Are you a beginner guitar player and a country music lover?
Don’t worry, there are many easy country songs to learn on guitar!
In fact, most popular country songs have simple chords.
And if you’re already taking guitar classes, you won’t have any problems mastering them.
So, in today’s article, we’re bringing you 30 easy country songs on guitar!
1. John Denver – “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Let’s start with a country classic.
John Denver released “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in 1971, but it’s still one of the most beloved country songs.
And you can learn how to play it on guitar quite easily.
The song has four chords (G, Em, D, C), and you’ll have to put a capo on the second fret.
“Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads.”
2. Dolly Parton – “Jolene”
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” is iconic and timeless. There’s no doubt about it.
Miley Cyrus also made a great cover version in 2012.
Fortunately, “Jolene” is also one of the easy country songs to learn on guitar.
It has three chorus chords (Am, C, G) and a relatively easy strumming pattern. This could also be a good chance to learn a simple fingerstyle pattern too.
However, the song is quite fast-paced, so start practicing with a reduced speed.
3. Hank Williams – “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”
“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” is an absolute feel-good tune and one of the easiest country songs to learn on guitar.
You’ll only have to learn two chords!
The strumming pattern, on other hand, isn’t the easiest, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
Don’t forget to sing it too:
“Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and filé gumbo
For tonight I’m a gonna see my ma cher ami-o
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the Bayou.”
4. Chris Stapleton – “Tennessee Whiskey”
“Tennessee Whiskey” is arguably one of the best country songs to play on guitar.
It’s familiar, slow, romantic, and soulful.
And it only has two chords!
Moreover, the rhythm is steady, so you’ll be able to play it smoothly pretty soon.
“You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You’re as sweet as strawberry wine
You’re as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time.”
5. Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire”
It goes without saying that “Ring of Fire” is a timeless classic.
It’s also one of the 3 chord country songs, which makes it suitable for guitar beginners.
The strumming pattern is rather quick though, but with enough practice, you’ll be caught in a ring of fire in no time.
“I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.”
6. Billy Ray Cyrus – “Achy Breaky Heart”
“Achy Breaky Heart” is considered one of the easiest songs to learn on guitar.
So, if you’re looking for a popular country song with only two chords, look no further than Billy Ray Cyrus’ 1992 hit.
It’s a catchy, cheerful tune and a number one hit back in the 90s.
“You can tell my arms go back to the farm
You can tell my feet to hit the floor
Or you can tell my lips to tell my fingertips
They won’t be reaching out for you no more.”
7. Tim McGraw – “It’s Your Love”
“It’s Your Love” is a slow, romantic tune and a beginner-friendly guitar song.
The song has four main chords. And chord shifts aren’t complicated.
And if you have a singing partner, you can make it a nice duet!
“Dancin’ in the dark
Middle of the night
Takin’ your heart
And holdin’ it tight.”
8. Jimmie Davis – “You Are My Sunshine”
And if you’re looking for easy old country songs to play on guitar, why not pick a melody you know by heart?
“You Are My Sunshine” is a great song for the ukulele, but it also sounds fantastic in a standard country version.
After all, it’s an iconic song that had a huge impact on American country music, so every country fan should have it in their guitar repertoire.
9. Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”
Are you ready to be blown away by your own performance?
Carrie Underwood’s Grammy-winning 2012 hit is ideal for guitar beginners.
Playing this song requires memorizing three chords (Am, C, G) and some easy strumming.
When you feel confident enough, you can experiment with fingerpicking too.
But if you’re just starting out with your guitar lessons, stick to the basics. Nonetheless, it will sound great!
10. Garth Brooks – “Friends in Low Places”
This is also one of the popular 3 chord country songs.
Garth Brooks’ hit from the 90s might be a bit challenging to sing, but you shouldn’t have any problems learning it on your guitar.
There are some great online tutorials that can show you a simplified version of the song.
And once you’re ready to move on, you can learn the arpeggio and add nuances to your playing.
11. Darius Rucker – “Wagon Wheel”
You should definitely add Darius Rucker’s rendition of this famous country tune to your repertoire.
