Victim of Love by The Eagles – Guitar Lesson

Step into the heart of gritty, hard-hitting 1970s rock guitar with our note-for-note guitar lesson for “Victim of Love” by The Eagles. Taken from the band’s seminal 1976 album Hotel California, this song stands apart for its raw energy, biting guitar tones, and punchy arrangement that leans more toward straight-ahead rock than the band’s more country-infused offerings. With its driving riffs, soaring leads, and blues-tinged attitude, "Victim of Love" is a must-learn for guitarists wanting to channel their inner Joe Walsh or Don Felder.

In this LickLibrary lesson, we break down the song's aggressive rhythm guitar and expressive lead parts, placing special focus on the key techniques that define the track: power chords, slides, string bending, and vibrato. These techniques combine to deliver a bold, expressive style that is both technically enriching and musically satisfying. Whether you're a rock guitarist looking to improve your feel, or a fan of classic tones and phrasing, this lesson will help you capture the song’s edge and character. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Focus

Power Chords

The backbone of the song’s rhythm section lies in its power chords—short, punchy voicings that bring weight and clarity to the arrangement. These are used to drive the verses and choruses with authority, contributing to the song’s anthemic quality.

Learning benefit: Practicing power chords boosts rhythm playing strength and control. They’re foundational to rock guitar and allow for quick changes across the neck while maintaining punch and clarity.

Slides

Slides are used in the lead sections and fill phrases to transition smoothly between notes and create fluid motion. Sliding into a note adds attitude and dynamic feel—something Walsh and Felder do with mastery throughout the solo sections.

Learning benefit: Working on slides enhances your phrasing and fretboard awareness. They’re also a key technique for making solos more expressive and connected.

String Bending

The lead guitar work in “Victim of Love” relies heavily on string bending to hit emotional peaks and give sustained notes a vocal-like intensity. These bends are both subtle and dramatic, requiring precision and control to maintain pitch accuracy.

Learning benefit: String bending improves pitch recognition and finger strength. It’s one of the most expressive tools in your soloing arsenal, essential for blues and rock playing.

Vibrato

Vibrato is used throughout the solo passages to breathe life into long notes, adding tension and release. Joe Walsh’s signature slow, wide vibrato is on full display here, lending the track its gritty edge and human feel.

Learning benefit: Practicing vibrato helps you develop character and sustain in your playing. It’s a mark of a mature guitarist and a must-have for expressive soloing.

Why Learn This Song?

“Victim of Love” is a powerful vehicle for developing key rock guitar techniques in a musical context. The song’s arrangement features everything from locked-in rhythm work to expressive lead phrasing, giving players a full-spectrum workout. You’ll develop better control over your bends and vibrato, improve the articulation in your riffs, and learn how to make even simple parts sound huge and commanding.

Whether you’re building your lead chops or refining your rhythm guitar presence, this lesson offers actionable tools and musical insight from two of rock’s most iconic guitarists.

About the Guitarists and Their Influence

“Victim of Love” showcases the chemistry between Don Felder and Joe Walsh, two of the most respected guitarists of the classic rock era. Felder’s precision and slick melodic sensibility meet Walsh’s bluesy aggression in a track that oozes swagger and attitude. The rhythm guitar parts are tight and biting, while the solos are rich with phrasing and feel, demonstrating that powerful rock doesn’t have to sacrifice musicality.

Felder and Walsh’s work on Hotel California helped redefine rock guitar for the late ‘70s, combining technical skill with tasteful restraint. Studying their guitar interplay on “Victim of Love” provides insight into crafting dual-guitar parts, using tone for emotional impact, and developing a commanding stage-ready sound.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

This in-depth LickLibrary lesson covers both rhythm and lead guitar parts of “Victim of Love,” giving you a comprehensive understanding of the track. From the tight riffing of the intro to the soaring lead work in the solo, you’ll gain mastery over essential rock techniques while also improving phrasing, timing, and expression.

We’ll walk you through the gritty power chords that drive the chorus, the tasteful slides that connect licks with fluidity, the controlled string bends that hit with emotional power, and the use of vibrato that adds personality and edge to each note. Perfect for intermediate players or advanced beginners looking to level up their tone and feel.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Slides
• String Bending
• Vibrato

Learn to channel the raw energy and expressive phrasing of classic rock with our Victim of Love lesson—your gateway to authentic Eagles tone, feel, and phrasing.