Starting your guitar journey is incredibly exciting, and one of the best ways to stay motivated is by learning to play actual songs right away. For over 30 years, exploring new music has been my constant source of inspiration on the guitar. If you’re just picking up the instrument, diving into playing songs is crucial to keep you engaged and progressing. Many beginners unfortunately give up within the first year, and often, it’s because they aren’t experiencing the joy of making music. This guide is designed to prevent that!
This article provides a curated list of 52 easy Guitar Songs On Chords specifically chosen for beginner players. These songs are not only fun to play but are also structured to help you learn and grow throughout your first year of playing. Think of this list as your year-long curriculum of enjoyable guitar practice. If you encounter a song that feels a bit challenging initially, don’t worry! Mark it and revisit it as you build your skills with the easier ones.
The songs featured here are primarily selected because they utilize basic open chords, which are known to be more accessible for those just starting to learn guitar. To make learning even easier, we’ve included chord diagrams for each song, so you can clearly see how to form each chord.
Don’t let the term “easy” mislead you into thinking these songs are simplistic or boring. This collection offers a fantastic mix of upbeat and mellow rock and roll tunes. You’ll find songs ranging from simple three-chord progressions – perfect for absolute beginners – to slightly more complex seven and eight-chord structures. Regardless of your skill level, from novice to experienced player looking for a relaxing play-through, these songs are genuinely enjoyable.
For those looking to expand their musical understanding, these songs also offer a fantastic foundation to explore more advanced concepts later on. Consider experimenting with different CAGED chord shapes or substituting triads in place of the full chords as you become more comfortable. This will not only enhance your playing but deepen your understanding of guitar theory.
Let’s dive into this list of easy guitar songs on chords and get you playing music you love right away!
1. “Nutshell” – Alice in Chains
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – G – D – Cadd9
We’re kicking off this list of guitar songs on chords with “Nutshell,” a powerfully emotive acoustic track from Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies EP. This song is built around a simple four-chord progression in the key of Em. What makes “Nutshell” particularly beginner-friendly is the smooth transitions between chords. The ring finger acts almost as a pivot, staying planted on the second string while you shift between chord changes. This clever movement makes the chord progression flow very naturally, reducing the initial struggle many beginners face with changing chords quickly.
Listen: “Nutshell” – Alice In Chains
2. “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
“Learning to Fly,” a classic from Tom Petty’s Into the Great Wide Open album, truly earns its spot as one of the easiest guitar songs on chords you can learn. The entire song revolves around a repeating chord progression of F – C – Am – G with very minimal variations. This repetitive structure is fantastic for beginners because it allows you to focus on mastering these four chords and getting comfortable with the strumming pattern without needing to memorize complex song structures. Once you’ve got this progression down, you’ve essentially learned the whole song! It’s an excellent choice for building confidence and getting your fingers accustomed to basic chord shapes and transitions.
Listen: “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
3. “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
If you’re looking for incredibly simple guitar songs on chords, “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones is a prime example. It uses just three chords: D, A, and G. What’s remarkable about this song is how much musical variety The Rolling Stones achieve with these three chords. You get distinct verse, pre-chorus, and chorus sections, all built from the same basic chord palette. This demonstrates that you don’t need a vast chord vocabulary to create compelling and interesting music. “Dead Flowers” is perfect for beginners to practice transitioning smoothly between these fundamental chords and to start understanding basic song structure.
Listen: “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
4. “Rockin’ In the Free World” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em – D – C – G – A
Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” is a high-energy rock anthem that’s surprisingly accessible for beginner guitarists. Played in the key of Em, this song is built on a foundation of easy guitar chords: Em, D, C, G, and A. Despite its rocking vibe, the chord changes are quite straightforward, making it a fantastic choice for beginners who want to learn a song with a bit more drive and intensity. Getting “Rockin’ in the Free World” under your fingers is a rite of passage for any aspiring guitarist. It’s not just easy to learn; it’s also incredibly fun to play and sing along to.
Listen: “Rockin’ in the Free World” – Neil Young
5. “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Key: Em (F#m)
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9 – Am
“The Celestials” by The Smashing Pumpkins is an excellent choice from our guitar songs on chords list for practicing fundamental strumming patterns. While the original recording uses a capo on the 2nd fret to change the key to F#m, the chords we’re focusing on here are the open chord shapes relative to the capo-less guitar: Em, G, D, Cadd9, and Am. This song is perfect for developing your rhythm and timing. The chord progression is repetitive and relatively simple, allowing you to concentrate on your strumming technique. Experiment with different strumming patterns to find what sounds best and to further develop your rhythmic feel.
