Crazy On You by Heart

Heart’s 1976 classic Crazy On You remains one of the most electrifying and dynamic rock tracks of the 1970s, thanks in large part to its unique blend of acoustic virtuosity and electric guitar flair. At LickLibrary.com, we’ve recreated this iconic song in our note-for-note guitar lesson, helping guitarists of all levels dissect and master the incredible techniques used throughout the track. This lesson captures every detail from the acoustic intro to the fiery electric solos, making it an essential learning resource for players looking to expand their technical vocabulary and expressive range. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists: Nancy Wilson & Roger Fisher

Crazy On You showcases the extraordinary talents of Nancy Wilson and Roger Fisher. Nancy’s innovative acoustic fingerpicking intro, inspired by classical and flamenco guitar styles, introduced a fresh sound to hard rock and set the tone for Heart’s distinct sonic identity. Meanwhile, Roger Fisher’s searing electric guitar work provides a powerful counterpoint, featuring melodic lead lines, string bends, and harmonics that gave the song its dramatic edge. Both players left a lasting influence on the world of rock guitar, with Nancy widely recognised as one of the pioneering female guitarists in rock and Fisher known for his emotive and melodic phrasing.

Song Breakdown and Techniques Covered

Acoustic Intro – Finger-Picking and Travis Picking

The lesson begins with the iconic acoustic intro, a showcase of finger-picking finesse and Travis picking rhythm. These techniques not only set the mood for the track but also teach players how to develop independence between the thumb and fingers—an essential skill for acoustic and hybrid players.

Benefit: Finger-picking builds dexterity and control in both hands, and Travis picking enhances coordination and timing, opening up new rhythmic and harmonic textures for acoustic players.

Electric Riffing – Palm Muting and Power Chords

Moving into the main section of the track, we explore tight electric rhythm parts that make strong use of palm-muting and power chords. These elements provide the gritty, driving force behind the verses and choruses.

Benefit: Learning palm muting refines your picking hand control, and power chords are foundational for rhythm guitar playing across rock and metal genres.

Melodic Embellishments – Slides, Hammer-Ons, and Pull-Offs

Throughout the track, Roger Fisher uses melodic fills to accentuate vocal lines, employing techniques like slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.

Benefit: These techniques add expression and fluidity to your playing, helping you connect lead and rhythm sections more musically.

Lead Guitar – String Bending, Vibrato, and Unison Bends

The climactic lead section features soulful string bending, expressive vibrato, and punchy unison bends. These bring emotion and intensity to the solo.

Benefit: These bending techniques improve your ear training and intonation control, while vibrato gives your solos a personal, vocal-like quality.

Harmonics and Tapped Harmonics

Fisher adds ethereal tones using harmonics and tapped harmonics to add texture to transitions and fills.

Benefit: Learning harmonics boosts your touch sensitivity and adds a dynamic tonal layer to your toolkit.

Rhythmic Drive – Syncopated Rhythms and Alternate Picking

The song’s relentless energy is sustained with clever use of syncopated rhythms and precise alternate picking patterns.

Benefit: Mastering these techniques sharpens your timing, enhances picking efficiency, and prepares you for more rhythmically complex material.

Why Learn Crazy On You?

This track is an ideal study piece for intermediate and advanced players. Not only will it challenge your technical ability, but it also teaches musical storytelling, dynamic control, and how to blend acoustic and electric textures seamlessly. Each section of this lesson adds a powerful new technique to your playing repertoire, all while helping you internalise the songwriting brilliance and energy of 70s rock.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Finger-Picking
• Travis Picking
• Palm-Muting
• Power Chords
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Unison Bends
• Harmonics
• Tapped Harmonics
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Alternate Picking

Ready to dive in? Head to LickLibrary.com and start learning Crazy On You with expert guidance, and take your guitar playing to the next level with one of rock's most dynamic and expressive tracks.