Starting your guitar journey and eager to play real music right away? You’re in the right place. For over 30 years, learning new songs has been my biggest motivator as a guitar player, and it’s especially crucial when you’re just beginning. Many new guitarists get discouraged within the first year, but the key to sticking with it is tapping into that initial inspiration – playing the music you love!
This guide is packed with 52 Super Easy Guitar Songs For Beginners, designed to be fun, accessible, and keep you excited about learning all year long. Don’t worry if some seem a bit tricky at first; you can always revisit them as you improve and master the easier ones.
The beauty of this song list lies in its simplicity. Most of these songs rely on basic open chords, which are the friendliest chords for beginner guitar players to learn. We’ve included chord diagrams for every song to make learning even easier.
But easy doesn’t mean boring! This collection offers a fantastic mix of upbeat and mellow rock and roll tunes. From simple three-chord progressions to slightly more involved seven and eight-chord structures, these songs are enjoyable for guitarists of all levels, especially those just starting out.
As you progress, feel free to explore the CAGED chord shapes and experiment with triads to add your own flair and expand your guitar skills.
1. “Nutshell” – Alice in Chains
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – G – D – Cadd9
We’re kicking off this list of super easy guitar songs with “Nutshell,” a powerful acoustic track from Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies EP. This song uses just four chords in the key of Em. A neat trick in this progression is how your ring finger can act as a pivot point between chord changes, making the transitions smoother and easier for beginners.
Listen: “Nutshell” – Alice In Chains
2. “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
“Learning to Fly,” a classic by Tom Petty from Into the Great Wide Open, is incredibly repetitive in the best way for learning guitar. The chord progression of F – C – Am – G repeats throughout the entire song with only minor variations. This consistent structure makes it an ideal choice as one of the easiest songs to learn on guitar for absolute beginners.
Listen: “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
3. “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
If you are looking for super easy guitar songs, “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones is about as simple as it gets with a basic 3-chord progression. What makes this song great for beginners is how distinct the verse, pre-chorus, and chorus sections are, all while using just these three chords. It’s a fantastic example of how much musical variety you can get from simple chord changes.
Listen: “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
4. “Rockin’ In the Free World” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em – D – C – G – A
Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” is a high-energy rock anthem that’s surprisingly beginner-friendly. Played in the key of Em, it’s an easy guitar song to learn and a must-know for any beginner player looking to build their repertoire of rock songs. It’s a great tune to practice your strumming and get your hands moving.
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 an excellent choice for practicing fundamental strumming patterns. While the original recording uses a capo on the 2nd fret, the chords listed here are in open forms, making it easier for beginner guitarists. This song is perfect for developing a consistent rhythm and getting comfortable with chord transitions.
Listen: “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
6. “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Another fantastic super easy acoustic guitar song is “Used to Love Her” by Guns N’ Roses. It shares a very similar structure to “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones, utilizing the same three open guitar chords. The chord progression is slightly different, but if you’ve learned one, picking up the other will be a breeze.
Listen: “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
7. “One” – U2
Key: Am
Chords: Am – D – F – G – C
“One,” arguably U2’s most iconic song, is also surprisingly beginner-friendly on guitar. It’s a perfect song for new players to learn, offering a beautiful melody and a chord progression that’s both simple and emotionally resonant. “One” is a great example of super easy guitar songs that still sound incredible.
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 for beginners: slash chords. These chords, like C/B and Am/G, simply mean you’re playing a standard chord but with a different bass note. Despite this, the song remains very accessible and is a smooth introduction to more complex chord voicings.
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 prime example of how they create catchy hits using just a few chords. This song is no exception and relies heavily on the F – C – Am – G progression. “Ho Hey” is an ideal song for beginner guitar players and offers opportunities to experiment with different fingerings for the F and G chords.
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 song in the key of G major. It’s composed entirely of open chords, solidifying its place as a perfect guitar song for beginners. The gentle rhythm and familiar chords make it a pleasure 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 song that sounds beautiful both arpeggiated and strummed. While the original famously features arpeggiated chords, beginners can easily strum the chords to simplify learning. This versatility makes it a fantastic song for developing different playing styles early on.