Listen: “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
6. “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
“Used to Love Her” by Guns N’ Roses is another fantastic acoustic song that’s incredibly easy to learn on guitar. It’s strikingly similar in its chord structure to “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones, which we’ve already covered. Both songs rely on the same three open guitar chords: D, A, and G. The chord progression in “Used to Love Her” has a slight variation, giving it its own unique feel, but if you’ve already mastered “Dead Flowers,” you’re already most of the way to learning this one. This makes it a great song to learn back-to-back to reinforce your understanding of these essential chords.
Listen: “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
7. “One” – U2
Key: Am
Chords: Am – D – F – G – C
“One,” arguably U2’s most iconic song, is also surprisingly accessible on guitar, making it a perfect addition to our list of guitar songs on chords for beginners. The song uses a progression of Am – D – F – G – C. These are all foundational open chords that are among the first chords many guitarists learn. “One” is an excellent choice for beginners because it’s not only easy to play technically, but it’s also a deeply resonant and emotionally powerful song. Learning to play “One” allows you to connect with a truly great song while building your basic guitar skills.
Listen: “One” – U2
8. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: C
Chords: C – Am – G – F – C/B – Am/G
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” is a fantastic song for beginners and also provides a gentle introduction to slightly more advanced chord concepts. While it primarily uses simple open chords like C, Am, G, and F, it also introduces slash chords with C/B and Am/G. Slash chords, where a note other than the root note is in the bass, might seem complex at first, but in this song, they are used in a very manageable way. The slash notation (e.g., C/B) simply means you play a C chord but with a B note in the bass. Don’t be intimidated! Focus on the basic chords first, and then you can explore the slash chords to add a richer harmonic texture to your playing.
Listen: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
When it comes to easy guitar songs on chords, The Lumineers’ music, and especially “Ho Hey,” are excellent examples. They really maximize the impact of a simple four-chord progression: F – C – Am – G. “Ho Hey” is practically built for beginner guitar players. The chord progression is not only easy to memorize but also very satisfying to play. This song also gives you some flexibility in how you finger the F and G chords. There are different ways to play these chords, and “Ho Hey” is a great song to experiment with various fingerings to find what feels most comfortable and sounds best to you.
Listen: “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
10. “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am – Em
“And It Stoned Me” from Van Morrison’s iconic Moondance album is a beautifully mellow song that’s also very approachable for beginner guitarists. It’s a five-chord song in the key of G major and utilizes five open chords: G, C, D, Am, and Em. These are all fundamental chords that are typically among the first learned by guitar students. The gentle tempo and straightforward chord changes of “And It Stoned Me” make it an ideal song for practicing smooth transitions and developing a relaxed strumming style. It’s a perfect song to learn when you want to enjoy playing a classic tune without feeling overwhelmed by complexity.
Listen: “And It Stoned Me” – Van Morrison
11. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Cadd9 – Em
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” from Green Day’s Nimrod album is a song that’s instantly recognizable and surprisingly easy to play on guitar using chords. While the original recording features arpeggiated chords at the beginning (playing the notes of the chord individually), for beginner purposes, you can absolutely strum the chords: G, C, D, Cadd9, and Em. Strumming these chords makes the song very accessible for beginners while still capturing the essence of the tune. “Good Riddance” is a great song to learn if you want something that sounds impressive but isn’t technically demanding, perfect for building your repertoire of easy guitar songs on chords.
Listen: “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
12. “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – C#m – G# – E – B
Don’t be initially intimidated by the seemingly long list of chords for The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane.” While it appears to have many chords, the song’s structure is quite repetitive and manageable, especially if you break it down. The chord progression repeats through much of the song, and the strumming pattern is what really drives it. “Sweet Jane” is a fantastic song for developing a strong and consistent strumming hand. Be aware that some versions of “Sweet Jane” include barre chords, particularly the Bm and C#m, which can be more challenging for beginners. If barre chords are new to you, focus on mastering the open chords first (D, A, G, G#, E, B) and then gradually introduce the barre chords as your hand strength and technique improve. Even with just the open chords, you can get a great beginner-friendly version of “Sweet Jane” under your fingers.
