Last Updated on July 28, 2022 by Klaus Crow
If you want to learn some easy guitar songs for beginners you’ve come to the right place. I’ve put together a great list of simple songs to play on guitar that are great to strum and sing along with. We got easy acoustic and electric guitar songs, fingerstyle songs, riffs, and guitar intros for you. It’s all here!
How to Play Easy Guitar Songs
What are easy guitar songs for beginners? Easy guitar songs for beginners contain 2, 3 or 4 basic open chords and an easy chord progression like G – C – D. The songs have a simple rhythm and strumming patterns in 4/4, 3/4 or 2/4 time and usually played with a capo to transpose the song to the appropriate key. Finally you need a list of very easy songs play on the guitar like the list below.
Top 10 Easy Guitar Songs For Beginners
Here’s the Top 10 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners. These songs will appear in every Top 10 Beginner Guitar Songs and are perfect to start your guitar journey. When you learn the songs I recommend you follow the order of the list. You can find the video lessons, chords and tabs further down this post.
- Horse with no name – America
- Three little birds – Bob Marley
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
- Love me do – The Beatles
- Zombie – Cranberries
- Lazy Song – Bruno Mars
- Have you ever seen the rain – CCR
- I still haven’t found what I’m looking for – U2
- Stand by me – Ben E King
- Knocking on heavens door – Bob Dylan
Check out the Songs List Categories below or scroll right to the Easy Beginner Guitar Songs via the green button:
Easy Guitar Songs List Categories.
Basic Open Guitar Chords
Right from the start you want to learn how to read and how to play the most important basic open guitar chords: C – A – G – E – D – Am – Em – Dm (see video and chord diagrams below).
Once you got those under your fingers you can add the F and Bm chord and some dom7 chords like A7 – E7 – D7 – G7 and C7. You can check them out right here: The Second Most Important Guitar Chords For Beginners Chords are you building blocks to create the harmony for the songs. You don’t need to learn all the chords at once, just start with the ones that are in the song you want to learn.
Strumming patterns
Rhythm guitar is all about the strumming and strumming patterns. It defines the groove, the beat and tempo of the song. For easy songs we’ve got easy strumming patterns that are universal for the most popular songs of all times.
Most songs have a 4/4, 2/4 or 6/8 time signature which can be played in different varieties using simple straightforward strumming patterns.
Playing with a Capo
Some of the songs in this list below are played with a capo. A capo is a small device that you can clamp onto the neck of a guitar and allows you to easily change the key of the guitar. It makes it possible to play the song in the original key but use simple open chords to make the song easier to play.
This is a common thing in guitar playing and guitar players do it all the time, not just beginners. It’s also a way to be more creative with your guitar playing. I always say: “Life is too short not to use a capo.”
Easy guitar songs of all times
In the song lists we’ve got links to video guitar lessons and tutorials, song chord sheets with lyrics and easy-to-read guitar tabs to learn the songs even faster. We’ve got easy songs of all times from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2010, 2020 up till now, but also every style of music from easy rock, blues, country to jazz songs.
Finally we added some easy song riffs and intros to spice up your playing. Remember, take small steps, practice daily and diligently, and you’ll be playing these songs in no time.
Start with your first easy guitar song or pick a song in the beginner song lists below:
Horse with no Name – America
Easy Guitar Songs List Categories
Click on the links to go to your favorite easy guitar songs category:
- Easy Guitars Songs for Beginners
- Easy Guitars Songs of the 60s
- Easy Guitars Songs of the 70s
- Easy Guitars Songs of the 80s
- Easy Guitars Songs of the 90s
- Easy Guitar Pop Songs of the Last Decade
- Easy Guitar Fingerstyle Songs
- Easy Acoustic Guitar Songs
- Easy Electric Guitar Rock Songs
- Easy Blues Guitar Songs
- Easy Country Guitar Songs
- Easy Jazz Guitar Songs
- Easy Guitar Riffs and Intro Tabs
Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners Chords
A super easy guitar song for beginners is Horse With No Name by America. The song contains only two of the easiest chords and a basic strumming pattern that repeats throughout the entire song. Another fairly easy song to play is I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2, which includes three simple major chords (C, F and G) and a very common 4/4 time strumming pattern.
