Learning guitar should be an enjoyable journey, and what better way to make practice sessions exciting than by learning Fun Songs To Play On Guitar? While mastering the guitar takes dedication and consistent practice, incorporating songs you love can significantly boost your motivation and accelerate your progress. Beyond formal lessons, diving into playing actual music is one of the most effective and rewarding ways to improve your guitar skills.
This guide is designed to introduce you to 12 fun songs to play on guitar that are perfect for both beginner and intermediate players. For each song, we’ll highlight what makes it enjoyable to learn and play, and provide links to easily accessible guitar tabs so you can start strumming along right away. Get ready to expand your repertoire with these engaging and recognizable tunes!
1. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor is a quintessential anthem that’s incredibly fun to play on guitar. Its infectious energy and driving rhythm are instantly captivating. The song revolves around simple chords, making it accessible for beginners, yet its powerful melody is instantly recognizable and satisfying to play. The iconic C power chord riff is not only easy to grasp but also creates a strong, propulsive feel that keeps you hooked. Plus, the sheer sing-along factor of this Rocky theme song adds an extra layer of enjoyment – who can resist belting out those motivational lyrics while playing that iconic riff? It’s a fantastic song to build your power chord chops and get energized while practicing.
2. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison is another timeless classic and a genuinely fun song to play on guitar, especially when you’re aiming for upbeat and feel-good vibes. This song’s cheerful tempo and straightforward chord progression make it ideal for sunny day strumming sessions. While simply playing the chords and singing along is already enjoyable, the real guitaristic fun lies in the catchy instrumental licks that open the song. For guitarists seeking a bit more of a challenge, mastering the subtle, fingerpicked melody that weaves throughout the song in the background adds a beautiful layer of complexity and is a great exercise in fingerstyle playing and independence. It’s a fantastic song to improve your strumming rhythm and explore basic fingerpicking patterns.
3. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
Few guitar riffs are as instantly recognizable and exhilarating as “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. This track is a true test of finger dexterity and stamina, making it a wildly fun song to play on guitar if you’re ready for a workout. The song’s signature intro and main riff are built around rapid-fire hammer-ons and pull-offs, demanding precision and speed. While it might take some practice to build up to the song’s blistering pace, the feeling of nailing those iconic licks is incredibly rewarding. Just remember to properly warm up your fingers before diving into “Thunderstruck” and cool down afterward, as the song’s intensity can be physically demanding on your fretting hand. It’s an excellent song for developing hammer-on and pull-off techniques and building finger strength and speed.
4. “The Spirit of Radio” by Rush
“The Spirit of Radio” by Rush is a masterclass in musical complexity that remains incredibly fun to play on guitar, especially for those who enjoy a challenge with a catchy payoff. The opening guitar lick is both intricate and engaging, perfectly encapsulating what makes Rush’s music so unique: sophisticated arrangements that are still accessible and memorable. Similar to “Thunderstruck,” this song heavily utilizes hammer-ons and pull-offs, but it also incorporates more complex rhythmic patterns and chord changes. Practicing “The Spirit of Radio” with a metronome is highly recommended, as maintaining precise timing through the fast-paced guitar passages can be tricky initially. However, mastering this iconic riff is a hugely satisfying achievement and a great way to develop your timing and precision.
5. “Crazy on You” by Heart
If acoustic guitar is your instrument of choice, “Crazy on You” by Heart is an outstanding and fun song to play on guitar. The song’s intro is particularly captivating, blending various acoustic guitar techniques into a dynamic and engaging piece. You’ll explore fingerpicking, strumming, and percussive elements all within the first few bars, making it a fantastic learning experience. Once you’ve grasped the foundational techniques of the intro, you can begin to experiment with personal embellishments and variations, truly making the piece your own. “Crazy on You” is a rewarding song that will expand your acoustic guitar skills and introduce you to more expressive playing styles.
