If you want to put your guitar to good use, then try out some of the easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar.
The term “classic rock” is more complicated than you would think. See, people tend to disagree on which songs, albums, and bands should be considered classic rock. For example, even if an artist isn’t considered to be “classic rock” material, one of their songs could be. Same goes with albums. The term “classic rock” originated in the ’80s where it was a radio format that featured hard rock songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Nowadays, you can hear some songs from the ’90s (especially grunge) on the classic rock radio stations. I’m just waiting for Green Day to be crammed in there. It is safe to say, that nobody exactly knows the definitive conditions required for a song to be considered classic rock. But, definitely, anything from the late ’90s onward should be called that.
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Like everyone else who is passionate about rock music, I also have my own understanding of classic rock. For me, those are rock songs and albums from the late 60’s, the ’70s and early ’80s that amaze you every time you hear them. And not just you, but millions of people worldwide. You shouldn’t consider a song to be classic rock only because you like it personally. Popularity is crucial here. Here is an example. You are in a bar, and a rock song comes on the radio. If people are raising their glasses, cheering and singing along, then that right there is a classic rock song. No, cheering and singing along in Starbucks to the tunes of 3 Doors Down doesn’t count. The time period is very important here. Nirvana is one of my all – time favorite bands, but I still think they don’t fit in the classic rock term. When I hear Smells like Teen Spirit, it just doesn’t feel that long ago. On the other hand, when I hear AC/DC’s Highway to Hell, it immediately rings those bells. Speaking of the band, you may want to check out our list of 6 easiest AC/DC songs to play on guitar.
So, because my opinion of what should and shouldn’t be classic rock may not sit well with others, I’ve decided to take a different approach in making this list of easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar. I browsed through the Ultimate Classic Rock’s list of top 100 classic rock songs (they should know) singled out the tunes that are easy to play, use simple chords and could sit well with both the beginners and more experienced guitar players, based on my personal experience. So, yes this list is somewhat subjective, but I really tried to remember all those songs I could practice when I first started playing guitar. I tried to include a variety of songs so, you’ll find something for acoustic and electric guitar, as well as slower and high tempo songs. If you have some better suggestions, leave them in your comments, and we may even create another list of easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar. Now, without further ado, let’s start playing!
11. Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
Many people consider Sweet Emotion to be their signature song from the band (personally, I think it’s Dream On). It started the “pop – ier” period in Aerosmith’s career and paved the way for I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing and likes. The reason why we are starting the list with this song is the fact that you will have to bring your A-game when it comes to strumming and chords change. The song varies from being slow to high tempo, but at least the chords are simple.
10. Cocaine – Eric Clapton
Chords: E, E11, D, Dsus4, C, B
You could say that Eric Clapton didn’t change too much this J.J. Cale’s classic and one could argue he made it even simpler to play. It will take you a bit more practice, but ultimately you will be happy you’ve put yourself through the trouble. Once you get the opening rift right, the rest will be a lot easier since the rift repeats itself very often.
9. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
If you ask me, the song is too early discussed in classic rock terms, but my hands are tied since it is a fairly easy song to play. The only chord that might be troublesome for beginners is Cadd9, but with a little practice, it should be simple. The intro isn’t provided with the chords, so you can check it here. I already told you in one of our previous lists that Slash came up with the riff during warm-up, so it isn’t complicated as it might sound. Singing, however, is a whole other story.
8. Sunshine of Your Love – Cream
We are continuing our list of easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar with Cream that was only around for about two years, but they still managed to come up with killer songs and Sunshine of Your Love is their most popular one. Yes, there is a barre chord, but not everything can be a walk in the park, right? What makes the song easy to play is that the guitar part is mostly repetitive so it is only important you do it once right. If you are brave, you may try the solo as well.
7. Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Like the previous entry on our list of easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar, this Steppenwolf’s classic can be also considered repetitive. You just have to get the tempo right and master Db chord if you are still hanging on the group of simple chords. But, trust me, the song is very fun to play and is great for sing – along. It can be also played on acoustic guitar and still sound great.
6. Rockin’ in the Free World – Neil Young
Many artists took turns in covering Rockin’ in the Free World, but for me, the Neil Young’s original is still the best. The song is perfect if you are guitar beginner. Besides being great, the chord progression is easy and you will only need the basic chords. You can play it clean, but with distortion is far more powerful.
5. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
Although it only needed 2 days for Petty to write and record this song, Free Fallin’ arguably remains his most famous song to date. I’m sorry for this, but you will need a capo on the 1st fret if you want to play it right. Also, Bsus2 can be a bit complicated if you are still learning chords. But the beauty of this song is that it is played on the acoustic guitar and it is slow. Just keep listening to it, to get the strumming part rights. Everything stays the same from the beginning to the end since you’ll E, Asus2, E, Bsus2 in that order on the intro, verses, chorus, and outro.
4. Turn the Page – Bob Seger
Another acoustic entry on our list of easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar. It is super easy, has a simple strumming pattern and even simpler chords. You just have to pay attention to the occasional twists that Seger pitched in. Unlike most of the songs we mentioned earlier, Turn the Page wasn’t a huge success when it first came out. Still, the song managed to break onto the classic rock radio stations and became hugely successfully. Many artists cited the song as influential and numerous acts have covered it including Metallica. You may wait for some time before you take up on Metallica’s version since Kirk Hammett didn’t hold anything back.
3. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynard Skinyard
Now, you will have to do some picking here to get that recognizable intro right. In the link provided, you will find the picking pattern, and after that just play alongside the song, to get the feeling of how it should be. You may believe it or not, but the guitarist Ed King claims that the chords and solos came to him in a dream. Now, let’s see the top two easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar.
2. The Joker – Steve Miller Band
Three chords song you say? No problem, here it is. The strumming can be a little challenging, so it may be helpful if you hum the lyrics while you play. The good thing is that you have three portions of the song you need to learn, and then just spread them. The interesting thing about the song is the fact that The Joker first topped the charts in the United States in 1974, and then 16 years later spent a couple of weeks on the top of UK charts setting a record.
1. House of the Rising Sun – The Animals
Yes, lots of chords happening here, but there is a reason we put House of the Rising Sun at the top of our easiest classic rock songs to play on guitar list. I remember when I first started playing guitar, the more experience guitarists were telling me to start with this one. It has all the basic chords and the strumming/picking pattern is really catchy. As soon as you get the rhythm right, the chords will come naturally. Just a great beginner song that should be in every guitarist’s repertoire. Although the song has its roots in the American folk music being recorded by Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, this version from The Animals remains as the most recognizable one.