Listen: “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
13. “I Remember You” – Skid Row
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“I Remember You,” Skid Row’s power ballad, is a popular choice for guitarists, and it’s also quite accessible for beginners looking for guitar songs on chords. The song primarily uses strummed chords: G, Cadd9, D, C, and Em. These are all open chords that are commonly taught to beginner guitarists. While the song is mostly strummed, “I Remember You” offers opportunities to start incorporating subtle embellishments between chord changes as you become more comfortable. This could involve adding hammer-ons, pull-offs, or simple lead fills to spice up your playing. However, for beginners, simply focusing on clean chord changes and consistent strumming is more than enough to get started with this song.
Listen: “I Remember You” – Skid Row
14. “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Mother” from Pink Floyd’s monumental album The Wall is a song that’s both iconic and surprisingly simple in its chord structure. The song is based around an easy chord progression in the key of G, using the chords G, C, D, and F. While the chords themselves are beginner-friendly, “Mother” does present a slight challenge in its strumming pattern. It’s not a complex pattern, but it requires a bit of precision and attention to timing. Pay close attention to the rhythm of the original recording and try to mimic the strumming pattern to really capture the feel of the song. “Mother” is a great choice for beginners who want to refine their strumming accuracy while learning a classic and emotionally resonant song.
Listen: “Mother” – Pink Floyd
15. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan is a timeless classic and truly one of the quintessential guitar songs on chords for beginner players. It’s built around a simple four-chord progression: G, C, D, and Am. These are all foundational open chords that are among the first chords every guitarist learns. What makes “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” so perfect for beginners is its simplicity and versatility. The chord progression is easy to memorize, the changes are slow and forgiving, and the song sounds great whether you strum it simply or add a bit more complexity. It’s a song that you can grow with as your guitar skills develop, always sounding good at any stage.
Listen: “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
16. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M.
Key: A
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – E
R.E.M.’s “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” is an energetic and fun song that’s also quite easy to play on guitar using chords. It’s built around a four-chord progression: D, A, G, Bm, and E. While it includes the Bm (B minor) chord, which can be a barre chord and slightly trickier for absolute beginners, you can initially substitute it with a simpler chord like B7 if barre chords are new to you. However, the rest of the chords are open and straightforward. This song has a great driving rhythm, making it excellent for practicing strumming with energy and keeping time. “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” is a fantastic choice for beginners who want to learn a song with a bit of pep and drive.
Listen: “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M
17. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: D
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Sweet Home Alabama,” a Southern rock anthem by Lynyrd Skynyrd, is another classic that’s surprisingly beginner-friendly when you’re learning guitar songs on chords. For the majority of the song, it relies on a simple three-chord progression: G, C, and D. These are foundational open chords that are easy to grasp for beginners. The iconic opening riff does introduce a Cadd9 chord in place of the C, but when you’re just starting out and strumming along, a standard C major chord will work perfectly well and keep things simple. “Sweet Home Alabama” is not only easy to play but also incredibly recognizable and fun to jam along with, making it a great motivator for beginner guitarists.
Listen: “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
18. “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
Key: G
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Bm – F
“Wild Horses,” a beautiful ballad by The Rolling Stones from their Sticky Fingers album, is a classic song that every guitarist should aim to learn, and it’s quite approachable even for beginners. While it uses a few more chords than some of the other songs on this list of guitar songs on chords – Am, G, C, D, Bm, and F – the tempo is slow, and the chord changes are relatively gentle. The inclusion of Bm and F chords might present a slight challenge as they are often played as barre chords, but you can initially focus on cleaner transitions between the easier open chords first. “Wild Horses” is a rewarding song to learn because it’s not only beautiful but also introduces you to a slightly wider range of chords in a manageable context.
Listen: “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
19. “No Rain” – Blind Melon
Key: E
Chords: E – A – G – D – E7
Blind Melon’s “No Rain,” a hit from the early ’90s alternative and grunge era, is a groovy and enjoyable song that’s also quite easy to play on guitar. It’s primarily built around a four-chord progression: E, A, G, and D. The song also incorporates an E7 chord for a bit of added color and embellishment. The rhythm of “No Rain” is infectious, making it a really fun song to strum along to. The chord changes are not fast, and the chords themselves are all open and beginner-friendly. “No Rain” is a great choice for beginners who want to learn a song with a distinctive groove and a touch of 90s nostalgia.
