Do you love rock music? Do you also love playing guitar?
If so, this blog post is for you! We have compiled a list of the top 50 easy rock songs to play on guitar. This list contains some of the most popular and best-known tracks that are perfect for beginners who want to learn how to play rock on their instrument.
Since these songs are all fairly simple, they can be learned in just a few hours or days by novice players. So what are you waiting for?
Start practicing today so that you can show off your skills at your next jam session!
List of the Easiest Rock Songs to Play on Guitar
Now let’s move to the list of the easy rock songs to play on guitar.
1. Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood
Bad to the Bone is one of the best rock songs for beginners that is easy rock songs to learn on guitar. The song is played by thousands of solo guitarists around the world – and now you can join them! Just start with simple down strums, then move on to picking individual notes.
2. Panama – Van Halen
Panama’s early David Lee Roth hit was written by Edward Van Halen, the guitarist for the rock band Van Halen. This song is played by many teachers who are looking to teach students how to play a difficult solo guitar piece.
3. More Than a Feeling – Boston
More Than a Feeling is a song written by Tom Scholz. It was recorded and released by the rock band Boston in 1976, which has since become a staple of easy guitar play along.
4. Hotel California – The Eagles
Hotel California is another great beginning-level song for beginner guitarists to learn, as it features an easy solo section with only three notes to learn. To do the solo justice, try increasing your tempo to keep up with the beat!
5. You Really Got Me – Van Halen
Here is another easy rock song to play on guitar is You Really Got Me song was written by Dave Davies in 1964 and recorded by his band The Kinks in 1966. However, Eddie Van Halen made it famous when he played lead guitar for its remake performed by Van Halen in 1978. It’s a fun song that will get you jamming!
6. I’m Eighteen – Alice Cooper
I’m Eighteen Released in 1970, this classic punk rock tune is very easy. Singing along will help players learn how to use their fingers correctly when strumming chords on the ABCG-pattern. It’s also fun to play at parties or karaoke nights!
7. Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” is an easy guitar song that has been covered by many artists. The simplest version uses only three chords and the solo section is mostly just single notes, making this a great choice for beginners.
8. Surfin’ U.S.A – The Beach Boys
The Surfin’ U.S.A song was written in 1963 by Brian Wilson and Mike Love of the American rock band The Beach Boys. It’s perfect for absolute beginners because it uses basic major and minor chords with no barre chords needed!
9. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
AC/DC is one of the most famous Australian hard rock bands around, and Thunderstruck is one of their most popular songs. Singing along while practicing this track will help beginners get comfortable following the beat.
10. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama song was written in 1974 by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Larry Junstrom. It’s a great choice for beginner guitar players because it only uses open chords throughout its duration.
11. We Will Rock You – Queen
We Will Rock You hit from 1977 was originally performed by Queen live at the premiere of the movie “News Of The World”. By singing along with your friends, you can learn how to play every part of the song…even if you don’t have an electric guitar! Just use a capo to raise the key of E major.
12. Highway To Hell – AC/DC
Highway To Hell classic from 1979 is one of the best-known songs by Aussie rockers AC/DC, and an easy song for beginners to learn how to play on guitar! Medium-tempo strumming will help you keep up with the beat while playing this tune. It’s also great practice for learning barre chords
13. Enter Sandman – Metallica
Enter Sandman Released in 1991 on the album “Metallica”, Enter Sandman was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett of the American heavy metal band Metallica. This iconic hit is sure to get you rocking right away! Be careful not to break a string as you shred on the simplified intro to the tune.
14. When You Were Young – The Killers
When You Were Young song by The Killers is one of their most popular hits and is also an easy beginner guitar song for beginners! This rock anthem will get your fingers moving and help you learn how to play barre chords, especially if you sing along with the chorus and solo sections.
15. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
“Free Fallin'” was written by Steve Earle in 1989, but this cover version performed by Tom Petty hit number 1 on both US and UK charts in 1990. Beginners should look at playing the intro section because it stays mostly on three strings throughout its duration, making it easier to learn and play.
16. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop
The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed this song in 2006 on their album “Stadium Arcadium”. Albeit a cover of the original by The Stooges, it is still an easy song for beginners. This is because you can play it with only one fingerpicking and two chords used throughout most of the song!
