder of his brother.

Events influenced Hebb’s songwriting, but his melody, crossing over into R&B (#3 on U.S. R&B chart) and Pop (#2 on U.S. Pop chart), together with the optimistic lyrics, came from the artist’s desire to express that one should always “look at the bright side”. Hebb has said about “Sunny”:

All my intentions were to think of happier times […]

Paul2026-05-09T13:15:30-04:00

Hello Dolly

download the lead sheet for “hello dolly”

“Hello, Dolly!” is the title song of the popular musical of the same name, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman.

A recording by Louis Armstrong released in 1964 was a widely popular success, winning the Song of the Year and Male Vocal Performance awards at the 7th Annual Grammy Awards. Armstrong’s rendition was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

At the behest of his manager, Louis Armstrong made a demonstration recording of “Hello, Dolly!” in December 1963, for the song’s publisher to use to promote the Broadway show.

In January 1964, the same month Hello, Dolly! opened in New York City, Kapp Records released Armstrong’s publishing demo as a commercial single. His version reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, ending the Beatles’ streak of 3 chart-topping hits in a row over 14 consecutive weeks.

Never being able to master the guitar is both the worst thing and the best thing about guitar.

Paul2026-05-04T12:12:59-04:00

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