19 Easy Country Guitar Songs to Learn Now

If you’re just starting your guitar journey, learning to play songs is incredibly rewarding. After mastering the fundamentals like tuning your guitar, holding a pick, and basic chords, the next exciting step is to play a song you love. For beginners who enjoy the distinctive sound of country music, there’s a wide selection of Easy Country Guitar Songs available, spanning from contemporary country-pop hits to classic country tunes.

Country music is a fantastic genre for guitarists to explore a range of essential techniques. From the rhythmic strumming patterns reminiscent of a train’s chugging motion to the delicate art of bass note fingerpicking, country guitar is rich in techniques found in songs by legendary figures like Johnny Cash and contemporary artists such as Kacey Musgraves.

Here’s a curated list of 19 easy to learn country songs perfect for beginners to pick up and play, enhancing your guitar skills while enjoying some classic and modern country hits.

Dolly Parton: “Jolene”

“Jolene,” Dolly Parton’s heartfelt song, delves into themes of insecurity and jealousy with a poignant narrative. Musically, it’s remarkably accessible for beginner guitarists. Built around three simple country guitar chords—Am, C, and G—”Jolene” focuses on strumming techniques, varying the tempo and employing alternate strumming to match the song’s emotional depth. Its enduring appeal is evident in countless covers, including a modern, edgy rendition by singer-songwriter Jaime Wyatt.

Check out Jaime Wyatt’s version of “Jolene”

Chords Used: Am, C, G

Learn how to play “Jolene” by Dolly Parton

Willie Nelson: “On the Road Again”

Willie Nelson’s iconic “On the Road Again” is a quintessential country anthem about the joys of touring. Its driving rhythm guitar part provides a lively energy to the melody. Beginners can start with a simplified melody riff to grasp the song’s essence and then delve into the bass note strum technique, a cornerstone of country guitar. While effective as a solo performance with bass notes, “On the Road Again” truly shines when played with friends, allowing for a collaborative arrangement of picking, bass notes, and strumming parts.

Chords used: C, G, F

Learn how to play “On the Road Again”.

Hank Williams: “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”

Hank Williams was pivotal in shaping country guitar with his distinctive single-note picking approach. “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” a chart-topping hit, showcases his songwriting brilliance and guitar skills. Its straightforward chord progression and catchy melody have cemented its status as a country favorite. The song primarily uses just two easy guitar chords, making it very approachable for those new to guitar.

Basics needed: C, G7

Learn how to play “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” here.

Steven Goodman: “City of New Orleans”

“City of New Orleans,” penned by Steve Goodman and produced by Kris Kristofferson, has achieved legendary status, evidenced by covers from artists like Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson. This 1970s country classic is ideal for practicing bass note strumming, a foundational technique in country guitar. Its gentle rhythm and evocative lyrics make it both enjoyable to play and listen to.

Chords Used: G, C, D7

Learn how to play “City of New Orleans” here.

Dolly Parton: “I Will Always Love You”

While Whitney Houston’s powerful rendition in “The Bodyguard” is widely known, Dolly Parton originally wrote and performed “I Will Always Love You” for the film “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Parton’s version is slower and more emotionally nuanced, focusing on heartfelt delivery rather than vocal acrobatics. This country ballad features a country-style walk down and fingerpicking with a bass note strum, offering beginners a chance to explore these techniques.

Hear Jaime Wyatt’s version of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Chords Used: G, D, C

Learn how to play “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton

John Denver: “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”

Reaching the top of both the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and the Hot 100 in 1975, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” is an ode to rural life and hard work, blending folk and country guitar elements seamlessly. Learning the catchy melodic riff and practicing bass note picking will inject a lively, upbeat feel into your country guitar playing.

Chords Used: G, C, D

Learn how to play “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” here.

Carrie Underwood: “Blown Away”

Often hailed as the modern “Queen of Country,” Carrie Underwood’s songwriting and performance style resonate with classic country traditions. “Blown Away,” a Grammy-winning track and her 13th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, is built around a single chord progression, making it remarkably accessible for beginner guitarists to learn and play through.

Chords Used: Am, G, C, F

Learn how to play “Blown Away” here.

Willie Nelson: “Whiskey River”

“Whiskey River” embodies the classic country theme of using strong drink to cope with sorrow, a recurring motif in Willie Nelson’s work. This country standard features shifts in tempo, alternating between a faster pace and slower, more relaxed sections, all within a four-chord structure. It’s a great song for practicing essential country guitar techniques like alternate strumming and string muting, adding dynamic variation to your playing.

Techniques Used: Alternate strumming, string muting

Learn how to play “Whiskey River”.

