The first time you pick up this wonderful musical instrument, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the new skills and techniques that you will have to learn to play something that sounds like a song you know!
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 50 easiest guitar song ever to learn on guitar right now!
These vary in difficulty – but we’ve made sure to choose all of the most iconic songs that new guitar players tend to learn when they’re starting!
To get started simply pick one song at random and get stuck in!
We’ve also included a handy FAQ guide that will help to answer any additional questions you might have by the end of this guide. Let’s grab our guitar picks and play some classic guitar tunes!
This is a classic song to learn. The iconic rock band, Oasis, from Manchester England is renowned for their simple songwriting and impressive hairstyles.
Wonderwall is a classic love song that is great to play for beginners. It’s easy to play and has an addictive chorus that will keep you coming back for more.
2. Don’t Stop Believing
One of the best-selling albums of all time, Journey’s self-titled debut album was released in 1977.
This upbeat pop-rock song features lead vocalist Steve Perry who was known for his powerful vocals. The lyrics are uplifting and positive which makes it perfect for learning how to play guitar.
3. I Will Survive
Gloria Gaynor’s disco anthem is a fun way to learn how to play guitar. The song is very catchy with its repetitive beat and memorable melody.
If you want to learn how to play a fast depressing chord progression then this is the perfect song to start with.
4. Imagine
John Lennon wrote this song while he was recording “Imagine” in 1971. The song is about peace and harmony and is a good way to learn how to write your music.
You can use this as a template to create your original songs.
5. Freebird
Written by guitarist Ted Nugent, this is another popular song to learn how to play. It’s a bluesy rock tune that is played mostly using open chords.
6. Smoke On The Water
Deep Purple’s famous song was written by singer/guitarist Glenn Hughes. It’s an instrumental track that uses many different riffs and scales throughout.
7. Crazy Train
Another song by Deep Purple is a heavy metal song that is played mostly using power chords.
8. Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen’s epic hit is a staple in every musician’s repertoire. The song is composed by Freddie Mercury and is considered to be one of the greatest songs ever created.
9. Bad Romance
Lady Gaga’s cover version of the Italian bander-piercing electro-pop group Dada’s song. It’s one of the best-known songs by Lady Gaga and is a great song to practice playing along to.
10. All Right Now
Another big selling British band, this song was written by bass player Ric Grech and drummer Pete Kircher. It was originally recorded by the skiffle group The Quarrymen in 1957.
11. Basket Case
This punk rock song by the American band Green Day is a fun song to play. The song is about a young man who gets into trouble after getting drunk.
12. Enter Sandman
This is a hard rock song by Metallica that is used as a tribute to late frontman James Hetfield. It’s also featured in the video game Rock Band 3.
13. Thanks For The Memories
This is a great feel-good song by Fall Out Boy that can be fun to learn on guitar and will have all of your friends singing along.
14. Twist And Shout
The Beatles covered this 1962 song by Paul Anka. It’s the first single by The Beatles and became a number one hit in 1964.
15. Iron Man
Black Sabbath covered this traditional folk ballad called “Iron Man”. It was originally performed by the English folk band Pentangle in 1969.
16. Thunderstruck
This is a cover by Australian hard rock band ACDC of the Rolling Stones song “Thunderbolt”.
17. All Apologies
This is a somber Nirvana song that is great to learn if you have an acoustic guitar. It’s different from many of the other songs of Nirvana’s repertoire and gives you a unique, atmospheric piece to learn and play.
18. Cryin’
Aerosmith’s lead vocalist Steven Tyler wrote this song as a tribute to his father who died when he was just 10 years old. He wanted to give him some kind of legacy so he started writing songs about him.
19. Sweet Child O’ Mine
This is a classic rock song by Guns N’ Roses. It was released in 1988 and it reached 2 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart.
20. Hey Joe
This is a cover rendition of a blues song by Jimi Hendrix. It was released in 1967 and it peaked at number 4 on the US charts.
21. Wish You Were Here
This is a progressive rock song by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It’s their second single from their album Wish You Were Here (1975).
22. We Will Rock You
This is a song by the British rock band, Queen. It’s taken from their self-titled debut studio album (1971).
23. Fix You
If you’re looking for a heartbreaking song to play, then look no further than this golden oldie from the British band Coldplay.
24. What’s Up?
This classic song by Four Non-Blondes has some easy chord changes and is a popular choice among beginners.
25. Everlong
This is a cover of a 1987 song by alternative rock band Foo Fighters. It was released in 1999 and it peaked at 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
26. Dude I Love Life
This is a song about the band members’ lives growing up. It was written by Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge.
