145 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs With 3 Chords For Beginners

Every new guitar player wants to be able to play something they know, and that makes sense to them. But they assume that most of these songs will be too hard for them to cope with.

Understandably, that is the case with a large number of songs, but there are some famous & easy guitar songs with 3 chords for beginners, so let’s take an in-depth look at them.

Some Of The Songs We Know As Classics

There are songs that everybody knows. And some of them are so basic it will surprise you. They are easy guitar songs to play and to learn quickly.

You might not be able to play some of the intricate parts around the outside of the basic structure… yet. But the chords will be easy enough for you to just strum along with it.

What Is A Three Chord Song?

Just to clear up exactly what we are talking about here in case anyone is unsure. A three-chord song is exactly what it says it is. A song with three chords. We are going to look at the most basic of these types of songs with the first selection. 

It doesn’t matter what order those chords come in. They haven’t even got to follow a set pattern, although most do. The song just needs to have three chords. The easiest and, to musicians, most obvious starting point is the good old 12-bar blues or rock n roll. 

So, that’s where we’ll start off with the classic…

145 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs With 3 Chords For Beginners

1

Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry

I suppose the question is, where else could we have started? When we are talking about famous & easy guitar songs with 3 chords for beginners, Chuck Berry was one of the masters. This was first released as a single by him in 1958, although he wrote it in 1955.

It is a simple enough story about a hard-educated young man from New Orleans who can play guitar like “ringing a bell.” He dreams of having his name in lights. But, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, and there were some early controversies. 

The lyrics originally read “colored boy,” but the record company insisted it was changed to “country boy.” Certainly one of the most recognizable 3 chord songs ever written with that trademark Berry intro. It has been covered or played by just about everyone and their dog.

2

La Bamba – Ritchie Valens

Another song that is well-known no matter from what era you started listening to music. Originally, it had been a Mexican folk song that Richie Valens picked up on and turned into some great rock n roll.

A tragic tale, of course. Because he was killed in the plane crash that also claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper in 1959 after a show in Iowa, he was just 17.

Before recording the song, he was unsure whether he should mix his cultural background with rock n roll. The results, though, were a memorable performance that stands as a timeless piece of musical history.

3

Rave On – Buddy Holly

And so to the “music” himself. He was also a very young man and only 22 with a whole career before him before that ill-fated flight. He left us a lot more work than the others and some memorable songs. And when The Beatles cover your songs, you know you are good.

This is a great rock n roller almost in the Chuck Berry mold. A simple three-chord trick delivered with great energy that drives along. He didn’t write the song himself, nor was he the first to record it. But, it is his version that is most remembered.

A standard feature in his stage act, it was included on the Buddy Holly Tribute album as one of his greatest recordings.

4

Hard Headed Woman – Elvis Presley

I’d like a pound for every time I have played this. A song written by Claude Demetrius and recorded by the man himself. This classic song was included as part of the soundtrack for one of Elvis’s most famous movies, “King Creole.”

It was immediately included in his stage act and often brought the house down. It was pure Elvis. His vocal delivery included every little trick in the book he perfected over the years. 

The single released in 1958 became the first rock n roll record to gain RIAA accreditation as a gold-selling record. He made quite a few what you would call “memorable” recordings. But from his rock n roll days, this takes some beating. A popular three chord guitar song to learn, and a few nice breaks to help the learning process.

5

Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis

On we go to the “Killer.” I had the privilege of watching this guy perform for six consecutive nights quite a few years ago. I am still trying to catch my breath. Frantic, out of control, and a piano technique that could go down as instrument abuse. But, he had that “wow factor,” and this is a great example.

Recorded in the famous Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1957. It was released in November of the same year and went to number 1 in the UK and number 2 in the US. When people say “Jerry Lee,” then the memories of “Great Balls of Fire” are not long in coming. A frantic three-chord song to learn as you try to keep up with him. And that is no easy task.

