Top 12 12-string Songs 

The Eagles absolutely will not allow it. They will go beyond copyright claim and block the video if their songs are used.

Great choices...almost had a Give a little Bit on my list

Sister moonshine is beautiful

Yeah, when I got to #1, I was wondering which of my top 2 was going to be left off. Turned out it was Give a Little Bit. Bummer.

He's such an underrated guitar player. His songs with a 12 string are just masterpieces. Even In The Quietest Moments, The Meaning and Sister Moonshine are fantastic and underrated 12 string guitar songs

Excellent list! I’m just surprised no Bowie

That ones an absolute classic...such catchy lines

Especially when you take into account it was written and recorded back in 1929 by Cannon's Jug Stompers.

@@davidcantwell2489 It was rearranged by Eric Darling. He was leader of The Rooftop singers and gave it the 1-6-2-5 chord progression and iconic single note/rhythm combo. When asked what he thought of the remake Gus Cannon stated, "I don't care what they do with it as long as they keep sending them checks." From Wikipedia: The success of the song was a boon to Cannon, who was in his late 70s and had been forced to pawn his banjo the previous winter to pay his heating bill; he received royalties as a songwriter and saw renewed interest in his music, which led to a recording contract of his own.[3]

Absolutely... the 12 string was the perfect choice for Annie's Song. It just fits the atmosphere and vibe of the song so well. I'd forgotten about that one when making this list...but would be a great choice for a future video. It was so hard to narrow the list down to 12 songs. So many classics were played on a 12 string

I believe the string sounds on Maggie May were from a mandolin - not a 12 string acoustic.

@@davewill0819 I think when Rod Stewart plays the song these days, he has a 12 string and a mandolin player playing together. But mandolin line in rock songs would be a good idea for another video

My Sisters wedding song in the 70's, they are still together today. I love a lot of different music. I like to say from John Denver to ZZ top, but music feeds my soul.

ahhh, forgot about that one. Great choice...those little hammer on pull offs in the intro melody are awesome. If I ever update the list, that ones going on there.

hey cliff clavin thanks

Absolutely...Very unique and distinct sound

Haha Absolutely. I played in a cover band at one point and that was always a song that got people smiling and dancing. Ahhh, I miss the before times

played on a bastardised EKO 12 ranger,they had a rubbish sound but amazing necks i had one, i have a j 45 gibson 12 now and it has a very similar neck feel but has the all round tones

Don't forget Anthony Phillips!

Thanks...and you're absolutely right...So many classic Lightfoot songs were done on 12 string. But keeping the list to 12 songs was a challenge. Maybe a little Lightfoot if I do a Part #2 video??

The thing about Gordon Lightfoot is that the memorable guitar parts were played by that guy in his band, Red Shea. He played a six-string. Gordon's parts are nice, but they're not that interesting, relatively. Imo.

Hole hearted by extreme, the reason i wanted a 12 string

You bet...it was tough narrowing down my list....I think my might have to do a Part #2 list at some point, and you better believe Hotel and Give a little will be on there

@@gersmolders5460 Ahhh, thats one I forgot about. I'm going to have relearn that one. Great song.

@Al Dunn Haha, yeah Henley is pretty relentless with keeping his stuff off RU-vid. Too bad, because Hotel would have been great for this list

Thanks so much Denis. It was tricky narrowing my overall list down. So many amazing 12 string tunes out there.

Yeahhh! 🙏🏻🤘🏻🤠

Thanks for watching

Thanks for checking it out!

Thanks for checking it out....Love Hole Hearted but had never heard Temples before. Just checked them out..they're awesome. Totally 60s throwback vibe in Shelter Song

You have the same surname of one of the best 12 string guitar player of all time

Had a lot of great suggestions for 12 string songs I left out, so I'm sure I'll do a Part 2 on the 12 string at some point. Thanks for watching....and greetings from Canada!!

Thanks for checking out the video. And absolutely, Give a little Bit is an excellent addition. If i ever do a Part #2 video, you better believe it'll be there.

I wasn't familiar with that song...but another person mentioned it in the comments, and you guys are right...its a solid tune!!

Nicely put Jim, polite and sensitive👏 I'm just glad someone takes the time to put this stuff on here. How lucky am I?😀

Thanks John....Took a little hiatus from the videos to focus on recording and teaching...but I got some ideas brewing in the old noggin!

Haha...it was tough to not just fill the list with Jimmy Page songs...but "over the hills" had to be #1 for me

Yeah thats a great tune, and probably the one that most people commented on that wasn't on my list. If I ever do a Part #2, you better believe it'll be there. Ive never checked out Pete Seeger, but Ill have to give him a listen. Any recommendations?

@@thesparkmusicacademy5100 Here's Pete with his composition "Living in the Country" that Leo Kottke covered. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KXIh8NhMNDo.html

@@thesparkmusicacademy5100 Turn,Turn, Turn!

