25 Easy Pop Songs on Guitar (With Tabs + Videos)
Eager to play the guitar but not yet ready to shred like Hendrix?
These 25 easy pop songs on guitar are fantastic for beginners looking to learn some tunes that won’t make their fingers bleed.
These catchy tunes have simple chord progressions that’ll have you humming and strumming for hours. So, why don’t you pick up your guitar so we can start jamming?
“Wonderwall” by Oasis
As a 90s kid who grew up listening to Wonderwall, I’m thrilled it still gets thousands of daily streams on Spotify. And today is gonna be the day you finally master one of the songs that propelled Britpop into the mainstream during that epic decade.
The monster hit is a nostalgic anthem for teenage angst, and Liam Gallagher’s emotive vocals capture it beautifully. The best part? It has a busker-simple guitar riff.
Wonderwall is practically a rite of passage for novice strummers. It’s the perfect song to get started on the guitar. It features uncomplicated chord shapes, repeating chord sequences, and an easy strumming pattern.
Not to mention, switching between grips is a breeze! You’ll use a technique where you keep two fingers stuck on the highest strings throughout the entire song.
| Chords | Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4, Cadd9, D/F# |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Wonderwall Tabs |
“Let It Be” by The Beatles
This list won’t be complete without Paul McCartney’s swan song and tribute to her mother, Mary. That’s right! The vision giving him sage advice in the moving ballad is his mom, not Jesus’s.
“Let It Be” is the title track of the English group’s final studio album. Critics had mixed feelings about the album, despite it topping the charts everywhere.
A few thought the Grammy- and Oscar-winning song lacked the brilliance of their past genre-redefining work. Still, the charming song became a cultural phenomenon.
And its straightforward rock configuration is why the iconic track found its way onto this list.
“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
Don’t let the heart-wrenching melody intimidate you from learning this musical masterpiece.
The famous first verse references the song’s chord progression. A meta-description, if you will. That “secret chord” is, in fact, easy to play on guitar.
Plus, the strumming pattern, which is all downstrokes, doesn’t get easier than this.
You can try a finger-picking method called arpeggiating to play Jeff Bukley’s version. Arpeggio is a pattern of playing a sequence of notes in a chord rather than playing them all at once. It’s a great technique to have in your guitar-playing arsenal.
| Chords | G, Em, C, D, B7 |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Hallelujah Tabs |
“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
This reggae-laced global hit is a worthy addition to your pop song repertoire. It relies on a simple chord progression, like any traditional reggae song.
The acoustic guitar arrangement is kid’s play. But how do you achieve that laid-back island tone, you ask?
You use a technique called “palm muting.” It’s where you press the fleshy part of your palm on the string to mute or dampen the notes. Then you play the upbeats at the switch, and you’ll get a bouncing rhythm.
And since you’ll play the song in four chords, don’t forget the capo on the fourth fret.
| Chords | G, D, Em, C |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | I’m Yours Tabs |
“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
Rule the world (or your jam sessions with friends) with this Frida Kahlo-inspired megahit from the British pop-rock band.
The song is one of the catchiest from the best-selling group, thanks to its punchy guitar riffs. It’s easy to play on guitar, if Chris Martin’s relaxed singing is any indication.
It only uses four chords, which make up one of the most recognizable chord loops ever. The strumming pattern isn’t that complex, either.
The only tricky part is splitting it over two chords and making the switch.
| Chords | C, D, G, Em |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Viva La Vida Tabs |
“Riptide” by Vance Joy
What’s the perfect campfire music? It has to have the feel-good vibe of a folksy tune, IMO. The first song that comes to mind is the 2013 smash hit from Aussie singer-songwriter Vance Joy.
“Riptide” is another four-chord song that’s just begging you to pick up your six-string. All chords are cowboy ones (open chords), which don’t require fancy techniques.