6

Louie Louie – The Kingsmen

Was this the first heavy rock song with a “big riff”? People say it was “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks. But this was written in 1955 and given “the treatment” in 1957 by the Kingsmen that immortalized it in my view.

A defined rock riff accompanied by thundering drums and a vocal when you can hear it is often unintelligible. Sounds like I am describing Led Zeppelin. I would like to have heard what they would have done with this.

Three chords are simple enough, but there is a rhythm to it that you will need to be careful with. If you are a beginner, it’s a song that needs to be played in the same groove to make it sound right.

7

Walk Of Life – Dire Straits

This has been included for a reason. I said at the beginning that some songs were easier than they sound. This one is much harder than it sounds if you want to play it as he does.

A track from Brothers In Arms, an album everyone in the world seems to own, was released in 1985. Dire Straits were originally formed in 1977 in London. Their first offering, “Sultans of Swing,” showed us just how good Mark Knopfler was even then.

Yes, it is a three-chord song

Only E, A, and B, and yes, you can just strum away happily to it. It’s an upbeat song with a nice tempo to play to. But if you want to play it as he does, you better get your fingerpicking skills tuned in.

Mark Knopfler delights in giving us light-hearted songs amongst the serious stuff. Another you might like to listen to is “Twisting By The Pool.” It is another 3 chord song with the same feel as this track.

8

Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival

One of my favorite bands from the late 60s early 70s. It was always simple but always effective. Written by John Fogerty, it came from the album Green River that was released in 1969. This single was released a few months before the album.

A simple guitar song for beginners to play along to, you can very quickly pick up the tempo. And with only three chords, you can join the band after about 15 minutes of rehearsal. Without question one of the most famous & easy guitar songs with 3 chords for beginners.

9

Leaving On A Jet Plane – Peter, Paul, and Mary

You hear plenty of criticism about the writer of this song, John Denver. One of those characters you either loved or didn’t. He wrote and recorded it as a very young man at an airport lounge in 1966. This version came out in 1969 and was a big hit for them.

They did an excellent job of a song that is quite pleasant to the ear but can be a bit overdone with the lyrics. But it is not the lyrics we are considering.

Three chords are simple enough, but it is a great song to begin to learn some fingerpicking styles, and that is why I have included it. It has a steady pace and simple chords. You can just strum along or get a bit more adventurous.

10

Wild Thing – The Troggs

Another song that preceded the days of heavy rock, but still had the essence of a great three-chord riff. The Troggs didn’t record it first. It was first laid down in New York by the Wild Ones in 1965. 

It was the Troggs that got hold of it and turned it into what we know today. Released in 1966 in the UK, it went to number 1. They were not the most “rock-looking” of bands you could come across. But, this certainly brought the “Tractor Boys,” as they were called, to everyone’s attention.

In later years, Jimi Hendrix gave it his unique interpretation, but it remained largely the same. As a three-chord song, it couldn’t be much simpler and is a great song just to play along with.

11

Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan

One of the great songwriters of the last 100 years, even Bob Dylan, used three chords in his songs. He did quite often, as a matter of fact. Emphasizing that perhaps he was more poet than a musician, even though he was very much that as well.

A simple tune, with a simple G, A, and D, three-chord structure, the song was covered by the Byrds and made a hit. I prefer Dylan’s version. 

And, if while you are strumming along to this simple structure, you realize what it is all about, then tell us all… please. The man who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature does like to keep us all guessing sometimes.

12

Love Me Do – The Beatles

It is not possible to have any list without including these guys. This was their first recognized release. A simple three-chord song, at the time, it gave us little in the way of intimation of the genius that was to come. 

Easy to play along with a simple repetitive structure. There are plenty of easy to learn three chord Beatles songs to choose from, but I have chosen this for its simplicity.

13

Route 66 – The Rolling Stones

From their excellent first album, a time when a good proportion of people thought the Stones were at their best, comes this epic. It was written by Bobby Troup and has had its share of covers. The original was nothing like this, and the Stones changed the persona of the whole song.

