10 Easy Guitar Songs from the 2010s

Learning guitar is a fun and fulfilling way to connect with the music you love. The 2010s offered a range of great tracks spanning pop, indie, country, and rock genres, giving beginners plenty of options. This list of 10 easy guitar songs from the 2010s will help you improve your skills while enjoying songs that are both recognizable and fun to play.

Remember, you don’t have to learn each song exactly as it’s played in the recording. You can simplify chords, change the key, or add your own touch. This flexible approach makes learning enjoyable and gives you room to grow as a guitarist.

10 Easy Guitar Songs from the 2020s

1. “Someone Like You” by Adele

A slow, emotional ballad, “Someone Like You” is perfect for beginners. The song’s chord progression and steady tempo allow you to focus on smooth transitions and dynamics. It’s also an excellent song for practicing fingerpicking.

Why “Someone Like You” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Slow Tempo: You can work on chord changes without rushing.
Emotional Dynamics: A chance to experiment with volume and intensity while playing.
Simple Chords: The progression is easy to memorize and practice.

Chords & Structure for “Someone Like You”:

Key: A Major
Chords: A, E, F#m, D
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

2. “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett

This modern country hit offers a relaxed tempo and straightforward chord progression. It’s ideal for working on smooth strumming and chord transitions, while the heartfelt lyrics encourage expressive playing.

Why “Die a Happy Man” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Slow Tempo: Perfect for working on strumming patterns and transitions.
Simple Chord Structure: Easy to learn and memorize.
Expressive Playing: The ballad’s emotional delivery helps you explore more expressive guitar work.

Chords & Structure for “Die a Happy Man”:

Key: G Major
Chords: G, C, D, Em
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

3. “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers

This folk-rock anthem is great for beginners with its simple chord progression and upbeat rhythm. The song’s repetitive structure makes it easy to learn and improves your timing and strumming consistency.

Why “Ho Hey” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Simple Chords: Repetitive progression makes it easy to follow.
Upbeat Rhythm: Good for practicing timing and strumming patterns.
Folk Vibe: Adds versatility to your repertoire.

Chords & Structure for “Ho Hey”:

Key: C Major
Chords: C, F, G
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

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4. “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton

With its blues-infused style, this song is ideal for beginners dipping into country and blues. The slow tempo and simple chords give you room to work on expressive strumming and smooth transitions.

Why “Tennessee Whiskey” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Bluesy Feel: Great for soulful strumming and emotional playing.
Slow Tempo: Helps with mastering smooth chord changes.
Simple Chords: Easy progression, perfect for beginners.

Chords & Structure for “Tennessee Whiskey”:

Key: A Major
Chords: A, Bm, D, E
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

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5. “Let Her Go” by Passenger

A great introduction to fingerpicking, “Let Her Go” has a mellow tempo and simple chord structure, making it a good choice for those looking to develop a more intricate playing style.

Why “Let Her Go” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Fingerpicking Focus: Introduces you to basic fingerpicking techniques.
Simple Chords: The repetitive pattern is easy to learn.
Mellow Tempo: Creates a relaxed environment for practicing.

Chords & Structure for “Let Her Go”:

Key: G Major
Chords: G, D, Em, C
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

6. “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker

A country favorite, “Wagon Wheel” offers a relaxed pace and simple chord structure, making it an easy and enjoyable song for beginners. Its folk-country feel is perfect for practicing consistent strumming.

Why “Wagon Wheel” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Laid-back Tempo: Encourages smooth chord transitions without pressure.
Simple Chord Progression: Easy for beginners to pick up.
Country Feel: Gives you a great introduction to country-style strumming.

Chords & Structure for “Wagon Wheel”:

Key: G Major
Chords: G, D, Em, C
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

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7. “Stressed Out” by Twenty One Pilots

This song blends simple chords with a catchy rhythm, making it great for beginner guitarists. The straightforward structure allows you to focus on timing and consistency.

Why “Stressed Out” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Repetitive Structure: The simplicity of the chords and rhythm make it easy to play.
Popular Hit: Playing a recognizable song is motivating and fun.
Moderate Tempo: A relaxed pace helps beginners work on timing.

