Motley Crue / Mick Mars - Looks That Kill
Written by Edward Cupler
Notes:The Motley Crue / Mick Mars song Looks That Kill from the album Shout at the Devil. Was recorded in the key of G minor but actually played in the A minor position. This is because they tuned down a whole step to 420 so that A becomes G, E becomes D etc. This lesson uses audio examples recorded in standard 440 tuning. This is to keep things simple since the other lessons on this website also use standard 440 tuning. The songs main riff is simply A G and F# using a low A as a pedal tone.
Example 1
Audio examples: Verse normal speed | Verse normal slow
Notes: This next example leads into the chorus. It is identical to the first example except that it ends on an F chord that and uses the tremolo bar to lower and raise the tone a half step in time with the beat of the song.
Example 2
Audio examples: Verse pre-chorus normal speed | Verse pre-chorus slow
Chorus
Notes: This example starts with a C with an E root that goes to an F chord. Then it uses the chords C with an E root, F, F# diminished, C and F. The open A note is used as a pedal tone.
Example 1
Audio examples: Chorus normal speed | Chorus slow
Bridge
Notes: I've seen this bridge posted on a lot of guitar websites. This is the way I play it. I think Mick Mars may have used two guitar parts but live this seemed close to the way he played it.
Example 1
Audio examples: Bridge normal speed | Bridge slow
Looks That Kill - Guitar Solo
Notes: This solo uses the pentatonic blues scale in the key of A minor. Mick makes good use of pinch harmonics and blues phrasing. This is something that definitely set him apart from many popular guitarists of the 1980's. Mick was always more focused on the song and not just his technique. Much like Angus Young, Mick Mars is an old school blues style rock player who should not be overlooked.
I have split the solo up into 5 pieces so you can concentrate on small chunks instead of the whole thing at once. I have also provided the rhythm track for the solo so you can try your hand once you think you've mastered this classic solo.
Audio examples: Solo Complete | rhythm track without solo
Example 1
Audio examples: Solo part #1 slow
Example 2
Audio examples: Solo part #2 slow
Example 3
Audio examples: Solo part #3 slow
Example 4
Audio examples: Solo part #4 slow
Example 5
Audio examples: Solo part #5 slow
