Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour might be over in the US for now, but the world is still captivated by her incredible songwriting and performances. If you’re a fan and a budding guitarist, you’re in luck! Learning Easy Taylor Swift Songs To Play On Guitar is a fantastic way to keep the music going and develop your skills.
For those who might be new to the phenomenon, Taylor Swift is a global icon – a singer-songwriter, Grammy Award winner, businesswoman, performer, and director. Her Eras Tour has even been called an “economic phenomenon” due to its massive success and positive impact on local economies. Taylor’s relatable lyrics, catchy melodies, and overall musical talent have resonated with millions worldwide, making her an inspiring figure for anyone wanting to pick up a guitar or expand their song repertoire.
Whether you’re a complete beginner, an aspiring musician, a passionate guitar player, or simply a Swiftie eager to connect with her music on a deeper level, learning easy Taylor Swift songs on guitar is a rewarding experience. Her songs are often built upon accessible chord progressions, making them perfect for learners.
10 Easy Taylor Swift Songs on Guitar You Should Learn
We’ve explored Taylor Swift’s impressive discography, spanning ten musical eras, to bring you ten easy Taylor Swift songs that are ideal for learning on the guitar. This list is especially curated for beginners looking to dive into her music. You can learn these songs on your own, or enhance your learning experience with guidance from an experienced guitar tutor who can provide personalized instruction tailored to your needs and budget.
This list is organized from the newest to the oldest releases, featuring songs from different eras of Taylor Swift’s career. We’ve included the album name and original release year for each song (excluding the release dates of her “Taylor’s Version” re-recorded albums).
1. “Maroon” (Midnights, 2022)
“Maroon,” from the Midnights album, is a deeply emotional Taylor Swift song that explores themes of intense love and painful heartbreak. Although “Maroon” wasn’t initially part of the Eras Tour’s main setlist, Taylor has performed it as a surprise song a couple of times, highlighting its special place among fans. If you’ve been drawn to “Maroon” and want to learn to play it on guitar, you’ll find it’s quite accessible. It features a simple chord progression and a straightforward strumming pattern, making it beginner-friendly. You only need four chords to play “Maroon”: C, G, Em, and D.
“Maroon” chords and tutorial
2. “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” (Midnights, 3am edition, 2022)
“Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” a beautiful soft rock track, is a bonus song from Taylor Swift’s tenth album, Midnights. This song delves into reflection and regret over a past, flawed relationship that left deep emotional scars. The song uses darker undertones to express the sorrow and pain associated with this damaging experience. Musically, “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” incorporates steadily building synthesizers, acoustic guitars, and a touch of distortion to create its impactful soundscape. To play this song on guitar, you will need five chords: G, D, Am, Em, and C.
“Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” chords and tutorial
3. “my tears ricochet” (Folklore, 2020)
“my tears ricochet,” from the Folklore album, is a slower-paced song that’s excellent for guitar beginners to practice chord transitions and strumming at a more comfortable tempo. In this song, Taylor Swift explores the feelings of betrayal and hurt stemming from a significant professional disappointment – a deep betrayal by someone she deeply trusted. The emotional weight of the lyrics is powerful, making it a resonant song for many. The chords required for “my tears ricochet” are C, G, Em, F, Am, and Dm. While Taylor sings in a lower vocal register in this song, feel free to sing it in a key that suits your vocal range, or simply focus on playing the guitar part.
“my tears ricochet” chords and tutorial
4. “Getaway Car” (Reputation, 2018)
For “Getaway Car” from the Reputation album, some tutorials might show a capo in the video thumbnail, but as instructors often point out, a capo isn’t necessary to play this song. You can play “Getaway Car” perfectly well without a capo, or use one if you prefer. The song is known for its vivid storytelling and metaphorical lyrics, and compared to other tracks on the Reputation album, it has a more stripped-down musical arrangement. “Getaway Car” is an upbeat and engaging song about escaping a stale relationship for a more exciting one. The chords you’ll need to learn for this song are G, D, Am, and C.
