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REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling - Guitar Lesson

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REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling - Guitar Lesson

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REO Speedwagon - Can't Fight This Feeling guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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Wheels Are Turnin' album cover
Wheels Are Turnin'
1984 4:55
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REO Speedwagon Classic Rock 1984 D major
Capo Advisor 0 D major · Original key

Can't Fight This Feeling

"Can't Fight This Feeling" is a power ballad by American rock band REO Speedwagon, written by lead singer Kevin Cronin. It appeared on their 1984 album Wheels Are Turnin' and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot for three consecutive weeks in 1985. For electric guitar players, the song offers a study in melodic rock phrasing, clean chord work, and the restrained, emotive style that defined arena rock ballads of the era.

  • The song was REO Speedwagon's second and final number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
  • Written by lead singer Kevin Cronin, the track showcases how melody-driven songwriting shapes electric guitar arrangements in rock ballads.
  • "Can't Fight This Feeling" also reached number sixteen in the UK, extending the band's international reach beyond their American fanbase.
Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Gary Richrath occasionally switched to Fender Stratocasters for cleaner passages, using their brightness and articulation to contrast with his signature Les Paul heaviness. The Strat's single-coils provided clarity without sacrificing the midrange warmth that defined REO's rock ballads.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Richrath's primary instrument, the Les Paul Standard's stock PAF humbuckers and thick body delivered the warm, singing midrange tone that became REO Speedwagon's signature sound. Its dynamic response cleaned up beautifully with volume roll-offs, enabling both delicate passages and screaming leads.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Richrath favored late '60s and '70s Les Paul Customs for their slightly higher output and resonant character, pushing his cranked Marshalls into thick, natural tube saturation. The Custom's weight and sustain made it ideal for the power ballads that defined REO's catalog.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800's preamp compression and power tube saturation created REO's thick, singing midrange tone when driven hard, with enough headroom to capture both gritty leads and clean passages via volume knob manipulation. This amp remains the backbone of REO's live sound decades later.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Richrath used the Cry Baby sparingly but memorably, adding expressive lead accents on early tracks like 'Ridin' the Storm Out' without compromising his minimalist, amp-driven philosophy. The wah's dynamic sweep complemented his natural playing dynamics perfectly.

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