Author and guitarist David Todd has released Songs That Stay With You: From the 50's, 60's & 70's, a songbook of 70 well-loved songs arranged for guitar. The book is available now on Amazon. Its significance lies in its potential to make group music-making accessible again, at a time when many people are looking for shared cultural experiences that cross generational lines.
Todd put the collection together over the years as his own working songbook. It holds the songs he actually reaches for when he picks up a guitar, whether he's playing on his own, joining friends, or leading a group. The selection leans on songs that most people know a verse or two of, and that are simple enough to carry a room. This practical curation matters because it lowers the barrier to participation: even casual players can lead a group without extensive rehearsal or advanced technique.
The list runs from The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Everly Brothers to Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley, with pub and folk favorites like "Dirty Old Town" and "Wild Rover" mixed in. Every song is written out with the chords placed above the lyrics, right where the player would strum or pick them. Where a capo makes a song easier to play, Todd notes the fret position and key at the top of the entry. A handful of songs also include playing notes for fingerpicking patterns, strumming styles, and instrumental breaks. Such clear formatting means less time deciphering and more time playing, which is especially valuable for informal settings.
"This book reads like it was built by someone who has led a lot of singalongs. Chords sit above the lyrics, capo positions and keys are noted at the top of each song, which makes it easy to open and start playing." said a reader. The book is meant to be used, not shelved. Todd designed it for solo players, small groups, and anyone leading a singalong, including at venues such as nursing homes and care homes, where familiar songs tend to bring people together.
The broader implication is that Songs That Stay With You could help sustain a tradition of communal singing that has been eroded by digital entertainment. By focusing on songs that are both familiar and easy to play, Todd provides a tool for social connection—whether around a campfire, in a pub, or in a care home. In an era of increasing isolation, such a resource may prove quietly influential, enabling more people to create shared moments through music.
