Picking up the acoustic guitar is an exciting journey. The warm sound and the ability to play anywhere make it a fantastic instrument for beginners. However, many new players get discouraged early on. One of the best ways to stay motivated and progress quickly is to learn songs you love right from the start. That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate list of 52 Starter Acoustic Guitar Songs.
This isn’t just any list; it’s a year-long roadmap to keep you inspired. Imagine learning a new, fun song every week for an entire year! These songs are carefully selected to be accessible to beginners, using basic chords and strumming patterns. If you find a few challenging at first, don’t worry! Mark them and come back as you build your skills with the easier ones.
The focus here is on songs that primarily use open chords. These are the foundational chords every guitarist learns first, and they are perfect for acoustic starter songs. Each song entry includes a chord diagram to help you visualize and learn the necessary chords quickly.
But don’t think “easy” means boring! This collection is packed with popular rock and roll tunes, ranging from upbeat anthems to soulful ballads. You’ll find songs with simple three-chord structures and some that introduce slightly more complex progressions as you advance. Whether you’re just picking up the guitar or brushing up on basics, these songs are guaranteed to be enjoyable to play.
For those looking to expand their musical knowledge, feel free to explore how these songs can be played using different CAGED chord shapes or by incorporating triads. But for now, let’s dive into the list and get you playing real music right away!
1. “Nutshell” – Alice in Chains
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – G – D – Cadd9
Starting with a deeply emotive track, “Nutshell” from Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies EP is a fantastic starter acoustic song. Its four-chord progression in Em is surprisingly simple to navigate. The beauty of this progression lies in how the ring finger can act as an anchor, making chord changes smoother and easier for beginners to master.
Listen: “Nutshell” – Alice In Chains
2. “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly,” from the album Into the Great Wide Open, is practically synonymous with easy acoustic guitar songs. The chord progression F – C – Am – G repeats throughout the entire song with minimal variation. This repetitive structure makes it an incredibly accessible song to learn and memorize, perfect for building confidence.
Listen: “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
3. “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Simplicity at its finest, “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones is built on a fundamental 3-chord progression. It doesn’t get much easier than this, making it an ideal choice for beginner acoustic guitar songs. What’s remarkable is how these three chords create distinct verse, pre-chorus, and chorus sections, showcasing the power of basic harmony.
Listen: “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
4. “Rockin’ In the Free World” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em – D – C – G – A
For a bit more energy, Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” is a fantastic, hard-rocking song in the key of Em. Despite its driving rhythm, it remains an easy guitar song to learn and a must-know for any beginner wanting to add some rock to their repertoire of starter acoustic songs.
Listen: “Rockin’ in the Free World” – Neil Young
5. “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Key: Em (F#m)
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9 – Am
“The Celestials” by The Smashing Pumpkins is excellent for practicing essential strumming patterns. While officially played with a capo on the 2nd fret, learning it with open chords as shown here makes it a perfect beginner acoustic guitar song for developing rhythm and chord transitions.
Listen: “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
6. “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Another incredibly easy acoustic guitar song, “Used to Love Her” by Guns N’ Roses shares a striking similarity with “Dead Flowers.” Utilizing the same three open guitar chords, the chord progression is only slightly different. Learning one essentially gives you a head start on the other, reinforcing your chord knowledge.
Listen: “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
7. “One” – U2
Key: Am
Chords: Am – D – F – G – C
Universally loved, “One” by U2 is not only a powerful song but also surprisingly easy to learn on guitar. Its straightforward chord progression and moderate tempo make it a prime choice as a starter acoustic song for beginners to connect with and enjoy playing.
Listen: “One” – U2
8. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: C
Chords: C – Am – G – F – C/B – Am/G
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival introduces a slightly more advanced concept: slash chords. While this might sound complex, the song remains beginner-friendly and provides a gentle introduction to chords with bass notes other than the root. This is a great way to subtly expand your understanding of chord structure while playing a classic starter acoustic guitar song.
Listen: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
The Lumineers are masters of simplicity, and “Ho Hey” is a testament to their minimalist approach. Built around just four chords, this song is incredibly repetitive and easy to grasp, making it a perfect acoustic starter song. It also offers room to experiment with different fingerings for the F and G chords, encouraging exploration even within basic songs.
Listen: “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
10. “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am – Em
From Van Morrison’s iconic Moondance album, “And It Stoned Me” is a five-chord gem in G major. Composed entirely of open chords, it’s ideally suited as a starter acoustic guitar song. Its mellow groove and accessible chords make it both enjoyable to learn and play.
