Learning to play the guitar is an incredibly rewarding journey. For many, the initial spark comes from the desire to play their favorite songs. However, the high dropout rate among beginner guitarists, with 90% giving up within the first year, highlights the importance of early success and sustained motivation. The key to staying engaged? Playing actual music you love!
This guide is designed to fuel your passion and keep you strumming. We’ve compiled a list of 52 Simple Acoustic Guitar Songs To Play that are perfect for beginners. These aren’t just easy; they’re genuinely fun and engaging, ensuring you’ll look forward to your practice sessions all year long. If some songs feel a bit challenging at first, don’t worry! You can always revisit them as you progress and build your skills with the easier tunes.
This curated selection prioritizes songs that can be played using basic open chords. These chords are foundational for beginner guitarists due to their simpler finger placements and shapes. To make learning even smoother, we include chord diagrams for every song. For songs that might feature more complex chords like barre chords, we’ve thoughtfully provided easier alternatives and fingering options, ensuring every song on this list remains accessible.
Don’t mistake “easy” for “boring.” This list is packed with a diverse mix of upbeat and mellow rock and roll tracks. From straightforward three-chord progressions to slightly more involved seven and eight-chord structures, these songs are enjoyable for players of all levels, especially those just starting their guitar journey.
To further enhance your learning experience, consider exploring the CAGED chord shapes and experimenting with triads as substitutes for full chords. This can be a great way to expand your musical vocabulary and fretboard knowledge as you become more comfortable.
Click on any song title below to jump directly to its chords and diagrams and start playing!
1. “Nutshell” – Alice in Chains
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – G – D – Cadd9
We’re kicking off our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play with “Nutshell,” a poignant track from Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies EP. This song features a repeating four-chord progression in the key of Em. What makes this progression beginner-friendly is the efficient use of the ring finger as a pivot point between chord changes. This technique significantly simplifies transitions, making “Nutshell” an excellent starting point.
Listen:
2. “Learning to Fly” – Tom Petty
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
“Learning to Fly,” from Tom Petty’s album Into the Great Wide Open, is a masterclass in simplicity and effectiveness. The song revolves around a repeating F – C – Am – G chord progression with minimal variations throughout. This repetitive structure makes it incredibly easy to memorize and play, solidifying its place as one of the most accessible simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen:
Chord Alternatives:
The F barre chord can be a hurdle for beginners. To simplify it, you can omit the root note on the 6th string and play it as a second inversion chord, as illustrated in the first diagram. Alternatively, playing an F major triad in root position offers another simplified option.
3. “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
For ultimate simplicity, look no further than “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones. This song employs a basic 3-chord progression (D – A – G) that’s as straightforward as it gets, making it a prime example of simple acoustic guitar songs to play. Despite its simplicity, “Dead Flowers” is cleverly structured, with distinct verse, pre-chorus, and chorus sections all crafted from these three chords.
Listen:
4. “Rockin’ In the Free World” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em – D – C – G – A
Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” delivers a powerful, hard-rocking sound in the key of Em. Despite its energetic feel, this song is surprisingly easy to learn on guitar. Its accessibility and iconic status make it a must-learn track for every beginner guitarist looking for simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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 for honing your fundamental strumming patterns. While officially played with a capo on the 2nd fret, the chords presented here are in open forms. This song provides a beautiful and slightly more complex (but still beginner-friendly) option in our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “The Celestials” – The Smashing Pumpkins
6. “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Another incredibly accessible acoustic song is “Used to Love Her” by Guns N’ Roses. Remarkably similar to “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones, it utilizes the same three open guitar chords. The chord progression has slight variations, but mastering one essentially equips you to play the other. This makes it a great addition to your repertoire of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Used to Love Her” – Guns N’ Roses
7. “One” – U2
Key: Am
Chords: Am – D – F – G – C
Considered by many to be U2’s finest work, “One” is also surprisingly beginner-friendly on guitar. Its emotional depth combined with its approachable chord structure makes it a perfect song for beginners. “One” easily earns its spot on any list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “One” – U2
Chord Alternatives:
Similar to “Learning to Fly,” “One” includes an F barre chord, which can be challenging for new players. You can simplify this by dropping the root on the 6th string or using a root position triad for an easier playing experience.
8. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: C
Chords: C – Am – G – F – C/B – Am/G
“Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” by Creedence Clearwater Revival provides a gentle introduction to slash chords. Slash chords add a touch of sophistication by indicating a bass note different from the chord root. While it includes these slightly more advanced chords, the core progression remains accessible, keeping it within the realm of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen:
Chord Alternatives:
To simplify the F barre chord, you can again opt for a second inversion F chord, eliminating the barre on the 6th string, or simply play an F major triad in root position.
9. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
Key: C
Chords: F – C – Am – G
The Lumineers are known for crafting catchy tunes from simple chord structures, and “Ho Hey” is a prime example. Using just four chords, “Ho Hey” is incredibly accessible for beginner guitarists. This song also encourages experimentation with fingering variations for the F and G chords, making it a valuable learning tool amongst simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
Chord Alternatives:
Once again, to make the F barre chord easier, you can play it as a second inversion or a root position triad.
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 five-chord gem in the key of G major. Composed entirely of open chords, it’s perfectly suited for beginners. Its laid-back groove and straightforward chords solidify its place as one of the great simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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 resonates with many. While the song begins with arpeggiated chords, it’s equally beautiful and simple when strummed. Its emotional depth and easy chords make it a fantastic choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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 intimidated by the number of chords in The Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane.” While it has a few more chords than some other songs on this list, it’s not overly complicated. The real fun lies in its distinctive strumming pattern, which is both engaging and rewarding to learn. However, it does contain barre chords which might be tiring for absolute beginners.
Listen: “Sweet Jane” – The Velvet Underground
Chord Alternatives:
To make “Sweet Jane” more accessible, you can substitute triads for the barre chords. Triads provide a lighter, less fatiguing alternative while still capturing the essence of the song.
13. “I Remember You” – Skid Row
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – C – Em
“I Remember You,” Skid Row’s popular power ballad, is a great choice for beginner acoustic guitarists. While primarily strummed, it offers opportunities to add embellishments between chord changes, allowing you to spice up your playing as you become more comfortable with simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “I Remember You” – Skid Row
14. “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Mother” from Pink Floyd’s epic concept album The Wall features a simple chord progression in the key of G. However, the strumming pattern has a unique intricacy that requires careful attention. While the chords are easy, mastering the strumming is a great exercise for beginners exploring simple acoustic guitar songs to play with rhythmic nuances.
Listen: “Mother” – Pink Floyd
Chord Alternatives:
As with previous songs featuring the F barre chord, you can substitute a second inversion F chord or a root position F triad for easier playability.
15. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Am
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is a timeless classic and a quintessential song for beginner guitar players. Its simple, repetitive chord progression (G – C – D – Am) makes it incredibly easy to learn and play, cementing its status as one of the most iconic simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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
This energetic four-chord song from R.E.M. is not only fun to play but also surprisingly easy to learn. Its catchy rhythm and straightforward chords make “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” a great addition to any beginner’s list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” – R.E.M
Chord Alternatives:
To simplify the Bm barre chord, you can remove the barre from the 5th string root note and play it as a second inversion chord, making it significantly easier for beginners.
17. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: D
Chords: G – C – D – F
“Sweet Home Alabama” from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Second Helping album is an instantly recognizable classic. For most of the song, it relies on a simple three-chord progression, making it very suitable for beginners. While the opening riff uses a Cadd9 chord, a standard C major chord works perfectly well for strumming along, keeping it firmly in the category of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Chord Alternatives:
The F barre chord appears again. Remember, the previously discussed alternatives (second inversion or root triad) can be used to simplify it.
18. “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
Key: G
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Bm – F
“Wild Horses,” a beautiful ballad from The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers album, is a favorite for many guitarists. It’s a classic song that every guitar player will eventually want to learn. While it includes a few more chords than some beginner songs, the tempo and emotional feel make it a rewarding addition to a list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play for motivated beginners.
Listen: “Wild Horses” – The Rolling Stones
Chord Alternatives:
For “Wild Horses,” both the F and Bm barre chords can be swapped out for easier versions, making the song more approachable for beginners.