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 number of chords in The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane.” Despite the list, it’s not a complicated song to play rhythmically. It features a really engaging strumming pattern that’s incredibly fun to master. However, be aware that it does incorporate barre chords, which might be slightly more challenging for absolute beginners but great for progressing your skills.
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 popular power ballad, is another excellent choice for beginner guitarists. While primarily strummed, this song offers opportunities to start experimenting with adding simple embellishments between chord changes, helping you to spice up your playing and transition to more decorative techniques.
Listen: “I Remember You” – Skid Row
14. “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Mother” from Pink Floyd’s legendary album The Wall features a simple chord progression in the key of G. While the chords themselves are easy, the strumming pattern in “Mother” has a unique intricacy that can be a good challenge for beginners to focus on and perfect their rhythmic accuracy.
Listen: “Mother” – Pink Floyd
15. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is a timeless classic by Bob Dylan and an absolute must-learn for beginner guitar players. Its iconic and straightforward chord progression makes it one of the most universally learned and recognized super easy guitar 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
This energetic four-chord song from R.E.M., “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”, is not only catchy but also really fun to play on guitar. It’s another easy song that’s perfect for beginners looking to add some upbeat tunes to their 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,” a Southern rock anthem from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Second Helping album, uses a simple three-chord progression for most of the song, making it very accessible for beginners. While the opening riff uses a Cadd9 chord, you can easily substitute a standard C major chord for strumming along and still capture the essence of the song.
Listen: “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
18. “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
Key: G
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Bm – F
“Wild Horses,” a beautiful ballad by The Rolling Stones from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers, is a classic song that every guitarist will eventually want to learn. Despite its emotional depth, the chord progression is manageable for beginners, making it a rewarding addition to this list of super easy guitar songs.
Listen: “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
19. “No Rain” – Blind Melon
Key: E
Chords: E – A – G – D – E7
Blind Melon’s hit “No Rain” emerged during the alternative and grunge wave of the early 90s. It’s primarily built on four chords with an E7 chord adding a touch of color. “No Rain” has a distinctive groove that’s incredibly satisfying to strum and is perfect for practicing rhythm and chord transitions.
Listen: “No Rain” – Blind Melon
20. “Summer of ’69” – Bryan Adams
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – F – B♭ – C
Time to plug in your electric guitar and turn up the gain! “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams is a rock anthem that’s just plain fun to play. While it introduces a few more chords than some of the other songs on this list, the energy and familiar melody make it a motivating choice for beginner electric guitarists looking for super easy guitar songs.
Listen: “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
21. “Cover Me” – Candlebox
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9
From their breakthrough debut album, Candlebox’s “Cover Me” is a fantastic acoustic song for those who are just starting out on guitar. The strumming pattern is very straightforward, and the tempo is ideal for practicing smooth and accurate chord changes. It’s a great song to build foundational skills.
Listen: “Cover Me” – Candlebox
22. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Em – D7
The second Van Morrison song on our list, “Brown Eyed Girl,” is another upbeat and easy acoustic guitar song that’s simply a joy to strum. Its cheerful vibe and simple chord structure make it a go-to song for beginners and guaranteed to put a smile on your face while you learn.
Listen: “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
23. “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – A – D – Dsus2
Continuing with the timeless classics, “Mr. Tambourine Man” is Bob Dylan’s second entry on this list of super easy guitar songs. This song is typically played with a capo on the 3rd fret. The chords provided are in open form shapes relative to the capo, simplifying the finger positions for beginners. Add this to your list of easy acoustic songs to learn and enjoy.
Listen: “Mr. Tambourine” – Bob Dylan
24. “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
Key: Am
Chords: Am – F – Dm – G – C
From their debut album August and Everything After, “Mr. Jones” was the song that launched Counting Crows into stardom. It’s a fantastic song for beginner guitar players to learn, featuring a memorable melody and a chord progression that’s both engaging and accessible.
