The songs are composed in various keys, and it determines the basis of the feeling or attitude of a song. For example, major tunes sound happier, and minor ones might sound a bit melancholic.
It is important to have different songs written in different keys in your repertoire in order to get versatile feelings from various tunes. It also represents different scales for you to learn.
So, follow this list of songs written in minor keys. You can find many tunes from different genres to play. Most of the tunes are beginner and intermediate songs, which aren’t that hard to play. Don’t forget to have fun!
Heathens – Twenty One Pilots
This band has a unique style in its genre. The band’s rap-rock tune Heathens was written for the movie Suicide Squad in 2016 and appeared on the motion pictures soundtrack album.
Four easy power chords are enough to play the progression of the tune. Additionally, simple licks and melodies in A minor follow the chords. There is one strumming pattern for the intro, and the rest of the song goes with another.
Dance Monkey – Tones And I
In 2019, this electropop band published the tune. It appeared on the EP The Kids Are Coming. It received the Best Pop Release award the same year. Also, the label on this one is the famous Elektra.
The song consists of 4 simple chords. It is an electronic song with piano and synths, so you have to find a suitable tone and sound to play. The beats are intriguing to play along with.
Numb – Linkin Park
Here is one of the most famous LP songs. This original release is from 2003 and appeared on the band’s brilliant album Meteora. The band also collaborated with Jay-Z for another version; it was great.
The electric guitar plays a simple chord progression with a distinctive amp tone. There is also another layer of guitar recording, which plays delayed melodies.
If you like this list so far, you must check my other one Top 45 Sad Guitar Songs That You Must Learn To Play
Too Good At Goodbyes – Sam Smith
This guy made amazing music and became very popular in recent years. This tune is from 2017 and is featured on The Thrill of It All album. It is considered to be an orchestral pop song.
Written in the key of Dm, this tune requires a capo on the 5th fret to play with four basic chords. It is based on piano progressions but sounds perfect with a jazzy electric guitar tone.
Too Good At Goodbyes Guitar Chords
The Scientist – Coldplay
Here is one of the greatest Coldplay tunes featured on the album A Rush of Blood to the Head. In 2002, the band published this rock song, and it was all over the place.
The key for this one is Bm. And there are two options to play it: One is with a capo on the 3rd fret if you want to use basic chords. The other is without a capo and is also manageable. The electric guitar in the middle of the song has a beautiful crunchy old-school tone.
Losing My Religion – R.E.M.
In 1991, R.E.M. unleashed this beast, which is still in the top 10 for most listeners’ playlists. You can find it on the band’s album Out of Time. Next year it received two Grammy Awards.
This great tune has an acoustic chord structure that goes throughout the song. A mandolin riff is vibrating in front. Most people will recognize the mandolin for sure.
Losing My Religion Guitar Chords
If you have a guitarist friend and want to play some songs together, check out my other article Top 30 Songs For Two Acoustic/Electric Guitars (Duet) – Tabs Included
Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler
Here is a famous pop-rock tune from 1983. The greatest hit of Tyler was featured on her album Faster Than the Speed of Night. It was recorded in a studio called Power Station, based in New York.
If you put a capo on the first fret, you’ll match the original sound. The tune is played with simple barre and open chords. Set up a distorted electric guitar tone with big hall reverbs. It’s the 80s, baby!
Total Eclipse Of The Heart Guitar Chords
The Sound Of Silence – Disturbed
This tune was originally written and recorded by Simon & Garfunkel in 1964. This extreme metal band made a Symphonic rock version of the tune after 50 years. It is recorded in Las Vegas, Nevada, and you can hear the significance of this fact when you listen.
The tune is based on an acoustic guitar progression in F#m. It starts very mellow and at ease, then shifts into a more symphonic and aggressive attitude- a beautiful song to play.
The Sound Of Silence Guitar Chords
Eye Of The Tiger – Survivor
The biggest Rocky soundtrack ever, this tune was released in 1982. You can find it either the soundtrack album of the famous motion picture or the same-titled album of the band.
The song has a strictly 80s sound. The famous guitar riff of the tune is the core of its composition. The guitar is playing palm muted, simply picking riffs for the verses and then letting it ring beautiful chords with a distinctive tone.
Eye Of The Tiger Guitar Chords
Stolen Dance – Milky Chance
Here is a famous folktronica, an indie pop tune from 2013. You can find the tune on the duo’s album Sadnecessary. The rest of the album is also amazing, by the way.
The tune starts with an acoustic guitar fingerstyle chord progression with rhythmic arpeggios. The main progression then became the base of the electronic beat. It is also fun to jam on this song in G# minor.
Pompeii – Bastille
This band became very popular with this tune in 2013. You can find it on the album Bad Blood. It peaked in the top 10 in many regions of the world same year.
This alternative rock tune has an electronic structure in F# minor. You can play along with its simple chord progression and strum with the beat.
