A Bakers Dozen of Songs to Air Guitar by

They created a whole industry of people playing along with songs on little plastic guitars. Some of us don't need the little plastic guitars; all we need is Air. Almost all men do it at one time or another, and occasionally women do too. We jam out like we actually know what we are doing, even though most of us have no idea at all. We make fools of ourselves in front of others, even without the aid of alcohol, playing our little make believe guitars or drums and having a blast. I knew a guy who even formed a band (if you can call it that) of guys who traveled around the area putting on air guitar concerts! I've heard of contests, to see who is the greatest Air Guitarist there is. Not sure how that works. Anyway, here are some songs to play along with when you are alone at the computer. Come on, we know you're doing it!

If ever a man could play and make a grown man play along on his own air guitar, SRV is that man. This song may not be his best ever, but play along and watch what a professional he is when he breaks a string. He never misses a beat! Never misses a lick! He simply adjusts and goes on. Absolutely the most amazing performance I have ever seen. I know that if I broke a string on my air guitar; well, I'd be done!

If I don't have at least one Slow Hand song here, I might get lynched. Eric Clapton is regarded by many as one of, if not the, greatest guitarist of all time. While I don't think any of us are qualified to carry his guitar strap, we nonetheless think we can air guitar to him. So, here you go, perhaps his best known guitar solo of all time, Layla. Pure power here, folks.

ACDC has some great air guitar songs, but this one hits home hard. When I try to play along, eventually my hand and arm get too tired to keep up with them. Just non-stop, hard as nails rock. And this video, if you haven't seen it, is amazing. Check out the barrell roll near the end. I didn't know a helicopter could do that!

Everyone knows this one, and everyone has played their air guitar to this one at one time or another. I know it was my first, and the friend that introduced me to it, well it was his first too. No further introduction given or needed. Smoke On The Water!!

Another one of those we all know and love to play along with. Stranglehold is a great air guitar song, as are most of Nugent's songs. But this one is his best known, I think. In the opening seconds, you are rocking hard! How about a little Uncle Ted?

Gotta have one from the boys from Texas. Hmm, now which should it be? Tush? Cheap Sunglasses? Sharp Dressed Man? So many to choose from, but this one kicks it pretty well, I think. After all, you know what I'm talkin' about!

For every head-banging, hair -swinging, headache-having guy out there. Go ahead, take the pain pills now, because you'll regret it later if you don't. Some heavy metal, head banging, swing your long hair around in a circle powerful guitar licks here, my friend.

If you are the focus of an entire gaming society, like Slash is on that guitar role playing game, then you must be set for life as an air guitar god. Slash plays a great rhythmic line here, then knocks it outta the park later

This one is one some may not think of as an air guitar song, but listen and give it a try. Smooth cords and riffs, Mark Knopfler is incredible, and if you have had Eric Clapton playing back up to you, well you must be pretty good. Oh, go ahead; jam.

Frampton! Frampton! Everybody loved Frampie! Helluva guitarist too. Another one of those that goes on so long you give up trying to play along and just sit back and enjoy. Your choice - do one, both, or neither. And make sure no one is watching when you try to make those noises Frampton does with that mouth thing. Someone might think you're strange or something.

This is one of those great Southern Rock groups in the mold of 38 Special, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchett. Just has some great, hard drivin' jammin' it wide open ax licks. Tough choice between this one and Train, Train. Both have some unbelievable riffs.

Another fantastic series of riffs from another great Southern Rock group. Again, the opening blasts off and takes you away in a flurry of fun. Then the ending: well, it doesn't get much better than this. Can't tell you the number of times I drove my Mustang as a youth with this song blasting away. Dreams I'll Never See is another of their hits. Try that one some time.

If I'm talking about Southern Rock bands, and Air Guitar, then I have to end this with the all time greatest play-along-in-your-mind-and-make-a-complete-fool-of-yourself guitar riffs of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird and the triple threat solo. I would hazard a guess that this song has been the focus of almost as many air guitar concerts as Smoke On The Water. Question is: can you keep up with them? Answer: probably not. But have fun trying anyway.

Well, hope you enjoyed the concert. How many of you are sweating hard about now from trying to keep up with these guys? I gave up a long time ago, and sat back and enjoyed the music. Let me know your favorite air guitar song if it wasn't among this list. And, in the words of Wayne: Party on, Garth!