Easy Acoustic Guitar Songs For Beginners – Start Learning How To Play Today!
It is true. One of the best ways to gain more experience with your instrument is to learn popular songs. Be careful however. This should not be your ONLY form of practice. Learning popular music is certainly a great way to learn chords, chord progressions, strumming patterns, solos and more, but it should not take the place of other forms of practice. Variety is key when learning how to play the acoustic guitar. Just keep that in mind as you play along with the songs below.
That being said, below are 20 popular songs for you to dive into right now and start learning. These are all aimed at beginners however there are some that are very simple and others that may take a bit longer for you to get the hang of. I purposely designed it this way to challenge you. If you never challenge yourself or try new and different things, you will never improve.
As you are going through these songs, please keep in mind that the following 20 are only a small sample of our easy acoustic guitar songs. If you follow the link below, you will find many more songs you can start learning and playing right away. You will find songs in a variety of genres including country, rock, pop, folk and more. Just follow the link below to browse our entire library of songs.
Browse Through More Easy Guitar Songs Here >>
I have done my best to find video lessons, tablature, chords and other helpful resources for each song listed below. I do not guarantee the accuracy of any of the following videos,lyrics, chords, or other information. All of these songs are well within reach for beginners if you dedicate enough time to learning them.
If you find this post helpful, please consider sharing this link on Facebook, Twitter or any other community you belong to by clicking the sharing buttons above and below this post. Please also consider leaving a comment below. I appreciate your support! Please enjoy these acoustic songs!
Song 1 :
A Horse With No Name by America
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- A Horse With No Name Video Lesson
- A Horse With No Name Guitar Chords and Lyrics
- Very good in depth article and analysis on how to play A Horse With No Name
Song 2 :
For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- For What It’s Worth Video Lesson
- Video – As Performed by Buffalo Springfield in 1967
- For What Its Worth Chords and Lyrics
- Very good in depth article and analysis on how to play “For What Its Worth”
Song 3 :
Feeling Alright by Dave Mason
- Video Lesson
- Video – As Performed by Dave Mason at the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Feeling Alright Chords and Lyrics
- Very good in depth article and analysis on how to play Feeling Alright
Song 4 :
Knocking on Heavens Door by Bob Dylan
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- Video – As performed by Bob Dylan
- 4 Part Video Lesson
- Knocking on Heavens Door Chords and Lyrics
Song 5 :
Wild Thing as Performed by the Troggs, Written by Chip Taylor
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- Video – As performed by the Troggs
- Video Lesson
- Wild Thing Chords & Lyrics
Song 6 :
Hey Soul Sister by Train
Song 7 :
Lean on Me by Bill Withers
- Click here for more information about this song from Wikipedia
- Video – As Performed by Bill Withers
- Video Lesson
- Lean on Me Chords and Lyrics
Song 8 :
Redemption Song by Bob Marley
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- Video – As performed by Bob Marley
- Video Lesson
- Redemption Song Chords & Lyrics
Song 9 :
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- Video – As Performed by Pink Floyd
- Video Lesson From YouTube
- Wish You Were Here Chords and Lyrics
Song 10 :
Good Riddance (Time of your Life) By Green day
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- Video – As Performed by Green Day
- Video Lesson From YouTube
- Time of Your Life Chords and Lyrics
Song 11 :
Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- As Performed by Tom Petty
- Video Lesson From YouTube
- Free Fallin Chords and Lyrics
Song 12 :
You and Your Heart by Jack Johnson
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- As Performed by Jack Johnson
- Video Lesson
- You and Your Heart Chords and Lyrics
Song 13 :
You’re Beautiful by James Blunt
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- Video Lesson
- As performed by James Blunt
- You’re Beautiful Chords and Lyrics
Song 14 :
Broken by Lifehouse
Song 15 :
Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- As performed by Simon and Garfunkel
- Video Lesson From YouTube
- Sounds of Silence Chords & Lyrics
Song 16 :
The Scientist by ColdPlay
- Click here for more information about this song from Wikipedia
- As Performed by ColdPlay
- Video Lesson
- Scientist Chords and Lyrics
Song 17 :
Take It Easy By The Eagles
- Click here for more information about this song from Wikipedia
- As Performed by The Eagles
- Video Lesson
- Take It Easy Chords & Lyrics
Song 18 :
She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5
Song 19 :
Brown Eyed Girl By Van Morrisson
- More information on this song from Wikipedia
- As Performed by Van Morrison
- Video Lesson
- Brown Eyed Girl Chords & Lyrics
Song 20 :
Turn The Page By Bob Seger
- Click here for more information on this song from Wikipedia
- As Performed by Bob Seger
- Video Lesson
- Turn The Page Chords and Lyrics
Thanks so much i really appreciate this article. You put everything together very nicely! Great job!
