Due to its full tonality and sound, Open C Tuning is a preferable alternative tuning setup for many guitarists. The tuning goes like this: C-G-C-G-C-E.
Open C Tuning is a great setup to experiment with, especially singer-songwriter indie music. It sounds perfect with the electric or acoustic guitar.
You Are Not Alone – Michael Jackson
You Are Not Alone is one of the most touchy songs of the legend. The tune was released in 1995 and appeared on Michael Jackson’s album HIStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I.
This song is played with simple chord progressions. It doesn’t require any expert techniques whatsoever.
You Are Not Alone Guitar Chords
Cry Cry – T-ARA
T-ARA is a girl band from South Korea. They are very famous in their genre. Cry Cry was released in 2011 and appeared on their EP, Black Eyes.
Cry Cry has a Britney Spears-style vibe in the Korean language. This song can be played in Open C Tuning, with simple chord progressions, preferably with a distorted amp tone.
If you are looking for more songs in a different open tuning, check out my other article Top 40 Famous Guitar Songs In Open E Tuning – Tabs Included
Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
Little Lion Man is a great bluegrass indie folk song by Mumford & Sons. The tune was released in 2009 and appeared on the band’s album Sigh No More. It is one of the band’s most popular songs.
This tune is played with a capo on the 5th fret while tuned in Open C. The song requires fast and occasionally palm-muted strumming patterns. It is played with an acoustic guitar.
Burden In My Hand – Soundgarden
Burden In My Hand is a grunge, hard rock song by Soundgarden. It was released in 1996 and appeared on the band’s album, Down on the Upside.
The song starts with an acoustic intro and shifts into aggressive progressions and riffs. The grungy also hard rock-infused 90s sound on your amp is necessary.
11 Januari – GIGI
GIGI is a pop rock musician from Indonesia and has been writing music since 1994. 11 Januari was released in 2006 and appeared on GIGI’s album, Peace, Love ‘n Respect.
11 Januari is an acoustic guitar song with lots of arpeggios and simple melodies. There is an intro melody and then a bridge part before the chorus. The interlude part is like a little easy solo melody.
Here is another open tuning list Top 40 Famous Guitar Songs In Open D Tuning – Tabs Included
Bleeding Love – Boyce Avenue
Bleeding Love is originally a Leona Lewis song from 2007. Here is a cover version of this beautiful tune released in 2008 by Boyce Avenue.
This tune is an acoustic version of the song Bleeding Love. It starts with a palm mute chord progression strumming till the Chorus part comes. Then it shifts into a more flowing strumming pattern, and then comes arpeggios when the next verses come.
Come To Me – Goo Goo Dolls
Come To Me is a great acoustic rock song by Goo Goo Dolls. It was released in 2013 and appeared on the band’s album, Magnetic.
The tune is played with an acoustic guitar without a capo while tuned in Open C. The song consists of simple chord progressions and melodies.
Caledonia – Dougie MacLean
Caledonia is a traditional Scottish folk song that was first released in 1978. This song has a lot of cover versions, but here is the original one.
The tune is played with a capo on the 4th fret while tuned in Open C with an acoustic guitar. The song is in 3/4 time signature and consists of mostly folky arpeggios throughout the song.
If you want to try different alternate tuning, check out my other list Top 50 Famous Guitar Songs In Drop B Tuning – Tabs Included
Miss Na Miss Kita – Father & Sons
Miss Na Miss Kita was released in 1987 by the Phillipino band Father & Sons. It is a rather popular song, maybe not worldwide but locally.
The song starts with keyboard progressions and melodies then the guitar comes with simple chord progressions. A mildly distorted electric guitar tone would be fine for this.
Miss Na Miss Kita Guitar Chords
Shrike – Hozier
Shrike is a great soul blues song from Hozier’s beautiful album, Wasteland, Baby!. The tune was released in 2019 and became very popular.
Shrike is played with an acoustic guitar. The song consists of arpeggios with bluesy melodies throughout the tune.
Happiness – Taylor Swift
Happiness is another indie folk-pop song by Taylor Swift. The tune was released in 2020 with her Evermore album and became a huge success.
The tune is played with a capo on the 4th fret while tuned in Open C. The song consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns with an acoustic guitar.
