Unplugging from the electric world can be a refreshing and revealing experience for any guitarist. While electric guitars offer distortion, feedback, and effects to mask imperfections, acoustic guitars demand precision, clarity, and strong songwriting. Playing acoustic arrangements highlights the raw essence of a song, offering a fresh perspective on familiar tunes, unique cover possibilities, and showcasing true songwriting mastery.
Whether you’re into original tracks, innovative covers, or stripped-down arrangements, this list of 30 top acoustic guitar songs, as chosen by guitar enthusiasts, is sure to inspire and ignite your passion to pick up your acoustic and play. Get ready to explore songs that resonate deeply and make you want to learn every chord and lyric.
30. Queen – Love Of My Life
Image alt text: Freddie Mercury passionately sings Love of My Life, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar during a Queen concert, showcasing the song’s intimate and vulnerable nature.
Love Of My Life stands as a powerful example of musical intimacy, proving what can be achieved with just the human voice and an acoustic guitar. This Queen classic strips away the band’s usual rock bombast to reveal raw emotion. Freddie Mercury’s vocal performance is incredibly vulnerable, conveying a mix of hurt, hope, and tenderness. Brian May’s acoustic guitar work is nothing short of majestic, providing the perfect delicate and intricate accompaniment to Mercury’s vocal brilliance. This song is a masterclass in acoustic arrangement and emotional delivery, making it a must-learn for any aspiring acoustic guitarist.
29. The Smiths – Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
Image alt text: Close-up of Morrissey, the lead singer of The Smiths, singing with a characteristically melancholic and longing expression, embodying the emotional depth of Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.
Is Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want the saddest of all Smiths songs? Many would argue yes. Morrissey’s vocals are filled with a palpable ache of longing and unfulfilled desire. Johnny Marr’s minimalist acoustic arrangement perfectly complements the mood, creating a soundscape as bleak and beautiful as a drizzly Manchester sky. This song is short, bittersweet, and utterly beguiling, a perfect example of melancholic songwriting done to perfection. Its simplicity and emotional resonance make it a standout acoustic piece in The Smiths’ discography and a favorite for introspective guitarists.
28. John Lennon – Working Class Hero
Image alt text: John Lennon intensely performs Working Class Hero on acoustic guitar, his focused expression emphasizing the song’s raw and politically charged message.
For many, the best version of John Lennon post-Beatles is “Sweary John,” “angry John,” the Lennon channeling Dylan with three chords and an acoustic guitar. Working Class Hero is a scathing and raw dismantling of the class system. Lennon’s vocal delivery is biting and direct, adding to the song’s incredibly pure and powerful message. The simple acoustic arrangement, combined with Lennon’s raw emotion and lyrical honesty, creates a timeless protest anthem. And yes, the inclusion of the f-bomb adds an extra layer of rebellious energy that still feels potent today.
27. Don McLean – American Pie
Image alt text: Don McLean passionately sings and plays American Pie on his acoustic guitar, capturing the storytelling essence of his iconic folk ballad.
Forget any questionable covers; Don McLean’s original acoustic rendition of American Pie remains the definitive version and an enduring classic. This acoustic opus is iconic for its length, its enigmatic lyrics, and McLean’s captivating vocal delivery. The lyrics of American Pie have been analyzed and debated for decades, but perhaps the most straightforward explanation of the song’s meaning came from McLean himself: “It means I don’t ever have to work again if I don’t want to,” he famously quipped. Beyond its lyrical mystery, the song’s enduring appeal lies in its beautiful melody and McLean’s heartfelt acoustic performance.
26. Nick Drake – Pink Moon
Image alt text: A portrait of Nick Drake, capturing his introspective and enigmatic persona that is deeply intertwined with the haunting beauty of his acoustic music, particularly Pink Moon.
It’s almost impossible to separate the mystique of Nick Drake’s life from his deeply personal and affecting music. Pink Moon, with its sparse arrangement and haunting melody, carries a mythic resonance. The song showcases Drake’s incredible gift for crafting unique chord progressions and utilizing distinctive tunings. His melodic lines are haunting and linger in your mind long after the song ends. Pink Moon is a testament to Drake’s unique talent, a talent that was tragically cut short, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful and melancholic acoustic masterpieces.
25. Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
Image alt text: Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac intimately performing Landslide, highlighting the song’s emotional core and their complex musical partnership.
