Have you just started learning how to play guitar?
You’re tired of learning notes and chords and you want to start playing some familiar tunes?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
We have a list of different types of easy guitar songs you can start learning today.
Whether you’re taking an online guitar course or you hired a teacher, these songs can be great extra practice.
So, here they are, the 50 best beginner guitar songs!
1. The Beatles – “Love Me Do”
“Love Me Do” is one of the easiest guitar songs.
It’s a very simple, catchy, and familiar tune.
In the beginning, you’ll only have to master two chords (G major and C major.)
And when the bridge comes, you’ll only have to add D major. That’s it!
“Love, love me do
You know I love you
I’ll always be true.”
2. Bob Marley – “Three Little Birds”
The title of this song is already giving you a hint: “Three Little Birds” has only three guitar chords!
It’s A, D, and, E, and super simple strumming patterns as well.
Moreover, it’s an iconic song that everybody knows and loves!
“Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin’ sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Sayin’, This is my message to you-ou-ou.”
3. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Bad Moon Rising”
“Bad Moon Rising” also has three chords: D major, A major, and G major.
However, the song is quite fast-paced.
But it has a very simple chord progression and it will undoubtedly help you improve your rhythm.
And we promise: when you master it, playing it will feel amazing!
4. 4 Non Blondes – “What’s Up”
“What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes has a bit more than three chords (E, Am, G, D, and B) but it’s still considered one of the easy songs to play on the guitar.
The song is not too fast, and you’ve probably heard it so many times so it will be easier for you to play it correctly (even by ear.)
And if you start playing it at a party, you’ll probably get a proper sing-along.
“And so I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
“What’s going on?”
5. Leonard Cohen – “Hallelujah”
Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is hands down one of the most covered songs.
It’s also one of the easy beginner guitar songs, so are you ready to make your own cover version?
You’ll only need to remember five chords.
And don’t worry, there are no secret chords.
“Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you dont really care for music, do you?”
6. Sam Smith – “Stay With Me”
Are you looking for a romantic tune that’s also an easy song to play on guitar?
We have a suggestion: Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me.”
This famous hit has super easy chords and it doesn’t require any advanced techniques.
And if you learn how to sing it too, you’ll have a perfect combo!
“Oh, won’t you stay with me?
‘Cause you’re all I need
This ain’t love, it’s clear to see
But darling, stay with me.”
7. Tracy Chapman – “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution”
Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” is a fantastic song.
And fortunately, it’s one of the guitar songs for beginners.
You’ll only have to keep repeating the same four chords (G, C, Em, D.)
“Don’t you know
Talking about a revolution?
It sounds like a whisper.”
8. The Animals – “House of the Rising Sun”
How about learning this timeless classic?
“House of the Rising Sun” has mostly beginner guitar chords (A minor, C major, D major, and E major.)
It also has a more challenging F major chord, but you can learn a simplified version.
Either way, the song has an easy chord progression, and it will help you develop fluidity in changing chords.
It’s also a great tune to learn if you want to work on arpeggiated picking.
9. Taylor Swift – “Wildest Dreams”
Are you a Taylor Swift fan?
We have good news: it won’t take you long to learn “Wildest Dreams.”
The song has basic open chords and you’ll probably master them quickly!
“Say you’ll remember me standing in a nice dress
Staring at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks
Say you’ll see me again
Even if it’s just pretend.”
10. Alanis Morissette – “Hand In My Pocket”
For playing Alanis Morissette’s “Hand In My Pocket”, you’ll need four chords: C, D, F, and G.
The song is not too fast, but it’s very uplifting and positive.
It has amazing lyrics too:
“I’m broke, but I’m happy
I’m poor, but I’m kind
I’m short, but I’m healthy, yeah
I’m high, but I’m grounded
I’m sane, but I’m overwhelmed
I’m lost, but I’m hopeful, baby.”
11. Vance Joy – “Riptide”
“Riptide” is one of our favorite beginner guitar songs.