For more songs in an alternate tuning, check out my other article Top 35 Famous Songs In DADGAD Tuning – Guitar Tabs Included
Jubilee Line – Wilbur Soot
Here is a beautiful song by the famous YouTuber and Twitch streamer Wilbur Soot. He is also a musician. Jubilee Line was released in 2020 and appeared on his album Your City Gave Me Asthma.
This tune is an acoustic guitar song played with a capo on the 2nd fret. It starts with simple arpeggios and then shifts into more aggressive strumming patterns.
Kingdom – Devin Townsend Project
Kingdom is a progressive metal, a pop-metal song written by Devin Townsend. It was released in 2000 and appeared on Devin Townsend Project’s albums, Physicist and Epicloud.
This tune is a crazy, heavily distorted electric guitar song. It consists of technical rhythmic strummings and palm-muted progressions. Be careful with how Devin Townsend uses his effects and tones. It is remarkable.
Kingdom Guitar Tabs
Used To Get High – John Butler Trio
Used To Get High is one of the greatest songs ever written by John Butler. It was released in 2007 and appeared on the album Grand National.
The tune starts with a long intro melody played for the verses too. For the chorus, they play a simple strummed chord progression. There is also a great slide solo.
Paradise Lost – Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead is a nu metal band from the United States. They have been making music since 2005. Paradise Lost is their 2008 release, and it appeared on their album Swan Songs.
The guitars here have a nu metal distortion tone, and the song consists of simple chord progressions throughout the tune.
Gone Cold – Clutch
Clutch is one of the greatest stoner rock bands of modern times. They make really beautiful music. Gone Cold was released in 2013 and appeared on the band’s legend album Earth Rocker.
The song has a bluesy country guitar tone with a heavier touch. The guitars play simple melodies and solos throughout the song.
Question – The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues is a 70s progressive rock band from the United Kingdom. One of their early hits, Question, was released in 1970. It appeared on the band’s album A Question of Balance.
The song is played with a 12-string guitar tuned in Open C. It consists of chord progressions and strumming in different time signatures throughout the tune.
I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons
I Will Wait is nominated as the best rock song at Grammys. It was released in 2012 and appeared on the band’s album, Babel. This indie folk rock song will blow your mind.
The tune is played with a capo on the first fret while tuned in Open C. The song consists of simple chord progressions with simple and sometimes palm-muted strumming patterns as the folk tempo goes.
What You Want – John Butler Trio
What You Want is the first song of John Butler Trio’s same-titled EP. It was released in 2004. This tune was one of John Butler’s early steps toward becoming a full-time musician.
Again a great song from John Butler played in an alternate tuning setup like Open C. The song consists of simple fills and riffs throughout the track.
Ugly Story – Phemiec
PhemieC is a Canadian artist mostly known for her Homestuck fan songs on YouTube. Her song Ugly Story was released in 2012.
The whole song has very simple chord progressions and strumming patterns. The first three bridges have the same progression as the verses.
Moon Song – Phoebe Bridgers
Moon Song is one of Phoebe Bridgers’ famous indie emo-folk songs. It was released in 2020 and appeared on her album beautiful album Punisher.
This tune is played with a capo on the 1st fret while tuned in Open C Tuning. The song consists of simple mellow chord progressions and easy yet brilliant strumming patterns.
Detox – Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad is an industrial extreme metal band from Canada. They have been making music since 1994. Devin Townsend was the band’s frontman.
Detox was released in 1997. The song consists of extremely fast fillers and riffs throughout the tune. It requires a very heavy amp tone, for sure.
As It Was – Hozier
As It Was is a beautiful song written by Hozier. It is the 7th song of his brilliant album Wasteland, Baby!, and was released in 2019.
The track is an acoustic guitar song that consists of bluesy riffs and arpeggios throughout the tune. The vocal melodies follow the guitar melodies in this song.
Figure 8 – Ben Howard
Ben Howard is an amazing singer-songwriter who likes to compose music in various alternative tuning setups. Figure 8 is originally an Ellie Goulding song, and here is its cover version By Ben Howard.
The song starts with easy chord progressions, then shifts into fingerstyle arpeggios and goes like that till the tune’s end.