Listen: “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
11. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Cadd9 – Em
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” from Green Day’s Nimrod album is a graduation anthem and a fantastic starter acoustic song. While the original features arpeggiated chords, it sounds equally beautiful when simply strummed. This versatility makes it adaptable to different skill levels and preferences.
Listen: “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
12. “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – C#m – G# – E – B
Don’t be intimidated by the chord count for The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane.” While it introduces more chords, the song’s structure is repetitive and the strumming pattern is engaging. It’s a step up for beginners ready to expand their chord vocabulary within a still manageable starter acoustic song. Be aware that it does contain barre chords, which might be slightly more challenging for absolute beginners, but a good goal to work towards.
Listen: “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
13. “I Remember You” – Skid Row
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“I Remember You,” Skid Row’s power ballad, translates surprisingly well to acoustic guitar and is a great starter acoustic song. The chords are mostly strummed, offering opportunities to experiment with adding subtle embellishments between chord changes as your skills develop.
Listen: “I Remember You” – Skid Row
14. “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – F
From Pink Floyd’s monumental The Wall, “Mother” features a simple chord progression in G. While the chords themselves are easy, the strumming pattern has a unique intricacy that can be a good challenge for beginners looking to refine their rhythmic precision with starter acoustic guitar songs.
Listen: “Mother” – Pink Floyd
15. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am
A timeless classic, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan is practically designed for beginner guitar players. Its iconic and simple chord progression makes it one of the most universally recognized and easily learned starter acoustic songs.
Listen: “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
16. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M.
Key: A
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – E
R.E.M.’s “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” is an energetic and fun four-chord song. Its upbeat tempo and straightforward chords make it an engaging and easy guitar song to learn and play, perfect for practice sessions.
Listen: “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M
17. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: D
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, from their Second Helping album, is a Southern rock anthem built on a mostly three-chord progression. It’s a quintessential starter acoustic song for beginners. The Cadd9 in the opening riff can be simplified to a standard C major chord for easier strumming.
Listen: “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
18. “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
Key: G
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Bm – F
“Wild Horses,” another gem from The Rolling Stones, off their Sticky Fingers album, is a classic that every guitarist should learn. Despite a few more chords than some others on this list, its moderate tempo and familiar structure make it a rewarding starter acoustic song to master.
Listen: “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
19. “No Rain” – Blind Melon
Key: E
Chords: E – A – G – D – E7
Blind Melon’s “No Rain,” a staple of the 90s alternative scene, is primarily a four-chord song with a touch of E7 for flavor. Its distinctive groove and straightforward chords make it a very enjoyable and easy guitar song for beginners to strum along to.
Listen: “No Rain” – Blind Melon
20. “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – F – B♭ – C
While often played on electric guitar, “Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams is equally fun and effective as an acoustic starter song. Its energetic rock vibe and relatively simple chord progression make it a satisfying song to learn and play, especially for those wanting to rock out acoustically.
Listen: “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
21. “Cover Me” – Candlebox
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9
From Candlebox’s debut album, “Cover Me” is a fantastic acoustic track perfectly suited for those starting their guitar journey. Its basic strumming pattern and moderate tempo are ideal for practicing chord changes and building foundational skills with beginner acoustic guitar songs.
Listen: “Cover Me” – Candlebox
22. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Em – D7
The second Van Morrison entry on this list, “Brown Eyed Girl,” is another upbeat and easy acoustic guitar song that’s simply fun to strum. Its cheerful melody and accessible chords make it a crowd-pleaser and a great addition to any beginner’s repertoire of starter acoustic songs.
Listen: “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
23. “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – A – D – Dsus2
Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” is another classic and a perfect starter acoustic song. Played with a capo on the 3rd fret, the chords are based on open shapes relative to the capo, making it easy to grasp while still sounding rich and full.
Listen: “Mr. Tambourine” – Bob Dylan
24. “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
Key: Am
Chords: Am – F – Dm – G – C
“Mr. Jones,” the breakthrough hit from Counting Crows’ August and Everything After, is a fantastic song for beginner guitar players to learn. Its memorable melody and approachable chord progression make it a rewarding starter acoustic song.
