Taylor Swift’s reign in the music world is undeniable, and her songwriting continues to resonate with millions. If you’re a budding guitarist and a Swiftie, learning to play Taylor Swift Guitar Songs is a fantastic way to combine your passions! Her music is known for catchy melodies and often features accessible chord progressions, making many of her hits perfect for beginner guitarists.
Whether you’re just starting your guitar journey, looking to expand your song repertoire, or simply a Taylor Swift enthusiast, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore ten easy Taylor Swift songs on guitar that you can learn and start playing today. Her songs are not only fun to play, but they also offer a great way to grasp fundamental guitar skills.
Top 10 Taylor Swift Songs for Guitar Newbies
We’ve curated a list of 10 Taylor Swift songs spanning her impressive career, chosen for their beginner-friendly guitar arrangements. These songs are excellent starting points for anyone wanting to strum along to their favorite Taylor tunes. You can definitely learn these songs on your own, but if you’re looking for personalized guidance, consider connecting with an experienced online guitar tutor for tailored lessons that fit your learning style and budget.
This list is organized from her more recent releases to older classics. We’ve included the album and original release year for each song to give you some context (note: these are the original release dates, not her “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings).
1. “Maroon” (Midnights, 2022)
“Maroon,” from her Midnights album, delves into the complexities of passionate love and the ache of heartbreak. While not a regular on the Eras Tour setlist, Taylor has surprised fans with “Maroon” as a surprise song on multiple occasions. If you’re drawn to its emotional depth and want to learn it on guitar, you’ll be pleased to know it’s quite approachable. “Maroon” employs a straightforward chord progression and a strumming pattern that’s easy to pick up. You’ll only need four chords to play this song: C, G, Em, and D. This makes it a great choice for practicing smooth chord transitions while playing a deeply moving song.
“Maroon” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
2. “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” (Midnights (3am Edition), 2022)
“Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” a bonus track from the Midnights 3am edition, is a captivating soft rock ballad. In this song, Taylor reflects on past romantic missteps and the lingering regrets. The lyrics use darker imagery to express the pain and lasting scars from a damaging relationship. Musically, the song builds with synthesizers, acoustic guitars, and subtle distortion, creating a rich soundscape. For guitarists, “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” is accessible with five chords: G, D, Am, Em, and C. These common chords make it a manageable song for beginners to learn and add to their repertoire while exploring a more melancholic side of Taylor’s songwriting.
“Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
3. “my tears ricochet” (Folklore, 2020)
“my tears ricochet,” from the Folklore album, is a slower-paced song, which is perfect for beginner guitarists. It allows you to focus on mastering chord changes and strumming patterns at a comfortable tempo. The song explores themes of betrayal and deep hurt, inspired by personal experiences of broken trust. Taylor’s lower vocal register in this song adds to its emotional intensity, but feel free to sing in a range that suits your voice while you play. The chords required for “my tears ricochet” are C, G, Em, F, Am, and Dm. While it introduces a couple more chords than some other beginner songs, the slower tempo makes it less daunting to learn and a great way to expand your chord vocabulary.
“my tears ricochet” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
4. “Getaway Car” (Reputation, 2017)
“Getaway Car,” from Reputation, is an energetic and narrative-driven song. While some tutorials might show a capo, it’s absolutely playable without one, as many instructors point out. This song is rich in imagery and metaphors, telling a story of escaping a stale relationship for a more exciting, albeit possibly fleeting, romance. Musically, “Getaway Car” is more stripped down compared to other tracks on Reputation, making it great for guitar. You’ll be using four chords to play “Getaway Car”: G, D, Am, and C. These are fundamental open chords, making it another excellent choice for beginners looking for fun and engaging Taylor Swift guitar songs.
“Getaway Car” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
5. “Shake It Off” (1989, 2014)
“Shake It Off,” the lead single from 1989, is a truly empowering and upbeat anthem. It encourages listeners to embrace individuality and shrug off negativity. 1989 marked Taylor’s official transition into pop, and “Shake It Off” perfectly embodies this shift with its infectious energy. It’s become an anthem for Swifties worldwide, even inspiring online sensations like the Dancing Trucker. For beginner guitarists, “Shake It Off” is surprisingly simple. It primarily uses the basic open chords Am, C, and G. The strumming pattern is also consistent and easy to follow. Learning “Shake It Off” is a fantastic way to build confidence and have fun while playing guitar.
