If you’re just starting your guitar journey, learning to play songs is incredibly rewarding and a fantastic way to see progress from your practice. You’ve likely been focusing on guitar basics, like tuning, holding a pick, and mastering chords. Now, it’s time to put those skills to work and learn some of your favorite tunes!
For beginners who are drawn to the distinctive sound of country music, there’s good news! Country music is filled with songs that are surprisingly easy to learn, especially with resources like Fender Play. From contemporary country pop stars like Carrie Underwood to classic icons such as Buck Owens, you’ll find a wealth of beginner-friendly options.
Country music offers a fantastic gateway into various essential guitar techniques. From the rhythmic, driving strumming patterns to the foundational bass note fingerpicking, these country guitar staples are heard across generations, from legends like Willie Nelson to today’s artists like Jaime Wyatt.
Here’s a curated list of 19 of the Easiest Country Guitar Songs that beginners can quickly pick up and start playing.
1. Dolly Parton: “Jolene”
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” is a heartfelt song, expressing vulnerability and jealousy. This track is perfect for beginners as “Jolene” uses just three simple country guitar chords: Am, C, and G. The song revolves around strumming at varying speeds, utilizing alternate strumming techniques to create its signature sensitive and slow tempo. As one of the most widely covered country songs, Jaime Wyatt’s rendition offers a modern, raw take on Parton’s classic.
Check out Jaime Wyatt’s version of “Jolene”
Chords Used: Am, C, G
Learn how to play “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
2. Willie Nelson: “On the Road Again”
Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” is a country music staple, known for its upbeat rhythm and relatable theme of touring life. The song’s energetic rhythm guitar part is driven by fiery strumming, giving the melody a lively feel. Beginners can start with a simplified melody riff to get into this country standard and then practice the essential bass note strum technique. “On the Road Again” sounds great solo with just bass notes, but it’s also ideal for group play, dividing guitar parts into picking, bass notes, and strumming.
Chords used: C, G, F
Learn how to play “On the Road Again”.
3. Hank Williams: “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”
Hank Williams’ single-note picking significantly shaped country guitar playing, and “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” demonstrates his songwriting genius. Its straightforward chord progression and catchy melody made this song a country favorite. Beginners will be pleased to know it features just two easy guitar chords! This is a fun and easy country song for guitar practice.
Basics needed: C, G7
Learn how to play “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” here.
4. Steven Goodman: “City of New Orleans”
When a song, especially one produced by Kris Kristofferson, gets covered by legends like Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson, you know it’s special. Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans,” a 70s country classic, is an excellent choice for honing your bass note strumming technique. Its gentle pace and repetitive structure make it one of the easiest country songs on guitar to master.
Chords Used: G, C, D7
Learn how to play “City of New Orleans” here.
5. 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 original version emphasizes emotional depth over vocal power, featuring a slower tempo and tender sweetness. This acoustic country ballad introduces techniques like the country-style walk down and fingerpicking with a bass note strum, making it a rewarding challenge among easy country songs for guitar.
Hear Jaime Wyatt’s version of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Chords Used: G, C, D
Learn how to play “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
6. 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, John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” is an anthem for hardworking, rural folks. It’s a delightful mix of folk and country guitar styles. Learning the catchy melodic riff along with bass note picking will inject energy into your country guitar playing. Its upbeat tempo and clear structure makes it one of the more fun and easiest country guitar songs to learn.
Learn how to play “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” here.
Chords Used: G, C, D
7. Carrie Underwood: “Blown Away”
Often hailed as the new “Queen of Country,” Carrie Underwood brings a modern edge to classic country songwriting. “Blown Away,” her 13th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and a Hot 100 top 20 hit, is surprisingly simple to play. With just one chord progression to learn, you can easily play through this Grammy-winning song. This simplicity makes it one of the easiest country guitar songs for beginners seeking contemporary hits.
Chords Used: Am, G, C, F
Learn how to play “Blown Away” here.
8. Willie Nelson: “Whiskey River”
Country music and songs about dealing with sorrows with strong liquor go hand in hand, and Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River” is a prime example. In this country classic, Willie masterfully plays with time signatures, speeding up and slowing down the tempo, all while using just four chords. The song also explores vital country guitar techniques like alternate strumming and string muting. This song is slightly more complex but still manageable as one of the easiest country songs to learn on guitar with practice.
Check out Eugene Edwards and Chris Masterson playing the solo to “Whiskey River”
Techniques Used: Alternate strumming, string muting
Learn how to play “Whiskey River”.
9. Dolly Parton: “Coat of Many Colors”
“Coat of Many Colors” is a deeply personal song by Dolly Parton, telling a story of childhood poverty and a mother’s love. This song is beautifully simple, focusing on storytelling and emotion. This acoustic ballad uses basic chords and gentle fingerpicking patterns, making it emotionally resonant and technically accessible as one of the easiest country songs for guitar beginners.
Hear Jaime Wyatt’s version of Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors.”
Basics needed: C, G, F
Learn how to play “Coat of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
10. Dwight Yoakam: “Guitars, Cadillacs”
Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars, Cadillacs” is packed with classic country guitar techniques, from fingerpicking to the distinctive, locomotive country strum, harking back to the genre’s roots. Guitarist Eugene Edwards describes its intro as “the history of country music in one catchy riff.” While it introduces more techniques, the foundational chords make it still approachable as one of the easiest country songs to play on guitar while expanding skills.
