Stuck in the Middle With You

by Stealers Wheel • Lesson #588 • Apr 10, 2025

About This Lesson

In this lesson I’ll teach you how to play Stuck in the Middle With You by Stealers Wheel on an acoustic guitar. I’ll start by teaching you the iconic strumming pattern (which uses a percussive thwack on most of the down-strums), then walk you through the chords needed while strumming the verse & refrain sections. Be sure to check out my bonus videos below, one of which teaches you a few ways to play the short intro riff heard in the opening few seconds.

0:00 Welcome
1:11 Strumming, Step 1
2:53 Strumming, Step 2
4:02 Strumming, Step 3
5:02 Verse
7:14 Refrain
7:57 Final Tips

Quick Links

Practice Notes 4 pages

Lesson Discussion

Bonus Videos

Here’s a few extra videos, made in thanks to those supporting me with Premium membership here on my Song Notes website. To those showing your support, you have my true thanks and appreciation — and I hope you find these additional videos helpful!

Slow Playthrough (No Singing)

Here’s a zoomed playthrough of me playing through the verse and refrain sections, with tabs on screen. No singing.

Intro Riff Tutorial

Here’s a few different ways to recreate the intro riff & walk-up bassline heard in the opening 10 seconds of the Stealers Wheel recording. Quite short, but very fun to play!

Play-Along Practice Track

Key of D, 116bpm, 4/4 time. Loops through a drum & bass recreation of the verse chords (played twice) and refrain chords (played once) — before repeating and doing both parts over and over again. Play along and practice your chords, strumming, singing, soloing, or anything else!

Need More Help with the Percussive Slap Strum?

Check out my lesson that focuses on this technique, teaching you how to play it from the ground up:

Percussive "Slap" Strumming

★ Instructional PDF

Here’s a list of the other songs lessons I’ve made that feature a similar strumming technique:

"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (Full song lesson)

$ Song Sheet Available

Want to learn the lead guitar licks?

My video lesson (above) doesn’t teach the various slide guitar licks & fills heard on the album recording, but here’s a handy lesson showing tabs on how to play things:

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Stuck in the Middle With You

About This Lesson

Quick Links

Practice Notes 4 pages

Lesson Discussion

Bonus Videos

Slow Playthrough (No Singing)

Intro Riff Tutorial

Play-Along Practice Track

Need More Help with the Percussive Slap Strum?

Want to learn the lead guitar licks?

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Browse Related Lessons

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Strumming & Rhythm

Fingerstyle & Travis Picking

Blues Starter Kit

Reading Music for Guitarists

Learning Lead Guitar

Beginner Chord Guide

Practical Music Theory

Using a Capo

Walk Ups & Walk Downs

CAGED Essentials

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Capo Captain

Key Master

Blank Tabs

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Recent Lessons