There’s also an interesting story behind this song; Bob Dylan wrote the melody and chorus in 1973, then Ketch Secor added the verses…
Nevertheless, it’s one of the fun country songs to play on guitar, and you’ll only have to remember four chords (G, D, Em, and C.)
12. Joni Mitchell – “Coyote”
Joni Mitchell’s “Coyote” isn’t a standard country tune, but it’s a great guitar song to learn if you want to switch it up a little.
After all, Joni Mitchell is a fantastic guitar player and songwriter.
So, adding her music to your repertoire can only do you good!
And to play “Coyote”, you’ll have to play seemingly unusual notes, but once you start practicing, it will all start to make more sense.
13. Keith Urban – “Somebody Like You”
How about Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You”?
After all, he managed to charm Nicole Kidman…
But besides that, his catchy country song is very beginner-friendly. It’s a bit fast though, but that will help you improve your rhythm.
And once you learn how to play it fluidly, you can try it with an arpeggio.
14. Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”
When you learn how to play “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line, you’ll probably have an urge to play it all the time.
It’s a real energy booster, and it’s a fairly easy song to learn.
It has four repeating chords and an easy strumming pattern that is not too fast.
Therefore, many country guitar beginners enjoy playing it.
“Baby you’re a song
You make me wanna roll my windows down and cruise.”
15. Willie Nelson – “On the Road Again”
Another happy country song you can start learning today is “On the Road Again.”
The song has five chords, but don’t let that intimidate you. Most of them are very easy to play (E, A, B) and two of them (G#7, F#m) might need a little more practice.
But strumming pattern really isn’t that hard to master.
Once you memorize the chords, you won’t have to worry about anything else – just take it slowly. You can return to the original tempo when you feel confident enough.
16. Deana Carter – “Strawberry Wine”
Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” is a tender love ballad recorded in 1995.
It’s one of the beginner country guitar songs. It has easy chords and a slow tempo.
“The fields have grown over now
Years since they’ve seen the plow
There’s nothing time hasn’t touched
Is it really him or the loss of my innocence
I’ve been missing so much.”
17. Martina McBride – “Independence Day”
Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” is another beginner-friendly song with simple guitar chords.
It’s a lively song with an important message (it tackles the problem of domestic violence.)
It found its place on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Country Songs.
And it got even more popular after Carrie Underwood sang it on American Idol. In fact, it’s one of the songs that helped her win the competition.
So, a great option for all aspiring country guitar beginners!
“Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today
Is a day of reckoning.”
18. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”
“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” is a classic.
And fortunately, it’s one of the easy country songs to play on the guitar.
The fun and enjoyment are guaranteed with this one.
“Someone told me long ago
There’s a calm before the storm
I know, it’s been coming for some time
When it’s over, so they say
It’ll rain a sunny day
I know, shining down like water.”
19. Roger Miller – “King of the Road”
Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” is a must-know for guitar beginners.
It’s a rather short tune with only three chords and a slower rhythm.
So, grab your guitar, find a good tutorial, and become a king of the road!
“Ah, but two hours of pushing broom
Buys an eight by 12 four-bit room
I’m a man of means, by no means
King of the road.”
20. Keith Whitley – “When You Say Nothing at All”
After it was released in 1988, Keith Whitley’s ballad started topping the charts.
It’s also one of the easy slow country songs to play on guitar.
It’s catchy, gentle, and romantic. Perfect for all the guitar beginners who want to impress their better halves.
“The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
Yeah, you say it best
When you say nothing at all.”
21. Riley Green – “There Was This Girl”
If you’re searching for new country songs to play on guitar, this one is for you.
Riley Green’s 2018 tune is upbeat and lively.
But it’s fairly easy to learn for beginners learning to play guitar. It doesn’t have a lot of chords, and you can experiment with fingerpicking once you get a grasp of the strumming pattern.
There Was This Girl” could also be one of the easy country songs to sing for beginners.
The storytelling-style lyrics are sweet and relatable.
“But there was this girl, holdin’ my hand
Shootin’ me a “Start a life together” grin
She’s pullin’ me in, she’s straightenin’ me out
And now I know what love is all about.”
22. Merle Haggard – “Okie From Muskogee”
“Okie From Muskogee” is another popular country tune among guitar beginners.
