48 Easy & Popular Guitar Songs for Beginners (To Learn Chords)

Learning to play easy songs with guitar chords is great for beginners who want to level up their guitar skills. It gives you a way to practice chords, chord changes and strumming in a fun way: through making real music by the songs you love.

As you advance to an intermediate level, you can learn songs with more chords (even barre chords) and more complex strumming patterns.

This post will give you a large list of beginner-intermediate songs with chords you can learn. You will need 3 things to go through them:

Know how to read chord charts - You will be seeing a lot of guitar chord charts on this page, and of course, you need to know how to decipher them.
Here is a great video on how to read guitar chord charts if you need to learn to do so.
Know how to strum - Strumming is key when it comes to playing songs with chords. Luckily, beginners can use very simple strumming patterns, and as you advance, you can get more creative.
My Beginners Guide to Learning Guitar has a chapter dedicated to strumming, have a look.
Have a capo - Someone once said: "Life is too short to live without a capo". Using a capo makes playing a lot of songs much easier since you don't need to use as many barre chords. I'm not saying you should avoid barre chords, just know that even performing artists use capos on stage... so why shouldn't you?
If you don't have a capo yet, I recommend the Kyser Quick Change capo. It is cheap, works on both acoustic & electric guitars, and will last forever.

Enough talk though. Grab your guitar and have a look at my list of the best easy songs with guitar chords for beginners and intermediate players.

1. 7 Years - Lukas Graham

This popular song can be played using open chords if you put a capo onto the 3rd fret of your guitar. It is in the key of Gm, but thanks to the capo, you can use all open string chords since you are moving the pitch of each chord up by 3 semitones. For example, the Em shape you hold down is actually a Gm chord in pitch: Em -> Fm -> F#m -> Gm. Here are the chord shapes as you would hold them down, but remember, the pitch is different for each chords because of the capo.

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2. Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus

If you are into country music, you'll love playing Achy Breaky Heart. This fun and easy country song can be played with just 2 chords! Would you have thought that it is possible to write such a mega hit with just 2 chords?

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3. Someone Like You - Adele

This is another very popular song that is super easy to play. All you need is a capo, and you can play it using open chords plus a 1 Bm barre chord. You capo goes onto the 2nd fret. Again, strum the chords until you get good in changing between the chords, then add arpeggios later. The original version of Someone Like You is played on the piano, but you can play it very nicely on the guitar as well.

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4. All Of Me - John Legend

After you place your capo onto the 1st fret of your guitar, this beautiful song can be played using just open chords. You can strum the chords at first, and with time, arpeggiate them to get a more interesting sound going.

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5. Bad Moon Rising - CCR

Bad Moon Rising is an immensely fun song to play. It has a lively rhythm that most people will recognize instantly. This classic song is very easy to play, as it uses just 3 chords over and over again. Once you grasp the rhythm, you'll be set. Long live 3 chord songs!

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6. Breakfast At Tiffanys - Deep Blue Something

This popular hit from the '90s can be played using 3 open chords, so it is perfect for beginners. You will be using a lively, fun strumming pattern to play the song, which is great for developing your rhythm skills. Remember, all guitarists need to work on rhythm and timing.

Notice that during the G and A chords, they d not play the high E string at all. Keep that in mind as you strum away to this awesome song.

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7. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

You gotta love the key of G major. Simple chords for beginners to enjoy. Brown Eyed Girl is a feel-good classic that needs to be part of your repertoire.

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8. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

This is a nice slow song that has an easy intro riff, and a nice rhythm guitar section as well. You can play the song using barre chord, or a capo to avoid them. I would suggest learning it with barre chords, since it sounds better. I know beginners like to stay clear of them, but keep working at them, and you'll master them soon.

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9. Clocks - Coldplay

Clocks was a massive hit in the '00s, and it's relatively easy to play as well. You'll need to place your capo at the 1st fret of your guitar, which will allow you to play through the song without any barre chords. You can choose to arpeggiate the song, or just strum the chords.

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10. Complicated - Avril Lavigne

Complicated is a harder song for beginners to learn, because it uses barre chords and the Dm chord. It is played in the key of Dm. It is a relatively slow paced, so the challenge will be changing to the barre chords fluently. Give it it and practice it a lot. You'll get it soon. You can also play this song using a capo at fret 3, but you will still have a Bm barre chord.

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11. Dance The Night Away - The Mavericks

Dance The Night Away is one of the most popular songs by The Mavericks. It was released in 1998 and still remains to be a super hit. The song has been liked by peoples of all age groups and it is still being played on various music channels. It is a great song to play on guitar, super easy for beginners, since you can play it with just 2 open chords.

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12. Good Riddance - Green Day

This popular Green Day song is also known as Time of Your Life, because of the lyrics. Actually, the words Good Riddance are not even in the song. Anyhow, this is a great one for beginners, because it uses easy chords and has a fun melody. It is one of the first songs I teach to my live students.

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13. Hand In My Pocket - Alanis Morissette

This song uses just a few chord shapes, where you leave your pinky on the same fret for the entire song. It will hurt your fingertip at first, so don't be surprised. Your little finger is not used to such torture 🙂 Once you learn the chords, add a simple strumming pattern, and you've learned the entire song.