Listen: “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
25. “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Dsus2 – Dsus4 – Asus2 – Asus4
Led Zeppelin might not immediately come to mind for easy guitar songs, but “Tangerine” is an exception. This beautiful acoustic track is surprisingly accessible and serves as a gentle introduction to sus2 and sus4 chords, expanding your chord vocabulary within a beginner-friendly context. It’s a sophisticated starter acoustic song that sounds impressive.
Listen: “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
26. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Just three chords are all you need for “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. This song reinforces the idea that great songs don’t require complicated chord progressions, and it’s a perfect example of a simple yet powerful starter acoustic song.
Listen: “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
27. “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
Key: E♭
Chords: C – G – Em – F
Another Van Morrison classic from Moondance, “Into the Mystic,” uses a capo on the 3rd fret. The chords provided are open shapes relative to the capo, making it play like an easy acoustic guitar song while sounding rich and full.
Listen: “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
28. “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: Em7 – A7sus4 – G – D – C – Am
Chord names like A7sus4 in “Wish You Were Here” might seem daunting, but don’t let them scare you. This Pink Floyd classic is actually quite accessible. Despite the slightly more complex chord names, they are all relatively easy to play, making this an excellent and recognizable starter acoustic song.
Listen: “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
29. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – D – Em7 – A
Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” offers a chance to play with strumming dynamics. Its moderate tempo and familiar chord progression make it a fun and engaging starter acoustic song for practicing rhythm and expression.
Listen: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
30. “Wonderwall” – Oasis
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – A – C
“Wonderwall” from Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? album is a 90s anthem and a great starter acoustic song. While it involves some unique strumming techniques, the underlying chords are beginner-friendly, allowing you to gradually incorporate more nuanced rhythms as you improve.
Listen: “Wonderwall” – Oasis
31. “The Times They are A-Changin’” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: Em – G – Am – D – C
You could easily create an entire list of easy songs for beginners just from Bob Dylan’s catalog. “The Times They Are A-Changin’” is another powerful and iconic song with a simple yet effective chord progression, perfect for building your repertoire of starter acoustic songs.
Listen: “The Times They Are A Changin’” – Bob Dylan
32. “When I Come Around” – Green Day
Key: G
Chords: G – D – Em – C – Am
One of Green Day’s biggest hits, “When I Come Around” from Dookie, translates well to acoustic guitar. The chords are adapted here to open positions, making it an easy guitar song to learn. You can also explore playing it with power chords later as you progress.
Listen: “When I Come Around” – Green Days
33. “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
Key: F#m
Chords: G# – A – D – Dm – F#m – E – C#m
“Buddy Holly,” the song that launched Weezer into mainstream success from their 1994 debut album, is a surprisingly fun starter acoustic song. While the key might seem slightly less common for beginners, the chord shapes themselves are manageable, and the song’s upbeat energy is infectious.
Listen: “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
34. “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
Key: A
Chords: A – Bm – D
Another easy three-chord song, “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes was a massive hit from their 1992 debut album Bigger, Better, Faster, More!. Its powerful vocals and simple chord structure make it a great sing-along starter acoustic song.
Listen: “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
35. “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
Key: G
Chords: Em – D – G – C
Released in 1989, Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” has become an enduring American anthem. Like many of Petty’s songs, it’s built on a simple chord progression, demonstrating how much can be achieved with fundamental chords in starter acoustic songs.
Listen: “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
36. “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
Key: G
Chords: G – D – C – Am
John Mellencamp’s uptempo classic “Small Town” is a long-time favorite and a great starter acoustic song. Its catchy melody and straightforward chords make it both enjoyable to play and a good practice piece for chord transitions.
Listen: “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
37. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Poison’s 80s power ballad, is surprisingly beginner-friendly on acoustic guitar. With a straightforward strumming pattern and open chords, it truly doesn’t get much easier for a recognizable and popular starter acoustic song.
Listen: “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
38. “About a Girl” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – C#/G# – F# – A – C
Nirvana’s “About A Girl” from their Bleach album might seem to have a lot of chords at first glance. However, it’s structured in a way that’s not overly complicated, making it a manageable and rewarding starter acoustic song for beginners ready for a slight challenge.
Listen: “About A Girl” – Nirvana
39. “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – Cadd9 – G – Dsus4/F# – D – Em
“Disarm,” from The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream, features chords that are fairly straightforward. The chord progression may require a little practice initially, but it’s well within reach for beginners and makes for a beautiful and dynamic starter acoustic song.
