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.
Todd assembled the collection over the years as his own working songbook, holding the songs he actually reaches for when he picks up a guitar, whether playing alone, joining friends, or leading a group. The selection favors songs that most people know a verse or two of and that are simple enough to carry a room.
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 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.
“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 release matters because it addresses a practical gap for amateur and semi-professional guitarists who lead group singing. Many songbooks are either too complex for casual players or too simplified for effective accompaniment. By placing chords directly above lyrics and noting capo positions and keys, Todd reduces the preparation time needed to lead a singalong. The inclusion of playing notes for fingerpicking, strumming and instrumental breaks offers additional guidance without overwhelming the player.
The song selection is deliberately broad, drawing on decades of popular music that span rock, country and folk. That range increases the likelihood that a leader can find something familiar for mixed-age audiences. The explicit mention of nursing homes and care homes points to a growing recognition of music’s role in group settings, where shared songs can prompt participation and memory. For activity coordinators and family caregivers, a book that is easy to open and play could lower the barrier to organizing informal music sessions.
For Todd, the book represents a distillation of years of practical experience. Rather than a historical survey or a academic guide, it functions as a tool for performance and participation. The reader testimonial emphasizes usability, suggesting the layout choices were made with the end user in mind. As a result, the songbook may appeal not only to individual guitarists but also to community groups, schools and volunteer musicians looking for a reliable repertoire.
To place an order, visit Amazon.
