If you’re looking for some easy guitar songs to sink your teeth into, you’re in the right place. Learning guitar is supposed to be fun — that’s why we picked up the instrument in the first place. Not to run scales until our eyes glaze over, but to actually play something.

This collection covers everything from three-chord beginner songs to full arrangements that’ll keep you busy for weeks. Each one includes video instruction so you can see exactly what’s happening, pause when you need to, and rewind as many times as you like.

Easy Guitar Songs (Beginner)

These songs use simple open chords, straightforward rhythms, and forgiving tempos. Perfect for building confidence or adding quick wins to your setlist.

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison — Four chords (G, C, D, Em) and a straightforward rhythm. Great for campfires and parties.

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan — Four simple chords and a gentle strum. Works for both Dylan’s original and the GN’R version.

Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd — Three chords (C, G, Am) in a beautiful arpeggio pattern. Southern rock at its most accessible.

With or Without You – U2 — Four chords repeating throughout. The magic is in the dynamics — start soft and build.

Bad Moon Rising – CCR (Chords) — Fast, fun, three chords: D, A, G. Great for building strumming confidence.

Up Around the Bend – CCR — Bright, upbeat open chords. Impossible not to enjoy playing.

Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton — Beautiful slow song with basic shapes. Perfect for working on smooth transitions and expression.

Strumming Song Lessons

These lessons focus specifically on the strum pattern that makes each song tick. Learn the groove, not just the chords.

Looking Out My Backdoor – CCR — Muted strokes, a key change to D, and a descending bass line transition.

The Joker – Steve Miller Band — That laid-back shuffle groove with bass runs. A classic rock feel you can use on dozens of songs.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding — A gentle, rolling groove. A lesson in dynamics and the right touch.

Under the Boardwalk – The Drifters — Swaying doo-wop feel with bass walks. A template for a whole category of classic songs.

Classic Rock Songs

Signature riffs, iconic solos, and arrangements that defined rock guitar. Most of these are intermediate level — you’ll need bar chords or some lead technique.

All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix (Chords + Intro Riff) — The full package: chords, the famous intro riff, and Hendrix-style embellishments.

Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix — The E7#9 “Hendrix chord,” that iconic opening riff, and the whole psychedelic package.

Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Jimi Hendrix — Wah pedal mastery, aggressive riffing. Not for the faint of heart.

Sunshine of Your Love – Cream (3-Part Lesson) — One of the most recognizable riffs in rock. Part 2 covers double stops, Part 3 covers solo fills.

Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple (Intro) — The riff that launched a million guitarists.

Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top (Intro Riff) — That iconic riff broken down step by step. Also see the rhythm chords and double stop intro lessons.

Dear Mr. Fantasy – Traffic — Chord voicings and transitions that’ll stretch your skills.

Rolling Stones Style Rhythm Riff — Combining chords and lead into one guitar part, Stones-style.

Fortunate Son – CCR (Intro Riff) — Double stop intro technique that drives this protest rock anthem.

Green River – CCR (Intro Riff) — E minor double stop slide that kicks off one of CCR’s best.

Sultans of Swing – Dire Straits — Mark Knopfler’s fingerpicking tour de force. One that’ll keep you busy for a while.

Blues Song Lessons

Blues standards and blues-rock classics. These lessons cover the riffs, chord progressions, and feel that make each song work.

The Thrill Is Gone – B.B. King — Minor key blues essential. Great introduction to blues phrasing.

Blue on Black – Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Chords) — That distinctive groove and feel. Also see the solo lesson for the flatted 7th approach.

Born Under a Bad Sign – Albert King — The classic blues riff that every guitarist should know.

Tush – ZZ Top — Classic blues rock riff in G. Also see the riff breakdown focusing on G pentatonic.

Blue Jean Blues – ZZ Top — A 10-bar blues study in A minor.

Dust My Broom – Elmore James — Open D tuning slide blues. A rite of passage for slide players.

Backdoor Man – Howlin’ Wolf — 12-bar blues chord progression lesson.

Smokestack Lightning – Howlin’ Wolf — Blues rhythm riffs inspired by this classic one-chord groove.

Killing Floor – Howlin’ Wolf — The blues chord progression that Hendrix turned into “The Killing Floor.”

Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters (Beginner Riff) — The one-riff wonder that drives the whole song.

Lead Guitar Parts and Solos

Once you’ve got the rhythm down, add the lead parts. These lessons break down fills, licks, and complete solos note by note.

Bad Moon Rising – Lead Guitar — The fills and licks that complete the song.

Blue on Black – Guitar Solo — Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s blues-rock solo, broken down using the flatted 7th.

Up Around the Bend – Intro Riff — That signature CCR intro that kicks off the song.

Artist-Inspired Lick Series

Multi-part lesson series breaking down the signature licks and techniques of legendary players.

Jimi Hendrix Licks: Part 1 (Voodoo Child Bass Riff) · Part 2 (One-String Scale Runs) · Part 3 (String Stretch in E)

Stevie Ray Vaughan Licks: Part 1 (Chromatic Pass Notes) · Part 2 (Open E Hammer-Ons) · Part 3 (Pride and Joy Closing Riff)

John Fogerty (CCR) Licks: Part 1 (Flatted Fifth Riff) · Part 2 (Minor Third Slide)

Don’t worry about tackling everything at once. Pick one song that catches your eye, learn it well, then come back for more. And if you want to build the skills to learn any song on your own, check out the guitar scales and strumming patterns hubs.