Guitar & Bass Tabs
Motley Crue
Learn Motley Crue's Guitar & Bass Style
Discover how Motley Crue developed their signature guitar and bass sound, the techniques you'll encounter in their music, and the best lessons to begin your learning journey.
Motley Crue exploded onto the Los Angeles scene in 1981, formed by bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee, guitarist Mick Mars, and vocalist Vince Neil. They cut their teeth on the Sunset Strip and released Too Fast for Love in 1981, a raw, street-level blend of blues-based riffs and swagger that set the template for glam metal. By the time Shout at the Devil arrived in 1983, the band had cultivated a combustible live show and a fearlessly theatrical image that would define the era.
Over the next decade, Motley Crue cemented their place in rock history with a string of platinum albums. Girls, Girls, Girls (1987) and Dr. Feelgood (1989) solidified their commercial peak, with Dr. Feelgood reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and producing anthems that still echo in arenas today. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, their swagger, hooks, and relentless energy helped shape the sound of late 80s hard rock and left a lasting imprint on pop culture.
Long after their studio gold, Motley Crue's influence persists as one of rock's quintessential live acts. Their music—tightly wound riffs, big singalong choruses, and fearless stage theatrics—continues to inspire new players. DadRock Tabs currently offers 59 Motley Crue lessons, guiding you through their most iconic riffs, grooves, and solos so you can capture the band's high-energy spirit on guitar.
🎸 Want to know what gear Motley Crue used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Take Me To The Top
Motley Crue
Merry Go Round
Motley Crue
Public Enemy #1
Motley Crue
Come On And Dance
Motley Crue
Live Wire
Motley Crue
Too Fast For Love
Motley Crue
Sticky Sweet
Motley Crue
Kickstart My Heart
Motley Crue
On With The Show
Motley Crue
Looks That Kill
Motley Crue
Ten Seconds To Love
Motley Crue
Girls Girls Girls
Motley Crue
Without You
Motley Crue
Wild Side
Motley Crue
Dr. Feelgood
Motley Crue
Starry Eyes
Motley Crue
Live Wire
Motley Crue
Shout At The Devil
Motley Crue
Bastard
Motley Crue
Helter Skelter
Motley Crue
Knock Em Dead Kid
Motley Crue
Too Young To Fall In Love
Motley Crue
Danger
Motley Crue
Smokin In The Boys Room
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Louder Than Hell
Motley Crue
Home Sweet Home
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Primal Scream
Motley Crue
Use It Or Lose It
Motley Crue
Raise Your Hands To Rock
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Fight For Your Rights
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Afraid
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Dancing On Glass
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You're All I Need
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Rattlesnake Shake
Motley Crue
She Goes Down
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Power To The Music
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Hooligan's Holiday
Motley Crue
Hammered
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Welcome To The Numb
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Smoke The Sky
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God Bless The Children Of The Beast
Motley Crue
Kickstart My Heart
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Wild Side
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Looks That Kill
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Red Hot
Motley Crue
Playing Style
Motley Crue's playing style centers on hard-hitting, blues-inflected rhythm guitar and lockstep bass grooves. Mick Mars delivers thick, down-tuned rhythm parts with palm-muted power chords and aggressive, mid-range crunch that sits behind Vince Neil's vocal melodies and Tommy Lee's drums. The band's sound leans on simple, memorable riffs and driving tempos, with occasional string bends and tasteful lead licks that punctuate choruses. Learning their material helps players develop tight groove, precise picking, and the ability to lock with a drummer—core skills for any rock guitarist.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear associated with Motley Crue includes heavy rhythm guitars played through high-gain tube amps for that thick, saturated crunch, plus a bass rig that delivers a hard, punchy low end. In the studio and on stage, chorus and flange effects are often used to widen the guitar tone, with distortion and delay added to lift riffs and solos. Mick Mars's look and tone — down-tuned, chunky riffs — became a hallmark of the era, while Nikki Sixx's bass tone anchored each track, and Tommy Lee's explosive drum sound completed the wall of sound that defined their live energy.
Why Learn Motley Crue Songs?
Why learn Motley Crue songs? They deliver high-energy, rhythm-forward material that builds solid rock fundamentals. Expect to work on power chords, palm muting, string bending, and clean alternate picking across tight, tempo-driven grooves. The tracks range from accessible riffs to more challenging leads, making them excellent for developing speed, accuracy, and dynamics at a pace that matches early-intermediate players. With 59 lessons on DadRock Tabs, you can steadily master iconic songs—driving rhythms, memorable hooks, and stage-ready phrasing—that translate into real-world rock playing and live performance confidence.
Did You Know?
- 1Formed in 1981 on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip with Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars, and Tommy Lee.
- 2Dr. Feelgood (1989) hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remains their best-selling album.
- 3Kickstart My Heart drew inspiration from Nikki Sixx's near-fatal overdose in 1987.
- 4Motley Crue's over-the-top live shows helped define the glam-metal era and influenced countless bands.
45 Motley Crue lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
Learn to Play Motley Crue Guitar
Explore Motley Crue guitar and bass lessons with a focus on riffs, rhythm parts, classic rock techniques, and practice-friendly video lessons.
Start Here
Begin with the most recognizable riffs and rhythm parts before moving into harder songs.
Techniques
Practice power chords, timing, picking control, bends, vibrato, and classic rock phrasing.
Next Step
Use the lessons below to build a practice path from easier songs to more advanced parts.
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