Gordon Lightfoot's Carefree Highway - Guitar Lesson with Easier Chords & Strumming Tips

👉 View my notes & practice guide for this song @ songnotes.net/lessons/545/
👉 View my "Most Common Chords in Each Key" Cheat Sheet @ songnotes.net/courses/practic...
In today’s lesson I’ll teach you how to play Gordon Lightfoot’s Carefree Highway (1975). I’m using an arrangement with capo on the 2nd fret, which has us using chord shapes in the Key of D. I’ll begin by teaching the easiest possible way to play things, cutting a few of the tricky corners that may prove too difficult for beginners.
If you’re looking for the full version Lightfoot plays, stick around for the end of the lesson where I’ll demonstrate. This one goes out to Song Notes supporter Richie - who emailed asking for any tips on simplifying some of the trickier chords. Richie, and everyone else watching - I hope this helps!
0:00 Lesson Overview
2:36 Intro
4:04 Verse
8:27 Chorus
10:51 Advanced Tips

[@jimdent351]

Gordon was the bomb. We Canadians are so proud to have had him, and sadden to have lost him. Thank you David. Gordon's music will forever cement a special place in my heart.

[@michaelcoffey6542]

You provide such amazing content. I sincerely appreciate the way you break things down for different levels. Your simplified approach has made my practice a lot more fun and progressive. Thank you for being so thoughtful in your presentation. ***I’d love to see you make a tutorial on Classics IV, Stormy. Keep them coming. Amazing job, sir.

[@5yearsout]

The genius of Gordon Lightfoot is shown to me from this song. The title comes from a section of Arizona State Route 74 in north Phoenix. said, "I thought it would make a good title for a song. I wrote it down, put it in my suitcase and it stayed there for eight months." Then went back later and built the song around the title. Every time I go back to PHX or hear the song I think of that story.

[@gjley]

Always love your work!!!
Wish you would do dog and Butterfly by Heart!!!

[@blueser100]

Love this! 🙌🏼

[@DestinationHorizon]

Thanks!

[@walkersheppard2458]

Gordon is such an under appreciated artist these days.

[@Teeder]

Not in Canada and not amongst his songwriting peers.

[@jimdent351]

We Canadians adore the guy! He was massive in the 70s and 80's

[@poposahhar]

Hi sir from Egypt

Wrll done