"Boys"
In “Boys,” the guitar parts play distinct but complementary roles. Guitar 1, played by George Harrison, closely follows and doubles the bass line, reinforcing the harmonic foundation and keeping the groove tight. (This guitar part is not shown in the transcription because it mirrors the bass closely.) Meanwhile, Guitar 2, handled by John Lennon, provides the “stab chords,” which deliver the song’s primary harmonic content while introducing a contrasting rhythmic element.
A stab chord is a short, sharp, and often accented chord played rhythmically to punctuate a musical phrase. It features a quick attack followed by an immediate release, creating a percussive, punchy effect. These chords add rhythmic interest and emphasis by interrupting sustained tones with crisp hits. In “Boys,” Lennon’s stab chords fall on beats 2 and 3, emphasizing part of the downbeat with a short-long rhythmic pattern that contrasts with the steady walking bass and drumming which are giving emphasis to beats 2 and 4, helping to drive the song’s momentum.