"The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy - Guitar Lesson

Chords and Scales

"The Boys Are Back in Town" is a quintessential rock anthem, a fixture of bar jukeboxes and classic rock radio, hailing from Thin Lizzy's 'Live and Dangerous' album. The chord progression is a straightforward A-D-G (I-IV-V), rooted in the A Mixolydian scale. However, don't let the seemingly simple chord structure deceive you; the devil is in the details.

The Lead Guitarists

The lead guitar parts were handled by Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson. The duo were known for their "twin guitar" harmonies, a distinctive element in Thin Lizzy's music. Their playing complemented each other's beautifully, blending to create the band’s signature sound. While Robertson was more inclined towards blues-infused, fast runs, Gorham lent more to melodic, sustained notes. Both players utilised Gibson Les Pauls to get that thick, powerful tone.

Solo Analysis

The solo, while it might not appear very complex at first, is a master class in dynamics, phrasing, and timing. The first thing you'll notice is that it employs a lot of double-stops and unison bends. There’s something magical about how they blend into the main riffs, creating a 'question-answer' dialogue that makes the solo sing. Gorham and Robertson make liberal use of the A Mixolydian and A minor pentatonic scales during their solos. Slides, bends, and a touch of vibrato breathe life into each phrase, giving it that vocal-like quality.

The use of harmonised leads is especially striking. They bring out the third or fifth intervals over the A Mixolydian scale, providing a rich texture that fills the space. The dynamics of the solo rise and fall, from intense, fast-paced licks to slow, dramatic bends, keeping the listener on the edge of their seat.

As the solo transitions, you'll notice a shift into higher registers with a touch of tapped harmonics, giving a bell-like quality to the phrases. Here, alternate picking comes into play, offering the required speed and attack for those rapid ascending and descending lines. The touch of palm-muted triplet runs adds a percussive element before plunging back into the iconic riffs that bookend the solo, finally resolving in an audacious slide down the neck, mimicking the act of the "boys" rolling back into town.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Song

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Tapped Harmonics
• Double-Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Chord Progressions
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Arpeggios

There you have it—a deep dive into one of rock's greatest anthems. "The Boys Are Back in Town" might be known for its catchy riff and sing-along choruses, but the intricacies of its guitar work make it an enduring piece worthy of study. Whether you're a novice player keen to learn power chords or a seasoned musician looking to delve into complex solos and twin-guitar harmonies, this song offers a treasure trove of techniques to hone your skills. Danny Gill breaks down this iconic rock song note for note.