“Guitars, Cadillacs” explores various picking styles, challenging beginners with 16th note picking, downpicking, and hammer-ons. It’s a fun song that balances chords and rhythm with country riffs and string-bending.
Hear Dwight Yoakam’s guitarist, Eugene Edwards, play the intro to “Guitars, Cadillacs.”
Techniques Used: Fingerpicking, country strum, 16th note picking, downpicking, hammer-ons
Learn how to play “Guitars, Cadillacs” here”
11. Buck Owens: “Together Again”
“Together Again,” a No. 1 Billboard Country hit from Buck Owens, is from one of his defining albums of the 60s. This song is perfect for learning the bass note strum, a fundamental country technique, through a heartfelt classic. Grab your Telecaster and dive into this easy country guitar song.
Chords used: G, C, D
Learn how to play “Together Again” here.
12. Traditional: “I Shall Not Be Moved”
Mississippi John Hurt’s blues version of this traditional song offers blues and rock fans a lesson in songwriting and countrified chords. Covered by Johnny Cash, Son House, and Elvis Presley, “I Shall Not Be Moved” bridges folk, blues, and country. It features three basic chords and syncopated rhythms, making it an accessible and historically rich choice among easy country songs on guitar.
Techniques used: Basic chords, syncopated rhythms
Learn how to play “I Shall Not Be Moved”.
13. Maren Morris: “My Church”
Maren Morris’ “My Church” is a modern country song with a timeless feel, exploring personal spirituality and the power of music. Using three open major chords (A, D, and E), the song rings with sincerity. It incorporates various strumming techniques, including alternate, quarter note, and eighth note strumming, adding depth to its simple structure, and making it one of the easiest country songs for guitar with contemporary appeal.
Chords used: A, D, E
Learn how to play “My Church”.
14. Traditional: “Pay Me My Money Down”
This traditional song gained popularity through The Weavers and The Kingston Trio, but Bruce Springsteen revitalized it on his We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions album. Its old-timey charm introduces younger generations to traditional country song structures and guitar work. Using one-finger chords, it helps in learning simplified chords and rhythm patterns, making it a historically significant and easy country song to learn on guitar.
Chords used: G, C, D7
Learn how to play “Pay Me My Money Down” here.
15. Jamie Wyatt “Just a Woman”
Dubbed the new queen of outlaw country, Jaime Wyatt’s raw talent shines in “Just a Woman.” Played with a capo on the first fret, the song features classic chord changes, bass-note strumming, and percussive strumming, blending vintage country with outlaw grit. While requiring a capo, the techniques are still beginner-accessible, positioning it among easy country guitar songs that introduce more nuanced playing.
Listen to Jaime Wyatt play her song, “Just a Woman.”
Techniques used: Bass-note strumming, percussive strumming
Learn how to play similar songs on Fender Play
16. Brad Paisley: “He Didn’t Have to Be”
Telecaster master Brad Paisley has shaped modern country music, and his hit “He Didn’t Have to Be” is a perfect example of his accessible style. This easygoing song, his first No. 1 hit, is great for refining your strumming hand technique. Its gentle rhythm and clear chord progression make it one of the easiest country songs on guitar for practicing rhythm.
Basic Skills Needed: Strumming
Learn how to play “He Didn’t Have to Be” here.
17. Merle Haggard: “The Fightin’ Side of Me”
“The Fightin’ Side of Me” by Merle Haggard uses a common chord progression found across many music genres. This song is excellent for learning essential chords E, A, and B7, making it a foundational choice among easiest country songs to play on guitar for chord practice.
Chords used: E, A, B7
Learn how to play “The Fightin’ Side of Me” here.
18. Willie Nelson: “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies”
Willie Nelson, a godfather of outlaw country, offers a cautionary tale in “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” The song’s ambling fingerpicking style reflects the rambling cowboy lifestyle, while the bass note strum adds depth. This song is perfect for practicing fingerpicking and bass note techniques, making it a valuable, though slightly more challenging, addition to the list of easiest country songs on guitar.
Techniques used: Fingerpicking, bass note strum
Learn how to play “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” here.
19. Merle Haggard: “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”
Merle Haggard, another outlaw country pioneer, delivers a honky-tonk feel in “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink.” Playing this song lets you explore country staples like shuffle-style strumming and bass note eighth strumming using easy open chords: A, D, and E. While the original includes piano and saxophone, guitarists can adapt it to explore licks and bass note strumming. This song is a fun way to learn essential country strumming patterns and is still considered among the easiest country songs for guitar given its chord simplicity.
Chords used: A, D, E
Learn how to play “I Think I’ll just Stay Here and Drink.
Ready to dive into these easiest country guitar songs? Fender Play offers structured, step-by-step lessons that make learning these and many more songs straightforward and enjoyable. Sign up for a free trial of Fender Play and unlock a world of country guitar learning!
Sign up for a free trial of Fender Play to learn more country songs on guitar.
To discover more songs and guitar skills, explore these resources: Folk Songs I Pop Songs l Rock Songs l Blues Songs l Songs for Electric Guitar l Songs for Acoustic Guitar l Songs with 3 Chords
