There is no better feeling than starting to play some of your favorite iconic songs on the guitar for the first time. There are many great songs in rock history that have easy riffs and progressions.
Playing them will not only make you feel like a rock star but also help you progress with your technique and overall mastery of the instrument.
So, let’s dive deeper and look at some of the most epic beginner-friendly songs in rock history.
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
One of the most famous songs of rock history is, without a doubt, Smells Like Teen Spirit from the grunge giants Nirvana. The song has an iconic riff with power chords, highly easy verses, and a delicious melodic rock solo. It is one of the most epic tunes to play for beginner guitarists.
Smells Like Teen Spirit Guitar Tabs
Do I Wanna Know – The Arctic Monkeys
The latest indie-rock giant, The Arctic Monkeys, is known for its memorable yet straightforward guitar riffs. Do I Wanna Know is the best example of their style, with an overdriven guitar riff repeated throughout the song while the song is built around this stomping guitar riff. It is an easy yet extremely fun song to learn and play.
If you like to play rock tunes, this list might just have what you are looking for Top 30 Guitar Rock Songs Of The 1980s You Must Learn To Play
Sweet Child O’Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Child O’Mine is the most famous tune of the iconic hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. With Axle Rose’s amazing vocals and Slash’s tasty riffs and solos, it is one of the most epic rock tunes to learn and play. Every section of the song except the second guitar solo where Slash goes crazy is quite easy and fun to play.
Sweet Child O’Mine Guitar Tabs
Zombie – The Cranberries
The global hit tune of the Irish rock band The Cranberries, Zombie, was released in 1994 as a protest song against the Provisional Irish Republican Army (I.R.A.) attack in 1993. The song offers so many great parts for beginner guitarists with its clean open chords, power chords with overdrive, easy solo partitions, and transitions.
It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
The signature song of the iconic rock band Bon Jovi, It’s My Life is one of the late tunes of the band released in 2000. The song features a retrospective glam metal sound with its catchy chorus and brilliant use of a talk box. The song is quite easy to play as most Bon Jovi songs and has many entertaining parts to play, including the easy solo.
There are also many epic rock songs you can play on an acoustic guitar, check this list out to learn some of them 25 Famous & Easy Acoustic Guitar Rock Songs For Beginners
Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
One of the many iconic songs of the thrash metal icons Metallica is Nothing Else Matters, with its amazing lyrics, great arpeggios, and the delicious solo of Kirk Hammett. The famous intro of the song is a beginner to intermediate level, while the rest of the song is quite straightforward. Get ready to use your fingers for picking to play this one.
Nothing Else Matters Guitar Tabs
Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers
The signature song of the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, Californication, is the most performed song by the band. The song also has a Grammy award, thanks to its iconic guitar riff and impressive lyrics. From the beginning to the end, it is an easy song to play, including the melodic solo of John Frusciante.
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
Livin’ On A Prayer is another great song by Bon Jovi for beginner guitarists to learn and play. The song is remembered with its iconic chorus and power chord riffs and verses. The song won many awards and appeared in so many T.V. shows and movies—a truly epic tune to add to your repertoire.
Livin’ On A Prayer Guitar Tabs
The era of the epic classic rock songs was definitely the 70’s. You can check my list to learn and play some of those songs 19 Rock Songs You Must Learn To Play 1970s – Tabs Included
Back In Black – AC/DC
When talking about epic and easy guitar riffs, one of the first bands that come to mind is AC/DC. Their iconic tune Back In Black is one of the greatest examples due to its rock-solid guitar riff, which is considered one of the greatest guitar riffs of history. It is played with overdriven chords and leads guitar embellishment in between—a must-learn riff and song for rock lovers.
Beat It – Michael Jackson
Although this one is not exactly a rock tune, the guitar riff is one of the most epic riffs ever. Beat It is one of the greatest pop tunes ever with hints of rock, thanks to the guitar played by Eddie Van Halen. The rock-solid guitar riff is truly amazing, with a great tone and a killer solo.
Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
Get ready to take some action! Remembered as the Rocky song, Eye Of The Tiger by the rock band Survivor, it is one of the most epic guitar riffs ever. Filled with adrenaline and inspiration, the song is known by everybody as one of the most entertaining songs in rock history to listen to and play. Just add some distortion to your tone and enjoy playing this easy song.
If you want to play some songs of the bright scene of the 80’s glam rock, do not forget to take a look at my list Top 40 Famous&Easy Glam/Hair Metal Songs/Riffs – Tabs Included
Creep – Radiohead
One of the biggest names of the alternative rock scene is Radiohead, with its amazing lyrics and creative melodies and song structures. Their signature tune, Creep, was released in 1992 and received huge success with its melancholy lyrics, great arpeggios, and chord progression. Thom Yorke’s incredible vocals make the tune legendary as always.
Otherside – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Otherside is another great tune of Red Hot Chili Peppers with a basic structure, great lyrics, and an elementary solo. The melodic slow tempo tune is played with a clean tone, and the basic riff is quite entertaining to play with slides and rhythmic licks. It is an ideal entry-level guitar song.
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Green Day
The iconic punk rock band Green Day has many great tunes for entry-level guitarists with amazing rock riffs, high tempo, and basic structures. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams is a bit different from a mid-tempo ballad with a more pop-rock tone. The guitar riff is more than easy yet sounds amazing with slides and a clean tone. The chorus is easy to play with overdriven guitar and power chords.
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams Guitar Tabs
There are also amazing riffs to learn in some metal songs, do not hesitate to check out my article about them Top 60 Famous Easy & Intermediate Metal Riffs Ever – Tabs Included
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Another great Metallica tune with a killer guitar riff is Enter Sandman. The famous riff is quite easy and fun to play, which sounds great with the clean tone in the intro as well as the distorted later. The melody is pretty easy to play, while the rest of this epic song features many parts with power chords.
Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
Welcome To The Jungle is the upbeat epic tune of Guns N’ Roses, which is remembered for its amazing riff played throughout the tune, adventurous lyrics, and great guitar partitions. The song is highly entertaining to play from the beginning to the end with mutes, legatos, and power chords. Only the solo partitions are beyond the skills of an entry-level guitarist.
Welcome To The Jungle Guitar Tabs
Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
One of the most well-known guitar riffs of all time is Seven Nation Army’s guitar riff by The White Stripes. The melody was used everywhere, from sports events to movies, from marches to commercials. The epic song is built around the riff, and it is quite easy to learn and play.
Psychosocial is the signature tune of the metal band Slipknot, which was released back in 2008. The song is highly fun to play with experimental rhythm changes and droops while the central groove goes on. The song is a great one to play for metalheads and players who like the djent style.
Du Hast – Rammstein
Rammstein is one of the most epic bands of the metal scene with their unique song styles and amazing live performances. One of their most famous tunes is Du Has which features an incredible and aggressive guitar riff played by power chords. It is a pretty straightforward riff with only three power chords and slides in between.
Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd
Probably the most influential and epic band of rock history is Pink Floyd, with the tons of amazing songs, lyrics, new perspectives, and ideas they brought to music. Comfortably Numb from the most epic album of rock history, The Wall, is only one of those amazing songs which shines with its epic guitar solos and amazing overall sound and progression.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Have You Ever Seen The Rain is the famous song of the American roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. Released in 1971, the song became a huge hit and is still is a big part of pop culture today. It is an easy song to play with 7 open chords and a basic strum pattern.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain Guitar Chords
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
The iconic acoustic guitar tune of Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here, is one of the best slow-tempo tunes of rock history. With amazing guitar solos and beautiful lyrics written for the old band member Syd Barret, Wish You Were Here is a fantastic tune to add to your repertoire.
