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.
The collection was assembled over the years as Todd's own working songbook, containing the songs he actually reaches for when he picks up a guitar, whether playing alone, joining friends, or leading a group. The selection focuses on songs that most people know a verse or two of and that are simple enough to carry a room.
The list spans artists 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 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 song. This makes the book particularly useful for activity directors and volunteers in care settings, where familiar music can encourage participation and social connection. The inclusion of fingerpicking and strumming notes for select songs also offers room for players to develop their technique while staying within familiar material.
For the broader music community, the songbook reflects a continued demand for accessible, functional repertoire that bridges generations. The songs chosen are staples of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, a period whose music remains widely recognized. By compiling them in a single volume with practical annotations, Todd provides a resource that can support both informal jam sessions and organized singalongs. The book's availability on Amazon makes it easily accessible to players who may not have a local music shop nearby.
To place an order, visit Amazon.
