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 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.
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.
"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 in the guitar market: many songbooks assume a level of skill or familiarity that casual players may not have. By placing chords directly above lyrics and noting capo positions and keys, Todd lowers the barrier to entry for beginners and occasional players who want to play recognizable songs without extensive music theory knowledge. The inclusion of fingerpicking and strumming notes also offers guidance for those looking to expand their technique.
For the publishing industry, the book reflects a continuing demand for niche, utility-focused titles that serve specific communities—in this case, amateur musicians and singalong leaders. Such books often find steady sales through word-of-mouth and repeat use, rather than relying on traditional marketing. The songbook's potential reach extends beyond individual guitarists to care homes and community groups, where music is used as a tool for engagement and memory. By selecting songs that span several decades and genres, Todd increases the likelihood that the book will resonate with a wide age range, from baby boomers to younger players discovering classic hits.
To place your order, please visit Amazon.