6. “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos
“Layla” by Derek and the Dominos is a legendary song that’s incredibly fun to play on guitar, particularly if you aspire to play iconic guitar solos. Featuring one of the most celebrated guitar solos in rock history, “Layla” provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your lead guitar skills (or work towards them!). Even simplified versions of the solo are impressive and satisfying to learn. Beyond the solo, the main melody of “Layla” is instantly recognizable and captivating, and when you crank up the distortion on your amplifier for this one, the song truly comes alive. It’s a fantastic song for developing your lead guitar phrasing, bending techniques, and playing with expressive distortion.
7. “Crossroads” by Eric Clapton
“Crossroads” by Eric Clapton is a blues rock staple and a remarkably fun song to play on guitar for intermediate players looking to delve into blues phrasing and feel. While the chord progression itself is relatively straightforward, the magic of “Crossroads” lies in its groove and soulful blues atmosphere. Eric Clapton’s iconic guitar work on this track is all about feel and expression, emphasizing bending notes, vibrato, and improvisational blues licks. Learning “Crossroads” is about more than just hitting the right notes; it’s about capturing the spirit and emotion of the blues. It’s a perfect song for developing your blues guitar vocabulary and learning to play with feeling.
8. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a Southern rock anthem and a genuinely fun song to play on guitar because it seamlessly blends strumming and picking techniques. Whether you are a seasoned guitarist or just starting your musical journey, “Sweet Home Alabama” is a timeless classic that appeals to players of various skill levels. The song’s main riff is instantly recognizable and satisfying to play, and the combination of strummed chords and melodic fills keeps things interesting. Plus, its widespread popularity means that almost everyone will recognize it when you play it, making it a great crowd-pleaser. It’s an excellent song for practicing both strumming patterns and basic lead guitar fills.
9. “Life in the Fast Lane” by The Eagles
Eagles Life In The Fast Lane -HD
The Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane” is a high-energy rock track and a seriously fun song to play on guitar thanks to its catchy and dynamic guitar parts. The song features a snappy and memorable lick for both the intro and chorus, which are incredibly satisfying to nail. While the verse chords are relatively simple, the overall melody is infectious and keeps you engaged while playing. “Life in the Fast Lane” is guaranteed to get your foot tapping and your fingers moving. It’s a great song for practicing rhythm guitar licks and developing a sense of groove and timing in your playing.
10. “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
If you’re searching for a fun song to play on guitar that’s guaranteed to lift the mood and get people moving, “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk is an excellent choice. This modern disco-funk anthem boasts an irresistible beat and a groovy sound that will get everyone’s heads nodding and feet tapping. “Get Lucky” is not only fun to play but also a fantastic song to dance to, allowing you to get your groove on while you practice your guitar skills. Its funky rhythm guitar parts and catchy bassline (adaptable for guitar) make it a unique and enjoyable addition to any guitarist’s repertoire. It’s a fantastic song for developing your funky rhythm guitar chops and learning to play in a modern, groove-oriented style.
11. “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix
No list of fun songs to play on guitar would be complete without paying homage to the legendary Jimi Hendrix. “Little Wing” is arguably one of his most beautiful and accessible songs, striking a perfect balance between intermediate and advanced difficulty. It’s a song that allows for expressive playing and exploration of dynamics and tone. For “Little Wing,” focusing on your guitar tone is paramount, as Jimi Hendrix was renowned for his impeccable sound. Striving to capture the nuanced and soulful tone of Hendrix will elevate your performance of this song to a whole new level. It’s a superb song for developing your expressive playing, vibrato, and exploring different guitar tones and effects.
12. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
Concluding our list of fun songs to play on guitar is “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses. This rock ballad is ideal for intermediate guitarists looking to add a slightly more challenging piece to their song list. The iconic opening riff of “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” while initially tricky to master, becomes second nature with dedicated practice and is incredibly rewarding to play smoothly. For guitarists seeking a real test of their skills, tackling the song’s legendary guitar solo is a fantastic goal. Successfully playing even a portion of the solo is guaranteed to impress anyone who hears it. It’s a fantastic song for developing your legato technique, alternate picking, and tackling a classic rock guitar solo.
