150+ Easy Guitar Songs – Chords, Tab & Video For Beginners!

As a beginner guitarist, it can be tricky trying to find some easy guitar songs that you can get to grips with early on.

In this article, you will find a list of over 150 guitar songs for beginners that you can rip into today! For every song, I have provided links to video lessons, guitar chords, and also guitar tabs.

Many of these easy guitar song choices are tunes that I personally learned during my first year of playing.

In addition, I also quizzed our followers on social media to ensure that I had a good variety of songs both old and new for all tastes.

Note that some of these easy songs might require the use of a capo. If you do not own one, you can find out more in my huge guide to guitar capos.

Easy Guitar Songs

I have broadly arranged these easy songs by genre. Many of them can obviously span more than one category, so I’d encourage you to read through the entire list to make sure that you don’t miss any hidden gems!

Alternatively, use the links below to navigate to the easy guitar song section that interests you.

• Easy Acoustic Guitar Songs
• Beginner Guitar Songs
• Easy Rock Guitar Songs
• Easy Folk Guitar Songs
• Easy Pop Guitar Songs
• Easy Metal Guitar Songs
• Easy Country Guitar Songs

At a minimum, you should know how to read chord charts and guitar tabs to learn these easy songs. However, the video lessons may help those who haven’t quite mastered them yet.

If you’re still working on your chord knowledge you can also check out my left-handed guitar chord diagrams for some extra help!

Start out by watching the video lessons to get an idea of whether or not the songs contain elements that you might not be quite ready for yet.

Easy Acoustic Guitar Songs

These absolute classic tracks all feature a simple strumming pattern and are easier to play than you’d think.

Perfect for belting out at parties or while sat around the campfire with friends!

Although these easy songs are primarily played on an acoustic guitar, there’s no reason why you cannot play them on your electric guitar as well.

1. Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty video lesson | chords | tab
2. Zombie by The Cranberries video lesson | chords | tab
3. Wonderwall by Oasis video lesson | chords | tab
4. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? by Creedence Clearwater Revival video lesson | chords | tab
5. Love Me Do by The Beatles video lesson | chords | tab
6. To Be With You by Mr Big video lesson | chords | tab
7. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac video lesson | chords | tab
8. Time Of Your Life by Green Day video lesson | chords | tab
9. What’s Up by 4 Non Blondes video lesson | chords | tab
10. Yellow by Coldplay video lesson | chords | tab

If it were me, I think I’d start out with Zombie by The Cranberries. An absolute classic guitar song that only requires 4 simple guitar chords and an easy strumming pattern.

Beginner Guitar Songs

If the 10 easy acoustic guitar songs for beginners above didn’t catch your eye, here are another 12 undeniable bangers to get your teeth into.

Songs like Hotel California are a little more tricky to play in their original guises – and you probably won’t be attempting the solo yet!

But here’s a tip – learn the guitar chords instead for now. This way you can still play along until you are ready to tackle the full guitar song.

1. All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow video lesson | chords | tab
2. Harvest Moon by Neil Young video lesson | chords | tab
3. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd video lesson | chords | tab
4. High And Dry by Radiohead video lesson | chords | tab
5. Hotel California by The Eagles video lesson | chords | tab
6. A Horse With No Name by America video lesson | chords | tab

7. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton video lesson | chords | tab
8. Highway To Hell by AC/DC video lesson | chords | tab
9. Squeeze Box by The Who video lesson | chords | tab
10. About A Girl by Nirvana video lesson | chords | tab
11. Wild Thing by The Troggs video lesson | chords | tab
12. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple video lesson | chords | tab

Let’s face it, everyone is going to learn Hotel California at some point – it’s like a rite of passage. It has to be one of the biggest guitar songs of all time.

YouTube legend Marty Schwartz has put together this excellent simplified version of the acoustic guitar song with an easy chord progression that you should have little trouble with!

Easy Rock Songs To Play On Guitar

There are so many rock classics, and so many different sub-genres of rock that this section was clearly always going to be the biggest!

We’ve got blues-rock, southern rock, grunge, punk rock, rock and roll, nu-metal, the list goes on! This directory of easy rock guitar songs will surely contain something for every age and musical taste.

If you crave songs that are even harder-rocking than these, make sure to also check out the metal section further down the page.

