Learning guitar can be an incredibly rewarding journey, and one of the most motivating ways to progress is by learning to play songs you love. If you’re just starting out, the prospect of mastering complex chords and intricate riffs might seem daunting. Fortunately, there are tons of fantastic songs that are perfect for beginners, using simple chords and straightforward strumming patterns. This list of 27 easy guitar songs is designed to get you playing quickly, building your confidence and skills as you go. From rock anthems to soulful ballads, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy and learn.
1. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
For aspiring rock guitarists, “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath is an absolute must-learn. This iconic metal track is surprisingly accessible for beginners. It kicks off with a powerful E power chord on the 7th fret, instantly giving you that classic heavy rock feel. The song primarily uses E, A, and D power chords, played with a consistent down-picking rhythm. “Paranoid” is excellent for developing your power chord technique and getting used to faster tempos. Pay close attention to the song’s rhythm, and you’ll be headbanging along to this legendary 70s hit in no time. It’s a fantastic introduction to easy guitar songs in the rock genre.
2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
Capo on the 1st fret is required.
Lewis Capaldi’s emotionally charged ballad, “Someone You Loved,” is a brilliant choice for beginners looking to strum and sing. This soulful song relies on a simple chord progression of C, G, Am, and F chords. You can approach this song with a slow, steady strumming pattern to match its melancholic mood, making it one of the great easy guitar songs for practicing rhythm. For a more advanced approach, try fingerpicking the individual strings to bring out a more melodic texture. While the bridge introduces Am7 and Dm7 chords, these are easy variations of the basic open chords, requiring only minor finger adjustments. “Someone You Loved” is perfect for practicing chord transitions and developing your singing and playing coordination with easy guitar songs.
3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd boasts an instantly recognizable and fun riff that’s perfect for beginner guitarists. This Southern rock anthem revolves around D, C, and G open chord shapes. If you’ve already practiced these fundamental chords, you’ll be able to pick up this riff quickly. It’s not overly complicated, and the more you practice, the faster and more authentically “twangy” your playing will become. A helpful tip for learning this riff is to keep your pinky finger anchored on the 3rd fret of the B string; this will help your other fingers naturally fall into the C and G chord shapes. The key to mastering “Sweet Home Alabama” is to play along with the original recording, carefully matching the beat and picking style of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Because the riff loops back to the beginning, it’s incredibly satisfying to play repeatedly and is a really fun example of easy guitar songs with iconic riffs.
4. “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty
Capo on the 3rd fret is required.
“Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty, famously covered by artists like John Mayer, is a timeless classic with a simple chord progression that’s ideal for beginners. With a capo placed on the 3rd fret, you’ll be playing primarily with open D, A, and E chords. The song also incorporates a Dsus4 chord, which adds a touch of variation. Don’t be intimidated by the name; Dsus4 is simply a D chord with your pinky finger placed on the 3rd fret of the high E string instead of the 2nd. “Free Fallin'” works beautifully on both acoustic and electric guitars. For electric, try adding a touch of overdrive for a classic rock tone. This song is perfect for practicing smooth chord changes and is a quintessential example of easy guitar songs for sing-alongs.
5. “My Generation” by The Who
“My Generation” by The Who is incredibly easy to play and an absolute blast to rock out to. This high-energy anthem is built around just two chords: G and F. For that signature meaty rock sound, play these as power chords. The song’s simplicity leaves plenty of room for you to unleash your vocals during the instrumental pauses. “My Generation,” a 60s mega-hit, is famous for its bass solo, but Pete Townshend’s guitar fills provide excellent cues for you to add your own improvisations. It’s a fantastic track for developing your early soloing skills because the rhythm and chord structure are so straightforward, making it one of the more energetic and easy guitar songs to learn.
6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals is a classic folk-rock tune that utilizes a slightly wider range of chords but remains accessible for beginners. The song revolves around Am, C, D, E, and F chords. Instead of strumming, “House of the Rising Sun” is typically played by picking each note of the chord individually, ascending and descending in pitch to create its signature bluesy and somber tone. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a C/E chord, which is a C chord with an E note in the bass. This is a simple variation that’s just a slight step away from the standard open chord structure. You’ll also find E7 and F7 chords, which introduce 7th notes from the scale, adding a touch of harmonic tension. These are simple variations of open chords that appear sparingly to add depth to certain lines, making this a slightly more challenging but still very much within the realm of easy guitar songs.
7. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
If you’re in the mood for some country fun, “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus is a perfect, if somewhat cheesy, choice. This undeniably catchy country jam is built on just two chords: A and E. This simplicity provides a great foundation for exploring country-style guitar techniques using the notes within the open A and E chords. Experiment with scales in the key of A to start improvising simple solos over the chord progression. If you want to take it further, you can even try incorporating “chicken pickin'” techniques for an authentic country sound. “Achy Breaky Heart” is a fun and straightforward example of easy guitar songs for exploring country guitar styles.
8. “American Idiot” by Green Day
“American Idiot” by Green Day, a massive hit from 2003, remains as energetic and fun to play today as it was upon release. The main riff consists of three simple power chords in C#, G#, and F# positions. You’ll quickly switch between these three power chords throughout the riff. At the end of the riff phrase, there’s a short, sharp, and energetic hit of the open strings that signals the vocal entrance. The guitar solo is also relatively easy to learn, featuring octave shapes played in quick succession followed by a straightforward lick higher up the neck. “American Idiot” is a great choice for beginners wanting to learn easy guitar songs with a punk-rock edge and a recognizable riff.
9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
“Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley is a feel-good reggae classic that you’ll master in no time. This optimistic and uplifting song is made up of just three chords – A, D, and E – played with a reggae strumming pattern. The reggae strumming rhythm can be a bit tricky to grasp initially, especially if you’re new to the genre. Start with a regular, consistent strumming pattern as you become comfortable with the chord changes. As you progress, you can work on incorporating the more complex and syncopated reggae strumming beat. “Three Little Birds” is a perfect example of easy guitar songs that introduce you to different musical styles and strumming techniques.
10. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is a rite of passage for any aspiring guitarist. This groundbreaking grunge anthem features just four power chords. These power chords are played at the 1st fret of the E string, 1st fret of the A string, 4th fret of the E string, and 4th fret of the A string. The rhythm is relatively simple and allows you to play with a lot of attitude and energy. To nail the rhythm, hit each chord a couple of times and then fill the spaces between chords with muted strums across the strings. For the verses, simply hold down the 1st fret of the high E and B strings and pluck them – and you’ve got the complete verse part. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is an essential entry in the list of easy guitar songs, teaching power chords and grunge dynamics.
11. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison is undeniably singable and guaranteed to lift your spirits whenever you play it. Its cheerful mood comes from its bright G major key. Featuring easy-strumming open G, C, D, and Em chords, it’s a fantastic song for practicing your vocals while you play. Once you’ve mastered the chords and rhythm, why not try learning the fun, riff-based intro? “Brown Eyed Girl” is an upbeat and feel-good addition to the category of easy guitar songs, perfect for parties or solo practice sessions.
12. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Capo on the 2nd fret is required.
“Wonderwall” by Oasis, while sometimes jokingly groaned at, is a seminal song that every guitarist should have in their repertoire. It’s constructed from basic G, C, D, and Em chords, but with a slight sonic twist. To achieve that iconic “Wonderwall” treble-heavy tone, hold down the 3rd fret of the B and high E strings on all of these chords. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a G transition chord. This chord acts as a smooth bridge into the Em chord. To play it, move your finger from the 3rd fret to the 2nd fret of the low E string while keeping the rest of the strings open (except for the B and high E strings, which remain fretted at the 3rd fret). The G transition chord is played just once and helps create a seamless transition. This chord movement is common in many songs, so learning it early is beneficial. “Wonderwall” is a classic example of easy guitar songs that are both recognizable and fundamental to learn.
13. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
“Zombie” by The Cranberries is a soulful and somber 90s anthem that’s surprisingly simple to learn on guitar. It uses just four chords: Em, Cmaj7, G, and D. The Cmaj7 chord might sound complex, but it’s essentially the same as a regular open C chord, just without fretting the 1st fret on the B string. There’s a real satisfaction in belting out “What’s in your heaaaad” while playing through this comfortable and emotionally resonant chord progression. “Zombie” is a powerful and evocative example of easy guitar songs that allow you to express deeper musical emotions.
14. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan/Guns N’ Roses
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” originally by Bob Dylan and famously covered by Guns N’ Roses, is a timeless classic that’s both enjoyable to play and easy to sing along with. The verse chord progression goes G, D, Am/G, D, C, with the last chord alternating between Am and C. For the chorus, the progression simplifies to just G, D, and C. Then, you revert to the alternating Am and C in the verse progression again. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is a fantastic song for practicing chord changes and dynamic control, and its simple structure makes it one of the most accessible easy guitar songs for beginners across generations.
15. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
“The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band is a true earworm. You might not immediately recognize the song title, but you’ll definitely know the tune once you start playing. It’s incredibly easy to play, consisting of just G, Cadd9, and D – all very common and simple chords, played in a steady, repeating pattern. As you gain confidence in playing these chords and transitioning smoothly between them, you can start experimenting with picking individual notes to mimic the song’s bass line and adding in your own little guitar licks and embellishments. “The Joker” is a catchy and repetitive example of easy guitar songs that are great for building rhythm and improvisation skills.
16. “Buck Rogers” by Feeder
“Buck Rogers” by Feeder is a Brit-pop gem from the 2000s that still sounds fresh and energetic today. “Buck Rogers” features a super simple arrangement based around an open Em chord and power chords at the 7th and 9th frets of the low E string. That forms the basic rhythmic structure of the song. The chorus adds a further power chord at the 5th fret of the low E string. All chords are strummed with a consistent beat that’s easy to follow. “Buck Rogers” is a high-energy and straightforward example of easy guitar songs that are perfect for practicing power chords and rhythmic strumming.
17. “All The Small Things” by Blink 182
“All The Small Things” by Blink 182 is pop-punk at its absolute finest. This smash hit is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s sure to get everyone singing along. The song revolves around a C power chord at the 3rd fret of the A string, a G power chord at the 3rd fret of the low E string, and a power chord in the F position. It’s a nice and simple chord progression that’s also easy to sing along to. The strumming pattern is quick to pick up as it’s almost entirely down-picking. Listen carefully for the palm mutes (where you rest the edge of your palm lightly on the strings while strumming) in the intro and other short pauses to fully capture the song’s dynamics. “All The Small Things” is a quintessential pop-punk example in the world of easy guitar songs.
18. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol is a soulful, catchy, and exceptionally easy song to play on guitar. Featuring a beautiful, melodic riff that’s picked throughout much of the song, “Chasing Cars” offers a refreshing change from chord-heavy songs. Instead of strumming, you’ll be picking power chord shapes for the main riff. There’s a slight finger stretch involved in picking the 5th fret of the A string and the 9th fret of the G string simultaneously, which is excellent for building hand strength and dexterity. Towards the end of the song, a series of chords – A, E/G#, D, Dsus2, Dmaj7 – are introduced, played in a steady, down-picked fashion to match the vocals. “Chasing Cars” is a melodically rich and emotionally resonant example of easy guitar songs that develops both picking and chord skills.
19. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is built on open chords, features a memorable intro, and has timeless lyrics that everyone knows. “Stand By Me” is one of those songs that you can’t help but sing along to. The simple C, Am, F, G chord progression makes it easy to focus on your vocals while you play guitar. The song’s iconic intro riff is all about timing and feel, so listen closely to the original recording to accurately capture its rhythm. For strumming patterns, aim to stay in time with the beat to match the tempo and overall feel of the song. “Stand By Me” is a universally loved and incredibly accessible example of easy guitar songs that are perfect for practicing both chords and rhythm.
20. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
“Love Me Do” by The Beatles is super simple and a true classic. Consisting of G, C, G7, and D chords, “Love Me Do” is very quick to learn and start strumming along with. The G7 chord is a very slight variation of the G, simply moving one finger from the 3rd fret to the 1st fret of the high E string. Even better, the strumming pattern is consistent and not overly complex. “Love Me Do” is a foundational song for any guitarist, a perfect example of easy guitar songs from one of the most influential bands of all time.