27. Plush
This is a pop-rock song by the American band Stone Temple Pilots. It was released in 1997 and it peaked at 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
28. How You Remind Me
This is a power ballad by Canadian rock band Nickelback. It was released in 2001 and it peaked at 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
29. When I Come Around
This is a punk rock song by the American band Green Day. It was released in 1994 and it peaked at 5 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
30. Proud Mary
This is a blues song by the American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was released in 1970 and it peaked at 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Again this is an easy song to learn on the guitar.
31. No Excuses
This is an acoustic version of a grunge song by the American rock band Alice In Chains. It was released in 1996 and it peaked at 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
32. Whole Lotta Love
This is a blues-rock song by the English rock group Led Zeppelin. It was released in 1969 and it peaked at 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the best selling singles ever.
33. Enter Sandman
This is a metal song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released in 1986 and it peaked at 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
34. Du Hast
This is a German-language song by the German industrial metal band Rammstein. It was released in 2000 and it peaked at 13 on the German Media Control Charts.
35. Supermassive Black Hole
This is a hard rock song by the English rock/metal band Muse. It was released in 2006 and it peaked at 10 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
36. Smells Like Teen Spirit
This is a grunge song by Seattle-based rock band Nirvana. It was released in 1991 and it peaked at 1 in the United States and Canada. You are bound to come across this song when learning how to play guitar!
37. Breakdown
This is a country music song by the American rock band Daughtry. It was released in 2008 and it peaked at 15 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
38. Thunder Road
This is a rock song by American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was released in 1975 and it peaked at 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and became his first number-one single).
39. Helter Skelter
This is a psychedelic rock song by the English rock band The Beatles. It was released in 1968 and it peaked at 1.
40. Day Tripper
This song features a super fun-to-play little riff that will teach you some of the basics. Like all Beatles songs, it’s easy to pick up and simplistic.
It’s also a great song to learn if you’re looking to be a singer as well as a guitar player.
41. Baba O’Reilly
This is a rock anthem by British rock band The Who – it’s an absolute classic with some great-sounding guitar riffs that are super fun to play, assuming you have an electric and an amp!
42. Feel Good Inc
Although the mainline to this song is usually played with a bass guitar, you can still learn it on a classic 6-string.
This is a super fun song by Gorillaz to learn to play, as it encompasses elements of hip-hop. There’s a reason why it’s a fan favorite and did so well in the early 2000s!
43. The Pretender
Another classic from the American rock band Foo Fighters is a fun song to learn that friends and family members are sure to sing along to.
44. Toys In The Attic
This is a rockabilly song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It was released in 1972 and it peaked at 2 (in Canada only).
45. Jump
This is a power ballad by the American rock band Van Halen. It was released in 1984 and it peaked at 9 in the United States and 6 in Canada.
46. Highway To Hell
This is a hard blues-rock song by the Australian rock band AC/DC. It was released in 1979 and it peaked at 5 in the United States and 7 in Canada.
47. Money
This is a progressive rock song by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It is one of the most iconic songs on their legendary album, Dark Side of the Moon.
It features a fairly difficult-to-play guitar part that is a good one to learn for beginners looking for something a little more difficult.
48. With Or Without You
This is an alternative rock song by Irish rock band U2. It was released in 1997 and it peaked at 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 2 in Canada.
49. Stairway To Heaven
This is a hard-driving rock song by the English rock group Led Zeppelin. You probably don’t want to tackle the guitar solo until you’re a lot more familiar with the guitar, but the initial introduction of an acoustic guitar is a great beginner piece to learn.
Plus, it’s awesome to say you can play even a part of one of the most epic rock songs of all time.
50. What’s My Age Again?
To finish our list we thought we’d add another pop-punk classic that has a great beginner’s riff.
This one won’t take you too long to learn, but it will teach you about quick fingerpicking, a vital skill for more complex songs you might have to tackle in the future.
How Do I Learn A New Song On Guitar?
Trying to work out how to approach learning a new song can be a difficult process, especially for beginners.
However, there are a few things you should consider when trying to figure out what your next move should be.
How Do I Know If I’m Playing It Right?
The best way to answer this question is to listen back to yourself after you’ve finished playing. If you think you could improve anything about your performance, then you’re doing okay.
If you feel like you could improve your technique, try practicing different ways to execute the same lick over and over again.
For example, instead of just strumming the chord pattern, try picking each note individually.