Listen: “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
25. “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Dsus2 – Dsus4 – Asus2 – Asus4
Led Zeppelin might not be the first band that comes to mind when thinking of super easy guitar songs for beginners, but “Tangerine” is a delightful exception. If you’re not yet familiar with it, “Tangerine” is a wonderful introduction to sus2/sus4 chords, which add a beautiful, suspended quality to your playing without being overly complex.
Listen: “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
26. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Just three chords are needed to play “Bad Moon Rising.” Creedence Clearwater Revival proves once again that you don’t need complex chord progressions to create a timeless and impactful song. Its simplicity makes it perfect for beginners to quickly learn and start playing along.
Listen: “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
27. “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
Key: E♭
Chords: C – G – Em – F
Another gem from Van Morrison’s Moondance album, “Into the Mystic,” offers a soulful and easy-to-learn experience for guitar beginners. A capo is used on the 3rd fret, and the chords listed are open forms relative to the capo, keeping finger positions straightforward and manageable for new players.
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 initially look intimidating, but don’t let them scare you off! Despite the slightly fancier names, these chords are all very easy to play, especially for beginner guitarists. This Pink Floyd classic is much simpler than it sounds, making it a rewarding song to learn early in your guitar journey.
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” is not only a great song but also provides an opportunity to explore dynamics in your strumming. Experiment with different strumming intensities and patterns to bring this song to life and have fun with its rhythmic feel.
Listen: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
30. “Wonderwall” – Oasis
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – A – C
“Wonderwall,” from Oasis’s landmark album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, is a 90s anthem that’s surprisingly easy to play on guitar. While the song incorporates some subtle strumming nuances, beginners can start with basic strumming and gradually refine their technique as they become more comfortable with the chord progression.
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 super easy guitar songs just from Bob Dylan’s catalog. “The Times They Are A-Changin'” is yet another example of his songwriting genius, using a simple yet powerful chord progression to deliver a timeless message.
Listen: “The Times They Are A Changin’” – Bob Dylan
32. “When I Come Around” – Green Day
Key: G
Chords: G – D – Em – C – Am
“When I Come Around,” one of Green Day’s biggest hits from their Dookie album, is incredibly catchy and fun to play on guitar. The chords are adapted here to open chord positions for easier playing, but you can also explore playing them as power chords as you progress and want to add a rock edge.
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 the mainstream from their self-titled 1994 debut album (often referred to as the Blue Album), is a quirky and energetic song that’s achievable for beginner guitarists. While it has a few more chords, the structure is repetitive and easy to follow.
Listen: “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
34. “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
Key: A
Chords: A – Bm – D
Another super easy three-chord song, “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes, became a massive hit from their 1992 debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!. Its powerful vocals and simple guitar part make it a satisfying song for beginners to learn quickly.
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 a beloved American anthem. Like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty was a master songwriter who could craft incredibly impactful songs using simple chord progressions. This song is a testament to that, being both easy to play and deeply resonant.
Listen: “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
36. “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
Key: G
Chords: G – D – C – Am
“Small Town,” an upbeat classic from John Mellencamp, has long been a favorite for its catchy melody and relatable lyrics. Its four-chord structure makes it another great addition to the list of super easy guitar songs for beginners, perfect for practicing rhythm and strumming.
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” is a quintessential 80s power ballad from Poison. Featuring a straightforward strumming pattern and utilizing common open chords, it truly doesn’t get much easier than this for beginner guitarists looking to play a classic ballad.
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” comes from their first album, Bleach, which is often less known than Nevermind. While the chord list might appear lengthy at first glance, “About a Girl” is not a complicated song to play. Its dynamics and chord changes are very manageable for beginners wanting to explore Nirvana’s discography.
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 album features chords that are individually quite straightforward. However, the chord progression in “Disarm” can be a little bit tricky initially to memorize and smoothly transition between, offering a slight challenge for beginners to develop their chord changing skills.