Open chords include one or more strings played without pressing down on the frets. Plus, you play them on the lower frets of the guitar neck. They’re super easy to learn; you’ll find open chords in beginner-level songs all the time.
The song has two strumming patterns and a solo tab, but nothing you can’t master with some practice.
| Chords | Am, G, C, Fmaj7 |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Riptide Tabs |
“Someone Like You” by Adele
Adele only needs one instrument to make a single that’s both a commercial and critical success. Her insane pipes and profound storytelling are powerful enough.
The “I beg” part where her voice cracks? It hits hard! I’ve never heard a song so overflowing with fragile emotions since Johnny Cash’s “Hurt.”
It doesn’t take much to learn this absolute heart-wrencher. A simple strumming pattern complements the song’s slow tempo.
If you want to take this soulful piece up a notch, you can practice finger-picking the fun guitar riff in the intro.
| Chords | G, D, Em, C |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Someone Like You Tabs |
“Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber
Is this JB song a swipe at an ex? Possibly, but what I know for sure is that it’s an easy piece for the guitar.
The Ed Sheeran-penned song almost didn’t make it to the airwaves. Then the Canadian hitmaker took it and turned it into the number-one single of 2016. All thanks to JB, you have a crowd-pleaser to add to your collection!
Its soft, subdued melody makes you want to grab your trusty guitar and strum along to it. And you’re not far from mastering it with only five chords and a plain strumming pattern.
| Chords | C, G, Am, Dm, F |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Love Yourself Tabs |
“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
Now, I’m not a Twihard. Still, I dig Christina Perri’s moving ballad about the enduring love between a human and a vampire.
The Twilight theme became truly special when a charitable organization used it to support World Down Syndrome Day 2018. Fifty moms and their children lip-sync to the song in a heartwarming carpool karaoke-style video.
Fast forward to today, and the song remains a favorite soundtrack for proms and weddings. It’s also a popular choice among guitar players.
The track has more chords than any other song on this list, but that doesn’t complicate it. You can recreate the piano opening with one downstrum per chord. The strumming pattern for the rest of the song alternates between down and up strokes.
| Chords | G, D, Em, C, Cadd9, D, Am7, D/F# |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | A Thousand Years Tabs |
“Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s
Can you imagine having a song written about you that becomes a global sensation? Sounds cool, right? Well, not for Delilah DiCrescenzo, the inspiration behind the double Grammy nominee from the American rock band.
Lead singer Tom Higgenson developed a massive crush on DiCriscenzo, whom he met through a friend. However, DiCrescenzo found it hard to deal with all the attention the song brought her. Plus, the cross-country runner was dating someone else and had to turn him down.
All unrequited feelings aside, the sleeper hit is a great tune for beginners.
The original track is beautifully finger-picked, but you can skip the fingerstyle version for now. Instead, you can pick the base note and strum the rest of the chord to produce a similar sound.
| Chords | C, Em, Am, F, G |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Hey There Delilah Tabs |
“Counting Stars” by OneRepublic
“Counting Stars” is a fusion of folk-pop and pop-rock with an infectious disco beat that’ll make you get up and dance.
OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder conceived the song while staying at Beyonce and Jay-Z’s posh Hamptons residence as a guest.
Now, on to counting chords! The upbeat tune has four easy chord shapes you’ll play with a capo. You’ll enjoy learning the simple finger-picking pattern for the intro and pre-chorus.
The strumming structure for the hook is four down-ups—easy-peasy! You can accent or go harder on some downstrokes to add dynamics to your sound.
| Chords | Am, C, G, F |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Counting Stars Tabs |
“I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons
Mumford and not his sons (just his bandmates) showcase their folk-rock and bluegrass roots in the foot-stomping track “I Will Wait.”
The song is a brilliant choice for beginners, despite its fast-paced beat. The dreaded F chord is conveniently placed next to C throughout the song, making it easier to play.