A simple three-chord rock n roll structure. The Stones drive it along with Keith Richards, adding some nice “Berry-like” fills. The chords and rhythm are easy to play, and it is an ideal song for beginners to get their rock n roll feet wet.

Incidentally, Route 66 is not a coast-to-coast road. It starts in Chicago, not New York, and then goes to Santa Monica.

14

Honey Don’t – Carl Perkins

Time to change styles a little. Country or C&W or whatever you want to call it has its fair share of three-chord songs. It probably has more than any other genre. Not difficult to find one then, but just difficult to choose which one.

I have chosen to go with guitar great Carl Perkins for this song, “Honey Don’t.” More than simple, it jogs along nicely at a comfortable pace with its three-chord country-style structure and feel.

Carl Perkins was one of George Harrison’s heroes. This song was played at his memorial concert at the Albert Hall in London in 2002, sung by Ringo. He also sang it on the Beatles album Beatles For Sale.

15

In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins

This was Phil Collins’s first solo single. It is simple and powerful and has “that” drum break. The song was about his divorce from his first wife. The possibly hidden meaning was also related to his feelings of loss at the break up of Genesis.

The three chords of D Minor, C, and B are very easy (apart from the B for absolute beginners), but the timing needs close attention to stay with the feel of the song. 

16

Rock N Roll – Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin took a basic rock n roll riff, and they added their inimitable style to it. It is the sort of song that could have been written in half an hour in the back of a truck on the way to a gig. Highlighted by some thunderous drumming, it sounds like it could be complex, but it is just a three-chord trick. 

Jimmy Page’s solo is nothing to write home about, but it fits. The rest of the song is just a driving rhythm. If what they wanted to do was to take late 50s rock and add some effects pedals and a scary drummer, it worked. 

In my book, an outstanding piece of “Zeppelin-abelia” and what this lot were all about. Easy to play along with and is easier than it sounds at first.

17

Gloria – Them

This is just a brilliant track and one that brings back plenty of memories. It is just the same three chords over and over again. But the tempo is comfortable, and there are options for plenty of light and shade in the way you play. 

An early Van Morrison shows signs of what was to come on this 1964 track. It was the B-side of “Baby Please Don’t Go,” which incredibly only had one chord in it.

18

Working Class Hero – John Lennon

And so, to my last choice and one to make you think as well as play. There is a book that could be written about this song. It was released in 1970, and there are plenty of misunderstandings that surround it.

It is almost “Dylan-esque” in its style and delivery, with a few colorful adjectives thrown in. He caused uproar in the UK when he sang it live on TV. While he was never happy with his vocal performance on the recording, it seems to work. 

He has a go at society and people who think they are celebrities, at social injustice, and has a very sharp attack on the “Fool On The Hill.” No prizes to who he is referring to there.

From a playing point of view…

It is not a song that will be recommended by too many. But it does give the beginner a chance to play along with a slightly different style of rhythm. And also not having to worry about too many chord changes.

19

I’m a Believer – The Monkees

20

Everyday – Buddy Holly

21

Sweet Jane – The Velvet Underground

22

Rockin’ in the Free World – Neil Young

23

Blitzkrieg Bop – Ramones

24

Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones

25

Hang on Sloopy – The McCoys

26

Johnny B. Goode – Peter Tosh

27

Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival

28

Lucille – Little Richard

29

Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison

30

House of the Rising Sun – The Animals

31

Not Fade Away – Buddy Holly

32

All Apologies – Nirvana

33

Heart of Gold – Neil Young

34

Wild Horses – The Rolling Stones

35

Louie, Louie – The Kingsmen

36

Last Kiss – J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers

37

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan

38

Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley

39

Bad Reputation – Joan Jett

40

Blue Suede Shoes – Elvis Presley

41

Rock and Roll All Nite – Kiss

42

California Sun – The Rivieras

43

A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles

44

Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

45

What’s Up? – 4 Non Blondes

46

Island in the Sun – Weezer

47

The Passenger – Iggy Pop

48

Maggie May – Rod Stewart

49

Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams

50

Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan

More 95 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs With 3 Chords For Beginners