Landslide is one of Fleetwood Mac’s most enduring and frequently performed songs, charting Stevie Nicks’ tumultuous relationship with Lindsey Buckingham. Beneath Nicks’ emotionally charged vocals, Buckingham delivers layers of delicate and intricate fingerpicked acoustic guitar passages. The acoustic arrangement highlights the vulnerability and emotional depth of the lyrics. While Billy Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins delivered a faithful cover, nothing quite captures the raw emotional atmosphere of the original Fleetwood Mac version. Landslide remains a quintessential acoustic ballad and a testament to Nicks and Buckingham’s songwriting chemistry.
24. Alice In Chains – Down In A Hole (Unplugged)
Image alt text: Layne Staley powerfully sings Down in a Hole during Alice In Chains’ MTV Unplugged performance, showcasing the raw emotion and vulnerability of their acoustic rendition.
Recorded during their iconic 1996 MTV Unplugged session, this stripped-down version of Dirt’s Down In A Hole reveals Alice In Chains at their most vulnerable and emotive. The acoustic setting allows the song’s raw emotion to shine through. The fingerpicked minor chords and the intertwined, gravely vocal harmonies of Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell create a flawless example of the power found in the more delicate and tender side of ’90s grunge. This unplugged rendition is a testament to the song’s strength and the band’s versatility beyond their heavier electric sound.
23. Bob Dylan – The Times They Are A-Changin’
Image alt text: Bob Dylan passionately performs The Times They Are A-Changin’ on acoustic guitar, embodying the song’s timeless protest message and folk roots.
Is The Times They Are A-Changin’ the most timeless protest song ever written? It very well might be. Beyond its profoundly impactful lyrics, Bob Dylan’s Celtic-influenced acoustic strumming pattern is instantly recognizable and captivating. The chord progression is simple yet endlessly listenable. This song transcends generations with its message of change and social awareness. The times may keep changing, but the world’s appreciation for this Nobel Prize-winning social anthem remains constant, solidifying its place as a top acoustic guitar song.
22. Stevie Ray Vaughan – Life By The Drop
Image alt text: Stevie Ray Vaughan playing a 12-string acoustic guitar with intense blues feeling, showcasing his versatility and soulful acoustic style in Life By The Drop.
Life By The Drop is a rare acoustic gem from the electric guitar icon Stevie Ray Vaughan. Here, SRV trades his Strat for a 12-string acoustic, delivering a shimmering blues shuffle that’s both soulful and technically impressive. Although written by Doyle Bramhall and Barbara Logan, Stevie’s heartfelt vocals and signature soulful guitar embellishments make this poignant ode to a life touched by addiction undeniably his own. This track reveals another dimension of SRV’s musicality, proving his mastery extended beyond the electric blues realm into deeply moving acoustic territory.
21. The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
Image alt text: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones performing Wild Horses acoustically, highlighting the raw emotion and enduring appeal of this classic ballad.
If you’ve ever tried to play Wild Horses and found it doesn’t quite sound like the original recording, it might be because Mick Taylor used Nashville tuning on his acoustic guitar for the track. Or, perhaps, it’s just a challenging song to master! The beauty of Wild Horses lies in its deceptively simple yet emotionally resonant acoustic arrangement. Interestingly, Stones’ pianist Ian Stewart reportedly disliked minor chords and initially refused to record the piano part. Regardless of studio drama, Wild Horses stands as a testament to the Rolling Stones’ ability to craft powerful ballads, proving their range beyond their iconic rock anthems.
20. Foo Fighters – Everlong (acoustic)
Image alt text: Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters passionately performing an acoustic version of Everlong, demonstrating the song’s raw emotional power in a stripped-down format.
While Everlong is best known as a high-energy electric anthem from Foo Fighters’ album The Colour And The Shape, its acoustic origins reveal a different kind of power. Dave Grohl first performed an impromptu solo acoustic version on Howard Stern’s radio show in 1997, and it became an instant sensation. This stripped-down rendition showcases the song’s core strength: Grohl’s urgent strumming and his broken, plaintive vocals perfectly capture the yearning and vulnerability within the lyrics. This acoustic version of Everlong became so popular it gained its own life, proving the song’s ability to resonate in both its electric and acoustic forms.
19. Oasis – Wonderwall
Image alt text: Noel Gallagher of Oasis playing Wonderwall on acoustic guitar, embodying the song’s status as a Britpop anthem and a staple for beginner guitarists.
