Simple Song on Guitar: 27 Easy Guitar Songs Perfect for Beginners

Learning to play the guitar is an incredibly rewarding journey. One of the most exciting milestones for any beginner guitarist is learning to play their first song. The good news is, you don’t need to master complex techniques to play recognizable and enjoyable music. This guide is packed with simple songs on guitar that are perfect for beginners. We’ve curated a list of 27 fantastic tracks across various genres, all using easy chords and strumming patterns to get you playing quickly and confidently. Let’s dive in and get you strumming your way to musical success!

Getting Started with Simple Guitar Songs

Choosing the right songs when you’re starting out is crucial. You want music that’s fun to play and within your grasp technically. The songs on this list are selected because they typically feature:

Easy Guitar Chords: Primarily open chords and power chords, which are fundamental and straightforward to learn.
Simple Chord Progressions: Repetitive and predictable chord sequences, making them easier to memorize and play smoothly.
Basic Strumming Patterns: Downstrokes and simple down-up patterns that are easy to master.
Popular and Recognizable Tunes: Playing songs you know and love keeps you motivated and makes practice more enjoyable.

By focusing on these simple songs on guitar, you’ll build essential skills, develop muscle memory, and gain the confidence to tackle more challenging pieces later on. So grab your guitar, tune up, and let’s get started with our list!

27 Simple Songs on Guitar for Beginners to Learn Now

Here are 27 fantastic songs, perfect for beginner guitarists. Each entry will highlight the key chords and techniques involved, making it clear why they are excellent choices for learning.

1. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath

If you want to rock out immediately, “Paranoid” is your anthem. This legendary metal track is surprisingly accessible for beginners.

Key Chords: E power chord, A power chord, D power chord
Why it’s easy: Primarily uses power chords, which are just two fingers and easy to move around the fretboard. The rhythm is straightforward down-picking.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces power chords, a staple in rock and metal music, and develops rhythmic down-picking skills.

2. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi

For a soulful and contemporary feel, “Someone You Loved” is a great choice. It’s perfect for practicing strumming and singing. Capo on 1st fret required.

Key Chords: C, G, Am, F (and variations Am7, Dm7 in the bridge)
Why it’s easy: Uses common open chords in a repeating progression. The strumming can be kept slow and simple.
Beginner Benefit: Practices essential open chords and smooth chord transitions. Also a good song for fingerpicking practice if you want to advance.

3. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

This iconic Southern rock riff is instantly recognizable and fun to play.

Key Chords: D, C, G (open chord shapes)
Why it’s easy: Works around basic open chords. The riff, while sounding complex, is based on simple chord shapes and repetition.
Beginner Benefit: Teaches a classic riff and improves chord switching between D, C, and G. Good for developing a sense of rhythm and playing with a “twangy” style.

4. “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty

A timeless classic covered by many, “Free Fallin'” is a perfect song to strum and sing along to. Capo on 3rd fret required.

Key Chords: D, A, E, Dsus4 (open chords)
Why it’s easy: Uses very common open chords in a simple progression. Dsus4 is a slight and easy variation of the D chord.
Beginner Benefit: Reinforces open chords and introduces a slight chord variation (Dsus4). Great for practicing strumming and singing simultaneously.

5. “My Generation” by The Who

Energetic and iconic, “My Generation” is incredibly simple to play and fun to rock out to.

Key Chords: G power chord, F power chord
Why it’s easy: Only two power chords! Focus is on rhythm and energy rather than complex chords.
Beginner Benefit: Solidifies power chords and encourages dynamic playing. Good for developing improvisational skills during guitar fills.

6. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals

This bluesy classic is known for its arpeggiated (picked notes within chords) style, which is a great alternative to strumming.

Key Chords: Am, C, D, F, E, (and variations C/E, E7, F7)
Why it’s easy: Uses common open chords. The chord variations are simple adjustments of the basic open chords. The picking pattern is repetitive.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces basic fingerpicking and playing arpeggios. Expands chord vocabulary slightly with 7th chords and slash chords.

7. “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus

Get ready to two-step! “Achy Breaky Heart” is a country classic that’s incredibly simple.