Wish You Were Here Guitar Chords
Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley
An epic song list without the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, would be incomplete. Since Elvis was not a songwriter, Jailhouse Rock was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and Elvis performed it, which became one of the most iconic tunes of the artist. The Rolling Stone Magazine listed the song as number 67 in the “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Highway To Hell – AC/DC
One of the most iconic rock riffs of music history is undoubtedly AC/DC’s Highway To Hell riff. Released in 1979, the song became one of the signature tunes of the band, which entirely reflects the character of their sound and tone. As with most AC/DC tunes, it is a relatively easy-to-play tune with plenty of overdrive added to the guitar tone.
Everlong – Foo Fighters
Everlong is the most famous and signature song of the American rock band Foo Fighters. As one of the most epic songs of the 90s, it was a huge hit globally. The tune is played in the drop D tuning with power chords along with a heavy and aggressive tone.
Walk – Pantera
American heavy metal band Pantera’s most famous song, Walk, is another epic tune from the ’90s. The song features a lot of flair with a simple song structure and is played in the drop D tuning. The riff is played with only 3 notes with syncopation and a bit of swing feel.
Heart-Shaped Box – Nirvana
The famous Nirvana song Heart-Shaped Box was released in 1993, and it is the last song Cobain played live in 1994 before his suicide. The epic tune is a plate with arpeggios in the verses and power chords in the chorus sections. The classic Nirvana-style elementary solo is also great for beginner guitarists.
Don’t Stop Believin – Journey
Journey’s big hit from 1981 Don’t Stop Believing is an amazing inspirational song with encouraging lyrics. The song is built around a cool keyboard riff that can easily be adapted to guitar. The riff features 8th notes of double stops and single notes, while the solo is quite easy to play with nice techniques such as bends, slides, and legatos.
Don’t Stop Believin Guitar Tabs
All Along The Watchtower – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Written by Bob Dylan, All Along The Watchtower is one of the rare songs that the cover version is better and more successful than the original version. The Jimi Hendrix cover of the song is the main reason for the popularity of the song, which shines with the lead guitar partitions coming from the virtuoso’s hand.
All Along The Watchtower Guitar Tabs
Hold The Line – Toto
Hold The Line is the iconic tune of the American rock band Toto, released in 1978. The mid-tempo piece features a melodic structure driven forward by the epic keyboard riff. The main guitar riff is played with power chords and slides with a slightly overdriven guitar.
Heroes – David Bowie
David Bowie’s epic rock song Heroes is one of his most famous tunes, which was covered by many different bands and artists. With its inspirational story of two lovers from different sides of the Berlin Wall, it is an amazing song to play and sing along with.
Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin is one of the most epic bands of rock history with Plant’s amazing vocals, Page’s great guitar licks, Bonzo’s fantastic drum grooves, and Jones’ reliable bass lines. Their rock-solid song Whole Lotta Love is a great example of the band’s amazing musical mastery. Built around the amazon guitar riff with mutes and power chords, it is a fantastic song to learn and play.
La Grange – Z.Z. Top
The blues-rock band Z.Z. Top’s signature song La Grange is yet another amazing tune to learn for beginner guitarists. The guitar riff and the rhythm guitar partitions are utterly entertaining to play with the amazing bluesy and rock-solid guitar tones and melodies. It is a great song for old-school rock lovers.
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
Three Little Birds is not an epic rock song, but it is one of the most epic and famous tunes of the reggae legend Bob Marley. The song shines with its amazing rhythmic grooves, uplifting lyrics, and great reggae guitar parts—an amazing tune to add to your collection.
Three Little Birds Guitar Tabs
Song 2 – Blur
English rock band Blur’s signature tune Song 2 is the only successful tune of the band that is well-known for its iconic chorus. The epic song marked its name in the 90’s British rock scene and is a great tune to learn, thanks to its easy progression and power chord riffs. With plenty of overdrive added to the guitar tone, it is one of the most entertaining songs to play.
Paranoid – Black Sabbath
The heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath inspired many bands and artists with their unique guitar tones, song structures, and iconic songs. Their famous song Paranoid, released in 1970, is one of the greatest examples of those tunes that decided the course of rock history. The iconic riff of the tune is played with double stops and hammer-ons, while the verses and choruses are played with basic power chords.
