Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield
Learn to play Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield with Licklibrary’s note-for-note guitar lesson, breaking down every iconic riff, chord, and lead phrase in this classic ‘80s hit. This lesson is a perfect blend of melodic rhythm playing and tasteful lead techniques — ideal for guitarists looking to tighten their timing, improve expressive soloing, and explore the fundamentals of rock guitar. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.
About the Song and Its Guitar Work
Released in 1981, Jessie’s Girl became a defining song of its decade, earning Rick Springfield a Grammy Award and reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. But beyond its catchy hooks and singalong chorus lies some seriously smart guitar work that deserves a closer look.
The guitar parts on Jessie’s Girl were performed by Rick Springfield himself, along with the highly respected session guitarist Tim Pierce. Tim’s session work has helped shape the sound of countless pop and rock records, and his playing on this track is no exception. Together, Springfield and Pierce crafted a blend of tight, driving rhythm parts with clean melodic leads, showing how simplicity and precision can create something unforgettable.
What You’ll Learn in This Lesson
This lesson explores multiple essential rock techniques that form the core of Jessie’s Girl. Every section of the song is broken down step by step, allowing you to master each concept at your own pace while improving your overall guitar skillset.
Power Chords
The main riff and chorus sections rely heavily on power chords, delivering a tight, punchy feel that defines the song’s energy. You’ll learn how to articulate these chords cleanly and with authority.
Why it matters: Power chords are foundational in rock guitar and help build strength and accuracy in your fretting and picking hands.
Palm Muting
Throughout the verse sections, palm muting is used to create dynamic shifts and rhythmic tension. This technique allows the guitar to sit in the mix without overpowering the vocals.
Why it matters: Palm muting refines your rhythm control and helps you develop better tone control and articulation.
String Bending
The lead section features expressive bends that give the solo its singing quality. You’ll learn how to execute controlled bends with pitch accuracy and phrasing.
Why it matters: String bending adds emotion and nuance to your lead playing, making your solos more vocal and expressive.
Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
Used in both the main solo and transitional licks, hammer-ons and pull-offs enable faster, smoother legato lines without relying on picking every note.
Why it matters: These techniques increase your speed, fluidity, and finger independence — critical for advanced lead work.
Slides
Sliding into and out of notes adds smooth transitions between positions and enhances phrasing in both rhythm and lead parts.
Why it matters: Slides are an expressive tool for creating fluid motion and connecting notes without abrupt transitions.
Double Stops
The solo includes double stops to fatten up melodic lines and bring in harmonic depth. You’ll practice voicing and muting techniques to keep them clean and effective.
Why it matters: Double stops add harmonic richness and are commonly used in blues, rock, and country to create fuller-sounding leads.
Chord Progressions
The song’s catchy, emotive feel is built on a smart use of chord progressions. You’ll learn how the progressions drive tension and release while supporting the vocal melody.
Why it matters: Understanding how chords work together sharpens your musical intuition and helps with songwriting and improvisation.
Why Learn Jessie’s Girl?
Whether you're learning the song for performance, practice, or fun, Jessie’s Girl is a great study in balancing rhythm and lead guitar. The riffs are memorable, the solo is concise and expressive, and the arrangement showcases the kind of smart, effective guitar playing that never goes out of style.
At Licklibrary, our detailed lesson ensures you’ll not only learn the song accurately but gain deeper insight into the techniques and musical decisions behind it. With the ability to slow down parts and focus on tricky sections, you’ll develop better timing, control, and overall playing confidence.
Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson
Master Jessie’s Girl with our complete lesson, and take a big step toward tightening your rhythm playing, enhancing your soloing, and becoming a more expressive guitarist.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Danny Gill
Danny Gill is, without a doubt, the most loved tutor by our community. With an incredible array of DVDs and web lessons for LickLibrary covering a wide variety of topics all of which he covers with incredible detail, it's no wonder he carries as much respect as he does. As...