Listen: “No Rain” – Blind Melon
20. “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – F – B♭ – C
“Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams is a rock anthem that’s guaranteed to get you energized, and it’s also quite manageable for beginner guitarists. While it introduces a few more chords than some super-simple songs – D, A, G, Bm, F, B♭, and C – many of these are common and not too difficult to learn, especially if you’re ready to expand your chord vocabulary slightly. To simplify it even further when starting out, you could initially focus on just the D, A, G, and Bm chords, which make up the core of the song. “Summer of ‘69” is a fantastic song to learn if you want to transition from acoustic to electric guitar, crank up the gain, and rock out!
Listen: “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
21. “Cover Me” – Candlebox
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9
Candlebox’s “Cover Me,” from their debut album, is a fantastic acoustic song if you’re just starting your guitar journey and looking for easy guitar songs on chords. The song is built around a simple four-chord progression: Em, G, D, and Cadd9. These are all open chords that are very accessible for beginners. “Cover Me” is particularly useful for practicing chord changes because the strumming pattern is quite basic, and the tempo is moderate. This combination allows you to focus on smoothly transitioning between chords without feeling rushed. It’s an excellent song for building foundational skills and getting your fingers comfortable with common chord shapes and movements.
Listen: “Cover Me” – Candlebox
22. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Em – D7
“Brown Eyed Girl,” another gem from Van Morrison on our list of guitar songs on chords, is an upbeat and universally loved song that’s also wonderfully easy to play on acoustic guitar. It uses a progression of five chords: G, C, D, Em, and D7. These are all open chords, and the D7 chord, while slightly different from a regular D, is also quite simple to learn and adds a nice flavor to the song. “Brown Eyed Girl” has a cheerful and infectious rhythm, making it a really fun song to strum and sing along with. It’s a perfect choice for beginners who want to learn a well-known and feel-good song that’s technically straightforward.
Listen: “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
23. “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – A – D – Dsus2
“Mr. Tambourine Man,” another Bob Dylan classic on our list, continues to showcase his mastery of crafting incredible songs with relatively simple chord structures. This song is played with a capo on the 3rd fret, which effectively raises the key, but the chord shapes you’ll use are the open form shapes relative to the capo. The chords are G, A, D, and Dsus2. The Dsus2 chord is a suspended chord, which is just a slight variation of a D chord and is quite easy to learn. “Mr. Tambourine Man” is a beautiful acoustic song that’s perfect for beginners to add to their repertoire of easy guitar songs on chords. Its gentle rhythm and memorable melody make it a joy to play.
Listen: “Mr. Tambourine” – Bob Dylan
24. “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
Key: Am
Chords: Am – F – Dm – G – C
“Mr. Jones,” the breakthrough hit for Counting Crows from their album August and Everything After, is a song that’s both popular and beginner-friendly on guitar. It uses a chord progression of Am – F – Dm – G – C. While it includes the Dm (D minor) chord, which might be new to some beginners, it’s still a relatively easy chord to learn. “Mr. Jones” is a great song for beginner guitar players because it has a catchy melody, a moderate tempo, and the chord changes are not overly complex. It’s a fantastic choice for building your chord vocabulary and practicing smooth transitions in a song context.
Listen: “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
25. “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Dsus2 – Dsus4 – Asus2 – Asus4
Led Zeppelin might not be the first band you think of for easy guitar songs on chords, but “Tangerine” is a beautiful exception. It’s one of the few Led Zeppelin songs that fits well on a beginner list. “Tangerine” is also a great introduction to sus2/sus4 chords. These suspended chords (Dsus2, Dsus4, Asus2, Asus4) are variations of standard chords where a note is “suspended,” creating a slightly different and often more open sound. Don’t be intimidated by the names; sus2 and sus4 chords are actually quite easy to play, often involving just lifting a finger or two from a regular chord shape. “Tangerine” is a fantastic song for beginners to expand their harmonic understanding and learn some beautiful chord voicings within a manageable context.
Listen: “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
26. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
“Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival is another example of how you don’t need complicated chord progressions to write a hit song. This song is famously built on just three chords: D, A, and G. Like “Dead Flowers” and “Used to Love Her” mentioned earlier, “Bad Moon Rising” is a testament to the power of simplicity in songwriting. For beginner guitarists, this means it’s incredibly easy to learn the chords and chord progression. The challenge and fun in “Bad Moon Rising” come from capturing the energetic strumming pattern and the driving rhythm of the song. It’s a perfect song for practicing your strumming hand and getting a feel for upbeat, rhythmic playing with just a few basic guitar chords.