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones features one of the most iconic riffs of rock history. The 1965 tune is a great song by a legendary band shining with its iconic guitar riff as well as amazing lyrics. The riff is utterly fun and easy to play, while the rest of the song is played with power chords—another great song to learn and play to spice up the repertoire.
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction Guitar Tabs
Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a true rock classic. The song is famous for its amazing country-influenced guitar riffs and lyrics. It is also one of the most-played songs on the guitar, thanks to its easy progression and riffs.
Sweet Home Alabama Guitar Tabs
The Trooper – Iron Maiden
The fantastic tune of the legendary English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, The Trooper, is absolutely one of the most epic tunes of metal history. Released in 1983, the song features an epic main guitar riff and impressive vocal performance of Bruce Dickinson. With a good amount of distortion added, you can play the tune with your electric guitar quite easily.
The House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals
The traditional folk tune The House of the Rising Sun is one of the most coveted and performed songs of history. The most successful version is by The Animals, released back in 1964. The song speaks about ill times in the city of New Orleans and has become one of the most popular American folk songs, which is played with straightforward arpeggios in a basic rhythm.
The House Of The Rising Sun Guitar Tabs
Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple
Deep Purple is one of the most epic hard rock bands in music history. Undoubtedly, their iconic tune Smoke On The Water has probably the most well-known rock riff ever. The song is played with basic power chords, which are absolutely beginner-friendly.
Smoke On The Water Guitar Tabs
Should I Stay Or Should I Go – The Clash
Should I Stay Or Should I Go is one of the most famous tunes of the ’80s written and performed by the rock band The Clash. The song’s well-known guitar riff is quite easy to play with open chords with mutes in between. Do not forget to add a bit of overdrive to break up your clean tone to play the piece.
Should I Stay Or Should I Go Guitar Tabs
Last Nite – The Strokes
Released in 2001, Last Nite is the indie rock tune of the American rock band The Strokes, which is remembered with this entertaining soft rock tone and its melodic solo partition. It is an ideal song for beginners with its easy power chorded riffs and choruses.
Money For Nothing – Dire Straits
The British rock giants Dire Straits’ famous rock song Money For Nothing is yet another epic milestone of rock history. The song’s long intro, along with its iconic guitar riff that comes later with great licks by Mark Knopfler and back vocals by Sting, create a mythical song together. You can play the riff with double stops and mutes but be attentive to the ghost notes and rhythmic aspects.
The Sound Of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
The Sound Of Silence is the acoustic piece of the English folk-rock band duo, Simon and Garfunkel. The song is well-known for its opening line, “Hello darkness, my old friend, I came to talk to you again,” which became an iconic line after the song’s release. It is played with easy arpeggios patterns and strummed chords.
The Sound Of Silence Guitar Tabs
Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin
Another epic song of the mythical hard rock band Led Zeppelin is Immigrant Song which was the first successful hit of the band in 1970. The rock-solid riffs and Plant’s amazon vocal performance elevate the song to the epic level. The main riff features notes on the lower two strings, while the bridge and choruses are played with power chords—an utterly fun-to-play rock tune.
Message In A Bottle – The Police
Released in 1979, Message In A Bottle is one of the signature tunes of Sting’s former band The Police. The hit tune has amazing guitar partitions, which are beautiful, and it is easy to play once you get the hang of it. But, you will have to stretch your fingers a bit to play it.
Message In A Bottle Guitar Tabs
Where Is My Mind – The Pixies
Known as the soundtrack of the iconic movie Fight Club, Where Is My Mind is yet another epic song in rock history. Written and performed by The Pixies, the song features a brilliant melody. Although it did not make an immediate impact after its release, it became hugely famous with its appearance in the most epic scene of the movie.
With Or Without You – U2
With Or Without You is the signature song by the Irish rock superstars U2, which was also their most successful single at the time and one of their most recognized songs. The beautiful lyrics added to the smooth guitar and piano progressions in the background create a great song. Lead singer and frontman Bono said that he wrote the song while struggling with the responsibilities of being a married man and a musician.
