Learning guitar can feel challenging at first, but diving into songs you can quickly master is the key to staying motivated and having fun. If you’re just starting your guitar journey, you might be wondering, “What are the Easiest Guitar Songs to learn?”. The good news is, there are tons of fantastic tunes out there that use basic chords and simple rhythms, perfect for beginners. This guide will walk you through 27 of the easiest guitar songs, ranging from classic rock anthems to modern pop hits, that will get your fingers moving and have you playing recognizable music in no time.
1. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
Want to instantly feel like a rock star? “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath is your starting point. This legendary metal track kicks off with just two strums of an E power chord on the 7th fret. The song is built around E, A, and D power chords, played with a consistent down-picking rhythm. What makes it easy? Power chords are simpler than full chords, using only two or three fingers. “Paranoid” focuses on rhythm and energy, making it a blast to play even if you’re just starting out. Listen closely to the song, focus on the steady downstrokes, and you’ll be rocking out to this iconic 70s hit before you know it.
2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
Requires a capo on the 1st fret.
For a soulful and contemporary choice, “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi is perfect for strumming and singing. This emotional ballad relies on a simple chord progression of C, G, Am, and F chords. These are all fundamental open chords that are among the first chords most guitarists learn. You can start with a slow, repetitive strumming pattern to capture the song’s mood. As you progress, try fingerpicking individual strings to add a more melodic texture. While there are variations like Am7 and Dm7 in the bridge, these are just slight modifications of the basic chords, making them beginner-friendly to learn as you improve.
3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Instantly recognizable and undeniably fun, the riff from “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd is easier to play than you might think. It revolves around D, C, and G open chord shapes. If you’ve practiced these essential chords, you’ll quickly pick up the main riff. The key to nailing it is keeping your pinky finger anchored on the 3rd fret of the B string. This positioning helps your other fingers naturally transition between the C and G chord shapes within the riff. Practice along with the original song to match the beat and picking style. Because the riff loops back to the beginning, it’s perfect for repetitive practice, helping you build speed and accuracy quickly. You’ll be playing this classic Southern rock riff effortlessly in no time.
4. “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty
Requires a capo on the 3rd fret.
“Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty, famously covered by artists like John Mayer, is a timeless classic with a simple chord progression that’s perfect for beginners. With a capo on the 3rd fret, you’ll be playing primarily open D, A, and E chords. The song also introduces a Dsus4 chord, which is simply a D chord with your pinky finger added to the 3rd fret of the high E string. This minor variation adds a touch of melodic interest without significantly increasing the difficulty. Whether you play it on acoustic or electric guitar (try adding a touch of overdrive for a classic rock sound), “Free Fallin'” is a fantastic song to learn early in your guitar journey.
5. “My Generation” by The Who
For a dose of raw rock energy that’s incredibly easy to play, look no further than “My Generation” by The Who. This iconic 60s hit is built on just two chords: G and F. Playing these as power chords will give you that signature meaty rock sound. Power chords are perfect for beginners as they only require two fingers and are easier to grip than full chords. “My Generation” is also a great song for developing your rhythm and stage presence. Pete Townshend’s guitar fills in the song provide cues for you to experiment with your own improvisations as you get more comfortable.
6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
“House Of The Rising Sun” by The Animals offers a bluesy and somber soundscape built around a sequence of chords: Am, C, D, E, and F. Instead of strumming, this song is often played by picking individual notes within each chord in an ascending and descending pattern. This arpeggiated style creates the song’s distinctive melancholic tone. Later in the song, you’ll encounter chords like C/E, which is a C chord with an E bass note – a simple variation that adds depth. You’ll also find E7 and F7 chords, which introduce 7th notes for added bluesy flavor. These variations are straightforward to learn and appear sparingly to enhance the song’s emotional impact.
7. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
If you’re in the mood for a country tune that’s incredibly easy to play, “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus is a fun choice. This country-pop jam is built on just two chords: A and E. The simplicity of the chord progression gives you plenty of space to explore country-style guitar techniques. You can experiment with country licks using the notes within the A and E open chords. Exploring scales in the key of A will open up opportunities for improvising solos. For a more advanced country sound, try incorporating “chicken pickin'” techniques to add that authentic twang to your playing.
8. “American Idiot” by Green Day
“American Idiot” by Green Day was a chart-topping hit in the 2000s and remains an energetic and fun song to play on guitar. The main riff is composed of three power chords in C#, G#, and F# positions. You’ll quickly switch between these three power chords, making it a great exercise in chord transitions. The riff concludes with a short, sharp accent on the open strings, signaling the vocal entry. Even the guitar solo is relatively simple to learn, featuring octave shapes and a straightforward lick, making it accessible for beginner guitarists looking to try soloing.