51. 51. Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
    52. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
    53. I Fought the Law – The Clash
    54. Mellow Yellow – Donovan
    55. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
    56. Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire
    57. American Pie – Don McLean
    58. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones
    59. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
    60. Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
    61. The Joker – Steve Miller Band
    62. Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver
    63. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
    64. Basket Case – Green Day
    65. Highway to Hell – AC/DC
    66. All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
    67. Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
    68. 867-5309/Jenny – Tommy Tutone
    69. Rockaway Beach – Ramones
    70. I Wanna Be Your Dog – The Stooges
    71. We Will Rock You – Queen
    72. Don’t Fear the Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
    73. Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
    74. Gimme Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis Group
    75. Stay – Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs
    76. That’ll Be the Day – Buddy Holly
    77. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Bob Dylan
    78. I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
    79. Ramblin’ Man – The Allman Brothers Band
    80. Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf
    81. Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
    82. All Right Now – Free
    83. Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple
    84. Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley
    85. You Really Got Me – The Kinks
    86. Louie Louie – The Kingsmen
    87. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
    88. Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix
    89. Wild Thing – The Troggs
    90. Sweet Child o’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
    91. Breaking the Law – Judas Priest
    92. Paranoid – Black Sabbath
    93. Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
    94. Iron Man – Black Sabbath
    95. Enter Sandman – Metallica
    96. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
    97. What I Like About You – The Romantics
    98. Stand by Me – Ben E. King
    99. Blitzkreig Bop – The Ramones
    100. Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
    101. American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
    102. All the Small Things – Blink-182
    103. My Generation – The Who
    104. Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day
    105. La Grange – ZZ Top
    106. Gloria – Them
    107. Tush – ZZ Top
    108. Baby Please Don’t Go – Them
    109. Little Red Rooster – The Rolling Stones
    110. C’mon Everybody – Eddie Cochran
    111. Sheena is a Punk Rocker – The Ramones
    112. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie
    113. Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
    114. I Saw Her Standing There – The Beatles
    115. Peggy Sue – Buddy Holly
    116. Be-Bop-A-Lula – Gene Vincent
    117. Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran
    118. Long Tall Sally – Little Richard
    119. Tutti Frutti – Little Richard
    120. Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
    121. A Horse with No Name – America
    122. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
    123. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
    124. The Weight – The Band
    125. All Shook Up – Elvis Presley
    126. Love Potion No. 9 – The Searchers
    127. Day Tripper – The Beatles
    128. Peaceful Easy Feeling – The Eagles
    129. Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood
    130. Don’t Let Me Down – The Beatles
    131. Sweet Little Sixteen – Chuck Berry
    132. Eight Days a Week – The Beatles
    133. Mrs. Robinson – Simon & Garfunkel
    134. Tequila – The Champs
    135. My Girl – The Temptations
    136. Daydream Believer – The Monkees
    137. Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
    138. Teenage Kicks – The Undertones
    139. Cripple Creek – The Band
    140. Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
    141. Mary Jane’s Last Dance – Tom Petty
    142. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? – Creedence Clearwater Revival
    143. Love of My Life – Queen
    144. Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
    145. Twistin’ the Night Away – Sam Cooke

Famous & Easy Guitar Songs With 3 Chords For Beginners – Final Thoughts

I have to say, playing through these and others I omitted, has made me want to listen to more classic songs again because there are so many famous easy guitar songs with three chords out there to enjoy.

Likewise, I have tried to include a variety of styles, tempos, and strumming patterns. As well as crossed time frames and generations. This is in the hope that it will give you plenty of options to improve your abilities as you go on.

So, until next time, let your music play.