With Or Without You Guitar Tabs
Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
Take Me Out is the most famous hit song of the Scottish indie rock band, Franz Ferdinand. The song became an important aspect of pop culture as it was covered by many bands and was used in many events, movies, and commercials. Remembered for its great rhythmic changes and upbeat tempo, it is an easy song to play with power chords and mutes.
Alive – Pearl Jam
Alive is the debut single of the famous grunge band Pearl Jam. It quickly became a huge hit and a signature tune of the band. The song is remembered for its great lyrics and extended guitar solo. The main guitar riff of the song features power chords and some legatos, while the verses and the chorus feature barre chords.
Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin
The most epic song of rock history is probably Stairway To Heaven by the mythical Led Zeppelin. The song shines with fantastic lyrics, outstanding guitar riffs, an out-of-world solo which is also not that challenging, magical vocals, rock-solid drum grooves, and every aspect. The song truly takes you to heaven and is not that hard to play with some practice.
Stairway To Heaven Guitar Tabs
All These Things That I’ve Done – The Killers
The alternative rock tune All These Things That I’ve Done by the American rock band, The Killers, offers great parts for beginner guitarists. The 2005 song is built on top of 6 basic chords along with a basic strum pattern.
All These Things That I’ve Done Guitar Tabs
Born In The U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen
American rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The U.S.A. was released in 1983 and became the best-known single of the artist. The song features great riffs and lyrics about the Vietnam war veterans. Another great epic tune to add to your repertoire.
Born In The U.S.A. Guitar Tabs
Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
The father of rock n’ roll, Chuck Berry is one of the most epic guitarists of music history, and his most famous song, Johny B. Goode, is one of his epic tunes. The great guitar licks, especially the one in the intro, are iconic and are not hard to play, even for beginner guitarists.
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
The 1966 single For What It’S Worth by Buffalo Springfield is another epic song that got its fame thanks to the protests in the ’60s. The song was regularly used in the protests and appeared in many movies like Lord Of War and Forrest Gump. Plus, it is an elementary song to play with three basic chords.
For What It’s Worth Guitar Tabs
Beverly Hills – Weezer
American rock band Weezer’s famous hit single Beverly Hills is another epic song that is the most successful charting tune of the band. It is a very easy song to play with basic power chords and easy single-note riffs.
Fear Of The Dark – Iron Maiden
The English heavy metal giants Iron Maiden offer so many great riffs and licks for heavy metal lovers. Their hit tune from the 90’s Fear Of The Dark is just one of them, which features easy yet great-sounding riffs throughout the song. From clean tone melodies to heavy-sounding distorted parts, the song has it all.
Breaking the Law – Judas Priest
Another heavy metal iconic tune, Breaking The Law by the American rock band Judas Priest is an amazing song for beginner guitarists to play. The legendary main riff of the song is one of the easiest on the list, while the rest of the song is played with power chords. Just put some distortion to your tone and enjoy this amazing song.
Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
The anthem of freedom, Free Bird, is one of the signature songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd, which is a slow-tempo song with amazing lyrics. The epic song is played with an easy chord progression with six open chords—quite an easy yet beautiful song to learn and play.
Start Me Up – The Rolling Stones
Another epic tune of the legendary The Rolling Stones is Start Me Up from 1981. The soft rock tune has great guitar riffs played in the drop D tuning, which is the favorite tuning of the band’s guitarist Keith Richards. A great song to learn and play for beginner guitarists, thanks to the easy chord shapes in the alternative tuning.
Roadhouse Blues – The Doors
Roadhouse Blues is one of the best-known songs of the rock icons, The Doors. Just like other The Doors tunes, Roadhouse Blues has a bluesy rock sound with great guitar and keyboard riffs. The main riff on the lower strings is really fun to play with an amazing rhythmic walk.
Sharp Dressed Man – Z.Z. Top
Another iconic blues-rock tune from the iconic duo Z.Z. Top is Sharp Dressed Man from 1983. The song is well-known for its epic guitar solos and riffs, which are played with a slightly overdriven bluestone. The lead guitar parts may be challenging for beginners, but the riffs are beginner-friendly with power chords and double stops.
