Paul Simon’s fingerpicking technique remains a great teacher for beginners of the craft. This song begins with a simple but haunting guitar hook that is immediately recognizable to fans of the folk-pop duo. The song has remained popular both as a protest song and a staple among beginning guitarists. Taking inspiration from Marcus Garvey, Bob stripped away all the rich instrumentation of his reggae roots and reduced this song to simply the acoustic guitar and singing. If you’re ready to put down the pick and learn a new fingerpicking pattern, this is the one. The intro has charmed fingerpicking beginners since the song’s release. Dust in the Wind – KansasĪnother crowd pleaser on this list of best guitar songs, “Dust in the Wind” particularly hit a nerve during the spiritual seeking of the hippy era. Known for their heavy, funk-metal style, Extreme reached a much wider audience with this vulnerable ballad. Ironically the most popular song of a much heavier band, this song was released in 1991 and has since forced its writers to embrace their softer side. It’s the most streamed song released before 2000, and it’s the archetypal example of 90s pop chord playing. Released on their second album, “Wonderwall” has become Oasis’ biggest hit. It’s also a great tune to develop your singing-while-playing abilities. American Pie – Don McLeanĪn enchanting (and sometimes cryptic) ode to Rock ‘n Roll history, this song is still popular as a tune for beginners to learn their basic guitar chords. The unusual left-hand intervals can be challenging at first, but stick with it and you’ll have everyone singing along. The unassuming charm of this song, along with Paul McCartney’s memorable fingerpicking pattern, make this a favorite for beginning guitarists. Beginners can start with the acoustic intro and intermediate players can explore the guitar solos! Blackbird – The Beatles

It’s also one of the most famous songs to learn on guitar for players of all ages. Hotel California – EaglesĪ reflection on the excesses of the Rock ’n’ Roll lifestyle, this classic tune features both acoustic and electric guitars. It’s known to both older and younger audiences who are familiar with his music. To this day, he still frequently plays “Fire and Rain” in concert. This song was one of the singles from James Taylor’s second album that made him particularly famous in the 70s. The fact that the main acoustic guitar riff is so playable has also helped this song become a staple for many beginning guitarists. This popular song was destined to some form of greatness because of Pink Floyd’s established reputation. Before we dive into which songs made the list and why, check out this clickable infographic for a preview of 25 top guitar songs.īest Acoustic Guitar Songs Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

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