There are lots of popular songs that we might think are hard to play. But most famous songs are composed and written simply with just several chords. And they are easier to play than you expect. You can find many songs written in 5 chords from various genres such as pop, rock, country, or indie folk.
Here are some famous and easy guitar songs with exactly 5 chords listed for you. Learning and rehearsing them can improve your guitar skills and add new songs to your repertoire.
Good luck and have fun with them!
Counting Stars – One Republic
Counting Stars is one of One Republic’s most famous songs ever. It is considered folk-pop and dance-pop. The tune was released in 2013, featured on the band’s album Native, and became very successful.
The song is played with a capo on the 4th fret while tuned in standard tuning. It is composed in the key of Am, and it starts with a simple fingerstyle arpeggio and then shifts into easy chord progressions.
Let Her Go – Passenger
This tune is one of the last decade’s greatest soft and folk rock songs. It was released in 2012 and appeared on Passenger’s beautiful album All the Little Lights.
Let Her Go is played with a capo on the 7th fret while tuned in standard tuning. It consists of only 5 chords: G, F, Am, C, and Em. There is an intro in which the guitar arpeggio is combined with the piano, and then the song goes into chord progressions.
If five chords are way too much for you, you can try my other list 50 Famous & Easy 2 Chord Guitar Songs – Tabs Included
Rude – MAGIC!
This song was released in 2013, and you still listen to it everywhere you go. It is considered reggae fusion pop and featured on the band’s Don’t Kill the Magic album.
Rude is played with a capo on the 6th fret, and you must be in standard tuning. It is a complete beginner song that only has a simple off-beat reggae chord progression throughout the song.
Wake Me Up – Avicii
Wake Me Up is probably Avicii’s most popular song. It is considered folktronica and country-house and was released in 2013. The tune featured on his album True.
You don’t need a capo to play this song. Wake Me Up is played with 5 barre chords, with simple progressions throughout the whole song. The strumming pattern changes here and there; be careful.
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
Christina Perri wrote this song for the movie series Twilight Saga soundtrack. It was released in 2011 and appeared on the movie’s famous soundtrack album.
This tune is in the key of B-flat major and is played with a capo on the 3rd fret while tuned in standard tuning. The song consists of simple chord progressions throughout the tune.
A Thousand Years Guitar Chords
If you want to check more songs with fewer chords, check out my other article Top 30 Famous & Easy 4 Chord Guitar Songs – Tabs Included
You Are The Reason – Calum Scott
You Are The Reason is a pop song from 2017 that appeared on Calum Scott’s album Only Human. The tune became very popular after it was released.
This tune is a piano song with simple chord progressions but can be played easily as an acoustic cover or a crazy electric guitar version. It is played with a capo on the 3rd fret while tuned in standard tuning.
You Are The Reason Guitar Chords
Viva La Vida – Coldplay
Viva La Vida is one of the most listened-to songs from Coldplay. The tune is considered baroque-pop and orchestral pop and was released in 2008. It is featured in Coldplay’s beautiful album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.
This tune is played with a capo on the 1st fret because it is in the key of Ab. There are only simple chord progressions throughout this song.
2002 – Anne-Marie
2002 is a pop song that was released in 2018. The tune is featured in Anne-Marie’s famous album Speak Your Mind. Interestingly, this song has more than 10 songwriters in the composing process.
This tune is played with a capo on the 2nd fret in standard tuning. There are simple chord progressions and fingerstyle arpeggio parts throughout the song. The arpeggios come on the pre-chorus parts.
Here are some more songs with 3 only chords 15 Famous & Easy Guitar Songs With 3 Chords For Beginners
You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
This song is probably the most famous James Blunt song ever. Everybody in this world listened to it. It is considered pop-rock and soft-rock and was released in 2005. The tune is featured on Blunt’s album Back to Bedlam.
The song is composed in the key of G and is played with a capo on the 8th fret while tuned in standard tuning. This song has a simple intro melody and easy chord progressions with simple strumming patterns.