Chords & Structure for “Stressed Out”:

Key: Em
Chords: Em, G, D, A
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

8. “Tighten Up” by The Black Keys

This song offers a great introduction to rock guitar with its straightforward riff and chord progression. The steady rhythm helps you work on timing and strumming, while the repetitive structure makes it easier to pick up.

Why “Tighten Up” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Simple Riffs: Great for getting into rock techniques.
Catchy Rhythm: Ideal for consistent strumming practice.
Rock Feel: Adds some grit to your practice sessions.

Chords & Structure for “Tighten Up”:

Key: C Major
Chords: C, F, G
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

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9. “Call It What You Want” by Taylor Swift

This soft ballad is a beginner-friendly pop song with a simple chord progression and a slow, reflective pace. The song’s repetitive structure builds confidence in playing while introducing you to modern pop chords.

Why “Call It What You Want” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Gentle Tempo: Easy for beginners to focus on clean chord changes.
Simple Chord Progression: Repetitive and straightforward.
Pop Sensibility: Fun to play and a hit with modern audiences.

Chords & Structure for “Call It What You Want”:

Key: D Major
Chords: D, G, A, Bm
Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

10. “Ex’s & Oh’s” by Elle King

“Ex’s & Oh’s” is a bluesy rock hit that’s perfect for beginners due to its simple power chords and repetitive structure. The song’s infectious rhythm makes it fun to play and helps beginners work on strumming patterns and chord transitions.

Why “Ex’s & Oh’s” is a Good Addition to Your Repertoire:

Simple Power Chords: The song relies heavily on easy-to-play power chords, ideal for beginners.
Catchy Rhythm: The upbeat tempo is great for practicing timing and rhythm.
Rock Vibe: It’s a fun introduction to rock guitar, making practice more enjoyable.

Chords & Structure for “Ex’s & Oh’s”:

Key: G Major
Chords: G, C, D
Song Structure: Verse – Chorus – Verse – Chorus – Bridge – Chorus

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Tips for Beginners:

Start Slow: Prioritize playing the chords correctly over speed. It’s better to play slowly and accurately than to rush through mistakes.
Practice Daily: Consistent practice is key! Even a short 10-15 minute practice session every day will lead to steady improvement over time.
Use a Metronome: A metronome helps you stay in time and build a strong sense of rhythm. Start with a slower tempo and gradually increase it as you get more comfortable.
Try a Capo: A capo is a great tool for simplifying songs by letting you use easier chord shapes in different keys, especially for songs in unfamiliar keys.
Break It Down: Don’t try to tackle the whole song at once. Focus on mastering one section (like the verse or chorus) before moving on to the next. This makes learning songs on the guitar more manageable and less overwhelming.

The Coda

The 2010s delivered a mix of accessible songs that can help beginner guitarists build essential skills. Whether you’re into country, pop, or rock, these tracks will keep your practice enjoyable and productive. Ready to take your playing further? Green Hills Guitar Studio offers personalized guitar lessons in Nashville or online to fit your style and goals.

FAQ’s About Learning Easy Guitar Songs

Yes! A capo can make songs easier to play by allowing you to use familiar chord shapes in different keys. It’s a great tool for adapting songs to your skill level or voice range.

You can strum instead of fingerpicking if that’s more comfortable. Strumming is a great way to get started, and you can always switch to fingerpicking once you’re more confident.

No, you can modify the songs to suit your skill level. Simplifying chords, changing the key, or playing the chord progression in your own way still provides a valuable learning experience.

Consistency is key! Aim for 10-15 minutes of focused practice daily. As you become more comfortable, you can gradually increase the time.

Using a metronome can help you develop a strong sense of timing. Playing along to a slow, steady beat trains your rhythm and helps you stay in sync with the song.

Definitely! Playing slowly allows you to focus on accuracy and smooth transitions. As you improve, you can gradually increase the tempo.

Yes! Alternating between strumming and fingerpicking keeps your playing interesting and adds variety to your practice.

You can add embellishments like hammer-ons, pull-offs, or experiment with more intricate fingerpicking patterns. These will enhance your playing and add complexity to familiar songs.

Breaking the song into smaller sections (like verses and choruses) and practicing each part repeatedly helps reinforce the chords and progressions in your memory.

For beginners, changing strings every 3-6 months is generally recommended. If you play more frequently, consider changing them sooner, especially if they start to feel dull or lose their tone.