“Shake It Off” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
6. “All Too Well” (Red, 2012)
“All Too Well,” from Red, is considered by many to be a masterpiece of songwriting. Whether you’re learning the original or the epic 10-minute version from Red (Taylor’s Version), “All Too Well” is a storytelling tour-de-force. It vividly recounts the intimate details of a relationship’s rise and fall, capturing the raw emotions of heartbreak with incredible clarity. To play this iconic Taylor Swift guitar song, you’ll need the chords C, G, Am, and F. While it includes the F chord, which can be slightly trickier for absolute beginners, the chord progression is still manageable, and the emotional depth of the song makes it rewarding to learn.
“All Too Well” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
7. “You Belong With Me” (Fearless, 2008)
Taylor Swift You Belong With Me music video still featuring Taylor in glasses and white t-shirt
“You Belong With Me,” from Fearless, is another highly relatable and easy Taylor Swift guitar song, especially for anyone who’s experienced unrequited love. Blending country and pop elements, it showcases Taylor’s artistic versatility early in her career. The lyrics tell a classic story of longing for a friend who’s in another relationship. With its heartfelt vocals, relatable lyrics, and catchy melody, “You Belong With Me” is a joy to play and sing along to on guitar. It’s very beginner-friendly, using basic open chords like D, A, Em, and G. The strumming pattern is repetitive and easy to grasp, allowing beginners to focus on chord changes and capturing the song’s upbeat and infectious energy.
“You Belong With Me” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
8. “Love Story” (Fearless, 2008)
“Love Story,” also from Fearless, is one of Taylor Swift’s most recognized and beloved songs. This romantic and fairytale-inspired tune retells Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending, capturing the excitement and innocence of young love. “Love Story” is another excellent choice for beginner guitarists due to its simple and repetitive chord structure. You’ll primarily use the chords D, G, Em, and C. The song’s popularity and positive vibe make it a motivating and fun song to learn as you develop your guitar skills.
“Love Story” Chords and Guitar Tutorial (Note: Originally listed as #8, corrected to #8 and subsequent numbering adjusted)
9. “Our Song” (Taylor Swift, 2006)
“Our Song,” from her debut album Taylor Swift, is a charming and undeniably catchy tune that perfectly captures the essence of young love. It was an early hit that has become a timeless Taylor Swift classic. In “Our Song,” Taylor narrates the sweet everyday moments that become a couple’s special “song,” like sneaking out late at night. The youthful and playful lyrics are set to a catchy country melody. Simplicity is key to “Our Song,” making it ideal for beginner guitarists. It mainly uses D, Em, G, and A chords, and the strumming pattern is quite straightforward, letting beginners easily get into the rhythm and enjoy playing.
“Our Song” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
10. “Teardrops on My Guitar” (Taylor Swift, 2006)
“Teardrops on My Guitar,” also from her debut album, is a deeply heartfelt ballad. This song poignantly portrays the pain of unrequited love and the heartache of watching your crush be with someone else. “Teardrops on My Guitar” is known for its raw vulnerability and longing, conveyed through touching lyrics and a gentle melody. While using a capo on the 3rd fret is often recommended to match the original key, it’s also playable without one. The song features a simple chord progression, primarily using G, D, Em, and C. This makes “Teardrops on My Guitar” another very accessible and emotionally resonant song for beginner guitarists to learn. It’s a beautiful example of Taylor’s early songwriting talent and emotional depth.
“Teardrops on My Guitar” Chords and Guitar Tutorial
The Big Picture
Taylor Swift’s impact on music is immense, and her songs offer a fantastic entry point into learning guitar. These easy Taylor Swift guitar songs are just the beginning! Dive in, start strumming, and you might just discover your inner guitarist. It seems like you’re entering your Guitarist Era! If you want more structured learning and personalized feedback, explore online guitar tutors at Lessonpal for affordable and effective lessons. And if you’re still deciding between instruments, check out our guide on choosing between the ukulele or guitar to see which instrument might be the best fit for you.
