10 Fun Songs to Learn on Guitar That’ll Keep You Going
UCMA 
Reading time: 8–10 minutes
According to Fender, 90% of beginner guitarists quit within their first year, and it’s rarely because guitar is too hard. Most of the time, it’s because they lose motivation. The fastest fix is learning fun songs to learn on guitar that you actually recognize and care about.
This list gives you 10 songs chosen for one reason above everything else: they’re genuinely enjoyable to play. Each entry covers why it’s fun, what skill it quietly teaches you, a realistic time-to-learn estimate, and links to find the full tab. You can also check out our ultimate guitar guide for beginners for the foundational skills these songs are built on.
Table of Contents
Highlights
- Songs you love keep you practicing longer than “easy” songs ever will.
- Every pick here teaches a real, transferable guitar skill.
- Difficulty ranges from Day 1 beginner to an advanced-intermediate challenge pick.
- Full tab links are included for every song.
- A quick-reference table at the end helps you find your starting point fast.
- Practice tips are included so you actually follow through.
Why Fun Beats “Easy” Every Single Time
Picking a beginner guitar song based on difficulty alone is the wrong call. A song can be technically simple and completely boring—which means you’ll stop practicing it after two sessions.
The songs that stick are the ones that make you feel something the moment you play them. When a riff sounds recognizable right away, your brain rewards you for showing up. That’s not just motivational talk—it’s how skill-building actually works.
Pick something that makes you excited to practice, and the hours add up fast.
10 Fun Songs to Learn on Guitar
1. “Smoke on the Water” — Deep Purple
- Why it’s fun: Everyone recognizes this riff. The moment you play it, people in the room know exactly what it is—that reaction is priceless for a new guitarist.
- What you’ll learn: Two-note interval shapes (parallel fourths) on the D and G strings, plus riff-based thinking instead of chord-strumming.
- Time to learn: 1–2 practice sessions for the main riff.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
2. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” — Bob Dylan
- Why it’s fun: You get two iconic versions—Bob Dylan’s mellow acoustic original and Guns N’ Roses’ electric rock take. Pick the one that fits your style.
- What you’ll learn: Open chord transitions (G, D, Am), strumming rhythm, and how to adapt a song to your own feel.
- Time to learn: A few days with consistent 15-minute practice sessions.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
3. “Seven Nation Army” — The White Stripes
- Why it’s fun: This riff is chanted in stadiums worldwide. Crowd recognition doesn’t get bigger, and it works on any guitar—acoustic or electric.
- What you’ll learn: Single-note riff playing, A-string navigation, and left-hand fretting across one string. Clean and focused.
- Time to learn: True beginner. The main riff is learnable in under 15 minutes on Day 1.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
4. “Wonderwall” — Oasis
- Why it’s fun: There’s a reason this became the song everyone learns first. It has a repeating strum pattern that immediately makes you feel like a real rhythm guitarist.
- What you’ll learn: Capo technique (capo on the 2nd fret), plus Em7, G, Dsus4, and A7sus4 chord shapes. These voicings teach anchored finger technique—keeping some fingers in place while others move.
- Time to learn: 1–2 weeks to play through comfortably.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
5. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” — Green Day
- Why it’s fun: The fingerpicking pattern sounds far more impressive than it is to learn. Non-guitarists hear this and assume you’ve been playing for years.
- What you’ll learn: Introduction to fingerpicking with G, Cadd9, D, and Em chord shapes—all standard chords you’ll use in dozens of other songs.
- Time to learn: The strummed version is approachable from week one. The fingerpicked version takes 1–3 weeks.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
6. “Wish You Were Here” — Pink Floyd
- Why it’s fun: Nailing this intro is one of the most satisfying moments a beginner can experience. When it flows, it sounds genuinely beautiful—and people of every age know it immediately.
- What you’ll learn: Em7, G, and A7sus4 in the intro with a hammer-on technique. You’ll develop anchored finger technique and right-hand picking independence.
- Time to learn: Intermediate. Realistically 2–4 weeks to play the intro cleanly.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
7. “Riptide” — Vance Joy
- Why it’s fun: Upbeat, singalong-friendly, and works perfectly in any social setting. Three chords carry almost the entire song.
- What you’ll learn: Am, G, and C chord transitions (with F in the bridge), capo technique, and a consistent strumming pattern with muted upstrokes.
- Time to learn: Beginner. Playable within a few days once you know the chord shapes.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
8. “Back in Black” — AC/DC
- Why it’s fun: One of the most requested riffs at any jam session, ever. Electric guitar players will love the crunch and power it delivers.
- What you’ll learn: Power chords (A5, D5, E5), rock rhythm feel, consistent down-picking, and palm muting for the signature tight, punchy tone.
- Time to learn: Low-intermediate. Plan on 1–2 weeks to get it sounding solid.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
9. “Stand By Me” — Ben E. King
- Why it’s fun: Warm, timeless, and satisfying on acoustic. This chord progression—I–vi–IV–V—appears in hundreds of songs across every genre.