This will help you develop a better sense of rhythm and timing, which will make it easier to improvise and create new licks.
Is My Music Theory Knowledge Enough?
A common mistake among beginners is thinking they need to know every single thing about music theory before they start playing. While knowing some theories may be useful, it isn’t essential.
Many famous musicians didn’t study music theory at university. They learned everything else through trial and error, and by listening to other people’s music.
So if you’re struggling to find the notes for a particular chord progression, don’t worry – you don’t need to know any theory to get started. Just keep practicing!
Am I Ready To Learn A New Song?
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is rushing into learning a song without first getting comfortable with the basics.
You shouldn’t expect to be able to play a song straight away, so don’t force yourself. Instead, focus on building up your skills gradually.
Start by learning simple riffs and chords, before moving on to longer pieces. Once you’re confident, you’ll be able to progress much faster.
Can I Practice Alone?
It’s important to remember that practice doesn’t always mean playing along to a backing track. Sometimes it means working on your own, either by ear or by reading sheet music.
Practicing by ear is a great way to build confidence and familiarity with a song. If you’re not sure where the notes are, simply sing them as you play.
Learning by reading music gives you a chance to practice techniques such as scales, arpeggios, and even improvisation.
It also helps you understand the structure of a piece, which will give you an insight into why certain sections sound good and others don’t.
Will I Ever Be Good Enough?
Don’t let this put pressure on yourself. You’re never going to be perfect, and nobody expects you to be.
Instead, focus on improving your weaknesses. Maybe you struggle with fast passages, or you lack technical ability.
By identifying these areas, you can concentrate on developing those aspects of your playing. And once you’ve mastered them, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient guitar player.
Where Can I Go From Here?
There are plenty of resources available online to help you continue your musical journey.
For instance, there are lots of free lessons and tutorials out there, including videos, articles, and books.
And if you want to take things further, you can enroll in a formal course. These courses usually last around 6 months, and cover topics such as basic theory, sight-reading, composition, recording, and more.
What Should I Do Next?
The most important thing you can do now is enjoy what you’re learning.
Music has the power to inspire us all, and when we love something, we become passionate about it. So if you find yourself enjoying your guitar lessons, chances are you’ll stick with it.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! Those are 50 of the easiest song to learn on guitar, as well as some extra tips to get you started.
The main thing we would like to point out at this stage of our guide is that you should make your priority fun when learning!
Trying to make improvements is important, but this is likely to happen more frequently if you are enjoying it each time you sit down to play!
We hope that this list has given you some good ideas for your next song and that you are soon enough playing awesome music!
We wish you the best of luck on your guitar journey, but if you still have some questions, check below for our short FAQ guide that will answer any additional questions you may have!
Frequently Asked Questions
Get your last-minute queries about playing guitar answered below!
How Long Does It Take To Learn How To Play An Instrument?
This depends on the person. Some people pick up instruments quickly, while others need a lot of patience.
However, we think that anyone who puts their mind to it can learn to play an instrument within a few weeks.
Is It Possible To Learn How To Play The Guitar Without Having Prior Experience?
Yes, absolutely. There are many ways to begin your guitar journey, whether it’s through taking lessons or just picking up a book.
What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need To Learn How To Play Guitar?
You don’t need much equipment to start practicing. All you need is a guitar, a metronome (to keep track of tempo), and headphones/earphones.
What Is The Difference Between Acoustic And Electric Guitars?
Acoustic guitars are typically used by musicians who prefer not to disturb other people when they perform. They also tend to sound better because of the absence of electronic amplification.
Electric guitars are amplified, which means that they produce louder sounds than acoustic guitars.
Are There Any Free Online Resources Available To Help Me Learn Guitar?
Yes, there are plenty of websites where you can access free tutorials. You can even download them onto your computer so that you can listen to them whenever you want.
Where Can I Learn How To Play Guitar From Scratch?
If you want to learn how to play from scratch, there are lots of places where you can go. Many schools offer guitar classes, and you can also look into private tutoring.
How Often Should I Practice?
It depends on you. If you want to progress quickly, you’ll probably need to practice every day.
What Is The Best Place To Find Beginner Guitar Books?
Books are a great way to learn about different styles of music, and you can easily find a wide variety of titles in most major bookstores.
What Are The Easiest Chords to Learn
The easiest chords to learn are the open chords, C, D, and G. Open chords are easy because they are usually two-note progressions only. You will also need only three fingers and little stretching when playing these notes.
Because they are easy to learn, these chords will also make it much easier to learn the easiest songs on guitar.
