Learning guitar can be an incredibly rewarding journey, and one of the most exciting milestones is playing your first song. If you’re just starting out, navigating the world of chords and strumming patterns can feel overwhelming. The good news is, there are tons of fantastic songs out there that are perfect for beginners. We’ve compiled a list of 27 of the easiest guitar songs to play, ranging from classic rock anthems to soulful ballads and catchy pop-punk hits. These songs utilize simple chord progressions, basic strumming techniques, and are guaranteed to get you playing along in no time. Get ready to impress yourself and your friends with these beginner-friendly tunes!
1. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
For those who want to rock right from the start, “Paranoid” is an iconic metal anthem that’s surprisingly easy to learn. This track is driven by power chords, a simplified way to play chords that only requires two or three fingers. You’ll start with an E power chord on the 7th fret, immediately capturing that heavy rock sound. The song then progresses through E, A, and D power chords, all played with steady downstrokes. “Paranoid” is fantastic for developing your power chord technique and rhythm, and it’s undeniably cool to play one of the most legendary metal riffs ever.
2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi
If you’re looking for something more contemporary and emotionally resonant, Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” is an excellent choice. This soulful hit only requires four basic chords: C, G, Am, and F. For beginners, using a capo on the 1st fret can make these chords even easier to manage. You can practice slow, deliberate strumming to match the song’s melancholic mood, or try fingerpicking the individual strings for a more nuanced sound as your skills develop. While there are a few chord variations later in the song, like Am7 and Dm7, these are simple modifications of the main chords, making “Someone You Loved” a beautiful and accessible song for beginner guitarists.
3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Instantly recognizable and undeniably fun, “Sweet Home Alabama” boasts a classic riff that’s perfect for beginner guitarists. This song revolves around D, C, and G open chord shapes, chords that are foundational to guitar playing. The riff isn’t overly complex, making it easy to pick up, and the more you practice, the faster and more authentically “twangy” your playing will become. A helpful tip is to keep your pinky finger anchored on the 3rd fret of the B string, which will help your other fingers smoothly transition into the C and G chord shapes. Playing along with the original track is key to nailing the rhythm and picking style of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and before you know it, you’ll be playing this iconic riff effortlessly.
4. “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty
A timeless classic covered by countless artists, including John Mayer, Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” is built on a simple yet effective chord progression. With a capo placed on the 3rd fret, you’ll be playing open D, A, and E chords, along with a Dsus4 chord for a touch of variation. The Dsus4 is easily achieved by simply placing your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string while playing a D chord. “Free Fallin'” works beautifully on both acoustic and electric guitars – try adding a bit of overdrive on an electric for a classic rock vibe. This song is perfect for practicing chord changes and singing along, making you feel like a rockstar in no time.
5. “My Generation” by The Who
Want to unleash your inner rockstar? “My Generation” by The Who is incredibly easy to play and guaranteed to get you energized. This 60s hit is built around just two chords: G and F. Playing them as power chords will give you that signature meaty rock sound, and the song’s pauses are perfect for letting out some powerful vocals. While “My Generation” is famous for its bass solo, Pete Townshend’s guitar fills provide great cues for beginners to start exploring improvisation. The simple chord structure and rhythm make this song an excellent platform to develop your soloing skills and rock out!
6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals
“House of the Rising Sun” is a bluesy and atmospheric classic that’s surprisingly accessible for beginners. This song uses a chord progression based on Am, C, D, E, and F chords. Instead of strumming, the song’s distinctive sound comes from picking each note of the chord individually in an ascending and descending pattern, creating its haunting and sombre tone. Later in the song, you’ll encounter a C/E chord, which is simply a C chord with an E note in the bass – an easy modification from the standard open C shape. The song also includes E7 and F7 chords, which introduce 7th notes to the scale, adding a touch of bluesy tension. These are all straightforward variations of open chords, appearing only a few times in the song to enhance its emotional depth.
7. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus
If you’re in the mood for some country fun, “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus is a rootin’ tootin’ song that’s incredibly simple to play. This country jam only uses two chords: A and E. The simplicity of the chord progression provides a great foundation for exploring country-style guitar licks using the notes within the A and E open chord shapes. Experiment with scales in the key of A to start improvising solos, and if you want to get really authentic, try incorporating “chicken pickin’” techniques for a true country sound.