Holy Diver – Dio
When talking about epic rock songs, it would be a shame not to mention Ronnie James Dio the great. His iconic tune Holy Diver features an amazing guitar riff, great vocal lines, outstanding lyrics, and a rock-solid tone. It is a must-learn song for any rock guitarist, which is quite easy to play with power chords and straightforward lead guitar licks.
T.N.T. – AC/DC
One of the most iconic songs of the Australian hard rock band is T.N.T. As a classic AC/DC tune, it is played with a slightly overdriven guitar tone and power chord riffs with lead guitar embellishments. A truly classic hard rock song to learn and play.
Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz
American singer and guitarist Lenny Kravitz’s famous tune Are You Gonna Go My Way is another epic rock tune to add to the repertoire. The 1993 tune has amazing guitar riffs and licks to play for beginner guitarists with power chords, single-note melodies, bends, legatos, slides, and everything.
Are You Gonna Go My Way Guitar Tabs
Don’t Fear The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
Blue Oyster Cult’s famous song from 1976, Don’t Fear The Reaper is a hard rock classic with a super cool riff to play. The song’s main riff is highly fun to play with arpeggiated open chords. It also has an amazing solo for experienced players.
Don’t Fear The Reaper Guitar Tabs
I Got You I Feel Good – James Brown
James Brown’s famous funk tune, I Got You I Feel Good, is not a rock song, but it is an epic and iconic song for any music lover. The song’s amazing funky riff is played with chords and the slide technique. The chord shapes are a bit challenging, but there are only a few of them, and the same riff is repeated throughout the whole song, so you will not have a hard time learning the piece.
I Got You I Feel Good Guitar Tabs
I Love Rock’ N’ Roll – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Joan Jett’s globally famous tune that is a rock bar and party classic song I Love Rock’ N’ Roll, is an excellent song to play for entry-level guitarists. The song has a straightforward main guitar riff with power chords and plenty of distortion. It is highly fun to play the iconic chorus of the song shouting I Love Rock N’ Roll.
Joan Jett’s famous tune, I Love Rock N Roll, is an excellent tune for beginner guitarists with its straightforward structure and riffs. Normally the song is played with power chords, but you can play the simplified version of the riff by picking only the first notes of the chords. Add plenty of distortion and enjoy playing this rocking riff.
I Love Rock’ N’ Roll Guitar Tabs
Iron Man – Black Sabbath
One of the first heavy metal songs of history is Iron Man by the legendary Black Sabbath. The epic tune has one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time, which is quite easy to play, surprisingly. The riff and the almost whole song are played with double-note power chords. It is definitely a must-learn song for rock guitarists.
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
The next epic song comes from the legendary Jimi Hendrix. Famous for its amazing intro riff with the wah pedal, Voodoo Child is another great song that rocked the world in the 60’s. Again the lead sections may be too challenging, but the main riff is a joy to play with the effects, mutes, and a glorious melody.
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Guitar Tabs
Temple Of The King – Rainbow
Rainbow was one of the most epic bands of rock history with its legendary band members like Dio and Ritchie Blackmore. Their outstanding ballad with a beautiful main melody, Temple Of The King, is one of their signature tunes that shines with its smooth riff as well as epic lyrics and Dio’s amazing vocals.
Temple Of The King Guitar Tabs
Dream On – Aerosmith
The famous power ballad Dream On is the signature tune of the rock band Aerosmith, released in 1973. The song features a great melody along with outstanding lyrics, which made the song an iconic tune of the era. The famous screams of Steven Tyler at the final of the song elevate the tune to legendary status.
Break On Through – The Doors
The Doors’ first and breakthrough single, Break On Through, is yet another legendary tune from the 60’s. The song is well-known for its poetic lyrics and great bass and guitar lines. The song is played in a bossa nova rhythm and is highly easy and entertaining to play.
Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
The great vocal and heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne is another legendary name in rock history. His first single as a solo artist, Crazy Train, marked its name in history, becoming a huge hit. It is considered one of the best songs of Ozzy and rock history with its great guitar riffs and melodies.
Panama – Van Halen
Van Halen has many fantastic tunes with killer riffs and solos. The 1984 tune Panama is one of the first ones to be mentioned, with its heaven-like melody played with power chords with muted bass notes in between. It is not the easiest riff, but it sure is one of the most fun-to-play.
Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Another classic hippie tune from the ’60s is Born To Be Wild by the rock band Steppenwolf. It is the only well-known tune of the band that was released in 1968. With its inspirational lyrics, cool main guitar riff, and rock-solid tone, the tune became a symbol for all the bikers across the globe.
Rock You Like A Hurricane – Scorpions
The most famous song of the German hard rock band Scorpions, Rock You Like A Hurricane, is another epic tune to play for beginner guitarists. The fantastic guitar riff is played with power chords and mutes in the verses. It is one of the easiest yet greatest songs to play for any guitarist. Just the solos are not recommended for beginner players.
Rock You Like A Hurricane Guitar Tabs
Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix
Hey, Joe by the great Jimi is the ideal tune for guitarists looking for an epic yet easy guitar solo to learn and master. The song is played with basic chords with amazing guitar embellishments, while the solo partition offers amazing licks with double stops, scale runs, and slides for solo-lover guitarists.
Money – Pink Floyd
One of the most famous Pink Floyd tunes is undoubtedly Money from the legendary Dark Side Of The Moon album. The song is remembered for its amazing bass riff in 7/4 time signature and amazing lead guitar riffs and solo, along with the anti-capitalistic sarcastic lyrics.
Runnin’ Down A Dream – Tom Petty
One of the most famous tunes of the American singer Tom Petty’s Runnin’ Down A Dream. It is one of the easiest songs to play on the list with 5 of the basic chords. A perfect song to play on an acoustic guitar and sing along with.
Runnin’ Down A Dream Guitar Tabs
Feel Like Making Love – Bad Company
Feel Like Making Love was the famous power ballad by the band Bad Company, released in 1975. The song was selected as the 78th best hard rock song of all time by VH1. You can play the song with only 3 easy chords making the song perfect for entry-level players.
Feel Like Making Love Guitar Tabs
You Really Got Me – The Kinks
You Really Got Me is one of the most played and listened to songs of all time, thanks to its iconic guitar riff and upbeat rhythm. The song is mainly played with power chords with a slightly overdriven tone. It is an ultimately fun-to-play tune with great guitar parts.
Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream
The 1967 classic Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream is a great mix of hard rock and psychedelic rock with its iconic guitar riff and drum grooves. It is one of the most covered songs of all time and offers amazing guitar parts.
Sunshine Of Your Love Guitar Tabs
2 Minutes to Midnight – Iron Maiden
Another amazing Iron Maiden song to learn is 2 Minutes to Midnight from 1984. The song has a fantastic main guitar riff played with mutes and power chords in a high tempo. It has great-sounding little nuances such as vibratos and ghost notes, making it a fun-to-play epic riff.
2 Minutes to Midnight Guitar Tabs
Heaven And Hell – Black Sabbath
One of the most epic heavy metal tunes on the list is this one. Heaven And Hell by Black Sabbath has everything an epic rock song should have; a legendary guitar riff, outstanding lyrics and vocals, killer bass lines, and amazing drum grooves. The song has progressive percussion with many guitar parts to play for guitarists.
Just What I Needed – The Cars
Just What I Needed by The Cars is a great The Cars tune from 1978. The song has easy guitar riffs along with a basic structure making it totally beginner-friendly.
Just What I Needed Guitar Tabs
Man On The Silver Mountain – Rainbow
Man On The Silver Mountain is another great song by Dio-Blackmore collaboration in Rainbow. The song is built around the amazing guitar riff played with power chords and shines with its rocky tones as well as amazing lyrics.