Also “Love me do” by The Beatles, “Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars and “To Love Somebody” by The Bee Gees are great easy beginner guitar songs. Check out the video lessons, chords and tablature below.
Video Lesson | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Horse with no name | America | Chords | Tabs |
I still haven’t found.. | U2 | Chords | Tabs |
Love me do | The Beatles | Chords | Tabs |
Lazy Song | Bruno Mars | Chords | Tabs |
To Love Somebody | Bee Gees | Chords | Tabs |
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2
Scroll down for easy guitar songs of all times and styles of music ↓
Easy Guitar Songs of the 60’s
The 1960s started a new music revolution where many timeless hit songs and simple guitar songs emerged from the ground. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond can be played with three major chords: A – D – E using a basic common 4/4 time strumming pattern (pattern #5). Stand By Me – Ben E King is one of the most famous easy guitar songs for beginners, because of it’s popular four-chord-song structure.
Other great contenders are As Tears Go By – Rolling Stones, San Fransisco by Scott McKenzie and Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison which al contains simple open chords with easy rhythm playing.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Sweet Caroline | Neil Diamond | Chords | Tabs |
Stand by me | Ben E King | Chords | Tabs |
As tears go by | Rolling Stones | Chords | Tabs |
San Francisco | Scott McKenzie | Chords | Tabs |
Brown eyed girl | Van Morrison | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Guitar Songs of the 70’s
During the 1970s great bands like The Eagles and Crosby, Still, Nash & Young were dominating and influencing the music of that time. Songs like Hotel California and Teach Your Children are great songs to learn as a guitar student. Knocking On Heavens Door, Working Class Hero, and Have You Ever Seen The Rain are also easy popular guitar songs from the 70s you can play with basic beginner chords.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Knockin’ on heavens door | Bob Dylan | Chords | Tabs |
Working Class Hero | John Lennon | Chords | Tabs |
Hotel California | The Eagles | Chords | Tabs |
Have you ever seen the rain | CCR | Chords | Tabs |
Three little birds | Bob Marley | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Guitar Songs of the 80’s
The music of the 1980s came with a whole generation of new artists and new sounds. Lots of uncomplicated, legendary songs were composed like The River by Bruce Springsteen which uses the chords Em – G – D – C – Am, and Chris Isaak’s beautiful song Wicked Game, that came out in the late 80s, only uses a simple straight forward chord progression | Bm | A | E | E | during the whole song.
Another brilliant two-chord song is The One I Love is from the band REM. This song can be played with the chords Em and D. The One I Love by REM is by far one of the most easiest songs to play on guitar.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
The River | Bruce Springsteen | Chords | Tabs |
Wicked game | Chris Isaak | Chords | Tabs |
Sweet dreams | Eurythmics | Chords | Tabs |
The one I love | REM | Chords | Tabs |
Patience | Guns ‘n Roses | Chords | Tabs |
Knocking on heavens door – Bob Dylan / Guns ‘n Roses
Easy Guitar Songs of the 90’s
The 90’s was the era of grunge music but also a lot alternative pop songs were hitting the charts that are perfectly cut out for beginner guitar players. Most of those songs are using only 3 or 4 open chords.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
What’s up | For non blondes | Chords | Tabs |
Losing my religion | REM | Chords | Tabs |
Zombie | The Cranberries | Chords | Tabs |
Runaway train | Soul Asylum | Chords | Tabs |
1979 | Smashing Pumpkins | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Guitar Pop Songs of the Last Decade
In the last decade with the arrival of new pop artists easy-to-play pop songs are present in great numbers. From Ed Sheeran to Taylor Swift to Maroon 5, they all are fans of the popular easy four-chord-song strategy.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Perfect | Ed Sheeraan | Chords | Tabs |
Love on the weekend | John Mayer | Chords | Tabs |
Watermelon sugar | Harry Styles | Chords | Tabs |
Memories | Maroon 5 | Chords | Tabs |
I took a pill in ibiza | Mike Posner | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Guitar Fingerstyle Songs