When Noel Gallagher penned the four simple chords that form Wonderwall, he likely didn’t realize he was creating a rite of passage for every beginner acoustic guitarist. Wonderwall is arguably the defining Oasis single and a quintessential Britpop anthem, unplugged. Its ubiquity is undeniable, yet it only reached number 2 in the UK charts, famously kept from the top spot by Robson & Jerome. Despite its chart position, Wonderwall’s lasting impact on popular music and its accessibility for acoustic guitarists solidify its place as a modern acoustic classic.
18. John Martyn – May You Never
Image alt text: John Martyn deeply immersed in performing May You Never, conveying the song’s emotional complexity and his signature world-weary yet heartfelt style.
May You Never is the sonic embodiment of a tough exterior hiding a bruised heart, a fitting description of the complex and deeply talented John Martyn. Martyn’s unique musicality and emotional depth are perfectly showcased in May You Never. It’s a beautifully played piece of world-weary advice, delivered by a man who had undoubtedly learned life’s lessons the hard way. The song’s raw honesty and Martyn’s masterful acoustic guitar work make it a standout in his catalog and a compelling listen for anyone appreciating authentic musical expression.
17. Kansas – Dust In The Wind
Image alt text: Kansas performing Dust in the Wind acoustically on stage, highlighting the song’s delicate instrumentation and its unexpected journey from guitar exercise to prog-folk classic.
Rumor has it that Dust In The Wind began as a fingerpicking exercise for Kansas guitarist Kerry Livgren. He then brought it to the band, and it evolved into a prog-folk masterpiece. While the recording might sound like a 12-string acoustic, the chorus-like effect actually comes from Kerry and fellow guitarist Rich Williams playing standard and Nashville-tuned acoustics simultaneously. This intricate guitar arrangement, combined with the song’s philosophical lyrics about mortality, propelled Dust In The Wind to unexpected mainstream success and cemented its status as a unique acoustic-driven hit.
16. Eric Clapton – Layla (Unplugged)
Image alt text: Eric Clapton in a deeply emotional performance of Layla unplugged, showcasing the rearranged acoustic version that became a hallmark of his Unplugged album.
Recorded in the aftermath of personal tragedy, Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album became one of the most successful of his career. This stripped-down, rearranged acoustic version of Layla is a highlight of the album, transforming the electric rock anthem into a bluesy acoustic ballad. It’s ironic that this laidback performance won the Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1992, beating out Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. This acoustic Layla showcases Clapton’s enduring musicality and his ability to reinvent his classic songs in powerful new ways.
15. Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
Image alt text: Thom Yorke of Radiohead singing and playing Fake Plastic Trees acoustically, capturing the song’s emotional build-up and its resonance in a solo performance.
Thom Yorke, with his introspective lyrics and emotive vocals, brings a unique depth to Radiohead’s music. While Fake Plastic Trees builds into a full band arrangement, its acoustic foundation makes it incredibly rewarding to play solo. The song’s emotional arc and Yorke’s soaring vocals translate beautifully to an acoustic setting. For any guitarist and singer, mastering Fake Plastic Trees acoustically is a rewarding challenge, showcasing both technical and emotional range.
14. Led Zeppelin – Going To California
Image alt text: Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin playing acoustic guitar alongside Robert Plant singing Going to California, highlighting the band’s softer side and Page’s intricate acoustic work.
Led Zeppelin, known for their electric rock power, also demonstrated incredible acoustic artistry. Going To California is a wistful and charming acoustic track featuring Jimmy Page’s intricate fingerpicking. The song incorporates open tunings, mandolins, and a restrained yet powerful Robert Plant vocal. Going To California reveals a different facet of Led Zeppelin’s musicality, proving their versatility extended beyond stadium rock anthems into beautifully crafted acoustic pieces.
13. James Taylor – Fire And Rain
Image alt text: James Taylor intimately performing Fire and Rain, showcasing his signature acoustic guitar style and the song’s deeply personal storytelling.
James Taylor is a master of acoustic storytelling, and Fire And Rain is a deeply personal and cathartic song. It reflects on the suicide of his childhood friend and his own struggles with drug addiction and fame. Adding to the song’s legacy, Carole King played piano on the track and was so moved by the lyrics that she wrote You’ve Got A Friend in response to Taylor’s line, “I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.” Fire And Rain is a timeless acoustic ballad, showcasing Taylor’s lyrical honesty and masterful guitar work.
