Bon Jovi is a rock band formed in a small town (New Jersey) in 1983. This band is one of the most popular and significant bands in rock history. In that period, you could hear the Bon Jovi melodies from the radio all the time. There is not a big difference nowadays.
The third Bon Jovi’s album “Slippery When Wet” catapulted them to the chart top. Band members lived the rock and enjoyed the fame. Bon Jovi’s music genre has been described as glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock, pop-rock, and arena rock. In 2007, the band released a new album called “Lost Highway”, and they incorporated country-rock in it. Two years later, they returned to a typical rock sound. The fans accepted any of the transitions from one genre to another one.
Bon Jovi’s spacious rhythms and melodies make every song precious, so they deserve to be played on your guitar. And what’s important is that the pieces are suitable for beginner guitar players, and they can enjoy their melodies.
It’s My Life
Released in 2000 as the first song of the Crush studio album. It is one of the most popular songs, and it became an anthem for many people. The song reached the top of the charts internationally.
The song’s genre is pop and arena rock. It’s in moderate tempo and with memorable lines, easy-to-understand lyrics, and a catchy chorus. You need to know four basic chords to play this song – Em, C, D, and G with a traditional strumming pattern.
Livin’ On A Prayer
This bright song was released in 1986 and became the band’s signature one. It got so many awards, such as triple platinum in 2013, and was in some movies, too. It is one of the favorite songs of the current Bon Jovi guitarist, Phil X.
Livin’ On A Prayer is a glam rock song, and its tempo is a mixture of moderato and allegro. The track starts with a soft instrumental, and with the drums, it gets louder. Four basic chords: Em, C, D, and G with a traditional strumming pattern is enough for you to play this everlasting song.
Livin’ On a Prayer Guitar Chords
If you enjoy this list so far you probably will like my other list Top 50 Famous&Easy Pop Songs For Guitar – Tabs Included
Always
Always is another song suitable for beginners. It was released as a single from the Cross Road studio album in 1994, and it was fourth on the US Billboard HOT 100. This rock ballad is an instant hit at concerts. The fun fact is that the song was firstly written for the film “Romeo was bleeding”. But, the band frontmen didn’t like it at all, so he shelved the song and released it later.
The tempo is slow with a great expression, and four chords and a pretty simple strumming pattern gives everyone a chance to play this song.
You Give Love A Bad Name
This song is from the breakthrough album Slippery When Wet released in 1986. It is about a woman who has jilted her lover, and that story reached first place on the US Billboard HOT 100 in the mentioned year. The song found its place in the Guitar Hero 5 game and the episodes of The Vampire Diaries and Family Guy.
This fast and bright song is an easy-to-play one – you need to play six chords with a traditional strumming pattern, and that’s it.
You Give Love A Bad Name Guitar Chords
If you are into country songs you must check out the following list as well Top 70 Famous & Easy Country Guitar Songs – Tabs Included
Bed Of Roses
This classic was written by a Bon Jovi frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, in a hotel room with a piano. Soon after its release, it became an international hit.
It’s a fantastic song for gently dancing. So, if you want to create a romantic atmosphere, four simple chords will help you.
I’ll Be There For You
I’ll Be There For You is a song with a worldwide-recognizable beginning. It was #1 on the Billboard HOT 100.
It’s a slow-tempo song and suitable even for absolute beginner guitar players. Play the A, G, E, and D along with the traditional strumming pattern.
I’ll Be There For You Guitar Chords
Wanted Dead Or Alive
The song was released in 1986, and it talks about the lonely life of a rock star, and the title was considered for the album’s name.
It’s another easy song even though it includes an F chord. Use an adjusted, simple, easy strum pattern for the beginning.
Wanted Dead Or Alive Guitar Chords
If you are into rock and wish to more acoustic rock songs you may want to check out my other list 25 Famous & Easy Acoustic Guitar Rock Songs For Beginners
Runaway
Runaway was Bon Jovi’s first single. A local radio station started to play the song, and that’s the very beginning of Bon Jovi’s fame. Nowadays, many films and commercials use this song.