You’re Beautiful Guitar Chords
Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
Dillon and Hargrove wrote this song in 1981. Tennessee Whiskey is a great country song many musicians have covered over the years. Here is a version by Chris Stapleton. It was released in 2015.
There is a simple but great intro riff here. It then shifts into chord progressions throughout the song. This tune is in the key of A, so there is no need for a capo.
Tennessee Whiskey Guitar Chords
Sweater Weather – The Neighbourhood
Sweater Weather is a great indie rock and soft rock song released in 2012. The tune is featured on the band’s album I Love You.
The song is composed in the key of C. And it is played with a capo on the 3rd fret while tuned in standard tuning. There is a picking melody that comes and goes throughout the song. And there is a simple chord progression for the rest of the tune.
Another Love – Tom Odell
Another Love is the most famous Tom Odell song ever, released in 2012. The tune appeared on Odell’s EP Songs from Another Love and then on the album Long Way Down.
This tune is a piano song, but it can be played with an acoustic or an electric guitar and create a new version of it. The whole song goes with simple chord progressions.
Paint It Black- The Rolling Stones
This tune is probably the most famous Rolling Stones song. Paint It Black was released in 1966 and is still a legend after almost 5 decades. The song is featured on the band’s album Aftermath.
The song starts with a guitar/sitar melody and then shifts into bluesy rock chord progressions and various strumming patterns. Paint It Black is composed in the key of Em.
Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish
Ocean Eyes is a very successful Billie Eilish song, released in 2016. The tune is considered synth-pop and r&b. It is featured on her EP Don’t Smile at Me.
This song is of synths, pads, and a keyboard, but it can be a great guitar song. There are simple chord progressions throughout the song, and you can add bass riffs to your play.
Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men
Little Talks is probably the most famous song of alternative rock the indie folk band Of Monsters and Men. It was released in 2011 and is featured on their album My Head Is an Animal.
The tune is played with a capo on the 1st fret while tuned in standard tuning. The song consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns.
Lego House – Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is an artist that has many songs with only 3,4, or 5 chords. Lego House is one of them. The tune was released in 2011 and appeared on Sheeran’s album +.
This song is played with a capo on the 4th fret. It has a beautiful intro guitar part combined with arpeggios and strumming patterns. The rest of the song has a simple chord progression.
Bed Of Roses – Bon Jovi
Here is a beautiful power ballad from Bon Jovi, played only with 5 chords. Bed Of Roses was released in 1993 and appeared on the band’s album Keep the Faith.
The song is in the key of F, starting with an electric guitar solo. It then shifts into distorted chord progressions and various arpeggios. Richie Sambora is playing here.
Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
This tune was released in 2006 and featured in the famous TV-Series Grey’s Anatomy’s finale. This alternative rock tune first appeared on the band’s album Eyes Open.
There is no need for a capo here. The song is in the key of A, starting with a simple delayed, picking intro that goes throughout the tune. There is also a chord progression in the background. It later comes in front.
Ho Hey – The Lumineers
Ho Hey is a beautifully written song by The Lumineers. It was released in 2012 and appeared on the band’s self-titled album. The song is considered folk rock and alternative rock.
The tune is played with an acoustic guitar, and the song has a simple chord progression and various strumming patterns throughout the tune. The vocal melodies lead the song here. The guitar is much likely in the background.
Before You Go – Lewis Capaldi
This tune is probably the most famous Lewis Capaldi song of all time. Before You Go was released in 2019, 3 years ago, and it appeared on his album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.
The song is played with a capo on the first fret while tuned in standard tuning. It begins with an intro arpeggio melody and then shifts into simple chord progressions and strumming patterns. It sounds great with an acoustic guitar.
If I Die Young – The Band Perry
Here is a beautiful country bluegrass song written by Kimberly Perry. If I Die Young was released in 2010, and it appears on the band’s self-titled album.