It contains only two simple chords! Therefore, you won’t have any problems memorizing them.
And if you’re ready to learn some simple fingerpicking, this would be a great opportunity.
You can also learn the lyrics and sing along; it will certainly be fun!
“We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee;
We don’t take our trips on LSD
We don’t burn no draft cards down on Main Street;
We like livin’ right, and bein’ free.”
23. George Strait – “Ocean Front Property”
“Ocean Front Property” is an uplifting and easy county guitar song.
The lyrics are definitely less positive though. Oh well, maybe they weren’t meant to be taken seriously.
Either way, it’s a really simple song to learn on guitar.
You’ll only have to deal with three open chords, so it’s a great chance to work on your playing style.
“If you leave me
I won’t miss you
And I won’t ever take you back
Girl, your memory
Won’t ever haunt me
‘Cause I don’t love you
And now if you’ll buy that.”
24. Merle Travis – “Sixteen Tons”
And how about this oldie goldie?
Playing “Sixteen Tons” might be a bit challenging for absolute guitar beginners.
The song requires a more complex fingerpicking, so it’s actually suitable for intermediate players.
But it’s nothing that proper practice cannot solve.
It’s a great tune if you want to move forward and try something more challenging.
“Some people say a man is made out of mud
A poor man’s made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood, skin and bone
A mind that’s weak but a back that’s strong
I loaded 16 tons, what do you get?”
25. Johnny Cash – “A Boy Named Sue”
We have another Johnny Cash suggestion.
“A Boy Named Sue” has simple three chords (A, D, E.)
The chords and strum repeat throughout the song, so you won’t have any problems mastering them.
It’s a country classic, and you should definitely add it to your repertoire.
“What could I do?
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
I called him my pa, and he called me his son
Come away with a different point of view.”
26. Steve Goodwin – “City of New Orleans”
If you want to test your guitar chords knowledge, you can try to play “City of New Orleans.”
It’s a rather fast-paced tune, and it has a handful of chords you’ll have to remember.
But it’s still a beginner-friendly song, and if you take it slowly first, everything will be alright!
With practice and persistence, you can play whatever you set your mind to.
“Good mornin’ America, how are you?
Don’t you know me? I’m your native son!
I’m the train they call the City of New Orleans
I’ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done.”
27. Dolly Parton – “Coat of Many Colors”
This is another song that might be challenging for you, but it will be a great option once you acquire basic guitar skills.
It’s not too fast, but it has five chords (G, C, D, A, E) and there are many nuances you can add to your performance as you progress.
“My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly.”
28. Waylon Jennings – “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”
Don’t let the super-long title intimidate you.
This is actually one of the easiest country songs to learn on guitar.
It has more than three chords though, but the rhythm is quite steady and slow-paced.
And the fun of learning and getting to play this tune is guaranteed.
“Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make ’em be doctors and lawyers and such.”
29. Travis Tritt – “I’m Gonna Be Somebody”
Travis Tritt will inspire you to think about your future (and your potential musical endeavors.)
But he will also help you to work on your guitar skills.
“I’m Gonna Be Somebody” is relatively easy to play since it has a nice, moderate tempo.
“Bobby played his guitar on the harder side of town
Where it’s hard for a poor boy to find the money
He had dedication, he had the heart and soul
Somehow knew he was born to play.”
30. Marren Morris – “My Church”
“My Church” is a popular contemporary country song released in 2016.
The song has a classic, traditional feel though.
It’s also one of the simple 3 chord guitar songs, so you can learn it even if you’re an absolute beginner.
And if you have some experience, you can try to include some alternate strumming and eighth-note strumming. That will definitely add nuance and style to your performance.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best easy country guitar songs.
If some of these songs seem too complicated, don’t get discouraged. Some strumming patterns might be tricky for first-time beginners, but if you play it slowly first, there won’t be any issues!
Even the easiest beginner guitar songs take some time to master, so don’t rush it. Everything will feel more natural and fluid after enough practice.
But one thing is for sure: learning country songs on guitar is incredibly fun.
Most of them are energetic and uplifting.
So, pick the songs you like, find a good learning source, and start playing!
Want an easier way to learn guitar songs? Check out our complete list and reviews of online guitar lessons that work.
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