17. Every Breath You Take – The Police
Every Breath You Take classic song by The Police, released in 1983 on their album “Synchronicity”, is another easy song for beginners. All you need to know are the four chords used in the song’s chord progression!
18. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
Composed by Meg White and Jack White, this song was released on their album “Elephant” in 2003. It’s another simple guitar song for beginners because there are only two chords used throughout its duration!
19. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N Roses
Released in 1988 on the album “Appetite For Destruction”, this song was written by Slash, Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler of the American hard rock band Guns N Roses. It’s one of the best beginner guitar songs out there because you only use three chords to play the song!
20. House Of Rising Sun – The Animals
House Of Rising Sun hit song by The Animals was written in 1964 and has been covered by many other artists since then. While it requires more effort for beginners compared to the songs mentioned earlier, it’s still a great choice if you’re confident that you can play it.
21. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the best easy songs for beginners when it comes to learning how to play piano or guitar! The song was composed by Freddie Mercury in 1975, and it’s still a classic favorite today!
22. Wonderwall – Oasis
Wonderwall written by Noel Gallagher in 1995, this song released on the album “What’s The Story (Morning Glory)”. Another iconic song that beginners can learn how to play on guitar or piano easily!
23. Enter Sandman – Metallica
Released in 1991 on the album “Metallica”, Enter Sandman was written by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Kirk Hammett of the American heavy metal band Metallica. This iconic hit is sure to get you rocking right away! Be careful not to break a string as you shred on the simplified intro to the tune.
24. When You Were Young – The Killers
When You Were Young song by The Killers is one of their most popular hits and is also an easy beginner guitar song for beginners! This rock anthem will get your fingers moving and help you learn how to play barre chords, especially if you sing along with the chorus and solo sections.
25. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
“Free Fallin'” was written by Steve Earle in 1989, but this cover version performed by Tom Petty hit number 1 on both US and UK charts in 1990. Beginners should look at playing the intro section because it stays mostly on three strings throughout its duration, making it easier to learn and play.
26. Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
Don’t Stop Believing song was released by Journey as part of their 1981 album “Escape”. Still to this day, it remains popular all over the world! That’s probably because it is one of the best beginner guitar songs out there.
27. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” was written by Ed King in 1972 for his band Mott The Hoople to show their frustration with how they were treated when playing at a venue in Birmingham, AL. This version by Lynyrd Skynyrd was released in 1974 on their album “Second Helping”, but the song became widely known through its cover versions. It’s also one of the easiest beginner guitar songs ever!
28. Can’t Feel My Face – The Weeknd
Can’t Feel My Face easy rock songs to play on guitar by The Weeknd was released in 2015 on their album “Beauty Behind The Madness”. Since then, it has become a well-known hit song due to its catchy rhythm. There are only two chords used throughout the entire song!
29. Stitches – Shawn Mendes
Stitches song was released by Canadian singer Shawn Mendes in 2015 as part of his self-titled debut studio album. It’s an ideal choice for beginners since there are only four chords used throughout the whole song!
30. These Days – Take That
Take That is a popular British band that got back together after they disbanded in 1996. They have won numerous awards including Brit Awards, World Music Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards! Their 2011 single “These Days” is perfect for beginners since it only contains two chords!
31. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
“La Bamba” was written and performed by Mexican rock star Ritchie Valens in 1958, but this cover version by Los Lobos was released on the album “Kiko” in 1992. This classic song is great for beginners to practice their strumming and fingerpicking techniques.
32. Blackbird – The Beatles
Blackbird song was released by the Beatles on their 1969 album “Abbey Road”. It’s considered one of the greatest hits of all time and it’s also a perfect rock song for beginners!
33. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
I’m Yours hit from Jason Mraz is full of catchy lyrics and melodies that will get stuck in your head! If you’re looking for easy guitar songs, this should be the first one on your list.
34. Desperado – The Eagles
“Desperado” was written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey in 1973 for their album of the same name. Other than being featured in many movies, this hit song has also been used in commercials.