Easy fingerstyle or fingerpicking songs for beginners are usually played in 4/4 or 6/8 time. Two of the easiest fingerstyle songs are “everybody hurts” by REM and “We’re going to be friends” by the White Stripes. These songs are great to start out with. From there you can try other songs from the list like the more popular fingerstyle song “Hallelujah”.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Everybody hurts | REM | Chords | Tabs |
Ain’t no sunshine | Bill Withers | Chords | Tabs |
Hallelujah | Jeff Buckley / Leonard Cohen | Chords | Tabs |
We’re going to be friends | White Stripes | Chords | Tabs |
House of the rising sun | The Animals | Chords | Tabs |
Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
Easy Acoustic Guitar Songs
In the list below you can find 5 easy acoustic guitar songs that are timeless classics for anyone who wants to learn to play guitar. “Heart of gold” has a nice recognizable strumming riff and pattern that makes the song fun to play. Also Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” uses easy open chords with a beautiful guitar intro that makes the song stand out. Check out the tutorials, chords and Tabs below.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Heart of gold | Neil Young | Chords | Tabs |
Redemption song | Bob Marley | Chords | Tabs |
American Pie | Don McClean | Chords | Tabs |
Country roads | John Denver | Chords | Tabs |
Sound of silence | Simon & Garfunkel | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Electric Guitar Rock Songs
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Seven Nation Army | White Stripes | Chords | Tabs |
Sunshine of your love | The Cream | Chords | Tabs |
Otherside | RHCP | Chords | Tabs |
Creep | Radiohead | Chords | Tabs |
Black | Pearl Jam | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Blues Guitar Songs
Blues and blues song fit like a glove for beginners guitar players because of the simple I – IV – V chord progression. Once you know how to play a 12 bar blues progression of 12 bar blues shuffle you will come a long way playing easy blues songs like the ones below.
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Sweet Home Chicago | Robert Johnson | Chords | Tabs |
Alberta | Eric Clapton | Chords | Tabs |
Little Red Rooster | Howlin’ Wolf / Rolling Stones | Chords | Tabs |
Before you accuse me | Bo Didley | Chords | Tabs |
The thrill is gone | BB King | Chords | Tabs |
Sweet Home Chicago – Robert Johnson
Easy Country Guitar Songs
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Jolene | Dolly Parton | Chords | Tabs |
Always on my mind | Willie Nelson | Chords | Tabs |
Mama tried | Merle Haggard | Chords | Tabs |
Your cheating heart | Hank Williams | Chords | Tabs |
Achy Breaky Heart | Billy Ray Cyrus | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Jazz Guitar Songs
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Autumn Leaves | Nat King Cole | Chords | Tabs |
So What | Miles Davis | Chords | Tabs |
Blue Bossa | Kenny Dorham | Chords | Tabs |
Summertime | George Gershwin | Chords | Tabs |
Fly me to the moon | Frank Sinatra | Chords | Tabs |
Easy Guitar Riffs and Intros Tabs
Song | Artist | Chords | Tabs |
---|---|---|---|
Smoke on the water | Deep purple | Chords | Tabs |
Satisfaction | Rolling Stones | Chords | Tabs |
Enter Sandman | Metallica | Chords | Tabs |
Daytripper | The Beatles | Chords | Tabs |
Come as your are | Nirvana | Chords | Tabs |
I hope you like the songs from the lists and if you want to share your favorite easy guitar songs, have any suggestions for the lists or questions about the songs, please share them in the comments below. I appreciate it.
Keep picking!
~Klaus Crow
📨 Hi there, Join Guitarhabits and receive Free Quality Guitar Video Lessons, Top Content, Tips, Tricks, Resources & (bi)Weekly Guitarhabits’ Backpack Email full of good stuff. 🎸🎁
SIGN UP HERE: https://www.guitarhabits.com/sign-up-guitarhabits/
Support my work here: https://www.guitarhabits.com/donate/
Klaus Crow is a professional guitar teacher running a guitar school based in The Netherlands. He started Guitarhabits in 2009 and is now teaching thousands of guitar students from all over the world becoming better guitar players.
Hi Klaus sir,
I’m a beginner.These songs help me to learn new things.Thanks for sharing.
Hi Prasana,
My pleasure, enjoy the songs!
none of these songs are of this century!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutly Gracias!!
Hi, Kathleen
You can play ”Wonderwall” of Oasis and ”Bouleward of Broken Dreams of Green Day” they’re really easy but brilliant singalong, playlong songs, masterpieces of awesome bands :):)
Hey I want to say Just One thing You work is really good and helpful
Also Riptide by Vance Joy is pretty easy, it’s just the same 3 chords over and over again until the end
I love these songs they are amazing and very easy. Thank u very much!