Both keyboard and guitar parts make this song remarkable. It’s a slow-tempo song with seven chords included. Six of them are basic ones, while the F chord may be a problem for newbies, but practice makes everything possible.
Never Say Goodbye
Never Say Goodbye is a power ballad that you can play easily on the guitar. It was released in 1987, and it’s still pretty popular. It’s from the album Slippery When Wet and reached #11 on the mainstream rock music charts.
A slow tempo will ease the chord transitions. Besides four easy chords, there are two barre chords – C#m and F, with a not-so-easy strumming pattern. So, this song may be a bit challenging.
Never Say Goodbye Guitar Chords
Blaze Of Glory
The solo single by the frontman of Bon Jovi is a song that you can play easily. It was released in 1990, and it’s one of the favorite songs to Bon Jovi fans, even though the song is not strictly related to the band. The inspiration was the Western movie called Young Boys, and that’s why you can hear that Western dash in a melody.
The song includes Dm, C, G, F, and D and the catchy strumming pattern.
If you like playing on acoustic guitar and wish to learn more beautiful songs then check out my other list Top 50 Most Beautiful Acoustic Guitar Songs – Tabs Included
Born To Be My Baby
Released in 1988, and it seems like part two of the Livin’ On A Prayer story. The song is from a New Jersey studio album and was on the top of the charts worldwide. The acoustic version was recorded for the album This Left Feels Right, released in 2003.
The song theme is similar to the one in Livin’ On A Prayer song. One barre chord and the rest open ones make the track pretty easy to play along with the down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern.
Born To Be My Baby Guitar Chords
Hallelujah
Hallelujah is a song written by Leonard Cohen, but Bon Jovi gave a special dash to it. They gave an incredibly passionate performance with a strong focus and low energy. The live performance is on their fourth live DVD called Lost Highway: The Concert.
The song is slow and easy. Play five chords along with the basic strumming pattern.
Have A Nice Day
Have A Nice Day is a song from the same-name album released in 2005. Bon Jovi performed one part of the song while accepting a special award at American Music Awards in 2004.
The song is in a driving rock tempo and is suitable for absolute beginners. It includes four chords – Em, G, C, D, and Am, and parts with different but easy strumming patterns.
If you prefer more electric guitar songs and wish to learn more, check out my list Top 60 Famous & Easy Electric Guitar Songs – Tabs Included
In These Arms
Released in 1993, along with the Keep In Faith studio album. This song is frequently performed at concerts. The band’s keyboard player added it into his albums with him singing.
Generally, the song sounds more like a pop-rock one, and it’s easy to play. Combine five chords with a down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern.
Bad Medicine
This song was released in 1988 as the first song of the New Jersey album and it reached first place on the US Billboard HOT 100. The official video is a combination of videos made by 250 Bon Jovi fans.
It’s an excellent piece for beginners – all you need is six chords along with the traditional strumming pattern.
You Want To Make A Memory
Released in 2007, along with the studio album called Lost Highways. The song was nominated for Grammy Awards in 2008 for the best pop performance. There are two versions of the song – a pop one and a country one, and they have a bit different arrangement.
A pretty slow tempo will allow you to transition between chords easily, and the strumming pattern is not a challenge, too.
You Want To Make A Memory Guitar Chords
These Days
It’s the fourth song of Bon Jovi’s sixth studio album called the same and was released in 1996. It’s the most-performed song at concerts compared to other songs from the album.
The piano progression at the beginning has some kind of a dark effect. The song is in moderate tempo and so easy to play. Even the absolute beginners won’t have a problem while playing.
Because We Can
Released in 2013, along with the studio album called What About Now. The music video was performed in a boxing area.
The song sounds modern and it’s in a moderate tempo. Playing includes four chords – F, Bb, C, and Dm and a standard strumming pattern.
Lay Your Hands On Me
Lay Your Hands On Me was released in 1989 and re-recorded in 2003 for the This Left Feels Right album. It was in seventh place on the Billboard HOT 100. Dolly Parton used the song for her 2014 album.