1. All The Small Thing by Blink 182 video lesson | chords | tab
2. Times Like These by Foo Fighters video lesson | chords | tab
3. One by U2 video lesson | chords | tab
4. Crazy Lil Thing Called Love by Queen video lesson | chords | tab
5. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon video lesson | chords | tab

6. Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi video lesson | chords | tab
7. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd video lesson | chords | tab
8. Crazy by Aerosmith video lesson | chords | tab
9. Fell In Love With A Girl by White Stripes video lesson | chords | tab
10. Daughters by John Mayer video lesson | chords | tab

11. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana video lesson | chords | tab
12. Seven Nation Army by White Stripes video lesson | chords | tab
13. Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day video lesson | chords | tab
14. Old Man by Neil Young video lesson | chords | tab
15. Everlong by Foo Fighters video lesson | chords | tab

16. La Grange by ZZ Top video lesson | chords | tab
17. Lithium by Nirvana video lesson | chords | tab
18. Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers video lesson | chords | tab
19. Plush by Stone Temple Pilots video lesson | chords | tab
20. Come As You Are by Nirvana video lesson | chords | tab

21. The Reason by Hoobastank video lesson | chords | tab
22. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival video lesson | chords | tab
23. Wicked Game by Chris Isaak video lesson | chords | tab
24. Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys video lesson | chords | tab
25. Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd video lesson | chords | tab

26. Wild Horses by Rolling Stones video lesson | chords | tab
27. Where Is My Mind by The Pixies video lesson | chords | tab
28. Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin video lesson | chords | tab
29. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin video lesson | chords | tab
30. One Step Closer by Linkin Park video lesson | chords | tab

31. I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys video lesson | chords | tab
32. Rollin’ by Limp Bizkit video lesson | chords | tab
33. Papercuts by Machine Gun Kelly video lesson | chords | tab
34. Beverly Hills by Weezer video lesson | chords | tab
35. I’m Not Okay by My Chemical Romance video lesson | chords | tab

36. Last Train Home by John Mayer video lesson | chords | tab
37. There She Goes by The La’s video lesson | chords | tab
38. The Rock Show by Blink 182 video lesson | chords | tab
39. We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister video lesson | chords | tab
40. If It Makes You Happy by Sheryl Crow video lesson | chords | tab

41. Somebody To Love by Jefferson Airplane video lesson | chords | tab
42. Light My Fire by The Doors video lesson | chords | tab
43. In Too Deep by Sum 41 video lesson | chords | tab
44. Supersonic by Oasis video lesson | chords | tab
45. Creep by Radiohead video lesson | chords | tab

46. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol video lesson | chords | tab
47. No One Knows by Queens Of The Stone Age video lesson | chords | tab
48. My Sharona by The Knack video lesson | chords | tab
49. My Own Worst Enemy by Lit video lesson | chords | tab
50. It’s Been Awhile by Staind video lesson | chords | tab

51. Numb by Linkin Park video lesson | chords | tab
52. Island In The Sun by Weezer video lesson | chords | tab
53. Would? by Alice In Chains video lesson | chords | tab
54. No Sleep Til Brooklyn by Beastie Boys video lesson | chords | tab
55. Mr Jones by Counting Crows video lesson | chords | tab

56. 3am by Matchbox Twenty video lesson | chords | tab
57. My Generation by The Who video lesson | chords | tab
58. Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles video lesson | chords | tab
59. Crocodile Rock by Elton John video lesson | chords | tab
60. Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf video lesson | chords | tab

61. When I Come Around by Green Day video lesson | chords | tab
62. All I Want by Kodaline video lesson | chords | tab
63. Friday I’m In Love by The Cure video lesson | chords | tab
64. What It’s Like by Everlast video lesson | chords | tab
65. Roxanne by The Police video lesson | chords | tab
66. Basket Case by Green Day video lesson | chords | tab
67. I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty video lesson | chords | tab

Easy Folk Guitar Songs

Folk songs more often than not are composed of a small number of fairly simple guitar chords, making them ideal guitar songs for beginners to learn.

Some may contain slightly more advanced picking techniques, but there’s no reason why you can’t just strum the guitar chords if you’re not quite at that stage yet!

1. La Bamba by Ritchie Valens video lesson | chords | tab
2. Knocking On Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan video lesson | chords | tab
3. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman video lesson | chords | tab
4. Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley video lesson | chords | tab
5. Skinny Love by Bon Iver video lesson | chords | tab

6. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison video lesson | chords | tab
7. Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan video lesson | chords | tab
8. House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals video lesson | chords | tab
9. Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell video lesson | chords | tab
10. This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie video lesson | chords | tab

Why not start out with House of the Rising Sun for a classic easy song?

The following video streamlines the song with a simple chord progression that will make the track more accessible to a beginner guitar player.

Easy Pop Guitar Songs

In this list, you’ll find a ton of easy pop guitar songs that have stood the test of time, as well as a few newer tracks for some added variety.