This tune is an acoustic guitar song, and it is played with a capo on the 2nd fret. If I Die Young is very easy to play. The song consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns.
Skinny Love – Birdy
Skinny Love is the most famous Birdy song ever. Everybody gets to know her with this beautiful tune. But it was originally a Bon Iver song. The Birdy version was released in 2011 and became widely popular after.
The song is played with a capo on the 4th fret. This tune is a piano song but consists of simple chord progressions, so you can easily play a guitar version of Skinny Love.
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
This tune is the legendary Leonard Cohen song, amazingly covered by John Cale and Jeff Buckley. The cover version was released in 1994 and appeared on Buckley’s famous album Grace.
This song is played with a capo on the first fret while tuned in standard tuning. The song consists of simple chord progressions, but various arpeggio and fingerstyle are playing that you might have to be careful.
Safe And Sound – Taylor Swift
Here is an indie folk, an alternative country single from Taylor Swift written for the soundtrack of the popular movie The Hunger Games. The tune appears on the movie soundtrack album The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond.
Safe And Sound is an acoustic guitar song played with a capo on the 5th fret while tuned in standard tuning. It consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns throughout the song.
Breakeven – The Script
Breakeven is one of the most beautiful The Script songs ever. The tune was released in 2008 and appeared on the self-titled album by the band. The song was very successful on the charts.
This tune is played with a capo on the 3rd fret. The song has a main arpeggio riff besides the main chord progression and the strumming pattern throughout the tune.
Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
Fast Car is one of the most beautiful songs by Tracy Chapman. It is considered a folk rock song and was released in 1988. The tune appeared on the self-titled album of the legendary musician.
This tune is an acoustic guitar song played with a capo on the 2nd fret, and it has a beautiful fingerstyle arpeggio throughout the song. Only the chorus has a simple chord progression and strumming pattern.
Hurt – Johnny Cash
Hurt was originally written and released by Nine Inch Nails in 1994, and Cash made a cover version of the tune in 2002. It became sensational and was reviewed very positively after.
The Cash version of the song is an acoustic guitar song that is played in standard tuning and doesn’t need a capo. It has a main arpeggio riff throughout the song and consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns.
Heather – Conan Gray
Here is a beautiful acoustic indie pop song written by Conan Gray. Heather was released in 2020, and it appeared on his album Kid Krow. The song became very famous after its release.
Heather is played with a capo on the 5th fret while tuned in standard tuning. It consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns throughout the song.
Heart Of Gold – Neil Young
Probably one of the most famous Neil Young songs is Heart Of Gold. It is a country folk rock song released in 1972. And the tune appears on the legendary Young album Harvest.
This song doesn’t require a capo to play, and it is composed in the key of Em. It has a main riff and chord progression throughout the tune.
Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s
This tune is the most popular song ever written by Plain White T’s. Hey There Delilah was released in 2006 and featured on the band’s album All That We Needed and Every Second Counts.
The song has a main fingerstyle chord progression throughout the whole tune. An acoustic guitar would be a good choice for it.
Hey There Delilah Guitar Chords
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
This tune is one of the legendary old classic rock hits. It was released in 1967 and appeared on the amazing Van Morrison album Blowin’ Your Mind! The tune is considered soft rock, pop rock from the 60s.
Brown Eyed Girl doesn’t require a capo to play. The tune has the main guitar melody and simple chord progressions and strumming patterns throughout the song.
Good Riddance Time Of Your Life – Green Day
Here is a folk punk acoustic rock song by Green Day. Good Riddance Time Of Your Life was released in 1997 and featured on the band’s album Nimrod. It became one of the most popular songs of Green Day.
This tune is an acoustic guitar song, and no need for a capo here. It has a picking arpeggio chord progression throughout the song. The only 5 chords for this song are G, Cadd9, D, Em, and C.