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14. Have you ever seen the rain - CCR

The dreaded F chord is back, but you can do it. This might be one of the harder songs on this list, but it is a great one to learn. As most CCR songs are. Practice the F chord a lot, and as your hand gets stronger, it will become easier and easier.

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15. Horse with no name - America

Horse With No Name is a 2 chord song, so it is suitable for early beginners looking to learn their first songs. Listen to the original song, get used to the strumming pattern, and you're set.

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16. Hurt - Johnny Cash

Hurt is another favorite of mine, I love teaching it to beginners because it is easy, but still involves learning several new chords and techniques that can take a guitarist far. This was originally a 9 Inch Nails song, but Johnny Cash's cover is better, even according to the original artist, Trent Reznor.

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17. I Fought The Law - Bobby Fuller Four

Where would the world be without easy 3 chord songs? Back in the stone age, that's where. This is another super simple song. If you want it to be. As you advance, you can vary up your strumming patterns, and put some real energy into this timeless" classic.

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18. Knockin On Heavens Door - Bob Dylan

Songs in the key of G, like this one, are especially easy. They used basic beginner chords. Knockin On Heavens Door used 4 simple chords, perfect for newbie guitar players.

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19. Lazy Song - Bruno Mars

Grab your capo for this awesome Bruno Mars song and place it at the 4th fret of your guitar. This way, you'll be able to play the entire song with just open chords. The hardest will be the B7, so make sure you practice changing to it nice and slow. You will speed up with practice.

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20. Let It Be - The Beatles

Let It Be is one of my favorite songs from this list. It is so peaceful and calming to play, even though I don't sing. There are numerous ways to play the chords to the song. It is played in the key of C which will mean it uses the F barre chord since the F is the 4th degree chord from C.

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21. Love Me Do - The Beatles

This fantastic 3 chord song by The Beatles has a great vibe and is a lot of fun to play and sing along with. The tabs would have you play an F during the bridge, but you don't need to, just continue with the C instead of the F.

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22. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

If you're a Lady A fan or dig country music, you'll be head over heals about this awesome guitar song. It was one of the most played songs after its release acro" the globe, so play it to your friends and family, everybody knows it. You will have to play an F barre chord, but since you're using a capo at the 4th fret, it's not as hard as the normal F. It's a lot of fun to play along with the original song, try to do so after learning the chords and strumming pattern.

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23. Otherside - RHCP

Otherside by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is one of those songs that can be simplified down really well. As a beginner, you want to keep it as simple as possible, but still pass the vibe along, which makes it a lot of fun.

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24. Perfect - Ed Sheeran

This Ed Sheeran song is easy to play if you use a capo at the 1st fret of your guitar. This way, you will only need open chords once again. You can use a plectrum of your fingers to pinch the strings together in loine with the rhythm of the song. Either way, it's a quick win even for beginner players.

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25. Polly - Nirvana

This classic acoustic song from Nirvana is a great exercise in strumming power chords, and of course, changing between them. You can use full chords as well, but I prefer the power chord version when I play this song.

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26. Proud Mary - CCR

Proud Mary is a very popular song and it is a lot of fun to play. You can play it using just 4 chords, but 5 chords is a bit better. Learning it will also give you some insight into how you can spice up chords to make them sound a bit different, a bit more interesting. The intro is very characteristic, but it may be a bit too hard if you're an early beginner. Watch the rhythm and those quick chord changes. Remember, all it takes is regular practice.

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27. Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

The chords to Radioactive are simple, and the pace of the song is relatively slow. This all adds up to a great song that beginner guitarists can learn very quickly. You will need a capo to play it using open chords though, placing it at the 2nd fret.

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28. Redemption Song - Bob Marley

This true classic is played in the key of G major, which means it uses basic beginner chords. If you want to make it authentic, use your thumb to strum at the strings, just like Bob Marley.

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29. Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

Ring of Fire is an easy I-IV-V song that is perfect for early beginner guitarists. It is played in the key of G and will have you practicing your basic chords, as well as changing in between them.

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30. Rumble - Link Wray

There are few electric guitar songs on this list of the best songs with chords, and Rumble is one of them. It is very easy to play, though you might have to practice the B7 a bit before getting it perfected. You can learn the chords on the acoustic as well, but it won't feel the same without the distortion that made the song famous.

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31. Runaway Train - Soul Asylum

This song was very popular in the early '90s, and it's a great strumming song. It uses just a few chords, one of the being the dreaded F barre. Feel free to use the simpler version of the F though.

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32. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

Shake It Off was a huge hit when it was released. It is a 3 chord song played in the key of G, which should put a smile on the faces of all guitar newbies out there. It doesn't have any barre chords, only simple open chords.

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33. Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

To play this beautiful song by IZ, you'll need to put your capo on fret 5 of your guitar. This sort of emulates the higher-pitched sound of the ukelele. The song has a lot of chords, so it's great for learning to change in between chords while playing a song that everybody knows.