It’s upbeat, motivating, and familiar.
And it has a fairly simple strumming pattern.
Also, a capo on the first fret will make things easier.
12. Tom Petty – “Free Fallin'”
“Free Fallin'” is one of the popular easy guitar songs.
It has four chords and three riffs, so you won’t have any problems learning it.
Moreover, everybody knows how to sing it (at least the chorus.)
13. Stealers Wheel – “Stuck in the Middle with You”
If you’re planning to bring your guitar to your campfire hangout, you can’t go wrong with Stealers Wheel’s iconic hit.
It’s familiar, lively, and ideal for creating good vibes.
And it’s one of the basic guitar songs with repeating chord progressions.
14. Men I Trust – “Show Me How”
If you’re searching for something slower, indie rockers Men I Trust are a great choice.
Their song “Show Me How” has a simple strumming pattern and relatively easy chords to learn.
It’s a laid-back tune that will allow you to explore different styles of playing.
15. St. Vincent – “Slow Disco”
Annie Clark, known as St. Vincent, is undoubtedly one of the best guitarists in music today.
She has a unique style, and her song “Slow Disco” is relatively easy to learn on guitar.
You can try to play it with simpler chords that sound more similar to St. Vincent’s live acoustic versions.
16. The National – “I Need My Girl”
When it comes to easy indie guitar songs, you can try playing “I Need My Girl.”
It’s a very sentimental song, but it’s a good piece to practice your technique on.
“I am good, I am grounded
Davy says that I look taller
I can’t get my head around it
I keep feeling smaller and smaller
I need my girl.”
17. Billie Eilish – “Your Power”
“Your Power” by Billie Eilish is a great song to learn on a guitar.
However, it might be a bit challenging for first-time beginners.
But strumming patterns are relatively easy, and you can play with reduced speed first.
“Try not to abuse your power
I know we didn’t choose to change
You might not wanna lose your power
But having it’s so strange.”
18. Green Day – “Good Riddance (Time of your Life)”
“Good Riddance (Time of your Life)” is a popular easy guitar song.
You can find a bunch of helpful tutorials, and you’ll be playing this touching, familiar tune in no time!
“It’s something unpredictable
But in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life.”
19. Van Morrison – “Brown Eyed Girl”
Speaking of popular guitar songs for beginners, we can’t skip this feel-good hit.
It’s a rather fast-paced song, but it’s based on fived chords.
Therefore, with enough practice, you’ll be able to play it at its original tempo without feeling stressed or insecure.
And of course, you’ll have to sing this part too:
“Do you remember when we used to sing?
Sha-la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la tee-da.”
20. Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” perhaps doesn’t have the easiest guitar chords, but its slower tempo will allow you to work on them.
And if you know (and love) the song, it will be much easier for you to pick up on the chords.
If you’re eager to learn it, you’re already on the right track!
21. Jack Johnson – “Upside Down”
If you’re ready to move just a little bit beyond the easy acoustic guitar songs, Jack Johnson’s “Upside Down” is a great first step.
You’ll have to learn two basic chords in the verse and a simple lead line.
It’s a good opportunity to learn the slide on acoustic guitar.
22. Snow Patrol – “Chasing Cars”
“Chasing Cars” is another song that can introduce you to more complex.
But don’t worry: the pace is steady and it will give you enough time to adjust.
“If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”
23. Adele – “Can I Get It”
Adele’s song “Can I Get It” from her latest album “30” is a fairly easy song to play on guitar.
You’ll have a couple of chord progressions to learn.
The song is rather fast, but if you start practicing slowly, you’ll get that strumming pattern!
“Pave me a path to follow
And I’ll tread any dangerous road
I will beg and I’ll steal, I will borrow
If I can make, if I can make your heart my home.”
24. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Otherside”
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without Red Hot Chili Peppers.
And you learn one of their signature songs relatively quickly.
“Otherside” contains six chords, so you’ll also be introduced to some additional chords. But since you probably know this song by heart, it will be easy for you to remember it.