Thanks very helpful – grade 4 guitarist but stuck on holidays with no capo, these songs are enjoyable and easy to play
very helpful
Live Love Guitar has the latest hits tabbed! Most of my tabs are easily playable for beginners, but you must have a capo for sure to get rid of those nasty barre chords, lol! I take tab requests as well :)
http://www.liveloveguitar.com/
Knockin’ on heavens door – Bob Dylan Chords – More Chords ok
thanks for the info. This information is very useful for a beginner like me.
Knocking on heaven door is very simple
This is a great list, I wish I had found it when I was struggling to find easy beginner songs to play! I have just made my own, shorter list, which includes many of these, plus a couple more. I look forward to reading more here, it looks like a great resource! Happy New Year to you!
I personally like to play Proud mary . It’s very beautiful!
Looks like the tabsrus website is offline. Hope this is a temporary outage.
Why not move these to a site such as guitar tabs, if you don’t mind that suggestion?
Thanks
Sashi
I like play Horse with no name – America Chords :)
Great songs.
What strumming patters do you use for Knocking on Heaven’s Door?
That is very useful.
Concerning me ,almost 70 th , I do like country as Johny Cash,Willie Nelson,Don Williams,Merle haggard,Alan jacsom,Kris Kristoferson,Dan Seals and similar artists.
Thanks and best from Croatia ,Zagreb!
My dad tougher me other songs because of how good I was
i just love what you give me klaus…….its more than music
This, is, really, wonderful!!! No more comments for this sharing. Thank you – the guy who shares this for me!! Best wishes and a great day for you.
Yes, it’s good idea to make a list with easy songs. Thank you.
What about for what it’s worth by buffalo Springfield
this is just the best web out there!!!!!!
OMG this is amazing I think my favourite song to play is……. ain’t no sunshine!!!!
I definitely recommend this website! Thanks for the help some wonderful songs in that list, I’ll definitely spread the word!
Great post!!! I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written.
I really love the quality writing.
tHis vry goud!!!!!!! i like yes!
I was expecting Hurt – Johnny Cash to be here because it’s the song that I am thinking of beginning to play
The very first song I learnt is Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here
Learning Albert King’s Born Under a Bad Sign and Guns N Roses’ Patience right now
These are easy songs to strum
hey. I’m trying to sign up. but it keeps saying I’m a bot. haha Maybe abit supper human but still human lol. can you sign me in.
thank you.
I’ve been taking lessons for a couple of months now, but needed some extra help with pinky exercises and then found this list of songs. It absolutely made my day to play Leaving on a Jet Plane for the first time. I grew up on John Denver, being born in 1961.
I’m a beginner.These songs help me to learn new things.Thanks for sharing , good article
Nice list, now to dust off my guitar
This is too awesome article for readers.
Thank You so Much for Share with Us.
i just bookmark this site
same chords for Knockin’ on heavens door by eric clapton? and GNR?
Very good
I would add “Sea of Love” by Cat Power.
Epic song, and so easy to play and sing to.
Also, we can try Riptide Chords with simple easy chords.
Thanks sir, I am getting better. ?
thanks this helps a lot
pls make the songs more modern and add more pop songs
Hi,
If you read the post carefully can you can see there are songs from all times also modern songs.
Scroll to : Songs of the last decade
And if you want even more songs from the last decade you can click on the green button underneath that says “More easy last decade songs”
Hope that helps.
Best,
Klaus
I Love This Article. I also love playing Guitar. I have a Website where I Collect songs with guitar chords.
Hi! I am Nikson D Palma a Blog writter. Usual I collect Songs Lyrics ( https://lyricsdiary99.blogspot.com )
If You like this, you can visit my site to get any songs lyrics with translation. 💝
Hey Mate,
I’m Patricia, and I write at instrumentbuzz.com. I’m also a regular contributor at Guitar Sumo. Anyway, I’m writing to you because I have some really interesting content ideas that I strongly feel will be perfect for guitarhabits.com’s audience.
I can send you the topics I have in mind if you’re still open to new guest authors.
I appreciate the time and really looking forward to working together.
Cheers!
Patricia
This blog is really a great source of information for me.Thank you for sharing such a useful content about Guitar Repair Near Me.