The only challenge lies in the song’s speed, which you can overcome by practicing at a slower tempo. You’ll find moments of respite in between before the tune erupts again into another jubilant riff.
| Chords | Am, G, C, F, Em |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | I Will Wait Tabs |
“Stay With Me” by Sam Smith
Sam Smith talks about his questionable life choices in his first-ever hit single, “Stay With Me.” It earned him four Grammys later!
The soulful ballad is an excellent practice piece for perfecting your chord transitions and strumming.
You’ll be surprised at how incredibly easy it is on the guitar. There’s only one chord progression throughout the song.
Plus, the verses don’t call for a strumming pattern. You only have to strum each chord once and hold it out. You can work on your timing until you’re comfortable playing along with the song.
| Chords | Am7, F, C, Am |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Stay With Me Tabs |
“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
Any woman would love to hear that they’re nothing short of perfect just as they are. And that’s the exact compliment you’ll get from Bruno Mars’ feel-good jam.
The singer-songwriter penned the song in the same romantic vein as Eric Clapton’s smitten “Wonderful Tonight.” Unsurprisingly, it melted hearts the world over.
The sweet ballad has only three chords, which you can play in a basic pattern. You can spice it up with a fingerstyle guitar once you’ve got the strumming down pat.
| Chords | D, Bm7, G |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Just the Way You Are Tabs |
“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons
The biggest breakout band of 2013 oozes with magnetic energy in its electronically charged diamond-certified single, “Radioactive.”
And it’s not your average dance club hit. Trust me; you’ll feel this song in your bones before you start tapping your toes!
The track pulses with heavy drums, tons of synths, and a roaring dubstep chorus. It paints a dusty picture of a post-apocalyptic world, complete with frontman Dan Reynolds’ out-of-breath moments.
And guitar-playing fans of pop rock should rejoice! “Radioactive” is a powerhouse with a no-frills harmonic palette. The entire song has a four-chord progression, and you only need to learn a few strumming patterns.
| Chords | Am, C, G, D |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Radioactive Tabs |
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s swoon-worthy ballad could dethrone Elvis Priestley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as the ultimate walking-down-the-aisle march. But that’s just me thinking out loud and stirring some controversy.
And speaking of controversy, the British pop royalty recently won a copyright infringement lawsuit on his award-winning song. Sheeran didn’t copy musical elements from Marvin Gaye’s 1973 hit, “Let’s Get It On.”
The four-chord progression in question is a common building block in pop music. It’s a straightforward sequence easily played on a guitar.
You’ll also learn to mute-strum to add a Sheeran flavor to your playing.
| Chords | C, F, G, Dm, Am |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Thinking Out Loud Tabs |
“You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s country-pop tune is a nostalgic reminder of what it was like to be a love-sick teenager. Anyone can relate to the lyrics, filled with rivalries and longing glances across the hallway.
The chords are so basic that my 9-year-old Swiftie niece can play the song like a total rockstar. It’s an elementary four-chord tune that doesn’t need any elaborate strumming.
This song is so low-key you’ll want to give the intro’s banjo riff a go. It offers an excellent opportunity to learn some lead guitar and give those fingers a workout!
| Chords | D, G, A, Em |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | You Belong With Me Tabs |
“Royals” by Lorde
The queen of cool burst onto the pop scene with a rare musical gem that roasts the excesses of pop-culture materialism.
Her songwriting reads like hashtags on the Instagram profiles of the rich and the flashy.
The captivating simplicity of the song is a refreshing affirmation that sometimes less is more, both in music and life.
You can finger-snap along to the sharp lyrics and sleepy hip-hop beat. Or, you can pick up your guitar and crack the code to its three-chord tune.
| Chords | D, C, G |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Royals Tabs |
“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
The danceable alt-pop beat of Foster the People’s debut single may deceive you. Listen closely, and you’ll hear the haunting story of a deeply disturbed adolescent, who harbors dark fantasies and violent tendencies.