Pop is another fairly wide-ranging genre, and as a result, many of these could probably also fit into the other sections in this article.

It’s a difficult thing broadly categorizing tracks without creating too many sections and sub-genres!

1. Stand By Me by Benny King video lesson | chords | tab
2. Shallow by Lady Gaga video lesson | chords | tab
3. When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars video lesson | chords | tab
4. Counting Stars by One Republic video lesson | chords | tab
5. Video Games by Lana Del Rey video lesson | chords | tab

6. Perfect by Ed Sheeran video lesson | chords | tab
7. Let It Go by James Bay video lesson | chords | tab
8. All Of Me by John Legend video lesson | chords | tab
9. Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur video lesson | chords | tab
10. Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis video lesson | chords | tab

11. Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers video lesson | chords | tab
12. Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi video lesson | chords | tab
13. Circles by Post Malone video lesson | chords | tab
14. Love Story by Taylor Swift video lesson | chords | tab
15. Redemption Song by Bob Marley video lesson | chords | tab

16. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz video lesson | chords | tab
17. Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo video lesson | chords | tab
18. Give A Little Bit by Supertramp video lesson | chords | tab
19. My Ex’s Best Friend by Machine Gun Kelly video lesson | chords | tab
20. Walk On The Wild Side by Lou Reed video lesson | chords | tab

21. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson video lesson | chords | tab
22. XO by John Mayer video lesson | chords | tab
23. Better Together by Jack Johnson video lesson | chords | tab
24. Faith by George Michael video lesson | chords | tab
25. Heroes by David Bowie video lesson | chords | tab
26. Hey Soul Sister by Train video lesson | chords | tab

Easy Guitar Metal Songs

A lot of metal songs are actually easier to play than you would think thanks to the use of heavy distortion. This effect often makes them sound more complicated than they actually are.

As a beginner guitarist, I learned a ton of Metallica songs (minus the solos of course!). In general, they are a great band to check out for some easy metal songs on guitar.

1. Enter Sandman by Metallica video lesson | chords | tab
2. Iron Man by Black Sabbath video lesson | chords | tab
3. Back In Black by AC/DC video lesson | chords | tab
4. Holy Diver by Dio video lesson | chords | tab

5. Walk by Pantera video lesson | chords | tab
6. Rammstein by Mutter video lesson | chords | tab
7. For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica video lesson | chords | tab
8. Madhouse by Anthrax video lesson | chords | tab

Enter Sandman was one of the very first metal riffs I ever learned. It’s one of the easiest guitar songs by Metallica, and a ton of fun to play!

You might also like my guide to the best metal guitar solos ever. Many of these solos are actually quite easy to learn, so it’s worth taking a look even as a beginner player!

Easy Country Guitar Songs

Finally, let’s check out some easy country guitar songs. This is a genre of music I got into fairly late as a guitarist, but boy is it a lot of fun to play.

Many of the easy song choices listed below are actually some of the simplest in this entire list. For example, you can play Achy Breaky Heart with only two guitar chords!

1. Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton video lesson | chords | guitar tabs
2. Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver video lesson | chords | guitar tabs
3. Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker video lesson | chords | guitar tabs
4. The Gambler by Kenny Rogers video lesson | chords | guitar tabs

5. Ring Of Fire by Johnny Cash video lesson | chords | guitar tabs
6. On The Road Again by Willie Nelson video lesson | chords | guitar tabs
7. Jolene by Dolly Parton video lesson | chords | guitar tabs
8. Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus video lesson | chords | guitar tabs

I don’t know about you, but I’m away to learn Tennessee Whiskey myself right now, what an absolute belter of a track! If only I had the voice to match up with Chris…

And there you have it, over 150 easy songs to play on guitar. I hope you found some great inspiration here!

Just be careful about playing some of these in your local guitar store, as some may be classed as Forbidden Riffs!

Missing Songs?

If you feel that there are any beginner songs missing, please send me an email so that I can add them to the list.

You will find a link to the contact form at the very bottom of this page!

More Easy Guitar Songs!

If for some reason you couldn’t find an easy song you liked within this monster list, then here are some additional great resources that you might like. A treasure trove of songs for beginner guitar players!

Check it out here – 101 Awesome Easy Songs You Can Play With Up To 8 Open Guitar Chords.

I also have a great list of 26 Easy Halloween guitar songs – these are not JUST for Halloween though! There’s a ton of classic songs in here that you can play all year round.

And if it’s close to the festive season, why not also check out my 19 simple Christmas guitar songs guide with easy chords and guitar tabs! Perfect for beginner guitar players to delve into this December.