This is awesome. There’s no other website like it.
Thank you!
This site is great. I’ve had my first guitar less than a week and I’m already stumming Knocking on Heavans Door (badly !!)
I’m teaching myself so I plan to work through these songs.
Keep it up and many thanks.
PETE G
Just to let you know, johnny cash wrote hurt , not nine inch nails. :/
Actually It was written by Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails. It was on their Downward Spiral Album then in 2002 Cash covered the song.
Yep, it was definitely Trent Reznor, not Johnny Cash, even though I think the Cash version is much better. The wikipedia page on the song even has what Reznor had to say about the Cash version, its very much worth reading.
this really is very good. Well done. Iv already sent the link to a friend!
nice job guys…!
OMG! My boyfriend just got me a guitar! I love it, but I couldnt play anything, and he can’t seem to teach me. I found this website has got me playing song already. I have had my guitar for only 3 days! I know 4 song already and everytime he come i play a new one and he is all surprise! I love this site. You guys should put more songs up! More of a varity or something. Just more songs to help people like me learn! Love it!
Thanks!
i like your website! thankyou very much for making it possible for me to learn the guitar. i have had mine for little over a year now i had a few tries at it but its been collecting as i have not had the time to learn. now i have the time and i stumbled across your site you have made it so easy for me to start learning. i thank you ever so much for gettin me closer to my dream of playing my guitar.
thanks again
Peter
Hi Peter,
You are most welcome. I am happy to hear you are enjoying the site! All the best with your guitar playing!
You have to check out the new taylor swift song, you belong with me. Easy chords, easy rythem. D, A, Em, G..
Awesome site, man. Thanks.
Awesome site, man. Thanks. Lovin the songs =]
this site is great keep up the gud work =]
hi there …. thanks for this great tips … it’s really owesome as a beginner to find you’reself playing complete songs all by tyour own ….
but I was wondering if you can send me some 2-string songs cuz they sounds easier to play .. plaese .. nad thank you anyway for this great site
This site is awesomee !. i’ve learned 3 songs in less than 1 hour !.
Great stuff, thanks for the list!
This website is truly amazing! It helps enhance a beginners experience on the guitar and can provide motivation at the same time. Something that could be added is how to change guitar strings, and tune your guitar properly. Other then that I look forward to continue to using this site! (after I get my guitar fixed…)
Hi Carlos,
Thanks for your very generous compliment on my website. I appreciate your visit and comment! Regarding your suggestion on how to change strings and tune your guitar. I do actually have a section dedicated to this. Click the links below to reach those sections:
How to change your guitar strings
How to tune your guitar
wow this is great learning how to play songs always gets me through hard times and this site helped me how to learn alot so thanks:}
Great site, thnx, now i’m making progression real quick!!!
keep on posting these lessons, i’ll be checking this site regularly!!
As a matter of fact, Nine Inch Nails did write the song,
and while Johnny Cash was dying, he thought the lyrics fit his life perfectly, so he made the song his, but the original is by Nine Inch Nails. Search it up 🙂
this is a great way to learn songs… really loved it
Hey cool site. I have been playing guitar for about 13yrs on and off, but I always set it aside for a month or two. I came across your site and learned some new songs and haven’t put down my guitar since. Thanks for re-sparking the fun!
Hey Josh….
Thanks for your positive feedback! I am happy to hear you are enjoying the site….