The “Pumped Up Kicks” refer to the Reebok Pump, which I still remember was all the rage in high school. While the shoes may have faded into obscurity, the song still holds a powerful message about the dangers of teenage isolation and mental illness.
On a lighter note, the viral hit is a beginner-friendly tune to get you started on single-note picking.
| Chords | Em, G, D, A |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Pumped Up Kicks Tabs |
“FourFiveSeconds” by Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney
“FourFiveSeconds” is a sweet departure from RiRi’s past club-ready recordings.
The track has stripped-down instrumentation, consisting only of an organ and acoustic guitar. It has a generic chord progression, which Rihanna brings to soaring heights with her vocals.
The soulful folk-pop song displays the Barbadian singer’s impressive range and control. Her effortless squeaks and chants turn the piece into a mesmerizing experience.
Good news—the tune has a super easy guitar version for beginners. There’s also a more complicated option if you want something closer to the authentic sound.
| Chords | D, G, Bm, A, Em |
| Type of Guitar | Electric/Acoustic/Both |
| Tabs | FourFiveSeconds Tabs |
“Ho Hey” by The Lumineers
The Lumineers created “Ho Hey” with a clear purpose—to break through the jaded crowds in Brooklyn. And boy, did they succeed! The whole world paid attention, and the folk-rock band got away with a breakout hit.
The song is as fresh and catchy as ever. Its joyful energy and playful shouts never fail to make me smile. It’s the perfect antidote to a bad day, a good day, or any day in between.
The tune has basic open chords, played in a simple pattern throughout the song on repeat.
| Chords | C, F, Am, G |
| Type of Guitar | Electric/Acoustic/Both |
| Tabs | Ho Hey Tabs |
“Budapest” by George Ezra
“Budapest,” which has nothing to do with the Hungarian capital, is a fun beginner guitar tune. It uses the first three chords that George Ezra learned to play.
You must bring the strings down one step to stay close to the original track. You can also play it in standard tuning.
George Ezra wrote the song after getting hungover after a night of partying and missing a train to the city.
| Chords | G, C, D |
| Type of Guitar | Electric/Acoustic/Both |
| Tabs | Budapest Tabs |
“Take Me to Church” by Hozier
Would it annoy you if you found out that Hozier’s critically acclaimed single wasn’t about someone attending church? Instead, it’s a poignant commentary on how religion discriminates against romantic love. Talk about a plot twist!
The song has a powerful tune, but you can still play it with ease. The beginner version will have you down-strumming each chord only once. You just need to get on top of your timing because it doesn’t follow the standard 6/4 signature of most pop music.
There’s also a gorgeous finger-picked version if you’re feeling experimental.
| Chords | Em, Am, G, D, C |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Take Me to Church Tabs |
“I Took a Pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner
Friends, even when life hands you a sad song, there’s always a chance for a killer remix. And that’s precisely what happened with Mike Posner’s “I Took a Pill in Ibiza.”
After struggling to make a comeback, the musician poured his heart out about being a has-been in a pensive ballad. Then, a Norwegian production team transformed it into a tropical house dance hit.
The intro might be challenging for a beginner, but you can just dive into the verse. It features a simple chord progression without any tricky strumming to worry about.
| Chords | G, D, Cadd9, Em7 |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | I Took a Pill in Ibiza Tabs |
“Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
“Shallow” is more than just a song. It’s an emotional journey that speaks to those who’ve experienced the pain of chasing their dreams. It also portrays the heartache of addiction in the face of stardom.
Lady Gaga’s stunning vocals and Bradley Cooper’s raw emotions bring the heartfelt lyrics to life. And what a masterpiece of songwriting and storytelling it is! It’s hard to imagine a more fitting soundtrack for the movie “A Star Is Born.”
Be your own star and learn to play this slow-burning pop tune. It has a beginner-friendly strumming pattern that covers the entire song using basic chords.
| Chords | Em, G, C, D |
| Type of Guitar | Acoustic |
| Tabs | Shallow Tabs |
