Adele’s hit “When We Were Young” definitely earned its place in the halls of memorable songs. While the soulful vocal presentation is a prominent feature, the gentle and rhythmic guitar line serves as a powerful instrument backing Adele’s voice. The guitar here is not fanciful, but rather grounded, just enough to create a strong presence without being overwhelming.

The chord progression is pretty straightforward, which makes it a great practice material for beginners, but don’t let the simplicity fool you. There’s a particular rhythm pattern that requires ancillary skills such as palm-muting. If you’re looking to inject some more emotion into your playing or exploring soul genre, give “When We Were Young” a shot. Remember, often, less is more when it comes to conveying emotions through guitar playing.