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 primarily a four-chord song with an E7 chord adding a touch of color. Its distinctive groove and easy-to-strum chords make “No Rain” a fun and accessible choice from our collection of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “No Rain” – Blind Melon
Chord Alternatives:
If the E7 chord feels a bit unusual to finger initially, you can replace it with the simplified version shown in the diagrams for easier playing.
20. “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G – Bm – F – B♭ – C
Time to plug in your electric guitar and crank up the gain! “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams is an energetic rock anthem that’s incredibly fun to play. While often played on electric guitar, it translates beautifully to acoustic and is surprisingly accessible when broken down, making it a great (slightly more challenging) addition to your list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams
Chord Alternatives:
If the Bm barre chord presents a challenge, the simplified version provided in the diagrams works just as well and will make the song easier to grasp for beginners.
21. “Cover Me” – Candlebox
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – Cadd9
From Candlebox’s impressive debut album, “Cover Me” is a fantastic acoustic song particularly well-suited for those just starting out on guitar. The strumming pattern is quite basic, and the tempo is perfect for practicing smooth chord changes, making it an excellent learning tool among simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Cover Me” – Candlebox
22. “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
Key: G
Chords: G – C – D – Em – D7
Our second Van Morrison entry, “Brown Eyed Girl,” is another upbeat and easy acoustic guitar song that’s simply joyful to strum. Its infectious rhythm and simple chord progression make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a great addition to your repertoire of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
23. “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
Key: G
Chords: G – A – D – Dsus2
Continuing with the theme of timeless songs, “Mr. Tambourine Man” is Bob Dylan’s second entry on our list. This song is played with a capo on the 3rd fret, and the chords shown are open form shapes relative to the capo. Add this to your growing list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play and enjoy its classic folk sound.
Listen: “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Bob Dylan
24. “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
Key: Am
Chords: Am – F – Dm – G – C
“Mr. Jones,” the breakout hit from Counting Crows’ debut album August and Everything After, is a fantastic song for beginner guitar players to learn. Its memorable melody and approachable chord progression make it a rewarding choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Mr. Jones” – Counting Crows
Chord Alternatives:
For the F barre chord in “Mr. Jones,” you can use either of the simplified versions shown in the diagrams for an easier playing experience.
25. “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – C – D – Dsus2 – Dsus4 – Asus2 – Asus4
Led Zeppelin songs aren’t typically associated with “easy,” but “Tangerine” is a notable exception. If you’re new to Led Zeppelin, this song is a perfect starting point and a gentle introduction to sus2/sus4 chords. Its beautiful acoustic arrangement and manageable chords make it a surprising inclusion in our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Tangerine” – Led Zeppelin
26. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Key: D
Chords: D – A – G
Just three chords are needed for “Bad Moon Rising.” Creedence Clearwater Revival consistently proves that complex chord progressions aren’t necessary for creating timeless, impactful songs. Its energy and simplicity make it a perfect example of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
27. “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
Key: E♭
Chords: C – G – Em – F
Another Van Morrison classic from the Moondance album, “Into the Mystic,” utilizes a capo on the 3rd fret. The chords provided are open chord shapes relative to the capo. Its mystical vibe and approachable chords make it a captivating choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison
Chord Alternatives:
Feel free to use the easier-to-play versions of the F major chord (second inversion or triad) if you find the F major barre chord challenging.
28. “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
Key: G
Chords: Em7 – A7sus4 – G – D – C – Am
Chord names like A7sus4 in “Wish You Were Here” might initially seem daunting, but don’t let them scare you! Despite the fancy names, the chords themselves are all quite easy to play. Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is a beautiful and surprisingly accessible song, making it a worthwhile addition to a beginner’s repertoire of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
Chord Alternatives:
For a slightly more comfortable fingering experience, you can use the alternative voicing provided for the Em7 chord.
29. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
Key: Am
Chords: Am – G – D – Em7 – A
Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” offers opportunities to explore dynamic strumming patterns. Experiment with varying your strumming intensity and rhythm to bring this song to life. Its engaging rhythm and manageable chords make it a fun choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty
Chord Alternatives:
For the Em7 chord, you can substitute the alternative voicing provided in the diagrams to simplify finger placement.