Listen: “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
27. “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
Key: E♭
Chords: C – G – Em – F
“Into the Mystic,” yet another classic from Van Morrison’s Moondance album, is a beautifully soulful song that’s also quite approachable for beginners looking for guitar songs on chords. The original recording uses a capo on the 3rd fret to achieve the key of E♭, but the chord shapes we’re focusing on here are the open chord forms relative to the capo: C, G, Em, and F. This means you can play these standard open chords as if there’s no capo, and it will sound correct. “Into the Mystic” has a gentle, flowing rhythm and a memorable melody, making it a joy to play. The chord progression is not complex, and the changes are smooth, making it an excellent choice for practicing transitions and developing a relaxed, expressive playing style.
Listen: “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
28. “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: Em7 – A7sus4 – G – D – C – Am
At first glance, “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd might look intimidating with chord names like A7sus4. However, don’t let those names scare you off! Despite the slightly more complex chord names, “Wish You Were Here” is actually quite easy to play, making it a great addition to our list of guitar songs on chords for beginners. The chords used are Em7, A7sus4, G, D, C, and Am. While A7sus4 might seem complicated, it’s really just a variation of an A chord and is not difficult to finger. The song has a slow tempo and a beautiful, melancholic melody. “Wish You Were Here” is perfect for practicing fingerpicking or gentle strumming and for learning to play a song that’s both iconic and emotionally resonant.
Listen: “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
29. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – D – Em7 – A
Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” is a song with a cool, driving rhythm and some interesting dynamic variations in the chord strumming, making it a fun and engaging song to learn for beginner guitarists. The song uses a chord progression of Am – G – D – Em7 – A. These are all relatively common and manageable chords. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” is particularly good for developing your strumming dynamics. Pay attention to how the intensity of the strumming changes throughout the song—sometimes softer, sometimes more aggressive. Experimenting with these dynamics will add a lot of expression to your playing and make the song even more enjoyable.
Listen: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
30. “Wonderwall” – Oasis
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – A – C
“Wonderwall,” the mega-hit from Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? album, is a song that’s practically synonymous with acoustic guitar, and it’s also wonderfully easy to play using chords. The song is built around a progression of Em – G – D – A – C. These are all open chords that are well within the grasp of beginner guitarists. “Wonderwall” is also a great song for learning about strumming techniques. While the chords themselves are simple, the strumming in “Wonderwall” is quite distinctive and nuanced. Listen closely to the original recording to pick up the subtle rhythmic variations and try to incorporate them into your playing. Mastering the strumming pattern of “Wonderwall” is a valuable skill that can be applied to many other songs.
Listen: “Wonderwall” – Oasis
31. “The Times They are A-Changin’” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: Em – G – Am – D – C
You could easily create an entire list of easy guitar songs on chords just from Bob Dylan’s catalog alone, and “The Times They Are A-Changin’” is another perfect example of his songwriting genius and accessibility for beginners. The song uses a chord progression of Em – G – Am – D – C. These are all open chords that are foundational for guitarists. “The Times They Are A-Changin’” is not only easy to play but also a song with significant historical and cultural weight. Learning to play this song allows you to connect with a piece of music history while building your basic guitar skills. Its straightforward strumming and meaningful lyrics make it an excellent choice for beginners.
Listen: “The Times They Are A Changin’” – Bob Dylan
32. “When I Come Around” – Green Day
Key: G
Chords: G – D – Em – C – Am
“When I Come Around,” one of Green Day’s biggest commercial hits from their Dookie album, is an instantly recognizable song that’s also very beginner-friendly on guitar. The chords, adapted here to open chord positions, are G, D, Em, C, and Am. In the original recording, these chords are often played as power chords, which are even simpler to play than full open chords (often using just one or two fingers). For beginners, you can choose to play either the full open chords or simplified power chords for “When I Come Around.” Both options are easy and will sound great. This song is a fantastic choice for beginners who want to learn a popular and energetic rock song quickly.