35. Riptide – Vance Joy
“Riptide” was released by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy as the lead single for his debut studio album “Dream Your Life Away” in 2013. It’s one of those fun songs that beginner guitarists can learn to play with ease!
36. Layla – Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton wrote this song for Derek And The Dominos’ 1970 album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs”. With its simple chord progressions and melodic vocals, it’s easy enough even for beginner guitarists!
37. Dust In The Wind – Kansas
Dust In The Wind song was released by the band Kansas in 1977 on their album “Point of Know Return”. It’s so simple to learn, even children can play this song!
38. I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons
I Will Waitsong was released by British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons as the lead single from their second studio album, “Babel” (2012). With its great lyrics and memorable melodies, it’s definitely one of those beginner guitar songs that you should try!
39. Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
Kashmir epic rock song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin is off their classic 1973 album “Physical Graffiti”. If you’re looking for easy guitar songs with cool riffs, give this one a shot!
40. Take On Me – A-Ha
Take On Mekong by the Norwegian pop band A-Ha was released in 1985 on their debut studio album “Hunting High And Low”. It’s one of those beginner guitar songs that you can learn even if you’re just starting out with your guitar!
41. This Love – Maroon 5
This Love hit easy rock songs to play on guitar by American pop rock band Maroon 5 is off their third studio album “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long” (2007). Beginners should find this song easy because it only contains three chords!
42. Basket Case – Green Day
Basket Case punk rock anthem by ’90s rock band Green Day was featured on the group’s 1994 album “Dookie”. With its fast pace and interesting syncopation, it’s definitely one of those songs that intermediate guitarists can learn as well!
43. I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift
I Knew You Were Trouble easy rock songs to play on guitar is a 2012 hit single by country-pop singer Taylor Swift was released as the fourth and final single from her album “Red”. Even if you’re just a beginner guitarist, you should be able to handle this song with ease since there are only four chords used throughout the whole track!
44. Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
Radioactive rock hit by American rock band Imagine Dragons was released as their debut single in 2012 and became a worldwide hit almost immediately! It’s also one of those easy guitar songs for beginner guitarists.
45. Clocks – Coldplay
Released on the band’s second studio album “A Rush of Blood to the Head”, this song is a combination of piano and guitar melodies that beginner guitarists can handle with ease!
46. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
Seven Nation easy rock songs to play on guitar that Army blues-rock song by American alternative rock duo The White Stripes was released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, “Elephant” (2003). Beginner guitarists should definitely try learning Jack White’s catchy riffs in this song!
47. Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
Here Comes The SunGeorge Harrison-penned track is off the Beatles’ 1969 album “Abbey Road”. It only requires three chords (D, G7, C) which is great news for beginner guitarists!
48. Wonderwall – Oasis
Wonderwall song by English rock band Oasis was originally written by guitarist/vocalist Noel Gallagher for the soundtrack to the 1995 film “William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet”. The lyrics are actually quite cynical, but this doesn’t stop beginner guitarists from learning it!
49. I Need A Dollar – Aloe Blacc
I Need A Dollar funky number is off American hip hop singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc’s 2011 album “Good Things”. With barely any chord changes, you can master this one really quickly. It may be simple, but it sure sounds great!
50. Creep – Radiohead
Creep Released on their second studio album “The Bends” in 1995, this song became a worldwide hit for its use in TV series “Mus (IFC)” and films “Pitch Perfect” (2012) and “Europa Report” (2013). This song is an easy guitar song for beginner and intermediate guitarists.
Conclusion: Easy Rock Songs to Play on Guitar
We hope you got the best list of easy rock songs to play on guitar for beginner guitarists. So what are you waiting for? As they say, practice makes perfect, so get practicing!
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Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the 3 chords of rock?
A: The basic chords of rock are E, A, and D. Although there are other types of chords used in different kinds of rock songs, these three are essential.
Q2: Which is the best song on this list?
A: This question has no definite answer since it depends on your personal preferences. Nonetheless, we have selected this list based on the difficulty level and overall quality of the song to provide you with a variety of options.
Q3: What is the easiest guitar riff?
A: The easiest guitar riff is definitely the one in “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne. Although it’s played at a fast pace, you can easily master it by practicing more on strumming.