“How long, how long will I slide?
Separate my side, I don’t
I don’t believe it’s bad
Slit my throat it’s all I ever.”
25. America – “A Horse With No Name”
“A Horse With No Name” should also be on your easy guitar chords songs list.
It’s a great song for jamming with your friends, once you learn all the necessary chords.
“On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings.”
26. The Blues Brothers – “Sweet Home Chicago”
Or do you want to learn some blues tunes?
Well, “Sweet Home Chicago” is not just “some tune” – it’s arguably one of the best songs about Chicago.
And it’s an easy song to learn on guitar.
“Sweet Home Chicago” will also introduce you to blues riffs which is very useful knowledge if you’re interested in this genre.
27. Nat King Cole – “Autumn Leaves”
And if you prefer jazz, why not start with this jazz standard?
“Autumn Leaves” requires playing chords and melodies, but if you have basic guitar skills, you’ll be able to get a hang of it.
And since it’s a very popular tune, there are plenty of great tutorials on the Internet to choose from.
28. Frank Sinatra – “Fly Me to the Moon”
If you liked our previous suggestion, you’ll probably be happy to hear that you can learn Sinatra’s iconic song quite easily.
“Fly Me to the Moon” can be categorized as one of the beginner guitar songs if you use simple strumming patterns.
There are many online beginner-friendly guitar lessons that can take you through the song step by step.
29. Paolo Nutini – “Candy”
Paolo Nutini’s “Candy” has five chords in it, so it’s definitely one of the simple guitar songs.
And since it’s originally a guitar-driven song, it sounds great if it’s only you and the guitar.
“Darling I’ll bathe your skin
I’ll even wash your clothes
Just give me some candy
Before I go.”
30. Norah Jones – “Come Away With Me”
If you want to play and sing Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me” would be a good choice.
It’s a slow-paced, gentle song, and it can be taught in a beginner guitar lesson.
“Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song.”
31. Arctic Monkeys – “505”
“505” by Arctic Monkeys can also be one of the easy songs to play on guitar.
The song has both slow and fast strumming sections, but you’ll manage to get a grasp of it, even if you’re an absolute beginner.
“Stop and wait a sec
When you look at me like that, my darlin’, what did you expect?
I’d probably still adore you with your hands around my neck
Or I did last time I checked.”
32. Radiohead – “High and Dry”
If you’re a Radiohead fan, maybe you want to start with “High and Dry.”
You can use a capo (C2) and you shouldn’t have any problems remembering the chords.
“Drying up in conversation
You will be the one who cannot talk
All your insides fall to pieces
You just sit there wishing you could still make love.”
33. Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”
It’s always good to have some classics in your repertoire.
And is there a better guitar classic than “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”?
It’s also one of the easy guitar songs for beginners.
You’ll have to learn four chords (G, D, C, Am) and an easy strumming pattern.
“Mama take this badge from me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark too dark to see
Feels like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door.”
34. The Rolling Stones – “Wild Horses”
Another rock classic you might want to learn is “Wild Horses.”
It’s definitely one of The Rolling Stones’ best tracks, and it’s a relatively easy song to learn on guitar.
“Wild horses
Couldn’t drag me away
Wild, wild horses
Couldn’t drag me away.”
35. Pink Floyd – “Wish You Were Here”
Yes, you can learn Pink Floyd too!
“Wish You Were Here” maybe has a couple of more chords than other songs on this list, but they are fairly easy to play.
And since it’s an iconic song, you’ll find a myriad of simplified tutorials you can learn from.
Just take it step by step, don’t rush, and you’ll get there!
36. Angus and Julia Stone – “Big Jet Plane”
“Big Jet Plane” is one of the best indie tunes you can try to learn on guitar.
If you want to practice with a recording, you’ll need a capo on the first fret. And if you have some experience, you won’t have any problems learning the chords.
It’s a great song to play both on electric and acoustic guitar.
37. The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”
“Ho Hey” is a nice, slow song that can help you practice your guitar technique.
