In this lesson, we learn one of the biggest Rock ballads of the late ’80s, “I Remember You” by Skid Row.

It’s a really fun song to play and perfect for advancing beginners who are ready to go beyond simple open chords. The shapes are fairly easy, but the strumming and small details will keep things interesting.

Chords & Key Techniques

We’ll use G, Cadd9, D, E minor, and A minor. There’s also a special variation of the Cadd9 chord—we lift the little finger so that the open D and E strings ring together, creating a brighter, more colorful sound. The thick string is muted with the tip of the second finger, and this little change gives the chord a lovely, airy tone.

A hammer-on from open to the 2nd fret on the fifth string adds a signature touch to the intro. The main strumming pattern goes:

down, up, up, down, up, up, down, hammer, down, up

Rather than counting every beat, we focus on feeling the groove and keeping the hand moving smoothly throughout.

Playing Tips

If you find it tricky to hit individual strings while strumming, try lightly resting your little finger on the thinner strings — it helps with accuracy without affecting your movement. And remember: if the riff or the embellishments throw off your timing while singing, it’s always better to simplify and stay in time. Groove first, twiddles later!

We’ll also pay attention to dynamics — keeping the verses softer and lifting the energy for the choruses. Listening to the original track is key to understanding how the rhythm breathes and how the band builds tension and release.

Song Structure

Intro / Verse: G → Cadd9 → D (with rhythmic embellishments)
Chorus: G – D – Em – C – G – D – Em – G
Bridge: Am – Em – Am – D (five-bar sequence)
Solo Section: follows the verse progression (G–C–D), with expressive bends, melodic phrasing, and pinch harmonics.

In the bridge, we’ll drop the dynamics to create space before the solo. Although the original recording combines acoustic and electric parts, this arrangement works beautifully on acoustic guitar alone.

Practice Notes

It’s a great one to practice along with the original recording! Plus, check out the JustinGuitar Lessons & Songs App, where we can jam along to a backing track that keeps us in time just like a real band. Playing with consistent rhythm is one of the most valuable skills we can develop here.

I Remember You is a fantastic song to improve timing, dynamics, and expressive strumming while enjoying one of the most iconic power ballads ever written. It’s also fun to sing—though most of us will sing it an octave lower than Sebastian Bach! If you’d like to dive deeper, let us know in the Discussion section, and maybe we’ll explore the electric solo next.

👉 Check out JustinGuitar Tabs for verified chords + lyrics and tabs!