Man On The Silver Mountain Guitar Tabs
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love – Van Halen
Ain’t Talkin” Bout Love is one of the first hits of Van Halen hit with its easily recognizable famous riffs showing that Van Halen was not messing around and was gonna rock the world. The song had a heavier tone and style compared to other songs of the era, which is why Van Halen is considered one of the pioneers of the heavy metal genre.
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love Guitar Tabs
Cocaine – Eric Clapton
The famous Clapton tune Cocaine is an epic and fun song to play with its iconic guitar melody and basic structure. The song has only a few parts and is quite easy to play with a slightly overdriven tone.
My Generation – The Who
The signature tune of the 60’s rock band The Who, My Generation is yet another great tune to learn and play for beginner guitarists. The song features an easy yet epic guitar riff along with a basic progression with power chords.
Purple Haze – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Purple Haze by the great Jimi offers a fantastic rhythm guitar part for beginner guitarists to get their picking hand going. The song has nice jazz chords and an amazing main melody to play.
Rock’ N’ Roll Train – AC/DC
Another classic AC/DC tune with overdriven chords and nice guitar embellishment in a simple progression is Rock’ N’ Roll Train. If you love AC/DC tunes, this is the ideal one to add to the repertoire for novice players.
Rock’ N’ Roll Train Guitar Tabs
The Ace of Spades – Motörhead
The Ace of Spades is the signature song of the heavy metal band Motorhead. Played in a high tempo with an amazing downgrading guitar riff, the song is as epic as it can be.
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door does not need any description, in my opinion. Covered by countless bands, the Bob Dylan tune is one of the most beautiful classic rock tunes ever.
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door Guitar Tabs
Day Tripper – The Beatles
Day Tripper is probably one of the best guitar riffs The Beatles ever wrote. The song is built around that fantastic riff, offering great partitions for the guitarists.
Anarchy In The Uk – Sex Pistols
An epic song list can not be without some punk tunes, so here we are. The punk pioneers Sex Pistols’ Anarchy In The U.K. is one of the most offensive, aggressive and political songs of all time. Just like other punk tunes, it is played with fast-picked power chords in an easy way.
Behind Blue Eyes – The Who
Behind Blue Eyes is the slow tempo beautiful tune by The Who. Later it was also covered by Limp Bizkit, rocking the charts. The song has an amazing arpeggio melody to add to the repertoire.
Walk this Way – Aerosmith
Released in 1975, Walk This Way was the first song by Aerosmith that rocked the charts. With its catchy riff, amazing chorus, and upbeat grooves, it was one of the songs that hinted at the new glam and heavy metal era in the late 70’s.
Rumble – Link Wray
Another epic tune to play is Rumble by Link Wray. The easy-to-play song only requires some basic chords to play, making it ideal for absolute beginners.
Hotel California – The Eagles
Another great song with fantastic arpeggio patterns and outstanding lyrics is absolutely Hotel California by The Eagles. The iconic tune can be heard anywhere in the world as it is one of the most famous songs of history with its great guitar parts, lyrics, and outstanding solo.
The Last Time – The Rolling Stones
The Last Time is one of the lesser-known yet most epic tunes of The Rolling Stones. Played with only 3 chords, it features no challenge for any guitarist.
Take It Easy – The Eagles
Another great The Eagles tune is Take It Easy. This one is played with strummed chords instead of arpeggios.
Wild Thing – The Troggs
Initially released by The Wild Ones but got famous with The Troggs version, Wild Thing is the 1965 tune that rocked the world. With four major chords A, D, E, and G, it is a song to learn quickly and easily.
A Horse With No Name – America
A Horse With No Name is the most famous song by the folk-rock band America. The tune was loved by the fans and became their most successful single, and today, it is used in many movies T.V. shows and is a regular in rock bars—an easy yet epic song to add to the collection.
A Horse With No Name Guitar Chords
Conclusion
So here are some of the most epic tunes of all time. All these songs from slightly different genres offer amazing guitar partitions for beginner guitarists to progress with their techniques as well as have fun playing the most epic riffs and solos of rock history. There is no doubt you will feel like a rock star playing those killer licks and riffs.
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