Easy guitar songs are as plentiful as may flowers. The problem with finding easy guitar songs is that there are so many of them.
Fortunately, I put together a tight list of the top 5 easy guitar songs for beginners. Now, that’s not to say more experienced players can’t also play these songs.
Most of these songs are focused on the ’60s and ’70s. I chose the music from this time mostly because it’s an awesome time for pop music. I bet you’ll know all of the songs on this list — or at least be familiar with them!
Originally published on April 13th, 2020, this article was republished on July 18th, 2023.
Tips for Playing the Top 5 Easy Guitar Songs
As you learn these easy guitar songs, make sure that you practice the chords.
- Practice going between chords, also known as chord transitions.
- Don’t rush learning a chord!
- Brush up on your fundamental guitar techniques.
- Try taking your hand away from the guitar neck, and then bringing it right into the chord position.
- Here’s a video lesson to help with your chord transitions.
While you are practicing, make sure to start slow. Trying to play a song at the tempo it was written is often too fast for people playing a song for the first time.
Over time you can slowly build up the tempo. But remember, learning the guitar isn’t a race!
When you feel comfortable switching between chords at the tempo the song was written in, you might even start to play along with the recordings!
It’s also important to note that learning these easy guitar songs is just the beginning. Everybody learns the guitar in different ways. Your journey might start here, or it might have started with in-person lessons.
If you’re looking to move beyond these songs and start putting some fun and variety back into your guitar playing, I NEED you to watch this awesome workshop I put together that will reboot your guitar practice.
Space is limited though, and I’m only offering this free workshop for just a little while longer. To join me, just hit the button below!
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Yes, I Want the FREE Download!My Top 5 Beginner Guitar Songs
#5 Louie Louie – The Kingsman (written by Richard Berry)
Few songs have the simplicity, energy, and nostalgia that Louie Louie has.
Louie Louie is an awesome easy guitar song because it takes advantage of something called power chords.
Power chords are when you play the root of a chord, the 5th scale degree of that note, and then the octave.
The rhythm of this song can throw you off easily. Just be sure to take your time and listen to this song carefully.
If you’re ready to start grooving, be sure to watch this video lesson on Power Chords and how you can use them to play Louie Louie.
You can also view this lesson by clicking here.
Link: https://acousticlife.tv/how-to-play-power-chords/
#4: “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
This beautiful and easy guitar song is a standard in many jam circles.
Part of what makes this song so fun is how recognizable it is. If you play this song with others around, you are bound to turn some heads.
Additionally, the chords aren’t too difficult. The part that trips many people up is the strumming pattern.
If you are having trouble playing this song, don’t forget to slow things down!
Practicing slowly and getting comfortable with the chord changes is totally fine. Remember that learning the guitar isn’t a race — you’re here to have fun!
If you like this song or have any pointers for other folks, be sure to leave them in the comment section below!
#3: “Girl From the North Country” — Bob Dylan
Now, there are a couple different versions of this classic easy guitar song.
The first one, recorded in 1963, features just Bob Dylan with a fingerpicking guitar part. That one is quite difficult to play for a beginner.
The second one, featured in the video above, has Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Cash is playing a strumming part during this recording. That’s the part that you can copy!
So much of this song is just about feeling the groove and matching up your guitar playing and singing. If you struggle with doing both at the same time, this is a great song to practice with.
As a final note: this song is only three chords! Once you feel comfortable with those three chords, you can quickly progress onto learning the rhythm!
#2: Love Me Do — The Beatles
Chances are everyone and their mother has heard this easy guitar song. That’s why this one is an instant hit and recommendation for beginners.
Even if you don’t have a harmonica or someone to sing harmony with you, this song is still a classic.
The steady rhythm and easy-going tempo allow players of all experience levels to rock out on this song.
Do you like this song? Do you think there is a better Beatles song for players to learn? Let me know in the comments!
#1: Teach Your Children — CSNY
Few easy guitar songs have such a philosophical basis. I mean, I don’t want to wax poetic, but this song is epic.
Nevertheless, let’s just focus on why I added Teach Your Children to this list.
I really love the strumming pattern and chords on this song. As long as you can practice consistently, this song should be super fun to play!
The dynamic between all the musicians on this classic is wonderful. Additionally, you can sing any part of the song you want!
Because the harmonies are so varied, you can sing any part that you want for the time being…maybe, in another post, we’ll work on finding you some harmonies to play with.
More Acoustic Guitar Songs for Beginners
In case you plowed through this list in one sitting, here are some more easy songs that you can try on acoustic guitar:
- “Wonderwall” by Oasis
- “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s
- “Horse with No Name” by America
- “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison
- “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan
- “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
- “Hotel California” by Eagles
- “Let It Be” by The Beatles
- “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty
- “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
- “Yesterday” by The Beatles
- “Country Roads” by John Denver
- “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
- “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton
- “Hey Soul Sister” by Train
- “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
- “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber
- “Time of Your Life” by Green Day
- “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas
- “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan
- “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.
- “I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie
- “More Than Words” by Extreme
- “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
- “Blackbird” by The Beatles
- “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
- “Angie” by The Rolling Stones
- “Zombie” by The Cranberries
- “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley
- “The A Team” by Ed Sheeran
- “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees
- “Hurt” by Johnny Cash
- “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
- “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel
- “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
- “Hey Ya!” by OutKast
- “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley
- “Stuck in the Middle with You” by Stealers Wheel
- “Teardrops on My Guitar” by Taylor Swift
- “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
- “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show
- “Riptide” by Vance Joy
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
- “The Scientist” by Coldplay
- “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
- “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor
- “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
- “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
From Practice to Perfect
I hope you enjoyed my list of the top five easy guitar songs. While they aren’t technically advanced, they’ll still take some time to learn.
Wondering how to learn a song on the guitar? Read my step-by-step guide.
In order to get to the point where you nail these songs every time you pick up your guitar, you’re going to need to play guitar consistently.
So if you’re looking to improve your guitar playing, watch this FREE guitar class, where I show you the three secrets to faster guitar learning in 10 minutes a day.