Listen: “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
40. “Two Steps Behind” – Def Leppard
Key: A
Chords: A – D – G – E – F#m
“Two Steps Behind” is an acoustic ballad by Def Leppard, showcasing a softer side of the band. There’s nothing overly complex about this song; it features a direct and easy-to-play chord progression that’s perfect for practicing smooth transitions and gentle strumming as a beginner.
Listen: “Two Steps Behind – Def Leppard
41. “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
Key: G
Chords: G – C – Am – D
“Run-Around” comes from Blues Traveler’s album Four and is an upbeat song that’s excellent for working on your chord changes. Its tempo and repetitive structure make it ideal for building speed and accuracy in moving between chords.
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’,” is from his Full Moon Fever album. Like many of Tom Petty’s songs, there’s no unnecessary complexity—just a simple and effective chord progression that creates an iconic song that’s remarkably easy for anyone to pick up and play on guitar.
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 our list, “Comfortably Numb,” also originates from The Wall. Despite its legendary guitar solos, the foundational chord progression, tempo, and reliance on open chords make “Comfortably Numb” a surprisingly accessible and really easy song for beginner guitar players to learn the basic structure of.
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 any simpler than “Love Me Do” by The Beatles. This early Beatles hit is built on just three chords, making it an absolute entry-level song that’s instantly recognizable and rewarding to play from the get-go.
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 instrumental pieces, “Seven Turns” stands out as surprisingly beginner-friendly. This song is definitely within reach for a beginner guitarist, making it a great starting point to explore the music of The Allman Brothers Band earlier in your learning journey than you might expect.
Listen: “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brother Band
46. “Rain King” – Counting Crows
Key: D
Chords: D – A – Bm – G – E
“Rain King” is another standout track from Counting Crows’ exceptional album, August and Everything After. This upbeat song is not only enjoyable to listen to but also fantastic for practicing chord changes, thanks to its moderate tempo and clear chord structure.
Listen: “Rain King” – Counting Crows
47. “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – D – Em – G – C
Neil Young, much like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, had a knack for crafting timeless music from simple chord progressions. “Heart of Gold” is a perfect example of this, using a handful of chords to create a song that resonates deeply and is wonderfully easy to learn on guitar.
Listen: “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
48. “Polly” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – D – B♭
“Polly” is a more understated and acoustic song from Nirvana’s groundbreaking album, Nevermind. Its straightforward acoustic arrangement and simple chord structure make it an excellent choice for beginners looking to play a Nirvana song without the distortion and intensity of their more famous electric tracks.
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 is not only incredibly catchy but also provides a fun opportunity to practice a staccato style strumming pattern. This technique, where you strum short, detached chords, can add a lot of rhythmic interest to your playing and is great for developing control over your strumming hand.
Listen: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
50. “3am” – Matchbox Twenty
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – Em
From Matchbox Twenty’s debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You, “3am” is a song that’s both memorable and uses easy-to-play open chords. Its mellow vibe and accessible chord progression make it a solid choice for beginners looking for super easy guitar songs that are still contemporary and well-loved.
Listen: “3AM” – Matchbox Twenty
51. “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: C
Chords: C – G – Am
“Simple Man,” another three-chord masterpiece from Lynyrd Skynyrd, showcases the band’s softer side. While the recorded version features arpeggiated chords, you can strum the chords just as easily and it will still sound fantastic. This adaptability makes it a versatile song for beginners to experiment with different playing styles.
Listen: “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
52. “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Key: A
Chords: A – D – E – G
What list of super 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, which is foundational in music theory and incredibly easy to grasp on guitar. This classic garage rock anthem is a must-know for any aspiring guitarist.
Listen: “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Wrap Up
When you’re just starting your guitar journey, learning songs right away is absolutely vital. After all, playing music is likely what inspired you to pick up the instrument in the first place! This list gives you a diverse collection of songs designed to make the learning process enjoyable and, most importantly, sustain your motivation to keep playing and improving.
Once you feel ready to tackle lead guitar, be sure to check out our lesson on Easy Guitar Solos for solos that are perfectly tailored for beginner players looking to expand their skills further.
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