Listen: “When I Come Around” – Green Days
33. “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
Key: F#m
Chords: G# – A – D – Dm – F#m – E – C#m
“Buddy Holly,” the song that launched Weezer into mainstream success from their 1994 debut album, is a catchy and fun song that’s also quite manageable for beginner guitarists, despite the slightly longer chord list. The chords are G#, A, D, Dm, F#m, E, and C#m. While it includes a few barre chords (F#m, C#m) and slightly less common chords (G#, Dm), don’t let that deter you. You can simplify some of these initially or focus on mastering the open chords first (A, D, E). “Buddy Holly” has a moderate tempo and a repetitive structure, making it easier to break down and learn in sections. It’s a great song for beginners who are ready for a slight step up in complexity but still want to play something fun and rewarding.
Listen: “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
34. “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
Key: A
Chords: A – Bm – D
“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is another excellent example of a hit song built on a very simple chord structure. This song relies on just three chords: A, Bm, and D. Like “Bad Moon Rising” and “Dead Flowers,” “What’s Up?” proves that you don’t need a lot of chords to create a powerful and memorable song. For beginner guitarists, this simplicity is a huge advantage. The chord progression is easy to memorize, and the changes are straightforward. The Bm (B minor) chord is a barre chord, which might be a bit challenging for absolute beginners, but you can simplify it initially or work on mastering it gradually. “What’s Up?” is a fantastic song for practicing smooth transitions between these chords and for developing a strong, consistent strumming pattern.
Listen: “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
35. “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
Key: G
Chords: Em – D – G – C
Released in 1989, Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” has become an anthem of resilience and determination, and it’s also wonderfully easy to play on guitar using chords. Like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty was a master songwriter who could craft timeless music using simple chord progressions. “I Won’t Back Down” is built on just four chords: Em, D, G, and C. These are all open chords that are foundational for beginner guitarists. The song has a steady, moderate tempo and a straightforward strumming pattern. “I Won’t Back Down” is not only easy to learn but also a song with a powerful message and a strong emotional resonance, making it a great choice for beginners.
Listen: “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
36. “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
Key: G
Chords: G – D – C – Am
“Small Town” by John Mellencamp is an upbeat and classic heartland rock song that’s also very accessible for beginner guitarists looking for easy guitar songs on chords. It uses a four-chord progression: G, D, C, and Am. These are all open chords that are among the first chords taught to guitar students. “Small Town” has a driving rhythm and a sing-along quality that makes it really fun to play. It’s an excellent song for practicing chord changes at a slightly faster tempo and for developing a more energetic strumming style. “Small Town” is a great choice for beginners who want to learn a classic American rock song that’s both easy and enjoyable to play.
Listen: “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
37. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Poison’s signature power ballad from the 80s, is a song that’s both iconic and surprisingly easy to play on guitar. It’s built around a progression of open chords: G, Cadd9, D, C, and Em. The strumming pattern is very straightforward, and the tempo is slow to moderate, making it exceptionally beginner-friendly. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” is a perfect song for practicing clean chord changes and developing a smooth, ballad-style strumming technique. It’s also a great choice for beginners who are fans of 80s rock and want to learn a well-known and emotionally resonant song that’s technically simple.
Listen: “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
38. “About a Girl” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C# – C#/G# – F# – A – C
Nirvana’s “About A Girl,” from their Bleach album, is a slightly lesser-known gem in their catalog, but it’s a fantastic song for beginner guitarists looking for easy guitar songs on chords. While the chord list might look a bit longer at first glance – Em, G, C#, C#/G#, F#, A, and C – the song is actually not complicated at all. Many of these chords are variations or can be simplified when you’re just starting out. “About A Girl” has a catchy melody and a moderate tempo, making it easier to break down and learn. It’s a great choice for beginners who want to explore Nirvana beyond their most famous hits and learn a song that’s both melodically interesting and technically manageable.
Listen: “About A Girl” – Nirvana
39. “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – Cadd9 – G – Dsus4/F# – D – Em
“Disarm” by The Smashing Pumpkins, from their Siamese Dream album, is a beautifully haunting song that’s also surprisingly accessible for beginner guitarists looking for guitar songs on chords. The chords used are Em7, Cadd9, G, Dsus4/F#, D, and Em. While the chord names might seem a bit complex, especially Dsus4/F#, they are all variations of common open chords and are not too difficult to learn with a little practice. The chord progression in “Disarm” can be a bit tricky at first to memorize because it’s not as repetitive as some other beginner songs, but with a little patience, it becomes quite manageable. “Disarm” is a rewarding song to learn because it’s both musically rich and emotionally evocative.