30. “Wonderwall” – Oasis
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – D – A – C
“Wonderwall,” a defining song from Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? album, is instantly recognizable. This song offers a chance to delve into strumming techniques, but you’ll need to listen closely to capture its nuances. Despite its slightly more complex strumming, the underlying chords are beginner-friendly, securing its place among simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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 simple acoustic guitar songs to play using just Bob Dylan’s catalog. “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” another classic from one of history’s greatest songwriters, is both musically and lyrically powerful, and easily accessible to beginner guitarists.
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,” a massive commercial hit from Green Day’s major label debut album Dookie, is incredibly catchy and fun to play. The chords are presented here in open chord positions, but they can also be played as power chords, offering versatility as you progress. Its energy and simple structure make it a great choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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 the mainstream, is from their iconic 1994 debut album, Weezer (also known as the Blue Album). While it contains a few more chords and some barre chords, it’s still manageable for determined beginners and a rewarding song to learn from our slightly more challenging (but still simple) acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Buddy Holly” – Weezer
Chord Alternatives:
“Buddy Holly” does feature several barre chords, but you can modify them using the simplified versions shown in the diagrams to make the song more accessible for beginners.
34. “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
Key: A
Chords: A – Bm – D
Another excellent three-chord song is “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes. This hit song from their 1992 debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!, is instantly recognizable and incredibly easy to play, firmly placing it among the simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “What’s Up?” – 4 Non Blondes
Chord Alternatives:
You can substitute a second inversion Bm chord for the full Bm barre chord in “What’s Up?” to simplify fingerings.
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 enduring American anthem. Like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty was a master songwriter who crafted timeless music from simple chord progressions. Its message of resilience and its easy chords make it an inspiring and accessible song from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
36. “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
Key: G
Chords: G – D – C – Am
“Small Town,” an upbeat classic from John Mellencamp, has long been a favorite for many. Its driving rhythm and straightforward chords make it a fun and energetic addition to your collection of simple acoustic guitar songs 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,” a quintessential 80s power ballad from Poison, is surprisingly easy to play on acoustic guitar. With its straightforward strumming pattern and open chords, it doesn’t get much simpler than this, making it a perfect choice among simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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 debut album Bleach, is a slightly lesser-known gem. While the chord list might appear lengthy at first glance, it’s actually not a complicated song at all. Its raw energy and manageable chords make it a great addition to your list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play, especially if you’re a fan of grunge.
Listen: “About A Girl” – Nirvana
Chord Alternatives:
If you find the barre chords in “About a Girl” challenging, you can use the alternative voicings provided in the diagrams to simplify them.
39. “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – Cadd9 – G – Dsus4/F# – D – Em
“Disarm,” from The Smashing Pumpkins’ acclaimed Siamese Dream album, is a beautiful and melancholic song. While the chords themselves are quite straightforward, the progression can be a little tricky initially. However, with a bit of practice, “Disarm” becomes a rewarding addition to your repertoire of simple acoustic guitar songs to play, offering a slightly more complex (but still beginner-friendly) challenge.
Listen: “Disarm” – The Smashing Pumpkins
40. “Two Steps Behind” – Def Leppard
Key: A
Chords: A – D – G – E – F#m
“Two Steps Behind” is a softer, acoustic side of Def Leppard. There’s nothing overly complex here – just a straightforward chord progression that’s easy to play and sounds great on acoustic guitar, making it a solid choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Two Steps Behind – Def Leppard
Chord Alternatives:
For the F#m barre chord in “Two Steps Behind,” you can substitute the alternative voicing shown in the diagrams to make it easier to play.