21. “A Horse With No Name” by America
“A Horse With No Name” by America uses chords that are not difficult to play, but the strumming pattern is a little different from typical beginner songs. Em, D6/9, Em9, and Dmaj9 make up the main chord progression, and all are relatively easy to finger. The D6/9 chord involves just one fretted note, Em9 requires you to hold the 2nd fret of the high E string instead of the A string, and Dmaj9 is a slight variation of the standard D chord. The key to “A Horse With No Name” is mastering its distinctive strumming rhythm, which is a bit more syncopated than many beginner songs. It’s a great song for developing your rhythmic feel and is a slightly more rhythmically challenging but still very accessible example of easy guitar songs.
22. “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones
“Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones is a quintessential punk rock anthem and a super simple song made up of just three power chords. These power chords are positioned at the 5th fret of the low E string, the 5th fret of the A string, and the 7th fret of the A string – a very straightforward progression to learn. The key to “Blitzkrieg Bop” is to play it fast and loud! It’s all about energy and attitude, making it a perfect song for beginners to unleash their inner punk rocker and a prime example of easy guitar songs in the punk genre.
23. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is built on three chords, a simple strumming pattern, and features powerful, soulful vocals. G, Am, and C are the only chords you need to learn to play “What’s Up?”. The strumming pattern progresses from slow to fast within each bar, making it relatively quick to internalize the rhythm of the entire song. “What’s Up?” is a great song for practicing dynamic strumming and is a powerful and emotionally resonant addition to the list of easy guitar songs.
24. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day is a mellow and catchy acoustic ballad, perfect for acoustic guitar lovers. G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C chords create a simple and pleasing chord progression that’s quick to learn. The trick to mastering the intro is to avoid full strums initially. Instead, play the lower strings while sequentially picking the high E and B strings. Soon after the intro, the song transitions to standard strumming. “Good Riddance” is a beautiful and introspective example of easy guitar songs, perfect for practicing fingerpicking and gentle strumming.
25. “Circles” by Post Malone
“Circles” by Post Malone is a genuinely fun tune to strum and sing along with. The strumming pattern is very straightforward, and while the chord names might look a bit intimidating at first glance, they are mostly simple variations of common open chords: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, and Cmaj7/B. Although some of these chord names seem complicated, they are actually just slight adjustments to familiar open chord shapes. If you find the F barre chord challenging, you can simplify it by playing it as either an F power chord or an open F chord to get started. “Circles” is a modern pop hit and a surprisingly accessible example of easy guitar songs for beginners wanting to learn contemporary music.
26. “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers features a catchy and distinctive riff and relatively simple chords. While “Otherside” typically doesn’t have strummed chords in the verses on the original recording, strumming the chords works just as well for learning purposes. The song uses Am, F, C, G, Em, and A chords, making it quite straightforward to get started with. As you improve, you can challenge yourself by learning to play the iconic “Otherside” riff and melody over a backing track. “Otherside” is a great song for developing both chord and riff playing skills, making it a versatile choice among easy guitar songs.
27. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Capo on the 2nd fret is required.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran is a lovely and slow song with an easy selection of chords, perfect for practicing smooth transitions. C, C/E, F, G, Dm, and Am are all the chords you need to play the entire song. The key to mastering “Thinking Out Loud” is listening closely to the timing and phrasing, particularly in lines like “maybe we found love right where we are,” where there’s a chord change for almost every word. This can be a little tricky at first, but with practice, you’ll soon master it. “Thinking Out Loud” is a beautiful and romantic example of easy guitar songs, ideal for practicing chord changes and developing your ear for timing and phrasing.
These 27 easy guitar songs are a fantastic starting point for any beginner guitarist. By learning these songs, you’ll not only build your chord vocabulary and strumming skills but also gain the satisfaction of playing recognizable and enjoyable music. So pick up your guitar, choose a song from this list, and start your musical journey today!