The song is pretty loud. It is also a bit challenging for newbies. It includes A, D/A, C/A, D, C, G, and F. Some of those chords are still not familiar to beginners’ fingers.
Lay Your Hands On Me Guitar Chords
Lost Highway
It’s the first track of the album with the same name, released in 2007. The inspiration was Nashville, where the song was born in 48 hours. It sold around 250,000 copies in the very first week of the release.
You’ll hear the country melody in the song, and it’s one of the easiest songs to play – it includes the standard down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern and three basic chords – D, G, and A.
Everyday
Released in 2002 as the first song on the Bounce studio album. It was later featured in an acoustic style. The popularity was remarkable, and even the Mitsubishi company used this song for the adverts starting from 2002.
The song is quite fast and loud. Even the frontmen say it’s a more aggressive one than previous songs. It includes six chords along with the down-down-down-down-up-down strumming pattern. The speed and barre chord can be a bit tricky for beginners. Everyday Guitar Chords
Welcome To Wherever You Are
This song is from the Have A Nice Day album released in 2005, and it has a strong message – be who you are and enjoy it. It reached the top 40 in Europe.
The song hasn’t got that much of the solo as people used to hear in Bon Jovi’s songs. The song is not so easy to play. But, there is a short solo that is pretty easy to learn.
Welcome To Wherever You Are Guitar Tabs
Thank You For Loving Me
It’s the seventh track of the Crush album released in 2000. It is similar to the ballad songs such as Bed Of Roses and Always. It reached the top 40 in Europe and #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
It’s a beginner song with an easy intro, riff, and solo. The player needs one barre chord and the four basic ones, along with the standard strumming pattern.
Thank You For Loving Me Guitar Chords
She Don’t Know Me
She Don’t Know Me is the only song that was not written or co-written by a band member. It was recorded in 1982 and released two years later. It was in 48th place on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Some critics say the song deserves to be placed higher than it is now.
It’s another song adequate for beginners, with four chords and a down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern.
She Don’t Know Me Guitar Chords
Blood On Blood
The inspiration for this 90’s song was the film called Stand By Me. It talks about friendship, and with knowing that, the rock sound gains a melancholic effect.
It is one of the easiest songs to play. It features 3 basic chords with a down-down-up-up-down-up strumming pattern.
Who Says You Can’t Go Home
It’s the song from Bon Jovi’s album called Have A Nice Day, released in 2006. The title suggests the whole story about the frontman’s love for a hometown. There is also a duet version with Jennifer Nettles performed on Saturday Night Live in 2007, and whose place was on the top of the Hot Country Songs chart.
A standard strumming pattern and five open chords – G, C, Am, D, Em, make the song among the easiest ones to play.
Who Says You Can’t Go Home Guitar Chords
Hey God
Hey God is a song released in 1996 and inspired by Samora’s eye contact with a derelict on the pavement. It reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and number 44 in Canada.
The song is loud, fast, and has one of the darkest lyrics. It’s for intermediate players because of the barre chords showing up while playing. The solo seems quite simple with hammer-ons, pull-offs, and a lot of vibratos. It’s one-note playing most of the time, but you will also need to play a little bit of double stop in a solo.
Scars On This Guitar
The song was released in 2016, and it’s one of the newest Bon Jovi songs. Besides the fact of the song being a masterpiece when it comes to the technique and a song theme, it has a strong empathy for traveling musicians who are far away from their homes.
The song is played in a slow tempo and with a country dash. It includes one barre chord – the F chord, and the C, G, and Am, so it’s suitable for beginners.
Scars On This Guitar Guitar Chords
Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night
Released in 1995 as a single, the song reached 7th place on the Uk Singles Chart. It’s the first song played with a new bassist Hugh McDonald. It is frequently performed live and has many versions recorded over time.
The song is in a moderate tempo. The chords used for playing are D, G, A, F#m, and Bm, along with the easy standard strumming pattern.
Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night Guitar Chords
Do What You Can
The song was released in 2020 as part of the album with the same name. It was written during the COVID-19 pandemic interestingly – Bon Jovi asked fans to write their story as a verse. Two months after the release, a new version featuring Jennifer Nettle showed up.