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34. Stay With Me - Sam Smith

Stay With Me is originally played on the piano, but the guitar version is great just the same. It u" a VI - IV - I chord progression, so it works in a way that you wouldn't expect. You should use your fingers to pluck the chords on this song, so put your plectrum away for now.

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35. Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheelers

This one is one of those songs that will never get old. It is a fun song to learn and possibly sing along with if you can. It has a lively rhythm and is great for getting people moving, since it passes lots of energy. Best of all, it doesn't have any barre chords, so if you are still in a love-hate relationship with them, you can still learn this song perfectly.

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36. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

You have the option of playing this song with just open chords, but learning the barre chord version makes it sound fuller. THe strumming pattern is very easy, so you can concentrate on the chords and chord changes while playing this great Neil Diamond tune.

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37. The One I Love - REM

This is a great song from REM, it was very popular back in the day. REM is not as popular with today's generation, but a lot of people know this song still. It is played in the key of D major, and is very easy to play.

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38. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Three Little Birds is a great guitar song for beginners. It is a 3 chord song and uses very simple strumming. As you progress, you can spice up the strumming to get a reggae vibe as well. Have fun with it!

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39. Times Like These - Foo Fighters

This song was originally an electric guitar rock song, but the acoustic cover is better in my opinion. It uses basic chords and some alterations of them, which will give you some insight into how you can make a regular old chord more fun. Learn the chords and strumming patterns, and you'll be able to play along with the original song quickly.

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40. Torn - Natalie Imbruglia

This might be one of the hardest songs on this list because it uses a lot of barre chords. Changing between them is not quick, which is the reason I wanted to include it here. You need to practice barre chords to advance as a guitarist, and this is a great song to do it with.

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41. Twist and Shout - The Beatles

Twist and Shout is a great 3 chord song that is perfectly suitable for beginner players. Watch the timing and get ready to Rock and Roll!

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42. Wild Thing - The Troggs

Wild Thing is a true oldie but goodie. Even though it was released in the '60s, it is recognizable by people of all age groups to this day. And it's easy to play as well, you only need to learn 3 basic open chords.

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43. With or without you - U2

This soft rock song has a B minor barre chord, which is a very widely used chord. Beginners, don't skip this song! Learn those barre chords, and thousands of new songs will be at your fingertips. It takes practice, but you can do it.

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44. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is one of the greatest musicians ever. This classic song has a great intro solo, and is based around easy chords perfect for beginners. If you know your basic chords and can change between them, you'll be able to play Wonderful Tonight.

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45. Wonderful World - Sam Cooke

Is it to cheesy to say that Wonderful World is a wonderful song? Either way, you will really enjoy learning and playing it. This is an especially easy guitar song, since after you put your capo onto the 4th fret, you can play it using simple open chords.. The strumming pattern is easy as well, but feel free to get creative there.

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46. Wonderwall - Oasis

This classic Oasis tune will really give your fingertips a run for their money. Don't be surprised if you can't play this song for too long, holding down the higher strings non-stop is tough at first. You need to develop strong calluses to play guitar, this song will do just that. Get your capo and start learning.

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47. You're Beautiful - James Blunt

This beautiful song will teach you how you can alter chords with simple finger movements, and create a world famous tune in the process. It is very easy, even for beginners. You'll need to place a capo onto fret 8 of your guitar for this one, which will result in each chord you play being in higher pitched. Singing it is another story though.

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48. Zombie - The Cranberries

This song has a lot of chords, but they are easy to change to since they are derived from 4 basic chords. It will teach you about how you can add flavor to basic chords, a very important skill that can make your music more exciting.

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1. 7 Years - Lukas Graham

2. Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus

3. Someone Like You - Adele

4. All Of Me - John Legend

5. Bad Moon Rising - CCR

6. Breakfast At Tiffanys - Deep Blue Something

7. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

8. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

9. Clocks - Coldplay

10. Complicated - Avril Lavigne

11. Dance The Night Away - The Mavericks

12. Good Riddance - Green Day

13. Hand In My Pocket - Alanis Morissette

14. Have you ever seen the rain - CCR

15. Horse with no name - America

16. Hurt - Johnny Cash

17. I Fought The Law - Bobby Fuller Four

18. Knockin On Heavens Door - Bob Dylan

19. Lazy Song - Bruno Mars

20. Let It Be - The Beatles

21. Love Me Do - The Beatles

22. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

23. Otherside - RHCP

24. Perfect - Ed Sheeran

25. Polly - Nirvana

26. Proud Mary - CCR

27. Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

28. Redemption Song - Bob Marley

29. Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

30. Rumble - Link Wray

31. Runaway Train - Soul Asylum

32. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

33. Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

34. Stay With Me - Sam Smith

35. Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheelers

36. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

37. The One I Love - REM

38. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

39. Times Like These - Foo Fighters

40. Torn - Natalie Imbruglia

41. Twist and Shout - The Beatles

42. Wild Thing - The Troggs

43. With or without you - U2

44. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

45. Wonderful World - Sam Cooke

46. Wonderwall - Oasis

47. You're Beautiful - James Blunt

48. Zombie - The Cranberries

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