Close My Eyes Forever – Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne

Step into the emotive world of 80s rock balladry with “Close My Eyes Forever” by Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne. This timeless duet is more than just a haunting vocal performance—it features a soulful, melodic guitar arrangement packed with expressive techniques that are both approachable and rewarding for guitarists of all levels. At LickLibrary, our note-for-note guitar lesson gives you the tools to master this power ballad while enriching your technical repertoire. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitar Work

Released in 1988 on Lita Ford’s Lita album, “Close My Eyes Forever” is a brooding power ballad co-written by Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne. The track became an instant hit, showcasing not just their vocal chemistry, but also a heartfelt guitar performance that weaves lyrical phrasing with expressive lead work.

The guitar solo and accompanying riffs reflect a blend of glam metal melodicism and blues-rock sentimentality, with tasteful technique choices that elevate the emotional weight of the track. Our detailed lesson breaks down each passage and explores the techniques used, empowering you to play with both accuracy and feeling.

Guitarists Behind the Track

The original recording features Lita Ford on lead guitar, whose style is deeply rooted in melodic rock, blues influences, and emotive phrasing. A former member of The Runaways, Lita carved her solo identity with a bold mix of heavy metal and pop sensibility. Her playing on this track is restrained yet impactful, blending expressive bends with tasteful vibrato and sustaining notes that carry the song’s melancholic tone.

Lita’s influence as a trailblazer in rock guitar is undeniable. She brought technical precision and emotional depth to mainstream hard rock, inspiring countless female guitarists to pick up the instrument and pursue lead roles in rock music.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

Our guitar lesson for “Close My Eyes Forever” breaks the song into digestible segments, from clean arpeggiated intros to soaring melodic solos. Along the way, you’ll encounter a rich mix of lead guitar techniques, all chosen to help you develop not only technical skills but musical phrasing and dynamics.

String Bending

This song makes extensive use of string bending, especially during the solo. You'll learn how to control pitch and intonation to match Lita Ford’s emotional delivery. Bending helps guitarists mimic vocal nuances and adds soul to lead playing.

Vibrato

Used to great effect throughout, vibrato adds expression and sustain to bent notes and melodic phrases. Mastering vibrato brings your playing to life, allowing you to hold and shape notes for dramatic emphasis.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are used to create smooth, flowing lines without picking every note. These techniques help with speed and legato phrasing, essential for melodic solos like those in this song.

Slides

Slides appear in both rhythm and lead parts, adding a seamless connection between notes. Learning slides improves your fretboard navigation and enhances phrasing by mimicking the vocal glides found in Lita’s performance.

Arpeggios

The song’s clean intro features arpeggios, which help you build finger independence and fretboard awareness. Arpeggiated playing is crucial for creating emotionally charged passages and understanding chord shapes more deeply.

Power Chords

In the heavier sections, power chords provide the harmonic foundation. These are essential for any rock guitarist, giving you a full, punchy tone that cuts through the mix.

Sustain

Sustain is a key component of this song’s emotional tone. With careful use of gain, note choice, and vibrato, you’ll learn how to extend notes for expressive purposes. Practicing sustain teaches control, tone shaping, and how to create drama with fewer notes.

Benefits of Learning These Techniques

Each technique in this lesson has practical applications across a range of genres. Here’s why mastering them matters:

• String Bending & Vibrato: Develop your expressive capabilities—play with more feeling and nuance.
• Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, & Slides: Improve finger dexterity and phrasing smoothness.
• Arpeggios: Enhance your understanding of chord tones and melodic flow.
• Power Chords: Gain rhythm guitar strength for both lead and backing work.
• Sustain: Learn how to control tone and dynamics with minimal movement.

Together, these techniques will elevate your soloing, rhythm work, and overall musicianship, making your playing sound more mature and expressive.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• Arpeggios
• Power Chords
• Sustain

Unlock the full power of this emotionally resonant rock classic by diving into our complete guitar lesson for “Close My Eyes Forever.” Whether you’re aiming to replicate Lita Ford’s melodic finesse or improve your expressive phrasing, this lesson is a must for any serious guitarist.