Dolly Parton: “Coat of Many Colors”

“Coat of Many Colors” is another gem from Dolly Parton, showcasing her storytelling and songwriting talent. This song recounts a touching childhood memory and is musically straightforward, making it suitable for beginners. It incorporates techniques like the country-style walk down and fingerpicking with a bass note strum, providing a gentle introduction to these elements of country guitar.

Basics needed: C, F, G7

Learn how to play “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton

Dwight Yoakam: “Guitars, Cadillacs”

Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars, Cadillacs” is packed with quintessential country guitar techniques, from fingerpicking to the driving locomotive strum, echoing the genre’s roots. Guitarist Eugene Edwards describes its intro as encapsulating “the history of country music in one catchy riff.” This song offers a study in different picking styles, challenging beginners with 16th note picking, downpicking, and hammer-ons, while still being grounded in chords and rhythm.

Techniques Used: 16th note picking, downpicking, hammer-ons

Learn how to play “Guitars, Cadillacs” here”

Buck Owens: “Together Again”

“Together Again,” a No. 1 hit for Buck Owens, comes from one of his most influential albums of the 1960s. This song is an excellent introduction to the bass note strum, a fundamental country guitar technique, delivered in a classic, heartfelt country style. Grab your Telecaster and get ready to learn a country standard.

Chords used: G, C, D

Learn how to play “Together Again” here.

Traditional: “I Shall Not Be Moved”

Mississippi John Hurt’s blues rendition of the traditional song “I Shall Not Be Moved” has resonated across genres, influencing blues, rock, and country musicians alike, including Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. This song, with its roots in folk, blues, and country, features three basic chords and syncopated rhythms, offering a diverse musical experience for beginners.

Techniques used: Syncopated rhythms

Learn how to play “I Shall Not Be Moved”.

Maren Morris: “My Church”

Maren Morris’s “My Church” is a modern country hit with a classic feel, exploring personal spirituality and the uplifting power of music. It’s built around three open major chords—A, D, and E—played with various strumming techniques such as alternate, quarter note, and eighth note strumming, adding rhythmic texture and dynamics to the song.

Chords used: A, D, E

Learn how to play “My Church”.

Traditional: “Pay Me My Money Down”

“Pay Me My Money Down” is a traditional song revitalized by various artists, from The Weavers to Bruce Springsteen. Its old-time country vibe introduces newer generations to traditional song structures and guitar work. Using simplified one-finger chords, it’s excellent for practicing basic chords and rhythm patterns, making it very accessible for those just starting out.

Chords used: G, C, G7

Learn how to play “Pay Me My Money Down” here.

Jamie Wyatt “Just a Woman”

Jamie Wyatt, known as a rising star in outlaw country, brings raw emotion to her songs like “Just a Woman.” Played with a capo on the first fret, this song features chord changes and classic country techniques like bass-note strumming and percussive strumming, blending vintage country sounds with a contemporary outlaw edge.

Listen to Jaime Wyatt play her song, “Just a Woman.”

Chords Used: Am, G, C, F (Capo on 1st fret)

Learn how to play “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton

Brad Paisley: “He Didn’t Have to Be”

Brad Paisley, a master of the Telecaster, has significantly influenced modern country music. His hit “He Didn’t Have to Be,” an easy-to-learn chart-topper and his first No. 1 single, is perfect for refining your strumming hand technique. Its relaxed tempo and straightforward structure make it ideal for beginners.

Basic Skills Needed: G, C, D

Learn how to play “He Didn’t Have to Be” here.

Merle Haggard: “The Fightin’ Side of Me”

Merle Haggard’s “The Fightin’ Side of Me” utilizes a common chord progression found across many musical genres. This song is a great way to learn and practice the E, A, and B7 chords, essential building blocks for countless songs. Its direct and patriotic lyrics resonate with classic country themes.

Techniques used: E, A, B7 Chords

Learn how to play “The Fightin’ Side of Me” here.

Willie Nelson: “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies”

Willie Nelson, a leading figure in outlaw country, offers sage advice in “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” The song’s gentle fingerpicking style evokes the wandering spirit of cowboy life, while the bass note strum technique adds a grounded, earthy feel. This song is excellent for developing fingerstyle and bass note techniques.

Techniques used: Fingerpicking, bass note strum

Learn how to play “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” here.

Merle Haggard: “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”

Another classic from outlaw country pioneer Merle Haggard, “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink,” delivers a honky-tonk vibe perfect for guitar. This song is ideal for learning shuffle-style strumming and bass note eighth strumming, using easy open chords: A, D, and E. While the original features piano and saxophone, guitarists can adapt it to showcase country guitar staples.