It contains four chords (F, C, Am, G), and once you master them, you’ll be able to play a lot of Lumineers tracks.
It’s also a feel-good, folksy tune, which makes it a perfect campfire song!
“I belong with you, you belong with me
You’re my sweetheart
I belong with you, you belong with me
You’re my sweet.”
38. John Denver – “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
If you want to play country music, you can start with John Denver’s classic.
Playing “Take Me Home, Country Roads” doesn’t require any advanced guitar skills. You just have to take it slowly first.
“Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads.”
39. Pearl Jam – “Black”
If you’re searching for easy electric guitar songs, you’ll perhaps be happy to hear that Pearl Jam’s “Black” is one of them.
It’s a very powerful song, and you will feel amazing once you learn how to play it fluidly.
“I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life
I know you’ll be a star
In somebody else’s sky
But why
Why
Why can’t it be
Oh can’t it be mine.”
40. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Whether you think “Wonderwall” is overplayed or you still enjoy it on a regular basis, it’s a beginner guitar classic.
It’s not one of the easiest guitar songs though, but if you have basic guitar skills, you won’t have any problems with the strumming patterns.
41. Alicia Keys – “Fallin'”
How about some soulful R&B on the guitar?
Alicia Keys’ signature song would be a good start.
Besides sounding interesting on the acoustic guitar, “Fallin'” is a great song for practicing some basic fingerpicking.
42. Nelly Furtado – “Say It Right”
And if you want to do a cover version of Nelly Furtado’s “Say It Right”, you can learn its strumming patterns quite easily.
You’ll only have to memorize three chords (Em, D, and C.)
43. The Cranberries – “Linger”
Yes, “Linger” by The Cranberries is often categorized as one of the super easy guitar songs for beginners.
It maybe doesn’t seem that way, but if you find a comprehensible beginner lesson, you’ll be able to learn it quickly and easily.
It’s a somewhat fast-paced song though, so make sure you practice with a reduced speed first.
44. Edwyn Collins – “A Girl Like You”
If you’ve already grasped the basics, you are ready to play this fantastic tune.
“A Girl Like You” is a great song to work on your minor chord grips.
And you’ll need to use a capo at the third fret.
45. Depeche Mode – “Personal Jesus”
The moment you learn how to play the main riff of “Personal Jesus”, you’ll feel pretty cool.
It’s a great song, and it can be a good opportunity to test what you’ve learned so far.
“Take second best
Put me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I’m a forgiver.”
46. Dire Straits – “Walk of Life”
If you find someone who will teach you a simplified version of the song, “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits definitely falls under the category of easy guitar songs.
You’ll have to play only three chords, and if you want to play along with a recording (which we recommend), you’ll have to put a capo on the seventh fret.
47. Ben E. King – “Stand By Me”
“Stand By Me” is also one of the easiest guitar songs to learn.
The beginner version of the song is often played in the key of G but you can easily switch it to the original key of A.
48. Coldplay – “The Scientist”
“The Scientist” is one of Coldplay’s most beloved and sentimental songs.
And you can easily learn how to play on your guitar!
“It’s such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard.”
49. Sharon Van Etten – “Seventeen”
If you want to work on your chord changes, “Seventeen” would be a great choice.
The song contains four chords (G, Em, D, C) and a slightly different but relatively easy strumming pattern.
50. Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams”
Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” is a perfect guitar song for beginners.
It only has two chords (F and G) throughout the song, and you learn the strumming pattern that fits the song quite easily.
May your all guitar dreams come true!
Final Thoughts
That’s it for today!
We hope that you found something to your liking and that you’ll start learning something new right away.
There are many great online tutorials that can teach you, as well as useful websites with numerous guitar tabs.
If you’re already familiar with basic guitar chords, there’s nothing stopping you!
After all, practicing easy songs on guitar can be a great way to apply what you’ve learned in your music course.
In the end, is there a better motivation to improve your guitar skills than playing the music you like?
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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