Guitar & Bass Tabs

Motorhead

41
lessons available

About Motorhead

Motörhead, formed in London in 1975 by Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister after leaving Hawkwind, fused raw rock energy with blistering speed. Their lean, brutal style and fearless attitude defined a new blueprint for loud, no-nonsense rock that would influence metal and punk alike for decades. Early records like Overkill (1979) and Bomber (1980), capped by the immortal Ace of Spades (1980), established a sense of urgency and power that still resonates with players today.

With a relentless work ethic, Motörhead became one of rock's most prolific touring machines, earning a reputation for brutal live shows and a signature low-end roar. The lineup changed over the years, from Eddie Clarke to Phil Campbell, but the core ethos—rhythm first, speed and aggression never sacrificed—stayed constant. Their footprint on speed metal and modern riff-heavy metal is undeniable, influencing countless bands and redefining what it means to play heavy, groove-driven rock.

Even after Lemmy's passing in 2015, Motörhead's legacy endures in every riff you learn from DadRock Tabs. The 41 lessons (including Bad Woman, Born To Raise Hell, Death Or Glory, On Your Feet Or On Your Knees, Too Good To Be True, Hellraiser, Cat Scratch Fever, Ramones, Angel City, and Love Me Forever) capture the band's brutal groove, helping you build rhythm, stamina, and confidence in your playing while channeling that iconic Motörhead attitude.

🎸 Want to know what gear Motorhead used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!

Watch the Lesson

Fast And Loose
#1

Fast And Loose

Motorhead

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Ace Of Spades
#2

Ace Of Spades

Motorhead

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Motorhead
#3

Motorhead

Motorhead

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Born To Lose
#4

Born To Lose

Motorhead

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Overkill
#5

Overkill

Motorhead

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Stay Clean
#6

Stay Clean

Motorhead

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Capricorn
#7

Capricorn

Motorhead

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No Class
#8

No Class

Motorhead

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Louie Louie
#9

Louie Louie

Motorhead

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Lawman
#10

Lawman

Motorhead

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Poison
#11

Poison

Motorhead

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Stone Dead Forever
#12

Stone Dead Forever

Motorhead

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Bomber
#13

Bomber

Motorhead

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We Are The Road Crew
#14

We Are The Road Crew

Motorhead

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Jailbait
#15

Jailbait

Motorhead

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Dance
#16

Dance

Motorhead

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The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
#17

The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Motorhead

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The Hammer
#18

The Hammer

Motorhead

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Iron Fist
#19

Iron Fist

Motorhead

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Heart Of Stone
#20

Heart Of Stone

Motorhead

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America
#21

America

Motorhead

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Back At The Funny Farm
#22

Back At The Funny Farm

Motorhead

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Rock It
#23

Rock It

Motorhead

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I Got Mine
#24

I Got Mine

Motorhead

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Mean Machine
#25

Mean Machine

Motorhead

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Doctor Rock
#26

Doctor Rock

Motorhead

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Orgasmatron
#27

Orgasmatron

Motorhead

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Rock N Roll
#28

Rock N Roll

Motorhead

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All For You
#29

All For You

Motorhead

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The One To Sing The Blues
#30

The One To Sing The Blues

Motorhead

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No Voices In The Sky
#31

No Voices In The Sky

Motorhead

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Love Me Forever
#32

Love Me Forever

Motorhead

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Angel City
#33

Angel City

Motorhead

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Ramones
#34

Ramones

Motorhead

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Cat Scratch Fever
#35

Cat Scratch Fever

Motorhead

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Hellraiser
#36

Hellraiser

Motorhead

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Too Good To Be True
#37

Too Good To Be True

Motorhead

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On Your Feet Or On Your Knees
#38

On Your Feet Or On Your Knees

Motorhead

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Death Or Glory
#39

Death Or Glory

Motorhead

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Born To Raise Hell
#40

Born To Raise Hell

Motorhead

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Bad Woman
#41

Bad Woman

Motorhead

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Deep Dive

Playing Style

Motörhead's playing style is built on relentless rhythmic drive. Lemmy's bass often anchors the groove with heavy, chugging lines that lock in with guitarists to propel the riff. The guitar work emphasizes power chords and tight palm-muted downstrokes, with few flashy solos and a big, distortion-forward tone. The result is a sound that feels like a locomotive—fast tempos, precise timing, and a raw edge that makes every riff hit hard. Students learning these tracks will practice solid down-picking, consistent rhythm, and controlled aggression to reproduce that signature Motörhead vibe.

🎸 Gear & Equipment

Motörhead's sound is grounded in big, loud rigs and dependable gear. The band is famous for a gritty, distortion-forward bass tone through powerful amps and Marshall stacks, paired with guitars often using solid-body Les Pauls or SGs and high-gain amps. The result is a simple, brutal, and instantly recognizable rock tone that you can dial in with a straightforward amp-and-pedal setup while focusing on rhythm, groove, and attack.

Why Learn Motorhead Songs?

Learning Motörhead tunes is a fast track to essential rock skills. These riffs prioritize groove, timing, and control over flashy solos, helping you develop solid rhythm playing, aggressive picking, and reliable timing under pressure. The 41 lessons provide approachable entries built from power chords and tight riffs, making them accessible to beginners stepping into hard rock while still challenging enough to improve your speed and precision for more advanced material.

Did You Know?

  • 1The Snaggletooth War-Pig logo was designed by Joe Petagno and became instantly synonymous with Motörhead.
  • 2Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister formed Motörhead in 1975 after leaving Hawkwind and became an enduring icon of rock grit.
  • 3Ace of Spades (1980) is one of rock's most enduring anthems and a staple on guitar tabs and rock playlists.
  • 4Motörhead's relentless touring and raw energy helped shape speed metal and inspired generations of players from Metallica to Slayer.

41 Motorhead lesson(s) available — Start learning today!

Frequently Asked Questions

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