- What you’ll learn: Core major and minor chord voicings (A, F#m, D, E) and steady rhythmic strumming. Once you know this progression, you’ll recognize it everywhere.
- Time to learn: True beginner. Achievable in 1–2 sessions.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
10. “Can’t Stop” — Red Hot Chili Peppers (Challenge Pick)
- Why it’s fun: When you get the groove of this riff right, it’s one of the most satisfying feelings in guitar playing. Funky, rhythmically exciting, and instantly recognizable.
- What you’ll learn: Syncopated 16th-note rhythm technique, heavy left-hand muting for that percussive “chk” sound, and single-note funk phrasing.
- Time to learn: Advanced-intermediate. Set this as a realistic 2–4 month goal from scratch.
🔗 Full tab on Songsterr | Full tab on Ultimate Guitar
Quick-Reference Table
| Song | Artist | Difficulty | Time to Learn | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke on the Water | Deep Purple | Beginner | 1–2 sessions | Either |
| Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door | Bob Dylan | Beginner | A few days | Acoustic |
| Seven Nation Army | The White Stripes | Beginner | Day 1 | Either |
| Wonderwall | Oasis | Low-Intermediate | 1–2 weeks | Acoustic |
| Good Riddance | Green Day | Low-Intermediate | 1–3 weeks | Acoustic |
| Wish You Were Here | Pink Floyd | Intermediate | 2–4 weeks | Acoustic |
| Riptide | Vance Joy | Beginner | A few days | Acoustic |
| Back in Black | AC/DC | Low-Intermediate | 1–2 weeks | Electric |
| Stand By Me | Ben E. King | Beginner | 1–2 sessions | Either |
| Can’t Stop | Red Hot Chili Peppers | Advanced-Intermediate | 2–4 months | Electric |
How to Practice These Songs Without Giving Up
- Start with the part that hooked you. Don’t learn a song from start to finish on day one. Find the riff or chorus that made you want to play it—and begin there. Early wins are what keep you coming back.
- Slow it down first. Practice at 50–60% of full tempo. YouTube’s speed controller (0.5x or 0.75x) and most tab apps make this easy. Accurate playing at slow speed builds the muscle memory that transfers to full speed—rushing doesn’t.
- Keep sessions short. Try this structure every day:
- 5 minutes: Warm up with a chord or skill you already know.
- 10 minutes: Focus on one specific section of your target song.
- Record yourself. A 30-second phone clip once a week shows you where you’ve improved and where you’re stuck—which is more honest feedback than your ears give you in the moment.
If you need help structuring your overall practice approach, our beginner step-by-step guitar plan breaks it down session by session.
Before You Start: Easy Guitar Songs Need These Basics
A few basics will make learning these easy guitar songs much smoother:
- Know how to hold a pick (or use your fingers for fingerpicked songs like “Good Riddance”).
- Be able to form 4–5 open chords: G, C, D, Em, and Am.
- Understand a basic down–up strumming pattern.
- Know how to read easy guitar tabs—numbers on string lines showing which fret to press.
If any of those feel shaky, our beginner guitar chords guide walks through all of them before you tackle a full song.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest fun song to learn on guitar?
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. The main riff uses one string (the A string), covers a handful of frets, and is learnable in a single session—and it sounds impressive immediately.
What beginner guitar songs sound impressive to others?
“Smoke on the Water,” “Stand By Me,” “Good Riddance,” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” are all instantly recognizable even when freshly learned. They’re great early choices for playing in front of people.
How long does it take to learn a song on guitar?
Simple riffs take 1–2 sessions. Full beginner songs take 1–4 weeks. Intermediate songs take 2–6 weeks. Advanced-intermediate pieces like “Can’t Stop” can take several months. Consistent daily practice—even just 15 minutes—makes all those timelines achievable.
Should I learn chords or songs first?
Both at the same time. Songs teach you their chords in a real musical context, which builds muscle memory faster than practicing chords in isolation.
Can I learn these songs without reading sheet music?
Yes. Beginner guitar songs are taught using easy guitar tabs—a system that shows fret numbers on string lines. No music theory knowledge required.
Conclusion
The best fun songs to learn on guitar aren’t just the simplest ones—they’re the ones that make you want to pick up the guitar again tomorrow. Every song here was chosen because it rewards you quickly, teaches you something real, and keeps the experience enjoyable as your skills grow.
Pick one song that genuinely excites you and start there. Give it 15 focused minutes a day, and within a few weeks you’ll have something you’re genuinely proud of.
Ready to go further, faster?
United Conservatory of Music & Arts offers personalized guitar lessons built around your goals and your pace.
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Disclaimer: The content in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. Song titles and artist names are the intellectual property of their respective rights holders, referenced here for educational context only. Music learning involves physical activity; if you experience discomfort or pain while practicing, stop and consult a medical professional. Individual results vary based on practice consistency, prior experience, and quality of instruction. United Conservatory of Music & Arts does not endorse any third-party platform or product mentioned in this article.