8. “American Idiot” by Green Day
Green Day’s “American Idiot” dominated the pop charts in 2003 and remains a high-energy song that’s fun to play on guitar. The main riff consists of three simple power chords in C#, G#, and F# positions, requiring quick transitions between them. At the end of the riff, a short, sharp hit of the open strings marks the vocal entrance. The guitar solo is also beginner-friendly, featuring octave shapes played in quick succession followed by an easy lick higher up the fretboard. “American Idiot” is a great song for building power chord speed and developing a sense of energetic rhythm.
9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
“Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing gonna be alright!” Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” is an uplifting reggae classic that’s easy to learn and play. It’s built on just three chords: A, D, and E, played with a reggae strumming pattern. Reggae strumming can be a bit tricky for beginners to grasp initially, so starting with a regular strumming rhythm as you get comfortable with the chord changes is perfectly fine. As you progress, you can explore the more complex reggae strumming patterns to capture the authentic feel of the song.
10. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is practically a rite of passage for guitar players, and it’s incredibly beginner-friendly. This groundbreaking grunge anthem features just four power chords played at 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 rhythm is straightforward, allowing you to play with plenty of grunge attitude. To nail the rhythm, hit each chord a couple of times and fill the spaces in between with muted strums across the strings. For the verses, simply hold down the 1st fret of the high E and B strings and pluck them – and you’ve got the complete song!
11. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
“Brown Eyed Girl” is an undeniably feel-good song that’s hard not to sing along to. Its cheerful vibe comes from its bright G major key. Featuring easy-strumming open G, C, D, and E chords, it’s a fantastic song for practicing your vocals while playing guitar. Once you’ve mastered the chords and strumming pattern, challenge yourself with the fun, riff-based intro. “Brown Eyed Girl” is a crowd-pleasing classic that’s perfect for honing your basic guitar skills.
12. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
Yes, we know, “Wonderwall” might elicit groans from some, but it remains an iconic song that every guitarist should have in their repertoire. It’s based on basic G, C, D, and Em chords, but with a slight twist that gives it its signature sound. By holding down the 3rd fret of the B and high E strings on all chords, you create that iconic “Wonderwall” treble tone. Later in the song, there’s a G transition chord. This simply involves moving your finger from the 3rd fret to the 2nd fret of the low E string while keeping the rest of the strings (except the B and high E at the 3rd fret) open. The G transition chord is played briefly and smoothly bridges the G and Em chords. This type of chord transition is common in many songs, making “Wonderwall” a great song to learn it early on.
13. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
Soulful, sombre, and a defining anthem of the 90s, “Zombie” by The Cranberries is surprisingly simple to learn, using just four chords: Em, Cmaj7, G, and D. Cmaj7 might 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 chord progression. “Zombie” is a powerful and emotionally resonant song that’s easily accessible for beginner guitarists.
14. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan/Guns N’ Roses
Originally 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 with. In the verses, the chord progression is G, D, Am/G, D, C, alternating between Am and C as the final chord. The chorus simplifies to just G, D, and C, before reverting to the verse progression. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is a versatile song that works well in various styles, making it a great addition to any beginner guitarist’s songbook.
15. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band
“The Joker” by Steve Miller Band is a true earworm and surprisingly easy to play on guitar. It primarily uses G, Cadd9, and D chords in a steady, repeating pattern. All of these chords are beginner-friendly. As you gain confidence in playing and transitioning between these chords, you can start picking individual notes to mimic the bass line and even add your own simple guitar licks. “The Joker” is a catchy and fun song that’s perfect for practicing chord changes and rhythm.
16. “Buck Rogers” by Feeder
A hit from the 2000s that still holds up today, “Buck Rogers” by Feeder has a super simple guitar arrangement. The basic rhythm revolves around an open Em chord and power chords at the 7th and 9th frets of the low E string. The chorus adds a power chord at the 5th fret of the low E string, all strummed in a consistent and easy-to-learn beat. “Buck Rogers” is a high-energy song that’s great for practicing power chords and developing a consistent strumming hand.
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 guaranteed to get an audience singing along. It 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. The strumming pattern is quick to learn, consisting mainly of steady downstrokes. Listen for the palm mutes (where you dampen the strings with your palm while strumming) in the intro and other subtle pauses to fully capture the song’s feel. “All The Small Things” is a fun and energetic song that’s perfect for practicing power chords and pop-punk strumming.
18. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
Soulful, catchy, and incredibly easy to play, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol offers a refreshing change from chord-heavy songs. It features a cool, melodic riff that’s picked throughout most of the song, requiring you to pick power chord shapes rather than strum them. There’s a slight stretch when picking the 5th fret of the A string and the 9th fret of the G string, which is excellent for building hand strength. The song concludes with a series of chords – A, E/G#, D, Dsus2, Dmaj7 – played in a steady, down-picked fashion to match the vocals. “Chasing Cars” is a beautiful and accessible song that’s great for developing both picking and chord-playing skills.
19. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
With open chords, a memorable intro, and timeless lyrics, “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King is a song that’s almost impossible not to sing along to. The C, Am, F, G chord progression makes it easy to focus on your vocals while playing. The song’s iconic intro riff is all about timing, so listen closely to the original track to pick it up accurately. The strumming pattern should be in time with the beat to match the tempo and feel of the song. “Stand By Me” is a classic and universally loved song that’s perfect for practicing open chords and rhythm.
20. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles
Super simple and super classic, “Love Me Do” by The Beatles consists of G, C, G7, and D chords. G7 is a slight variation of G, simply moving the note on the 3rd fret of the high E string to the 1st fret. The strumming pattern is steady and not overly complex, making it quick to learn and play along with. “Love Me Do” is a foundational song in rock and roll history and a great choice for beginner guitarists to learn early on.
21. “A Horse With No Name” by America
“A Horse With No Name” by America doesn’t feature any difficult chords, but its strumming pattern is a little different from the norm. The chord progression is Em, D6/9, Em9, and Dmaj9, all of which are quite easy to play. D6/9 only involves one fret, Em9 requires holding the 2nd fret of the high E string instead of the A string, and Dmaj9 is a slight modification of the standard D chord. “A Horse With No Name” is a unique and atmospheric song that’s great for exploring slightly different chord voicings and strumming patterns.
22. “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones
“Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones is a classic punk rock anthem and a super simple song to play. It’s made up of just three power chords located at the 5th fret of the low E string, the 5th fret of the A string, and the 7th fret of the A string – a very simple progression to learn. The key to “Blitzkrieg Bop” is to play it fast and loud, capturing the raw energy of punk rock. This song is perfect for practicing fast power chord changes and developing an aggressive playing style.
23. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is built on three chords, a simple strumming pattern, and soulful vocals. G, Am, and C are all you need to master this 90s hit. The strumming pattern progresses from slow to fast within each bar, making it easy to get into the rhythm of the song. “What’s Up?” is a powerful and recognizable song that’s great for practicing smooth chord transitions and dynamic strumming.
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 ballad that’s perfect for acoustic guitar lovers. G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C chords create a simple progression that’s quick to learn. The intro features a fingerpicking style where you avoid full strums and instead play the lower strings while sequentially picking the high E and B strings. Soon after the intro, the song transitions to standard strumming. “Good Riddance” is a beautiful and introspective song that’s great for practicing both fingerpicking and strumming techniques.
25. “Circles” by Post Malone
“Circles” by Post Malone is a really fun tune to strum and sing along with. The strumming pattern is straightforward, and the chords, while some look complex, are mostly variations of open chords: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, and Cmaj7/B. If you find barre chords like F challenging, you can substitute it with a power chord or an open F chord. “Circles” is a contemporary hit that’s both catchy and accessible for beginner guitarists looking to learn more modern songs.
26. “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers features a fun and distinctive riff and simple chords. While the verses in the original song typically don’t have strummed chords, strumming works just as well for beginners. Using Am, F, C, G, Em, and A chords, the song is quite simple to get started with. As you progress, you can challenge yourself to learn the iconic riff and play the melody over a backing track. “Otherside” is a dynamic song that offers a great introduction to both chord playing and riff-based guitar parts.
27. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran is a slow and beautiful song with an easy selection of chords. With a capo on the 2nd fret, you’ll need C, C/E, F, G, Dm, and Am chords to play the entire song. The key is to listen closely to the timing, especially in the line “maybe we found love right where we are,” where there’s a chord change for each word. While the timing might take a little practice, “Thinking Out Loud” is a rewarding and romantic song that’s perfect for developing your chord changes and rhythmic accuracy.