Listen: “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
40. “Two Steps Behind” – Def Leppard
Key: A
Chords: A – D – G – E – F#m
“Two Steps Behind” is a softer, acoustic side of Def Leppard. It’s a straightforward song with an easy-to-play chord progression, making it a solid and accessible starter acoustic song for building finger dexterity and chord fluency.
Listen: “Two Steps Behind – Def Leppard
41. “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
Key: G
Chords: G – C – Am – D
Blues Traveler’s “Run-Around,” from their Four album, is an uptempo and fun song. Its energetic pace and accessible chords make it excellent for working on chord changes and improving your strumming speed with starter acoustic guitar songs.
Listen: “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
42. “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
Key: F (capo on 3rd fret)
Chords: D – A – Dsus4 – E
One of Tom Petty’s all-time greatest hits, “Free Fallin’,” from Full Moon Fever, is another example of his songwriting genius using simple chord progressions. With a capo on the 3rd fret, the chords become very manageable, making it a quintessential starter acoustic song.
Listen: “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
43. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
Key: Bm
Chords: Bm – A – G – Em – D – A – C
The second Pink Floyd song on this list, also from The Wall, “Comfortably Numb,” might be famous for its guitar solos, but the underlying chord progression is surprisingly beginner-friendly. Its slow tempo and reliance on open chords make it an accessible and iconic starter acoustic song.
Listen: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
44. “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D
For beginner guitar players, it truly doesn’t get much simpler than “Love Me Do” by The Beatles. This foundational rock and roll song is built on just three chords, making it the absolute easiest starter acoustic song on this list and a must-learn for any aspiring guitarist.
Listen: “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
45. “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brothers Band
Key: G
Chords: C – G – Em – D – C/B
While The Allman Brothers Band are known for complex musicianship, “Seven Turns” is an exception and falls comfortably into the realm of beginner acoustic guitar songs. It’s a great introduction to their music and a rewarding song to learn early on.
Listen: “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brother Band
46. “Rain King” – Counting Crows
Key: D
Chords: D – A – Bm – G – E
“Rain King,” another fantastic track from Counting Crows’ August and Everything After, is an uptempo song that’s excellent for practicing chord changes. Its driving rhythm and accessible chords make it an engaging and effective starter acoustic song for developing technique.
Listen: “Rain King” – Counting Crows
47. “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – D – Em – G – C
Neil Young, like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, had a knack for crafting timeless music from simple chord progressions. “Heart of Gold” is a perfect example, showcasing how beautiful and impactful starter acoustic songs can be.
Listen: “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
48. “Polly” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – D – B♭
“Polly” from Nirvana’s Nevermind is a more subdued and straightforward acoustic song from the grunge icons. Its simple structure and chords make it an accessible and slightly different flavor of starter acoustic song compared to their more energetic hits.
Listen: “Polly” – Nirvana
49. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
Key: E
Chords: E – A – B – C#m – F#m
“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers offers a fun opportunity to practice a staccato strumming style. Its upbeat tempo and repetitive structure make it an enjoyable and rhythmically engaging starter acoustic song.
Listen: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
50. “3am” – Matchbox Twenty
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – Em
From Yourself or Someone Like You, Matchbox Twenty’s “3am” is a catchy and recognizable song using easy-to-play open chords. Its moderate tempo and familiar sound make it a great and accessible starter acoustic song for beginners.
Listen: “3AM” – Matchbox Twenty
51. “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: C
Chords: C – G – Am
“Simple Man,” yet another three-chord masterpiece from Lynyrd Skynyrd, is a soulful and iconic song. While the recording features arpeggiated chords, strumming them works just as beautifully, making it a versatile and easy acoustic guitar song to learn.
Listen: “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
52. “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Key: A
Chords: A – D – E – G
No list of easy guitar songs would be complete without “Wild Thing” by The Troggs. For the most part, it’s based on a simple 1-4-5 chord progression, making it a foundational and incredibly easy starter acoustic song to learn and rock out to.
Listen: “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Wrap Up
Starting your guitar journey by learning songs is absolutely key. It’s the reason most of us pick up the instrument in the first place – to play music we love! This list of 52 starter acoustic guitar songs provides a diverse and motivating collection to keep you engaged and progressing throughout your first year of playing. Dive in, have fun, and enjoy the rewarding experience of learning to play your favorite tunes on the acoustic guitar.
Once you feel ready to explore lead guitar, check out our Easy Guitar Solos lesson for beginner-friendly solos to learn next!
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