Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) by Mötley Crüe

Unlock the glam metal magic of Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) with LickLibrary's in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson. This powerful track by Mötley Crüe is more than just a high-energy rock anthem — it’s also a masterclass in classic rock guitar techniques that every aspiring player should have in their toolkit. Whether you're a budding shredder or a seasoned player looking to expand your style, this lesson delivers the techniques, insight, and energy needed to elevate your playing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and the Guitarists

Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) is one of the standout tracks from Mötley Crüe’s Dr. Feelgood album, released in 1989. Known for its infectious hooks and glam metal swagger, the song showcases the iconic guitar work of Mick Mars. A founding member of Mötley Crüe, Mick Mars brought a raw, bluesy edge to the band’s polished sound. His playing on S.O.S. combines catchy riffs, tasteful licks, and searing lead work, solidifying his status as one of the genre’s most underrated guitarists.

Mars’ approach to tone and phrasing remains influential today. With a knack for blending gritty distortion with melodic sensibility, he’s inspired generations of players looking to mix technical skill with memorable songwriting. This lesson gives students the opportunity to experience Mars’ unique style up close, while learning to replicate and incorporate his techniques into their own playing.

What You’ll Learn in the Lesson

Our Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) guitar lesson takes you through every riff, rhythm, and solo section of the song. The track includes a wide array of essential guitar techniques, each of which is broken down by our expert tutor in a clear and accessible manner. Here are some of the key techniques featured and how they’ll benefit your playing:

Palm Muting

This song makes effective use of palm muting, a foundational technique in rock and metal guitar playing. You'll learn how to control your picking hand to create tight, percussive rhythms that give riffs their punch and drive. Mastering palm muting enhances your rhythm control and tightens up your tone during high-gain passages.

Power Chords

The driving rhythm of S.O.S. is built around classic power chords. These simple yet powerful chord shapes are the backbone of rock guitar. Learning how to execute and move between them fluidly will allow you to confidently play in any rock or punk setting.

String Bending

Mars’ lead work features expressive string bending to add emotional nuance to his solos. This technique allows players to “vocalize” on the guitar, pushing notes beyond their original pitch to create expressive, blues-influenced phrasing. Mastering bends is critical for developing feel and phrasing in solos.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Several melodic runs in the solo use hammer-ons and pull-offs. These legato techniques improve finger strength and fluidity, making your playing smoother and more dynamic.

Slides

Guitar slides help create a smooth connection between notes and add a bluesy flavor to both rhythm and lead parts. Slides are featured throughout S.O.S., adding feel and motion to the solos. Learning this technique gives your phrasing a more natural and expressive sound.

Pinched Harmonics

Mars uses pinched harmonics to inject attitude and aggression into his leads. This technique creates high-pitched squeals by catching the string with the thumb immediately after picking. It’s an essential technique for rock and metal soloing that helps solos cut through the mix with flair.

Vibrato

No solo is complete without good vibrato, and this song gives you the chance to practice it with precision. Learning controlled vibrato adds expression and sustain to your notes, making your solos sound more professional and emotive.

Alternate Picking

Some of the riff and lead sections require alternate picking, a key technique for building speed and accuracy. Developing this skill will not only improve your efficiency on the fretboard but will also make your playing more articulate, especially during fast passages.

Double Stop Bends

The song’s solo features tasteful double stop bends, which create harmony and a thick, expressive sound. Learning this technique adds a vocal-like quality to your solos and enhances your understanding of intervals and phrasing.

Why Learn This Song?

Learning Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.) is more than just learning a classic rock track — it’s an opportunity to sharpen your technical abilities and explore new creative territory. You’ll build better control of dynamics, improve your rhythm accuracy, and develop a better sense of melodic phrasing. The song is ideal for intermediate players looking to add some 80s flair to their arsenal and break out of standard rock patterns with expressive lead guitar tricks.

Our LickLibrary lesson ensures you’ll not only play the song exactly as recorded but also understand why each technique works and how to incorporate them into your own playing.

Techniques Used in this Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Pinched Harmonics
• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Double Stop Bends

With this lesson, you'll be channeling the spirit of Mötley Crüe while expanding your technique and musical understanding. Plug in, turn up, and let Same Ol' Situation become a turning point in your guitar journey.