Be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed so that you will be notified whenever I add a new song or other post to my blog:
http://www.learn-acoustic-guitar.com/subscribe-to-our-website
dude this website rocks.ive been playin just on three years and until i found this i was lost. i couldnt play much and couldnt make a half decent song if i tried. this website just changed my attitude towards my guitar totally and ive loved it ever since. thanks guys.
i can only do ile of the tiger and i got a feeling by the Black eyed peas and surfiver thank you and if you want to look at some cords that you can try to do just go on a webcite and find out the things you need to no thank you for reading
Hi Torin,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your positive feedback on the site! I am happy to hear you are enjoying and learning!
Rock On!
i really love this website i can play alot of these songs
i really love this website:)
looks interesting and going to try it out.
Great list, thanks. Good Riddance was actually one of the first songs I learned. Can’t tell you how many times that came in handy around a campfire!
I love learning songs from this site, its a great resource and helped me learn 2 new songs after a VERY short time of playing. Thanks!
Wow! Ive been playing the guitar for nearly 5 years now. I know many cover songs and have my own as well. I just recently joined a band and i have to say, this site is truly amazing for beginners and people like myself. I have yet to search the whole site and felt that i needed to leave a great comment already! Its a big TWO thumbs up for me and i would recommend it to any body! not just beginners! 🙂
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for leaving such a wonderful, positive comment regarding my site! I am very happy to hear that you are enjoying it. I do hope you find the rest of the website helpful and enjoyable. All the best and Rock On!
– Ralph
I love to play guitar. When I buy guitar, I don’t know how to play songs. But with the help of your website I learn how to play guitar. Thank you for help me.
I played guitar for about two years, then put it aside for a year or so, but then i decided to get back into it because my boyfriend suggested it to me. I’ve had my guitar for three/four weeks and i just couldn’t play to save my life, then i just so happened to come across your website and it has helped me so much! This site has made me motivated and inspired to play more, and i’m definitely going to come back soon to learn more songs! I’ve already learned Redemption Song, and my boyfriend loves Bob Marley, so he will be proud of me! Thank you so much!(:
Hi Keri!
Thanks for stopping by and for leaving such a wonderful comment! I really appreciate your visit. I am thrilled to hear that the website is helping you. The credit for the Redemption Song Lesson actually goes to Marty Schwartz. He is the person who created that video lesson. Well thanks again Keri and I wish you all the best with your guitar playing.
– Ralph
@guitar player: Nine Inch Nails wrote hurt ton Johnny Cash
@guitar player “Hurt” was originally wrote AND performed by Nine Inch Nails, though never released as a single. Johnny Cash re-did “Hurt” after the death of his wife and love, June Carter Cash. Rolling Stones later named it as the 15th best song of all time out of 50. And it’ll also be the first song I learn.
–> Source “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurt_%28Nine_Inch_Nails_song%29”
Thanks for this! We got a periodical test coming up, and I didn’t know where the heck im gonna play, all of my classmates know hard songs, but I just want a simple one. Thank you for this, especially for the easiest horse with no name. I think I’m gonna have a perfeect scoooore!
NIN Hurt – best song ever both versions are awesome. I just might learn the guitar now, as I play drums. Trent Reznor inspired me.Piano too, hopefully. And yeah Trent wrote it, Definitely.
This website is really amazing. At the current moment I am teaching myself how to play the guitar. I got a Yamaha acoustic Christmas. This website had been a goldmine of knowledge. Thanks to the creators for putting this up here. I feel the one major obstacle is ryhthm. I can’t seem to get a fluid motion going. Any suggestions?
I love love love this website it has helped me so much thanx!
great!
@guitar player. just to let you know, Hurt is a NIN song, originally. Johnny Cash covered it (: Might wanna check your facts before you comment on it. Google it. I did when I found out Hurt was a NIN song from youtube comments. It works. Hehe
Been looking for this for quite awhile now. Thank you very much! Keep up the great work!
Pierre
johnny cash did not write hurt trent rezner (nin) did
Great job Ryan! No wonder you have so many shares on facebook! I love the way you’ve set up the songs and tabs. Very Cool!