9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
“Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be alright!” “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley is a feel-good reggae classic that’s easy to master. It uses just three chords – A, D, and E – played with a reggae rhythm. The reggae strumming pattern can be a bit tricky for beginners to grasp initially. Start with a regular strumming rhythm to get comfortable with the chord changes. As you improve, you can explore the more syncopated reggae strumming pattern. Learning “Three Little Birds” is not only easy but also a great introduction to reggae guitar rhythms.
10. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is practically a rite of passage for guitar players. This groundbreaking grunge anthem is built on four power chords. These power chords are easily located on 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 song’s rhythm is straightforward but powerful, encouraging you to play with attitude. To capture the song’s iconic rhythm, strike the chords a couple of times and then incorporate muted strums in between. For the verses, simply hold down the 1st fret of the high E and B strings and pluck them – you’ll be playing the recognizable verse melody.
11. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
It’s almost impossible not to feel good while playing “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison. This feel-good classic is in the sweet-sounding key of G major. It features easy-strumming open G, C, D, and E chords. These are fundamental open chords, making it a great song for practicing smooth chord transitions and developing your strumming hand. Once you’re comfortable with the chords and rhythm, challenge yourself with the fun, riff-based intro. “Brown Eyed Girl” is a crowd-pleasing song that’s perfect for practicing your singing along with your guitar playing.
12. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Capo on the 2nd fret.
“Wonderwall” by Oasis, while sometimes jokingly groaned at, remains 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 twist that gives it its signature sound. To achieve the iconic “Wonderwall” treble tone, hold down the 3rd fret of the B and high E strings for all of these chords. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a G transition chord. This involves moving your finger from the 3rd fret to the 2nd fret on the low E string while keeping the B and high E strings fretted at the 3rd fret, creating a smooth transition into the Em chord. This transition technique is common in many songs, making it valuable to learn early on.
13. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
Soulful, somber, and a defining song of the 90s, “Zombie” by The Cranberries is surprisingly simple to learn. It uses just four chords: Em, Cmaj7, G, and D. The Cmaj7 chord may sound complex, but it’s essentially an open C chord without pressing down the 1st fret on the B string. There’s a unique satisfaction in belting out “What’s in your heaaaad” while playing through this comfortable and emotionally resonant chord progression. “Zombie” is a great song for practicing emotive playing and chord dynamics.
14. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan/Guns N’ Roses
Originally written by the legendary Bob Dylan and famously covered by Guns N’ Roses, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is both enjoyable to play and easy to sing along to. The verse chord progression is G, D, Am, G, D, C, alternating between Am and C as the final chord in the sequence. The chorus simplifies to a G, D, and C progression, before returning to the verse pattern. This repetitive structure makes it easy to memorize and focus on your strumming and singing. Its timeless melody and simple chords make it a perfect song for beginners to learn and perform.
15. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
“The Joker” by the Steve Miller Band is a true earworm that’s incredibly easy to play on guitar. Even if you don’t immediately recognize the title, you’ll likely recognize the tune. The song is based on just three chords: G, Cadd9, and D. These are all common and beginner-friendly chords, played in a steady, rhythmic pattern. As you become more confident with the chord changes, you can start experimenting with picking individual notes to mimic the bass line and adding your own simple guitar licks. “The Joker” is a fun and recognizable song that’s perfect for building your chord proficiency.
16. “Buck Rogers” by Feeder
“Buck Rogers” by Feeder is a 2000s rock anthem that still sounds fresh and energetic today. The song has a very simple structure, built around an open Em chord and power chords at the 7th and 9th frets of the low E string. This forms the basic rhythm of the song. The chorus introduces an additional power chord at the 5th fret of the low E string. All chords are strummed with a consistent beat, making it easy to follow and play along. “Buck Rogers” is a great choice for beginners who want to play a modern rock song with power chords and a driving rhythm.
17. “All The Small Things” by Blink 182
As pop-punk as it gets, “All The Small Things” by Blink 182 is a smash hit crowd-pleaser that’s guaranteed to get people singing along. The song revolves around a C power chord on the 3rd fret of the A string, a G power chord on the 3rd fret of the low E string, and a power chord in the F position. These power chord shapes are easy to learn and move between. The strumming pattern is straightforward, primarily using steady downstrokes. Listen for the palm-muting technique used in the intro and subtle pauses to get the rhythm and feel of the song just right. “All The Small Things” is a high-energy, fun song to learn that’s sure to impress.
18. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
“Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol is soulful, catchy, and remarkably easy to play on guitar. It features a cool, melodic riff that’s fingerpicked for most of the song, offering a nice change from strummed chord-heavy songs. While it utilizes power chord shapes, you’ll be picking the individual notes rather than strumming the full chords, adding a different dynamic to your playing. There’s a slight stretch in the riff, requiring you to pick notes on the 5th fret of the A string and the 9th fret of the G string, which is great for building hand strength and finger dexterity. The song concludes with a series of chords – A, E/G#, D, Dsus2, Dmaj7 – played in a steady, down-picked rhythm to match the vocals.
19. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is a timeless classic that combines open chords, a memorable intro, and universally loved lyrics. It’s one of those songs that’s almost impossible not to sing along to. The simple C, Am, F, G chord progression makes it easy to focus on your singing while you play. The iconic intro riff is all about timing, so listen carefully to the original song to capture its rhythm and feel. For the strumming pattern, aim to match the beat to capture the tempo and emotional depth of the song. “Stand By Me” is a foundational song for any beginner guitarist.
20. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
“Love Me Do” by The Beatles is super simple, super classic, and instantly recognizable. It consists of just G, C, G7, and D chords. These are all beginner-friendly open chords. The G7 chord is a minor variation, simply moving one finger from the 3rd fret to the 1st fret on the high E string. Even better, the strumming pattern is steady and not too complex, making it easy to play along with. “Love Me Do” is a fantastic early Beatles song to learn that will have you playing a piece of music history in minutes.
21. “A Horse With No Name” by America
“A Horse With No Name” by America features a slightly different strumming pattern than many beginner songs, but the chords themselves are not difficult. The chord progression is Em, D6/9, Em9, and Dmaj9. While these chord names might look a bit complex, they are actually quite easy to play. D6/9 involves just one finger fretting a note. Em9 simply requires you to hold the 2nd fret of the high E string instead of the A string. Dmaj9 is a slight variation of the standard D chord. The unique strumming pattern and hypnotic melody make “A Horse With No Name” a great song for beginners to explore slightly different rhythms.
22. “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones
“Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones is a quintessential punk rock anthem that’s incredibly simple to play. It’s made up of just three power chords. These power chords are located on the 5th fret of the low E string, the 5th fret of the A string, and the 7th fret of the A string. This creates a simple and driving progression. The key to “Blitzkrieg Bop” is playing it fast and loud, capturing the raw energy of punk rock. It’s a perfect song for beginners to practice power chords, fast strumming, and embodying the punk spirit.
23. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is built on just three chords and a simple strumming pattern, making it a soulful and easy song to learn. You’ll only need G, Am, and C chords to play the entire song. The strumming pattern progresses from slow to fast within each bar, creating the song’s distinctive rhythm. It’s easy to get into the groove and rhythm of “What’s Up?”. The combination of simple chords and a recognizable melody makes it a satisfying song for beginners to learn and sing along to.
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 favorite that’s great for beginner guitarists. The chord progression consists of G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C chords. These are all common and relatively easy chords to learn. The intro requires a slightly different approach to strumming. Instead of full strums, you’ll play the lower strings while picking the high E and B strings in sequence. Soon after the intro, the song transitions to standard strumming. “Good Riddance” is a beautiful acoustic song that’s perfect for practicing fingerpicking and strumming techniques.
25. “Circles” by Post Malone
“Circles” by Post Malone is a modern hit that’s really fun to strum and sing along with on guitar. The strumming pattern is very straightforward, and the chords, while some look complex on paper, are manageable for beginners. The chords include: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, and Cmaj7/B. Many of these are just slight variations of common open chords. If you find the F barre chord challenging, you can simplify it by playing it as a power chord or an open F chord. “Circles” is a contemporary pop song that’s accessible and rewarding for beginner guitarists.
26. “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers features a catchy riff and simple chords, making it a great choice for beginners. While the original song often omits strummed chords in the verses, strumming the chords works perfectly well and makes it easier to learn initially. The song uses Am, F, C, G, Em, and A chords. These are all common open chords that are foundational to guitar playing. As you progress, you can learn the iconic riff and melody to play over a backing track. “Otherside” is a dynamic and recognizable song that’s perfect for transitioning from basic chords to incorporating riffs.
27. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Requires a capo on the 2nd fret.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran is a beautiful and slow song with a selection of easy chords that make it perfect for beginners. You’ll need C, C/E, F, G, Dm, and Am chords to play the entire tune. The key to mastering this song is paying close attention to the timing of the chord changes. The phrase “maybe we found love right where we are” features a chord change for each word, which can be a bit challenging at first but becomes smoother with practice. “Thinking Out Loud” is a romantic and popular song that’s ideal for practicing chord changes and developing your sense of timing.
These 27 songs are just the beginning! As you learn these easiest guitar songs, you’ll build a solid foundation of chords, rhythms, and techniques that will empower you to tackle even more songs and continue progressing on your guitar journey. Keep practicing, have fun, and enjoy the process of learning to play your favorite music!