12. Neil Young – Heart Of Gold
Image alt text: Neil Young playing harmonica and acoustic guitar during a performance of Heart of Gold, highlighting the song’s gentle folk-rock style and its unexpected path to becoming a hit.
Neil Young’s biggest hit, Heart Of Gold, emerged from an unexpected source: a back injury. Unable to stand and play electric guitars comfortably, Young turned to acoustics. Heart Of Gold, with its gentle folk-rock melody and distinctive harmonica breaks, was one of several acoustic songs he wrote during this period. While a commercial success, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Bob Dylan famously quipped that he disliked the song, feeling it sounded too much like his own work. Despite Dylan’s mixed feelings, Heart Of Gold remains a beloved acoustic classic and a testament to Young’s songwriting and musicality.
11. Extreme – More Than Words
Image alt text: Extreme performing More Than Words acoustically, with Nuno Bettencourt’s intricate guitar work and Gary Cherone’s vocal delivery highlighting the song’s unexpected sensitivity.
Admit it, you’ve played More Than Words at a party at least once! It’s a guilty pleasure, undeniably sweet, almost simplistic, yet somehow irresistible. It’s surprising that this tender ballad comes from Extreme, a band known for their “funked up fairytale” rock. More Than Words, despite its simplicity and ubiquity, has secured Extreme’s place in music history. Even after countless renditions, the song’s core charm and acoustic beauty endure.
10. Simon And Garfunkel – The Boxer
Image alt text: Simon & Garfunkel performing The Boxer with their signature acoustic guitars, showcasing the song’s intricate guitar arrangement and its journey from folk poem to powerful anthem.
The glistening, cascading guitar lines in The Boxer might sound effortless, but the recording process was anything but. Over 100 hours of studio time across multiple locations were needed to capture the intricate fingerpicked guitar parts played by Paul Simon and session guitarist Fred Carter Jr. Featured on their final album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Boxer evolves from a gentle folk poem into a powerful, thunderous conclusion. While initially interpreted as being about Bob Dylan, Paul Simon has stated the song is largely autobiographical. Interestingly, Dylan himself covered The Boxer, seemingly embracing the initial interpretation. Regardless of its lyrical origins, The Boxer’s acoustic guitar arrangement and emotional depth make it a Simon & Garfunkel masterpiece.
9. Bob Marley – Redemption Song
Image alt text: Bob Marley performing Redemption Song solo with acoustic guitar, emphasizing the song’s raw emotion, political message, and personal significance in his catalog.
Redemption Song is an anomaly in Bob Marley’s reggae catalog, a ballad stripped bare of the usual band instrumentation. It features only Marley’s voice and acoustic guitar. Lyrically, the song is both powerfully political, referencing Marcus Garvey’s speeches, and deeply personal, touching on Marley’s own mortality as he faced cancer. Redemption Song stands as a testament to Marley’s songwriting prowess and his ability to convey profound messages with simple yet powerful acoustic arrangements. It’s a moving and iconic acoustic song within his legendary body of work.
8. Neil Young – Needle And The Damage Done
Image alt text: Neil Young performing Needle and the Damage Done live, capturing the raw emotion and stark acoustic delivery of this poignant song about heroin addiction.
Needle And The Damage Done holds a significant place in the lineage of acoustic songs addressing the perils of heroin abuse. Neil Young wrote the song after witnessing his Crazy Horse bandmate Danny Whitten’s struggle with addiction. The recorded version, featured on Young’s classic album Harvest, is taken from a live performance at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The song’s stark acoustic arrangement and Young’s raw, emotional delivery amplify the poignant message about the devastating impact of drug addiction. Needle And The Damage Done is a powerful and unflinching acoustic ballad.
7. Johnny Cash – Hurt
Image alt text: Johnny Cash performing Hurt in the iconic music video, his aged face and raw emotion conveying the song’s themes of regret and mortality.
Few artists could reinterpret a song like Johnny Cash, and his cover of Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt is a definitive example. By 2002, Cash’s voice was aged, but it’s precisely the fragility and faded strength in his vocals that give Hurt its immense power. Coupled with Rick Rubin’s minimalist yet biblical arrangement, Cash’s Hurt becomes a career-defining performance. This cover transcends genre, transforming a modern industrial rock song into a deeply moving acoustic lament on mortality and regret, solidifying Cash’s legendary status.