Listen: “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
40. “Two Steps Behind” – Def Leppard
Key: A
Chords: A – D – G – E – F#m
“Two Steps Behind” is an acoustic ballad by Def Leppard that showcases a softer side of the band and is also very beginner-friendly on guitar. The song uses a straightforward chord progression: A, D, G, E, and F#m. The F#m (F# minor) chord is a barre chord, which might be a hurdle for some absolute beginners, but the rest of the chords are open and easy to play. “Two Steps Behind” is a great song for practicing smooth chord transitions and developing a gentle, acoustic strumming style. It’s also a good choice for beginners who want to learn a ballad that’s both recognizable and technically accessible.
Listen: “Two Steps Behind – Def Leppard
41. “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
Key: G
Chords: G – C – Am – D
“Run-Around” by Blues Traveler, from their album Four, is an upbeat and energetic song that’s also quite easy to play on guitar using chords. It uses a simple four-chord progression: G, C, Am, and D. These are all open chords that are foundational for beginner guitarists. “Run-Around” is particularly good for working on chord changes because the tempo is fairly fast, requiring you to switch chords smoothly and efficiently. It’s a fun and rhythmic song that will help you improve your dexterity and speed in changing between chords.
Listen: “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
42. “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
Key: F (capo on 3rd fret)
Chords: D – A – Dsus4 – E
“Free Fallin’,” one of Tom Petty’s most beloved songs from his Full Moon Fever album, is another example of his genius for crafting timeless music with simple chord progressions, making it perfect for beginner guitarists. The song is played with a capo on the 3rd fret to achieve the key of F, but the chord shapes we’re concerned with are the open forms relative to the capo: D, A, Dsus4, and E. Like many of Tom Petty’s songs, “Free Fallin’” is wonderfully straightforward and relies on a simple, repeating chord progression. The Dsus4 chord is a suspended chord, but it’s a very easy variation of a D chord to play. “Free Fallin’” is a fantastic song for beginners because it’s both iconic and technically very accessible.
Listen: “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
43. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
Key: Bm
Chords: Bm – A – G – Em – D – A – C
“Comfortably Numb,” another masterpiece from Pink Floyd’s The Wall, is a song that’s both epic and surprisingly easy to play on guitar, especially considering its iconic status. Guitar solos aside, the chord progression is quite manageable for beginners: Bm, A, G, Em, D, A, and C. The Bm (B minor) chord is a barre chord, which can be challenging initially, but the slow tempo of the song and the heavy use of open chords make “Comfortably Numb” very approachable. It’s a great song for beginners who want to learn a truly legendary song without being overwhelmed by technical difficulty. Focus on clean chord changes and a relaxed strumming style to capture the atmosphere of “Comfortably Numb.”
Listen: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
44. “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D
For beginner guitar players, it truly doesn’t get much easier than “Love Me Do” by The Beatles. This early Beatles hit is built on just three chords: G, C, and D. These are foundational open chords that every beginner guitarist learns early on. “Love Me Do” is the epitome of simplicity in songwriting and arrangement. The chord progression is incredibly easy to memorize, the changes are slow and forgiving, and the song is instantly recognizable. It’s a perfect first song for absolute beginners to learn and a great way to experience the joy of playing a classic tune right away.
Listen: “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
45. “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brothers Band
Key: G
Chords: C – G – Em – D – C/B
The Allman Brothers Band are known for their intricate instrumentals and complex arrangements, but “Seven Turns” is a delightful exception and very suitable for beginner guitarists looking for easy guitar songs on chords. The song uses a chord progression of C, G, Em, D, and C/B. The C/B is a slash chord, where you play a C chord with a B note in the bass. While slash chords might seem advanced, the C/B in “Seven Turns” is not too difficult to manage, and it adds a nice harmonic movement to the song. “Seven Turns” is a great way for beginners to start exploring the music of The Allman Brothers Band, as it’s both musically rich and technically accessible.
Listen: “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brother Band
46. “Rain King” – Counting Crows
Key: D
Chords: D – A – Bm – G – E
“Rain King,” another fantastic song from Counting Crows’ August and Everything After album, is an upbeat and energetic song that’s also quite beginner-friendly on guitar. It uses a chord progression of D – A – Bm – G – E. The Bm (B minor) chord is a barre chord, which might be challenging for absolute beginners, but the other chords are open and easy to play. “Rain King” is a great song for practicing chord changes at a faster tempo and for developing a more rhythmic and driving strumming style. It’s a fun and rewarding song for beginners who want to challenge themselves slightly with faster chord transitions while still playing something manageable.