“Getaway Car” chords and tutorial
5. “Shake It Off” (1989, 2014)
“Shake It Off,” from the 1989 album, is a high-energy and empowering anthem that encourages listeners to embrace their true selves and disregard negativity. This song was the lead single from 1989, an album that marked a significant stylistic shift towards pop for Taylor Swift (and is set to be re-released as 1989 (Taylor’s Version) on October 27th, 2023). “Shake It Off” perfectly embodies this pop transformation and has become an anthem for many Swifties. Its upbeat and resilient message resonates widely, even inspiring figures like the “Dancing Trucker,” who gained attention for his enthusiastic dancing at Taylor’s Cincinnati show. “Shake It Off” is an excellent choice for beginner guitarists to learn, as it helps build confidence and promotes a positive, can-do attitude through music. For those new to guitar, “Shake It Off” is quite straightforward. It uses basic open chords: Am, C, and G, making it very accessible. The strumming pattern is also consistently rhythmic and easy to follow.
“Shake It Off” chords and tutorial
6. “All Too Well” (Red, 2012)
“All Too Well,” originally released in 2012 on the Red album, was already considered an epic song by fans. The 10 Minute Version featured on Red (Taylor’s Version) amplified its legendary status even further. Learning to play “All Too Well” on guitar allows you to delve into its detailed narrative of a relationship’s rise and fall and the lingering pain of heartbreak. The song vividly recounts memories and emotions as if the events were still fresh. For this easy Taylor Swift guitar song, you’ll need to learn just four chords: C, G, Am, and F. Give it a try and immerse yourself in the storytelling through music.
“All Too Well” chords and tutorial
7. “You Belong with Me” (Fearless, 2008)
“You Belong with Me,” from the Fearless album, is another easy Taylor Swift guitar song that deeply connects with listeners who have experienced unreciprocated love. Released as the third single from Fearless, it has since been re-recorded as part of Fearless (Taylor’s Version). This song showcases Taylor Swift’s artistic range, blending country and pop elements seamlessly. The lyrics tell a relatable story of a girl secretly in love with her friend who is already in a relationship, a common theme for many. Taylor’s sincere vocals, the song’s relatable lyrics, its upbeat melody, and catchy hooks make “You Belong With Me” a delightful song to play and sing along to on guitar. The song is very beginner-friendly for guitarists, utilizing basic open chords such as D, A, Em, and G. The strumming pattern is simple and repetitive, allowing beginners to focus on smooth chord changes and capture the song’s infectious, energetic vibe.
“You Belong With Me” chords and tutorial
9. “Our Song” (Taylor Swift, 2006)
“Our Song” is a charming, catchy, and easy Taylor Swift guitar song that perfectly encapsulates the sweetness of young love. It was a significant hit upon its release and has since become a timeless Taylor Swift classic. Learning to play “Our Song” is a great way to connect with Taylor’s early country sound. In “Our Song,” Taylor narrates the story of a young couple whose special “song” is made up of everyday moments they share, like sneaking out together. Taylor Swift’s youthful and playful lyrics are central to this catchy country tune. The song’s simplicity makes it an excellent choice for beginner guitarists, as it primarily uses the chords D, Em, G, and A. The strumming pattern is relatively straightforward, helping beginners easily get into the rhythm and enjoy playing along.
“Our Song” chords and tutorial
10. “Teardrops on My Guitar” (Taylor Swift, 2006)
“Teardrops on My Guitar” is a deeply heartfelt ballad from Taylor Swift’s debut album released in 2006. This emotionally resonant song poignantly describes the pain of unrequited love and the heartache of seeing someone you admire with someone else. With its touching and vulnerable lyrics, “Teardrops on My Guitar” captures raw feelings of longing and vulnerability, which resonated with many listeners from the start of her career. While using a capo on the third fret is often recommended to match the original key of the song, you can certainly play it without a capo as well. The song follows a simple chord progression, mainly using G, D, Em, and C, making it another very accessible song for beginner guitarists. This heartfelt track not only highlights Taylor Swift’s early songwriting talent but also her emotional depth, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career for this gifted artist.
“Teardrops on My Guitar” chords and tutorial
The Big Picture
Taylor Swift’s position as one of the most successful artists of our time is undeniable. Her extensive catalog of songs offers fantastic choices for guitar learners and devoted fans alike. Dive into these easy Taylor Swift songs on guitar and start your musical journey today. It looks like you’re entering your Guitarist Era! For more structured learning and personalized guidance, explore Lessonpal’s online guitar tutors, offering affordable lessons to support your musical aspirations. And if you’re considering instruments even simpler than the guitar, check out our guide on choosing between the ukulele or guitar.