Good Riddance Time Of Your Life Guitar Chords
Fearless – Taylor Swift
Here is another 5 chord song by Taylor Swift. Fearless was released in 2021 and featured on her album Fearless (Taylor’s Version). It is a great country pop song.
This tune is played with a capo on the 3rd fret while tuned in standard tuning. It consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns throughout the song. It can both be played with an electric or an acoustic guitar.
Silent Night – Misc Christmas
Silent Night is a traditional Christmas song from Germany. It was first performed in 1818 and published in 1833 for the first time. This song is an English version of the song, of course.
This song doesn’t require any capos. Just tune in to standard tuning and take your guitar. It only consists of 5 simple chords and simple strumming patterns. And the tune is also with an arpeggio. You can find it in the tab link. Merry Christmas!
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn – Poison
Here is a great power ballad by the glam famous glam metal band Poison. Every Rose Has It’s Thorn is probably the most popular ballad of the band. The tune was released in 1988 and featured on the band’s album Open Up and Say… Ahh!
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn is an acoustic guitar song that doesn’t require any capos to play. The tune consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns. There is also a great electric guitar solo.
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn Guitar Chords
Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
Here is a beautiful Mumford & Sons song. It became very famous after its release in 2009. The tune features on the band’s brilliant album Sigh No More. Besides this fine tune, the whole album peaked at high numbers on music charts.
Little Lion Man is played with a capo on the 5th fret while tuned in standard tuning. It is an acoustic guitar tune. The song consists of simple chord progressions and fast strumming patterns.
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
This tune is probably one of the most beautiful and successful The Smiths songs ever. This jangle pop, alternative rock song was released in 1992 after being recorded 7 years ago in 1985.
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is played with a capo on the 4th fret while tuned in standard tuning. This song primarily has simple chord progressions and strumming patterns throughout the song. The guitars also play various little licks and fillings here and there.
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out Guitar Chords
You Are My Sunshine – Johnny Cash
This tune was originally a song written by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell. Here is a Johnny Cash version of the tune released in 2003. It featured on his legendary box set album Unearthed.
You Are My Sunshine by Johnny Cash is an acoustic guitar tune. It consists of simple chord progressions. The strumming pattern is combined with arpeggios and picking strummings.
You Are My Sunshine Guitar Chords
How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin
Here is a Christian pop rock tune written by Chris Tomlin. How Great Is Our God was released in 2004 and is widely popular in its genre.
The tune is played with a capo on the 2nd fret while tuned in standard tuning. It is a piano song, basically, but there is a guitar that plays various arpeggios and melodies in the background. Also, it can be played as an acoustic version, and the chord progressions of the tune can easily be followed with a guitar.
How Great Is Our God Guitar Chords
Pure And Simple – Dolly Parton
Pure And Simple is a great country song by Dolly Parton. She is almost the diva of acoustic singer-songwriter songs with 3, 4, or 5 chords as it’s here. This tune was released in 2016 and featured on her same-titled album.
This classicly composed country song is played with an acoustic guitar. It consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns. A slide guitar also plays simple fillings and melodies here and there.
Conclusion
Adding new songs to your repertoire as a guitar player is very important. Learning songs with simple chord progressions can give you new approaches to strumming patterns, and you can learn to play new chords once in a while.
You don’t have to play crazy technical stuff to sound good. There are always so many simple ideas and beautiful tunes with several chords.
It doesn’t mean you are a bad guitarist if you can play songs with a couple of chords. Sometimes the beauty lies in simplicity; you can narrate so much with only 5 chords.
If you found this article useful, you may want to save this pin below to your Guitar board.
Recent Posts
Starting to play the guitar can be as exciting as it is daunting, but one surefire way to keep the motivation going is by learning to play songs by artists you love. If you're a fan of Justin...
Playing the guitar can be a heartening journey, especially when you strum along to songs by charismatic artists like Dua Lipa. Her unique blend of pop, disco, and soul has churned out tracks that...