Listen: “Rain King” – Counting Crows
47. “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – D – Em – G – C
Neil Young, much like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, had a gift for crafting timeless and emotionally resonant music with simple chord progressions. “Heart of Gold” is a perfect example of this and is wonderfully suited for beginner guitarists looking for easy guitar songs on chords. The song is built around a progression of Em7, D, Em, G, and C. These are all open chords or simple variations of open chords that are easy to learn. “Heart of Gold” has a gentle, folk-like rhythm and a beautiful, melancholic melody. It’s a perfect song for practicing smooth chord changes and developing a relaxed, fingerpicking or strumming style.
Listen: “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
48. “Polly” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – D – B♭
“Polly,” a more acoustic and subdued song from Nirvana’s Nevermind album, is another excellent choice for beginner guitarists looking for easy guitar songs on chords. It uses a straightforward chord progression: Em, G, C, D, and B♭. The B♭ chord is a barre chord, which might be a bit challenging for absolute beginners, but the other chords are open and easy to play. “Polly” has a slower tempo and a more introspective feel compared to Nirvana’s louder hits. It’s a great song for practicing clean chord changes and developing a more controlled and dynamic strumming style.
Listen: “Polly” – Nirvana
49. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
Key: E
Chords: E – A – B – C#m – F#m
“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers is an upbeat and incredibly catchy song that’s also quite manageable for beginner guitarists. The song uses a chord progression of E, A, B, C#m, and F#m. The C#m and F#m chords are barre chords, which might be a bit challenging for absolute beginners, but the E, A, and B chords are open and easy to play. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” provides a fantastic opportunity to practice a staccato style strumming pattern, which gives the song its distinctive rhythmic feel. It’s a fun and energetic song that will help you develop your strumming technique and chord changes.
Listen: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
50. “3am” – Matchbox Twenty
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – Em
“3am” by Matchbox Twenty, from their album Yourself or Someone Like You, is a catchy and emotionally resonant song that’s also very accessible for beginner guitarists looking for easy guitar songs on chords. It uses a chord progression of G, Cadd9, D, and Em. These are all open chords or simple variations of open chords that are easy to learn. “3am” has a moderate tempo and a memorable melody, making it a joy to play and sing along with. It’s a great song for practicing smooth chord changes and developing a relaxed, acoustic strumming style.
Listen: “3AM” – Matchbox Twenty
51. “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: C
Chords: C – G – Am
“Simple Man,” another masterpiece from Lynyrd Skynyrd, is aptly named as it’s built on a beautifully simple three-chord progression: C, G, and Am. Like “Love Me Do” and “Bad Moon Rising,” “Simple Man” demonstrates the power of simplicity in songwriting. For beginner guitarists, this means it’s incredibly easy to learn the chords and chord progression. While the recorded version features arpeggiated chords (playing notes individually), you can just as easily strum the chords, and it will still sound fantastic and capture the essence of the song. “Simple Man” is a perfect song for absolute beginners to learn and a great way to experience the satisfaction of playing a classic and emotionally powerful song right away.
Listen: “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
52. “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Key: A
Chords: A – D – E – G
What list of easy guitar songs on chords would be complete without “Wild Thing” by The Troggs? This iconic rock and roll song is incredibly simple and perfect for absolute beginners. For the most part, it’s built on a basic 1-4-5 chord progression in the key of A, using the chords A, D, and E, and it also includes a G chord. “Wild Thing” is raw, energetic, and instantly recognizable. It’s a fantastic song for beginners to learn because it’s so simple and fun to play. You can focus on getting the basic chord changes down and strumming with energy and enthusiasm. “Wild Thing” is a classic song that every beginner guitarist should have in their repertoire.
Listen: “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Wrap up
When you’re first starting out on guitar, learning songs right away is absolutely key. After all, the love of music is usually what inspires us to pick up the instrument in the first place! This list of 52 easy guitar songs on chords provides a wide range of musical styles and eras to keep your learning process engaging and, most importantly, fun. Having fun is crucial for sustaining your motivation and keeping you practicing and progressing.
Once you feel comfortable with these chord-based songs and are ready to explore lead guitar playing, be sure to check out our Easy Guitar Solos lesson for beginner-friendly solos that are perfectly designed to get you started with lead guitar.
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