August 27, 2024 by Klaus Crow
For guitar players and musicians alike, Damien Rice stands as a masterclass in the art of songwriting with unique songs like The Blowers Daughter and Cannonball. He’s definitely one of my favorite artists.
Damien goes to the deepest core of his soul and you hear it right away. This is as authentic as it gets.
He knows how to craft a great song with beautiful melodic phrases accompanied by delicate and raw rhythm guitar playing. It’s all there, in each and every song.
I’ve listed the top 10 of songs that really stand out for me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
There are links to the videos, tablature and chords so you can pick your favorite and learn to play it, study it and master it. There’s a lot to learn from.
Remember, Practice and you’ll become a better guitar player. It’s that simple!
1 – Cannonball
Cannonball is one of Damien Rice’s best known songs. It has a really cool guitar phrase that is played throughout the verses and starts with the capo on the 6th fret.
Once you got this phrase under your belt you’re hooked and wanna keep playing it over and over again.
The intro theme is more suited for intermediate guitar players, but of course you can simplify the song by just playing the chords so you can sing along with it.
The chords for the verses are: Em7 – Cadd9 – G – G/F# (3 times) and then Am7 – C/B – C – D. For the chorus Damien plays G – Cadd9 – D (3 times) ending with Am7 – Cadd9 – D – Em7.
2 – Delicate
The song “Delicate” is played in the key of C with capo on the 5th fret using hammer-ons with the second (middle) finger on the C and Fmaj7 chords to create beautiful chord harmonies.
The combination of playful chord progressions and vocal melodies makes this a one of my favorite songs to play and sing.
3 – The Blowers Daughter
This is the song where it all started. The song cut’s through your musical soul if you take the time to listen to with undivided attention. This masterpiece is unique and Rice at his best when he plays it live. Definitely check it out some his live performances on Youtube.
4 – Amie
The song “Amie” is an acoustic emotional folk ballad played on his beautiful sounding Lowden guitar. It’s an easy to play guitar song that could move you to tears because of the way he plays and sings it.
In the video above he explains the story behind the song, which paradoxically is quite hilarious.
The Song’s title “Amie” means friend in French which gives it a dual meaning. The song is played with the capo on the 7th fret.
For the verses he plays G – Gadd9/F# – Em7 – C – Am7 – Em – C – D and the progression for the chorus is Em – C – D – G – C – Bm – Am7 – C – D.
5 – The Box
After many years of silence Damien Rice came out with a new album “My Favourite Faded Fantasy” with some new crafted treasures equipped with beautiful chord harmonies and lyrical melodies. The Box is one of those songs, so simple , elegant and so powerful.
Although we’re talking guitars here, the lyrics of this song are absolutely spot on. Everyone can find something that resonates, whether it’s relationship wise, a job, a phase, a feeling, or just life itself. Moreover, it’s a really nice and simple song to play and sing that you will absolutely enjoy.
The chords for the verses are G – D – Em7 – Bm and for the chorus Am(add9) – Em7 (4 times).
6 – Coconut Skins
Coconut Skins is an uptempo acoustic song that is really fun to play using the famous Wonderwall chords as I like to call them. The song uses one chord progression throughout the entire song starting out gently and building up to an exploding climax. Try this one, you’ll love it.
Coconut skins: / Em7 / % / % / Em7 Gadd9\F# / G / % / % / G Gadd9\F# /
7 – Me, My Yoke and I
Me, My, Yoke and I is one of the lesser known songs by Damien, but it’s oh so good. It’s got a crazy rocking slide riff that will crank up your amp. It’s really fun to play!
It starts with strumming an Am chord twice and then your second finger on the D-string from that chord will slide to the 10th fret. You do that a couple of times then you quickly jump to a G chord and then strum the F chord twice where you third finger on the A-string from the F-chord will slide to the 10th fret. This is the main riff that is played throughout the song.
8 – Colour Me In
Colour me is a tender vulnerable love song with an absolutely beautiful melody. As often with Damien’s songs he starts out softly and gradually builds up to a climax to bring in those deep heart-felt emotions.
The chords for the verses are C – F – G – C – F – G – Am – C – F – G. The chords for chorus are C – F – G – C – Am – G – Am – C – F – G
He spices up the chords with sus2 and sus4 chords to add some flavor and uses a combination of strumming and finger style for the right hand. Check out the live version of the song from the Guardian Sessions.
9 – Volcano
Volcano is a song with a really great groove and musical vibe to it. Along with his partner Lisa Hannigan they make for a perfect duo in this song bringing out the absolute best.
The song has a nice chord rhythm riff that is mainly playing the chord progression Am – G – F for the verses and Am – G – F – G for the chorus.
You can also play the chords more intermediate style by playing the Am as an open shape chord starting on the 5 fret (x77500) then going to the G6 (x55430) and then Fmaj7 (x33210)
10 – The Animals Were Gone
This is a georgous melancholic song that involves a nice easy fingerpicking pattern that is really doable. Perfect for beginner guitar players, but just as much fun for guitar players of any level, cause in the end it’s all about the song.
The chord progression for the verses is : G – C – Am – D – G – Em – Am – B7 and for the chorus the chords are: Am – G – Am – G and you play that four times.
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