It’s possible to play this song by using both regular and odd-shaped chords. The strumming pattern can be adjusted, either as a standard or the one with pauses between downstrokes.
Walls
Walls is the song from the expanded version of the 2016 studio album This House Is Not For Sale. The song video came right before the band’s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Deep and catchy lyrics, great bassline, and solo make the song worthy. Basic chords and the barre on are needed to play this amazing song.
Story Of Love
This is the track of the 2020 Bon Jovi album. The frontman wrote it to give honor to his family, and he said he wished the fans could find their families in the song, too.
An ending solo is quite easy with some slide-ups and downs, along with the vibrato. Riffs have repetitive sequences, so it’s not hard to play them. The song requires a barre chord and some alternate bass notes along with the hard-for-beginners strumming pattern, even though the pattern can be adjusted and played as a basic one with downstrokes only.
The Devil’s In The Temple
The Devil’s In The Temple is the 8th song of the This House Is Not For Sale studio album, released in 2016. The song talks about the band’s record label and the music industry situation.
It’s perfect for beginners, as it includes riffs with repetitive sequences and an easy solo with not so many double stops.
The Devil’s In The Temple Guitar Tabs
Story Of My Life
It was released in 2005, along with the Have A Nice Day studio album. The album was recorded in New Jersey and California. The song sold over 200,000 copies in the first week after the release.
It is pretty loud and energetic. Even absolute beginners can play this song by playing five open chords and a standard strumming pattern.
Story Of My Life Guitar Chords
Touch Of Grey
This is the bonus track of the This House Is Not For Sale (Deluxe) album, released in 2016.
At the very beginning, you can hear a fingerstyle playing, which is challenging for beginner players. But the solo is easy and played on the same string, and it includes vibratos and slide-ups and downs.
American Reckoning
It’s the song released as the third track from Bon Jovi’s 2020 album. This album has empathy in songs and wants the listeners to be more conscious about society.
Besides the common Bon Jovi sound, there is also a harmonica solo in the song. American Reckoning includes repetitive sequences, so it’s quite easy to play.
American Reckoning Guitar Tabs
Stick To Your Guns
Stick To Your Guns is a 1988 song from the New Jersey album. The band met the Holly Knight in a Los Angeles restaurant, and their conversation was the basis for writing the song. “The title came from Holly. It was something that her mother used to tell her”, says Jon.
You can easily play this rock song with only four chords in a pretty slow tempo. You’ll need D, G, A, and Bm.
Stick To Your Guns Guitar Chords
What’s Left Of Me
The song is from the What About Now album, released in 2013. The band explained that the song talks about employees’ rights and people coming out of the economic downturn, which brings the song to the list of songs with a strong idea and a message.
The song is in a moderate tempo with country moments. Use a traditional strumming pattern and the basic chord progression. The song includes Em, C, D, G, and the Am and Bm chords.
What’s Left Of Me Guitar Chords
Brothers In Arms
The end of Bon Jovi’s fourth decade is marked with a 2020 album and the named song.
It talks about unity and social relevance. The idea for the song came in Alabama, while football season.
The song is pretty energetic and loud, and it’s another easy-to-play song with six chords and an adjusted, easier strumming pattern.
Brothers In Arms Guitar Chords
Complicated
It was released in 2005 as a part of the studio album called Have a Nice Day.
It has both louder and more soft parts. Playing solo is not hard at all, and the riffs are repetitive with slides in some parts.
Conclusion
Bon Jovi is one of the best-selling bands of all time. The rock scene without Bon Jovi’s melodies wouldn’t be the same. The band got so many awards worldwide.
Bon Jovi loves experimenting with different styles, and every transition in the music style has gotten the best reactions from the crowd. Their choruses became anthems for many people. They can’t resist the guitar and keyboard solos, along with the catchy melody.
This band gave an example of what purpose the music should be used for. The lyrics have influential messages and help people be more conscious about society in general.
Even though the songs are pure masterpieces, most of them are suitable for guitarists at the beginner level. Simple strumming patterns, a lot of open chords, repetitive riffs, and easy solos make the song available for any player.
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