Silver Lining – Mt. Joy
Mt. Joy is a great band from Los Angeles, and they have been playing indie folk-rock music since 2016. Silver Lining is one of their biggest hits and was released in 2018 on their self-titled album.
This tune is an acoustic guitar song consisting of beautiful chord progressions and simple strumming patterns.
King Of Spain – The Tallest Man on Earth
The Tallest Man on Earth is a Swedish modern folk musician who composes very old-school tracks. His beautiful tune King Of Spain was released in 2010 and appeared on his album The Wild Hunt.
This tune is a very folky acoustic guitar song. It requires a capo on the 8th fret while tuned in Open C Tuning, and it is played with fast strumming patterns with hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Two Is Better Than One – Boys Like Girls
Two Is Better Than One is a pop rock song that Boys Like Girls released in 2009 featuring Taylor Swift. It appeared on the band’s album Love Drunk.
The song starts with simple arpeggios and then shifts into chord progressions and strumming patterns. Easy chords are played throughout the song.
Two Is Better Than One Guitar Tabs
Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp – Led Zeppelin
Here is a beautiful acoustic Zeppelin song, Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp, released in 1970. It appeared on the band’s legend album Led Zeppelin III.
This song is played in C-A-C-C-C-E tuning, slightly different from Open C. With the authentic picking style of Jimmy Page, the song elevates itself. It consists of lots of arpeggios, melodies, and various strumming patterns.
Train – 3 Doors Down
The train is one of 3 Doors Down’s successful songs released in 2008. It appeared on the band’s self-titled album, 3 Doors Down.
The song has a main riff that is played throughout the tune. There are simple distorted chord progressions when the chorus parts come. There is a crazy lick and an electric guitar solo on the bridge.
Me Gadmovcurav Zgvas – Irakli Charkviani
Irakli Charviani is a Georgian artist who died in 2006 at 44. He is a legend, a poet, a writer, and a musician.
Me Gadmovcurav Zgvas is a very easy song to play. It consists of acoustic arpeggios and simple chord progressions for the whole song.
Me Gadmovcurav Zgvas Guitar Chords
Hey Now – Karnivool
Hey Now is originally a London Grammar Song released in 2013. Here is a brilliant cover version by the band progressive metal band Karnivool that will blow your mind.
There are two guitars for this song: An acoustic and an electric guitar. The acoustic plays various arpeggios and strumming patterns, and the electric guitar gives the melodies, beautiful licks, and solos.
Ballad Of Big Nothing – Elliott Smith
Here is a beautiful indie rock song written by the singer-songwriter, Elliott Smith. Ballad Of Big Nothing was released in 1997 and featured on his studio album Either/Or.
This tune is played with an acoustic guitar. There are beautiful chord progressions throughout the song. Listen carefully to the hammer-ons and the pull-offs.
Ballad Of Big Nothing Guitar Tabs
Next To You – Jordin Sparks
Next To You is a successful Jordin Sparks song released in 2007. It appeared on her self-titled debut album.
The tune is pretty easy to play. It consists of simple chord progressions. Playing this pop song with an electric guitar might be a good idea to elevate the sound.
You Gotta Move – The Rolling Stones
You Gotta Move is originally an African-American hill country blues song. It has been performed by so many musicians over the years, since the 40s. Here is a Rolling Stones version of the tune.
This song is played with a slide while tuned in Open C. It has various bluesy slide riffs and fillers throughout the song.
Betterman – John Butler Trio
Betterman is one of the greatest songs of John Butler Trio. It was released in 2001 and featured on the band’s album Three. It has a sort of bluegrass, alternative rock vibe.
There is a brilliant intro part with palm mute in this tune—it then shifts into a basic riff that plays throughout the song. A great slide solo and various licks are bonuses for this tune.
Friends – Led Zeppelin
Friends is a great song by Led Zeppelin, released in 1970 and featured on the band’s album Led Zeppelin III. The tune has a different approach to the key of C, as Jimmy Page narrates.
This tune is an acoustic song that is technically very easy to play. It would help if you only listened carefully to how Jimmy Page strums the guitar.
Place To Be – Nick Drake
Place To Be is the second song of Nick Drake’s legendary album, Pink Moon. It was released in 1972 after Nick recorded his eternal songs in Sound Techniques Studios, London.
