Guitar & Bass Tabs
Nazareth
About Nazareth
Nazareth emerged in 1968 in Dunfermline, Scotland, initially known as The Shadettes before adopting their enduring name. They built a reputation with a raw, blues-inflected hard rock sound and a string of records that blended heavy riffs with memorable melodies, earning them a loyal, global following. Over the years they became one of Britain’s most dependable live acts, known for blistering performances and a relentless touring ethic that helped shape the era’s rock vocabulary.
The band's breakthrough arrived in the mid-70s with Hair of the Dog, a watershed release that delivered the snarling title track and the power ballad Love Hurts. Frontman Dan McCafferty's gravelly, soulful voice paired with Manny Charlton's riff-driven guitar and a tight rhythm section to forge a signature sound that influenced countless players in hard rock and metal. Founding guitarist Manny Charlton remained a driving force through the classic era, and Nazareth's relentless touring and prolific output helped cement their place as one of Britain’s enduring hard rock acts; Charlton’s passing in 2022 marked a significant moment in their history.
Beyond the studio, Nazareth’s influence can be heard in the emphasis on groove, punchy riffs, and melodic hooks that defined how many guitarists approach hard rock. Their catalog offers a blueprint for learning to blend rhythm and lead work, maintain a strong, direct tone, and deliver emotionally direct songs with clarity and power. The band’s legacy continues to inspire players, fans, and educators alike, including the world of guitar tabs and lessons that celebrate their enduring sound.
🎸 Want to know what gear Nazareth used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
Watch the Lesson
Love Hurts
Nazareth
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Hair Of The Dog
Nazareth
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This Flight Tonight
Nazareth
View Tab →Playing Style
Nazareth’s playing style is built on tight, riff-driven hard rock with bluesy phrasing. Manny Charlton's guitar work contributed gritty, memorable riffs that sit firmly in the groove, while the leads provide melodic hooks without sacrificing edge. Their songs lean on chunky power chords, confident palm muting, and straightforward, expressive phrasing that emphasizes feel over flashy technique. The rhythm section drives a muscular, head-nodding foundation, allowing melodic lines to breathe over the top. Ballads like Love Hurts showcase tasteful clean tones and expressive bends, while heavier tracks favor midrange crunch and bold, confident statements that define their signature sound.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Nazareth’s tone has long been associated with classic hard rock gear: thick humbucker-driven guitars through robust tube amps, with distortion and overdrive pedals shaping edge and sustain. The band’s guitarists favored solid body models that deliver punchy rhythm tones and articulate leads, often paired with modest modulation and reverb to add space on ballads. In live settings their rig typically emphasized a strong, direct signal for clear riffs, aggressive crunch, and a commanding stage presence that remains a hallmark of classic rock tones.
Why Learn Nazareth Songs?
Learning Nazareth tunes offers a solid route to building foundational hard rock skills. You’ll develop tight rhythm work, confident use of power chords and palm muting, and the ability to craft strong, memorable hooks that drive a song. The material spans accessible mid-tempo pieces to more driving, riff-first tracks, making it suitable for players at an intermediate level who want to strengthen timing, tone control, and groove. Working on This Flight Tonight, Hair Of The Dog, and Love Hurts provides a well-rounded pathway to mastering classic rock rhythm, phrasing, and dynamic expression.
Did You Know?
- 1Nazareth formed in 1968 in Dunfermline, Scotland, originally called The Shadettes before adopting their famous name.
- 2Their 1975 Hair of the Dog era produced iconic tracks like Hair of the Dog and Love Hurts that helped them reach a worldwide audience.
- 3Love Hurts became a global hit and remains one of Nazareth's best-known songs and a staple in rock radio and fan covers.
- 4Founding guitarist Manny Charlton shaped the band's early sound and, as a key voice in their classic era, left a lasting impact before his passing in 2022.
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