Key Chords: A, E
Why it’s easy: Only two chords! Focus is on rhythm and country style.
Beginner Benefit: Mastering two chords and developing a country strumming feel. Great for experimenting with country licks and improvisation using the A and E major scales.

8. “American Idiot” by Green Day

A modern rock anthem, “American Idiot” is energetic and surprisingly easy to play.

Key Chords: C# power chord, G# power chord, F# power chord
Why it’s easy: Three power chords in a repeating riff. The rhythm is energetic but straightforward.
Beginner Benefit: Practices power chord transitions and fast chord changes. Good for developing energy and stage presence in your playing.

9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley

Don’t worry, this reggae classic is easy to learn and will get you in a relaxed mood.

Key Chords: A, D, E
Why it’s easy: Three open chords. The reggae strumming pattern can be simplified for beginners.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces basic reggae rhythms and strumming, even if you start with a simplified pattern. Reinforces open chords.

10. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

A rite of passage for guitarists, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a grunge anthem that’s built on simple power chords.

Key Chords: Power chords based on 1st fret E string, 1st fret A string, 4th fret E string, 4th fret A string.
Why it’s easy: Four power chords in a repeating progression. The rhythm is iconic and relatively simple to learn.
Beginner Benefit: Mastering power chords and the iconic grunge rhythm. Good for learning about dynamics and muted strumming.

11. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison

Upbeat and singable, “Brown Eyed Girl” is a feel-good song perfect for practicing vocals and guitar together.

Key Chords: G, C, D, Em (open chords)
Why it’s easy: Uses common open chords in a cheerful and repetitive progression.
Beginner Benefit: Practices open chords in a major key and develops a positive, upbeat strumming style. The intro riff is also a fun challenge to learn after mastering the chords.

12. “Wonderwall” by Oasis

While perhaps overplayed, “Wonderwall” remains a quintessential beginner guitar song. Capo on 2nd fret required.

Key Chords: G, C, D, Em (with a slight variation involving fretting the 3rd fret of the B and high E strings on all chords)
Why it’s easy: Uses basic open chords with a slight variation for a distinctive sound. The “G transition chord” is a simple movement.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces chord variations and a common transition chord movement. Good for understanding how small changes can create unique sounds.

13. “Zombie” by The Cranberries

Soulful and powerful, “Zombie” is surprisingly simple with just four chords.

Key Chords: Em, Cmaj7, G, D
Why it’s easy: Four chords in a repeating progression. Cmaj7 is essentially an open C chord with a slight variation, making it easy to learn.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces minor chords (Em) and a slightly more complex chord (Cmaj7) that is still easy to play. Great for practicing dynamic strumming and emotional expression.

14. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan/Guns N’ Roses

Originally by Bob Dylan and famously covered by Guns N’ Roses, this song is both iconic and beginner-friendly.

Key Chords: G, D, Am, C (and Am/G variation)
Why it’s easy: Uses a simple and repeating chord progression. The Am/G is a slight variation but easy to incorporate.
Beginner Benefit: Practices chord alternation and introduces a slash chord (Am/G), demonstrating how bass notes can change within a chord progression.

15. “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band

A catchy and recognizable tune, “The Joker” is easy to play and a great earworm.

Key Chords: G, Cadd9, D
Why it’s easy: Three simple chords in a steady pattern. Cadd9 is a slight variation of C but still easy to play.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces Cadd9 chord and develops a steady strumming pattern. Encourages exploring picking individual notes and bass lines as you improve.

16. “Buck Rogers” by Feeder

A 2000s rock hit, “Buck Rogers” remains a fun and easy song to play.

Key Chords: Em, power chords at 7th and 9th fret of low E string (and 5th fret in the chorus)
Why it’s easy: Combines open Em chord with simple power chords. The rhythm is straightforward.
Beginner Benefit: Combines open chords and power chords in one song. Practices power chord movement along the low E string.

17. “All The Small Things” by Blink-182

Pop punk at its finest, “All The Small Things” is a crowd-pleaser and easy to learn.

Key Chords: C power chord, G power chord, F power chord
Why it’s easy: Three power chords in a fast-paced but simple progression. Strumming is primarily down-picking.
Beginner Benefit: Develops fast power chord changes and down-picking speed. Introduces palm muting for a pop punk sound.

18. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol

Soulful and catchy, “Chasing Cars” features a picked riff and simple chords.

Key Chords: A, E/G#, D, Dsus2, Dmaj7 (picked riff and strummed chords)
Why it’s easy: The main part is a picked riff using power chord shapes. The chord section at the end uses simple open chord variations.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces picked riffs using power chord shapes and slightly more complex chord variations (Dsus2, Dmaj7) which are still beginner-friendly.

19. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King

Timeless and soulful, “Stand By Me” has open chords and a memorable intro.

Key Chords: C, Am, F, G
Why it’s easy: Four open chords in a classic and repeating progression. The intro riff is based on the chords and rhythm.
Beginner Benefit: Solidifies open chords and rhythm playing. The intro riff is a good step up after mastering basic strumming.

20. “Love Me Do” by The Beatles

A super classic and super simple Beatles tune.

Key Chords: G, C, G7, D
Why it’s easy: Uses simple open chords and G7 is a very slight variation of G. Strumming pattern is steady and not complex.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces G7 chord and classic Beatles songwriting. Good for practicing steady strumming and basic chord changes.

21. “A Horse With No Name” by America

Easy chords but a slightly different strumming pattern make this song interesting for beginners.

Key Chords: Em, D6/9, Em9, Dmaj9
Why it’s easy: While the chord names look complex, they are variations of D and Em and are not difficult to play. The strumming pattern is the main focus.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces slightly more complex chord names but easy-to-play shapes. Challenges beginners with a non-standard strumming pattern.

22. “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones

Punk rock simplicity at its best, “Blitzkrieg Bop” is made of just three power chords.

Key Chords: Power chords on 5th fret low E, 5th fret A, 7th fret A.
Why it’s easy: Only three power chords in a fast and energetic punk rhythm.
Beginner Benefit: Practices fast power chord changes and energetic punk strumming. Emphasizes speed and attitude over complex techniques.

23. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes

Three chords and soulful vocals make “What’s Up?” a great beginner song.

Key Chords: G, Am, C
Why it’s easy: Three open chords in a repeating progression. The strumming pattern is simple with slow to fast rhythm in each bar.
Beginner Benefit: Practices three essential open chords and a dynamic strumming pattern. Great for vocal practice alongside guitar.

24. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day

Mellow and catchy, “Good Riddance” is perfect for acoustic guitar beginners.

Key Chords: G, Cadd9, D, Em, C
Why it’s easy: Uses open chords and Cadd9 is a simple variation. The intro picking pattern is a nice challenge but can be simplified to strumming.
Beginner Benefit: Practices a wider range of open chords and introduces a simple fingerpicking pattern in the intro. Good for developing acoustic guitar skills.

25. “Circles” by Post Malone

A modern hit with a simple strumming pattern and accessible chords.

Key Chords: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Fm, C, F, C/B, Cmaj7/B
Why it’s easy: Many chords are variations of open chords. F can be simplified to a power chord or open F if barre chords are challenging. The strumming is simple.
Beginner Benefit: Introduces slightly more complex chord names but manageable shapes. Offers options to simplify barre chords if needed.

26. “Otherside” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

A fun riff and simple chords make “Otherside” a great choice.

Key Chords: Am, F, C, G, Em, A
Why it’s easy: Uses common open chords. While the original version often features a riff, strumming the chords works well for beginners.
Beginner Benefit: Practices a wider range of open chords in a slightly more complex progression. Encourages moving towards playing the iconic riff later on.

27. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

A slow and romantic song with easy chords, perfect for practicing timing. Capo on 2nd fret required.

Key Chords: C, C/E, F, G, Dm, Am
Why it’s easy: Uses open chords and variations. The chord changes in the line “maybe we found love right where we are” are a good timing challenge but still manageable.
Beginner Benefit: Practices timing and chord changes within a lyrical phrase. Introduces a slightly wider range of open chords and variations in a slow tempo.

Start Your Guitar Journey with Simple Songs

This list of simple songs on guitar provides a fantastic starting point for any beginner guitarist. By learning these songs, you’ll build a solid foundation of chord knowledge, strumming techniques, and musicality. Remember to practice regularly, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, have fun! The joy of playing music is within your reach, so pick a song from this list and start strumming today!