Great song...it was so hard to pick just one Byrds song for the list...also, did you ever notice how similar the intro to Feel a Whole Lot Better is to the Searchers "needles and pins"? 12 string and all.

Yeah, keeping the list at 12 was no easy task. Almost had mama i'm coming home in there...but had to narrow the list down. Some great suggestions though if I get around to making a Part #2 video. Thanks for watching

For sure...an absolute LEGEND!

That's a GREAT idea! If you ever decide to do it, please be sure to include When Shrimps Learn to Whistle.

@@jamesthe-doctor8981 Beautiful song. love the intro with the moog sounds with the 12 string

@@thesparkmusicacademy5100 agreed! I probably like that track so much partly because Dreams and All That Stuff was my introduction to Leo, and because shrimp boils are very popular where I grew up, I knew even back then that most species of shrimp make a whistling sound when immersed in boiling water, probably from steam escaping. Kottke’s playing had people interested in what he was doing with acoustic guitars during a time when the record-buying public were far more into either synths and “canned electronic drums” Disco music or much heavier Rock. Leo was “breaking the mold,” so to speak.

@@jamesthe-doctor8981 And he is still breaking it some 50 years later! Mona Ray is one of my favorite melodies of all time.

Good call....The Searchers had a few iconic 12 string songs. Needles and Pins was also a little higher on my list and almost made the top 12.

Absolutely. Love that song. The Seekers had a few excellent 12 string songs

Totally agree... the list could use more Beatles... If I do a Part #2 video " You Cant Do That" or " Hard Days Night" will have to be on the list. Hotel California is tricky one. Arguably the biggest 12 string song...but the Eagles are notorious RU-vid blockers, so theres always the fear that even if you play a few seconds of their song, the whole video will be blocked. www.iheart.com/content/2020-07-22-eagles-have-60-people-policing-the-internet-for-unlawful-use-of-their-music/

Too bad about the blockers, indeed. It’s silly and selfish. A band like Eagles could enrich themselves even more (if that’s possible) by allowing the general public to hear their music unfettered. Album sales, streaming, all of it would increase and also help change their image as selfish and more than egotistical - if there is such a thing. Love their music; personalities, not so much except for Joe Walsh. He’s a different cat than Henley, et al.

@@larrypower8659 Absolutely..I'm all for artists being properly compensated for their work, and I think downloading and streaming (starting all the way back in the Napster days) has made that very difficult. However, I don't think Henley is going about it in a smart way by blocking people that are just trying to praise his work and showcase it for younger generations to discover.... and yeah, Joe Walsh is the man..if you haven't seen it yet, check out this clip of him recording a solo for a Foo Fighters track ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y8v6FpzwqeQ.html&ab_channel=MiguelGouveia

If you haven’t seen Joe Walsh on “Live At Daryll’s House,” it’s worth watching also. Those shows are on AXS/TV and regularly On Demand. Joe’s always good and never takes himself too seriously.

@@larrypower8659 Thanks for the recommendation. I had never seen "Live from Darryl's House" Seems like a Great series. Love the shows where you get to know the artists and hear some different versions of their classics.

Thanks Kenny. Unfortunately I don't post the tabs, but I'll consider it for my future videos. Id say most of the tabs would be up on Ultimate Guitar

I live in Thibodaux, LA. I've seen Zebra locally countless times. Randy Jackson would also do a solo concert too. I love that band. They were based in New Orleans but moved to New York City.

Thanks for checking it out!

Never thought of that song as 12 string song...but just listened to it again and there it is.

@@thesparkmusicacademy5100 ............ =^>

Good choice...that one completely slipped my mind when I was putting the list together...but it would definitely be a great option if I make a Part #2 video.

Just watched John Denver play Leaving on a Jet Plane on his big 12 string acoustic with Mama Cass …..you ever were lucky enough to see him live on stage that’s all he ever needed…..his 6 string and that big 12.

Cool..i had no idea Walk Right In was a cover....Just listened to the Cannon Jug Stompers version (looks like someone uploaded it to youtube)....pretty neat (although I do miss the catchy guitar runs). And I feel ya, restringing and keeping the 12 string in tune is definitely a process!

I agree but technically it is played on an 11-string guitar :)

Gordy's "Sundown, and"Beautiful " are great 12'er songs!

Absolutely. It was tough narrowing the list down to just 12. If I ever do a Part #2, will definitely have to toss in some Yes and Genesis tunes.

I had never heard it...just listened...beautiful song. Thanks for mentioning it.

Haha..yeah i probably could have filled at least half the list with Zeppelin tunes....but I totally forgot about " walk right in"...an absolute classic and so catchy!!

Yes, Walk Right In should be the Grandpappy of all 12 string songs. It put the 12 string on the map, and first time I'd even heard of 12 strings. My Buddy Joe says, "C'mon man."

I had never had Suite Madame Blue...pretty cool...love that descending line on the 12 string throughout the verses.

Good call...so many great 12 string Zep songs to choose from