41. “Run-Around” – Blues Traveler
Key: G
Chords: G – C – Am – D
“Run-Around,” a hit from Blues Traveler’s album Four, is an upbeat and energetic song that’s perfect for practicing smooth chord changes. Its tempo and manageable chords make it a fun and effective practice piece from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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, is from his Full Moon Fever album. Like many of his hits, there’s no unnecessary complexity – just a simple chord progression that creates a timeless song that’s incredibly easy to play on acoustic guitar. Its iconic status and accessibility make it a must-learn from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Free Fallin’” – Tom Petty
43. “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
Key: Bm
Chords: Bm – A – G – Em – D – A – C
Our second Pink Floyd entry, also from The Wall, is the epic “Comfortably Numb.” Guitar solos aside, the slow tempo and extensive use of open chords make this song surprisingly easy for beginner guitar players to learn. Its iconic status and manageable chords make it a rewarding (and slightly longer) piece to learn from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd
Chord Alternatives:
For the Bm barre chord in “Comfortably Numb,” you can substitute the second inversion Bm chord to simplify fingerings.
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. Its incredibly simple three-chord structure (G – C – D) makes it the epitome of simple acoustic guitar songs to play and an essential starting point for any guitarist.
Listen: “Love Me Do” – The Beatles
45. “Seven Turns” – The Allman Brothers Band
Key: G
Chords: C – G – Em – D – C/B
While The Allman Brothers Band is known for complex instrumental pieces, “Seven Turns” is a pleasant exception. This song is definitely within reach for a beginner guitarist and serves as a great introduction to The Allman Brothers Band’s music, making it a valuable addition to our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
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 August and Everything After, showcases Counting Crows’ songwriting prowess. Its upbeat tempo and manageable chord progression make “Rain King” a great song for practicing chord changes and a fun addition to your collection of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Rain King” – Counting Crows
Chord Alternatives:
You can substitute the second inversion Bm chord for the full Bm barre chord in “Rain King” to simplify playability.
47. “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Key: Em
Chords: Em7 – D – Em – G – C
Neil Young, like Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, is a master of crafting timeless music with simple chord progressions. “Heart of Gold” is a perfect example of this, with its iconic harmonica intro and easy-to-learn chords, making it a must-know from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
Chord Alternatives:
You can use the alternative voicing for the Em7 chord provided in the diagrams in place of the full chord for slightly easier fingering.
48. “Polly” – Nirvana
Key: Em
Chords: Em – G – C – D – B♭
“Polly,” a more subdued and acoustic track from Nirvana’s Nevermind, offers a different side of the band. Its straightforward acoustic arrangement and manageable chords make it a great (and slightly darker) addition to your repertoire of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Polly” – Nirvana
Chord Alternatives:
For the B♭ barre chord in “Polly,” you can play a B♭ power chord as a simpler alternative.
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 provides a fun opportunity to practice a staccato strumming pattern. Its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, combined with relatively simple chords, make it an enjoyable and slightly more rhythmically challenging song from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” – The Proclaimers
Chord Alternatives:
The alternative voicings provided in the diagrams for the B, C#m, and F#m barre chords can be used to simplify fingerings and make the song more accessible for beginners.
50. “3am” – Matchbox Twenty
Key: G
Chords: G – Cadd9 – D – Em
“3am” from Matchbox Twenty’s Yourself or Someone Like You album is a catchy and emotionally resonant song. Its use of easy-to-play open chords and memorable melody make it a great choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “3AM” – Matchbox Twenty
51. “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Key: C
Chords: C – G – Am
“Simple Man,” another three-chord masterpiece from Lynyrd Skynyrd, perfectly embodies its title. While the recorded version features arpeggiated chords, strumming the chords equally effectively captures the song’s beauty. Its simplicity and emotional depth make it a powerful and accessible choice from our list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play.
Listen: “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
52. “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Key: A
Chords: A – D – E – G
No list of simple acoustic guitar songs to play would be complete without “Wild Thing” by The Troggs. For the most part, it’s based on a simple 1-4-5 chord progression. This classic song’s raw energy and basic chords make it a fun and essential addition to any beginner guitarist’s repertoire.
Listen: “Wild Thing” – The Troggs
Wrap Up
When you’re first starting your guitar journey, learning songs right away is absolutely crucial. After all, the desire to play music is what inspired us to pick up the instrument in the first place! This list of 52 simple acoustic guitar songs to play provides a diverse and engaging selection designed to keep your learning process fun and maintain your motivation throughout your first year and beyond.
Once you feel ready to tackle guitar solos, be sure to check out our Easy Guitar Solos lesson for beginner-friendly solos that will further expand your playing skills.
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