6. Eric Clapton – Tears In Heaven
Image alt text: Eric Clapton performing Tears in Heaven acoustically, conveying the song’s profound grief and emotional weight through his guitar and voice.
Considering the tragic circumstances surrounding Tears In Heaven, it’s remarkable that Eric Clapton could even perform it, let alone record and tour with it. Written after the loss of his young son, the song is a raw expression of grief and loss. Instantly iconic upon release, Tears In Heaven is a staple, though often “mangled,” at open mic nights. While the studio version is powerful, many argue the Unplugged version is even more emotionally resonant. Regardless, Tears In Heaven is rightfully considered one of Clapton’s greatest and most emotionally impactful songs.
5. The Eagles – Hotel California (Unplugged)
Image alt text: The Eagles performing an unplugged version of Hotel California with multiple guitarists showcasing the song’s intricate acoustic arrangements and extended guitar work.
The unplugged version of The Eagles’ Hotel California is undeniably long, but it’s packed with impressive acoustic guitar work. From the Spanish-style intro to the tasteful solos, the acoustic arrangement highlights the song’s musical complexity. Some might find the bongos slightly out of place, but the exceptional guitar playing more than compensates. This unplugged rendition offers a fresh perspective on a classic rock anthem, showcasing the Eagles’ musicianship in a stripped-down setting.
4. The Beatles – Blackbird
Image alt text: Paul McCartney performing Blackbird solo on acoustic guitar, emphasizing the song’s intimate and delicate nature inspired by Bach and the Civil Rights movement.
Blackbird is a solo acoustic performance by Paul McCartney, featuring him gently fingerpicking a Bach-inspired pattern on a Martin D-28. The only other sounds are McCartney’s foot tapping for rhythm and subtle bird sound effects. Lyrically, McCartney wrote Blackbird as a response to the Civil Rights movement in the United States, using the blackbird as a symbol of hope and perseverance. Blackbird is a masterclass in acoustic guitar arrangement and lyrical symbolism, showcasing McCartney’s versatility and songwriting depth.
3. The Beatles – Here Comes The Sun
Image alt text: George Harrison of The Beatles playing acoustic guitar, capturing the sunny and optimistic vibe of Here Comes the Sun and his growing songwriting prominence within the band.
On The Beatles’ White Album and Abbey Road, George Harrison’s songwriting contributions rose to new heights. Here Comes The Sun, written in Eric Clapton’s garden while skipping Apple meetings, is an eternal ode to optimism and brighter days. The breezy and sweet melody is deceptively complex, featuring multiple time signatures and Harrison’s diverse acoustic guitar applications, including a capo at the 7th fret. Here Comes The Sun is a testament to Harrison’s songwriting genius and his increasingly significant role in The Beatles’ later work.
2. The Beatles – Yesterday
Image alt text: Paul McCartney recording Yesterday solo with his Epiphone Texan acoustic guitar, highlighting the song’s accidental origin and its profound impact on The Beatles’ musical direction.
In early 1965, Paul McCartney awoke with the melody for Yesterday fully formed in his head, initially using “scrambled eggs” as placeholder lyrics. Yesterday, a melancholic reflection on regret, has become one of the most covered songs in history. Initially, The Beatles struggled to record it as a band, but producer George Martin suggested a solo acoustic performance by McCartney on an Epiphone Texan. Martin later convinced a reluctant McCartney to add a string quartet. Yesterday’s success profoundly impacted The Beatles, encouraging them to experiment with diverse sounds and instrumentation, marking a turning point in their musical evolution.
1. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
Image alt text: David Gilmour of Pink Floyd performing Wish You Were Here acoustically, capturing the song’s poignant tribute to Syd Barrett and its status as a quintessential acoustic rock anthem.
Wish You Were Here, a powerful lament for Syd Barrett, tops this list of best acoustic guitar songs. Showcasing Pink Floyd in their post-Dark Side Of The Moon era, it’s a towering and poignant tribute to a fallen bandmate. The song’s emotional depth, combined with David Gilmour’s iconic acoustic guitar riff and heartfelt vocals, resonates deeply with listeners. Wish You Were Here is more than just a song; it’s an enduring anthem of longing and remembrance, solidifying its place as the number one acoustic song on this list.