This tune is played with a capo on the 6th fret while tuned in Open C. The 4th string is lowered to F. Beautiful chord progressions with hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential for this song.
Wind And Walls – The Tallest Man On Earth
Wind And Walls is one of The Tallest Man On Earth’s most beautiful songs. It was released in 2012 and featured on his album. There’s No Leaving Now.
This tune is played with a capo on the 6th fret while tuned in Open C. It consists of fast country strumming patterns with lots of hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Ones And Zeros – Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson is a great musician who composes beautiful music in alternative tuning setups. Ones And Zeros was released in 2013 and appeared on his album From Here to Now to You.
This song is played with a capo on the 1st fret. The whole song goes through beautiful arpeggios and fingerstyle playing.
Pocahontas – Neil Young
Pocahontas is a beautiful acoustic song by Neil Young. The tune was released in 1979 and appeared on Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s album Rust Never Sleeps.
This song consists of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns throughout the tune. A simple riff is played at the end of certain progressions.
With My Maker I Am One – Eric Bibb
Eric Bibb has been playing the blues since 1962. With My Maker, I Am One was released in 2010 and featured in Bibb’s album Booker’s Guitar.
This is an awesome old-school blues song played with a capo on the first fret. So it’s Open C#. The tune consists of cool blues riffs and licks throughout the song.
With My Maker I Am One Guitar Tabs
The Title Track – Origami Angel
Origami Angel is an amazing band that plays indie rock, pop punk, and easy-core music. The Title Track was released in 2019 and featured on the band’s album Somewhere City.
The Title Track is played with a capo on the 2nd fret and starts with an energetic electric guitar chord progression. It then shifts into more aggressive, fast, and technical stuff.
These Are My Twisted Words – Radiohead
These Are My Twisted Words was released as a single in 2009. The tune is guitar-wise one of Radiohead’s most crazy songs ever.
The tune is played with a slightly different setup. It is a variation of Open C, which looks like C-G-C-G-B-E. The song consists of various arpeggios, licks, and melodies.
These Are My Twisted Words Guitar Tabs
I Was An Eagle – Laura Marling
This tune is a beautiful example of Laura Marling’s musical world. It was released in 2013 and appeared on her album Once I Was an Eagle.
I Was An Eagle is an easy acoustic guitar song. It is easy, yet she plays it uniquely. It consists of a couple of chord progressions and fingerstyle strumming patterns.
All The King’s Horses – Robert Plant
Welcome to the solo project of Robert Plant. All The King’s Horses was released in 2005 and featured on his album Mighty Rearranger.
This tune is an acoustic song played in Open C tuning. It consists of simple chord progressions combined with little fillers, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. There is also a great solo in the middle of the song.
All The King’s Horses Guitar Tabs
Take The Night Off – Laura Marling
Another Laura Marling song from her beautiful album Once I Was An Eagle is here. This tune was released in 2013 as her album.
There are 3 parts to this amazingly simple acoustic song. They consist of simple chord progressions and strumming patterns.
Take The Night Off Guitar Tabs
Took Out A Loan – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Took Out A Loan was released in 2007 and featured on the band’s album Baby 81.
This tune has a great riff that goes throughout the song. It is a classic American electric guitar track.
Winter Solstice – Tea Party
Winter Solstice was released in 1993 and featured on the band’s album Splendor Solis.
This tune is a strictly acoustic guitar track. It consists of complex arpeggios and chord progressions throughout the song.
How They Made Us – Wil Wagner
How They Made Us was released in 2013 and appeared on Wil Wagner’s beautiful album Laika.
This acoustic guitar song is played with a capo on the 9th fret while tuned in Open C. The tune consists of easy chord progressions with fast strumming patterns.
How They Made Us Guitar Chords
Foxglove – Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn is an amazing guitarist who is worth checking. Foxglove was released in 1973 and appeared on Bruce Cockburn’s studio album Night Vision.
This tune is a great acoustic composition with various fingerstyle arpeggios, melodies, and licks throughout the song. It is played with a capo on the 2nd fret.
Conclusion
As you see, so many songs are composed in Open C Tuning from various genres. I think this setup goes with indie singer-songwriter music very much.
I hope this list of guitar tunes and tabs in Open C Tuning finds you well, and it will be an inspiration for you on your rock guitar journey!
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