When We Were Young – Adele
In 2016, Adele published this beautiful soul ballad tune. It was featured on her album 25 and released by the label XL Recordings. There is an amazing live performance at The Church Studios; you should check that out.
This C minor tune requires a capo on the 3rd fret. The chord progression looks complicated at first sight, but it’s not. Just take your time with it. You can easily learn it.
When We Were Young Guitar Chords
Galway Girl – Ed Sheeran
This pop rap and Irish folk tune is a 2017 release. You can find it on Sheeran’s album ÷. There are 9 songwriters behind this song. It’s crazy.
Have a capo on the second fret of your acoustic guitar, and you are good to go! This F# minor tune is played with 6 simple chords. The song has Irish folk elements, such as the violin and other acoustic additions.
Runaway – Aurora
This 2015 single of the unique musician featured on her EP Running with the Wolves and later her album All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend. It is a beautiful folktronica synth-pop song.
A capo on the fourth fret is needed for this one while tuned in standard tuning. This tune is based on simple chord progressions and very rich vocal melodies. You can easily play it by following the main progression.
California Dreamin’ – The Mamas & The Papas
Here is a legendary tune for California! This famous tune was released in 1965 and appeared on the band’s album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears. It is considered to be a sunshine pop, folk rock song.
The song is composed in C# minor and played via capo. It starts with an arpeggio intro and then shifts into simple folky progressions.
California Dreamin’ Guitar Chords
Thank You – Dido
Dido is an amazing vocal and songwriter. Her 2000 album No Angel featured this tune. You might know it from Eminem’s tune, Stan. It also appeared in the movie called Sliding Doors in 1998.
This tune is fun to play with basic and intermediate chords. It was composed in G# minor and requires a capo on the fourth fret.
One – Metallica
Here is a legendary song from Metallica’s 1989 album “…And Justice for All”. It was published by the label Elektra, and it became a huge success via its anti-war music video on television.
The song is written in the key of B minor. There is a clean guitar playing the famous arpeggio parts and secondary distorted guitars playing aggressive chords in certain sections. It also includes beautiful solos you can learn as well.
Mr. Jones – Counting Crows
This jangle pop rock tune is from 1993. You can find it on the album August and Everything After. Famous Geffen Records was the label for it.
As a rather simple song to play, it was written in A minor and included very basic songs. With a clean electric guitar, it will sound just fine. Two main progressions are for the chorus and the verses.
Best Of You – Foo Fighters
This hard rock song was the band’s first major hit in 2005 and was released with the album In Your Honor. The band collaborated with Sony BMG and RCA for recording and publishing details.
Have yourself a 2000s style of distortion and be ready to rock the world with this tune. It is played with a bunch of intermediate chords that are easy to play.
Heart Shaped Box – Nirvana
One of Nirvana’s greatest songs, this tune was released in 1993. The brilliant album In Utero features this grunge hit. The band recorded it in Minnesota.
This tune is played in half-step down tuning. There are different chord progressions for the chorus and verse parts. It begins with a clean guitar melody, then becomes more aggressive throughout the song.
Heart Shaped Box Guitar Chords
Sing – Ed Sheeran
By collaborating with Pharell Williams, this song has a very good sound. This hip-hop r&b tune was released in 2014 and became so popular.
The song has a composite structure of electronic beats and acoustic instruments simultaneously. The acoustic guitar is played with only 2 barre chords, and it sounds great. There are a few variations of strumming patterns you need to pay attention to first.
Be Alright – Dean Lewis
This tune is a beautiful song from 2018. You can find it on his album A Place We Knew. It received Platinum awards from many countries.
By having a capo on the 4th fret and an acoustic guitar, you can easily follow the how-to-play for this tune in G#m. 2 main chord progressions shift into each other throughout the song. There are also two strumming patterns and an arpeggio progression.
Sultans Of Swing – Dire Straits
This roots rock, pub rock song is probably the most known Dire Straits song ever. Mark Knopfler is a must to check for every guitarist. He has a unique style of playing amazing songs to learn.
This tune was released in 1978 and appeared on the band’s self-titled album. The electric guitar with a crunchy phased tone is playing via fingers, and it might take a little time to figure out Knopfler’s playing.
Sultans Of Swing Guitar Chords
All The Good Girls Go To Hell – Billie Eilish
This tune was from Eilish’s beautiful 2019 album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? It talks about climate change and the nihilist culture of living in modern times. She wrote it with his Grammy-awarded producer/brother Finneas O’Connell.
The song is played with these basic chords: Em, C, Am, and B7 while having a capo on the 4th. The same progression goes for the whole tune.
All The Good Girls Go To Hell Guitar Chords
Sunday Morning – Maroon 5
This band was huge in 2004, and they still can rock! Here is a famous tune by them. It appears on their album Songs About Jane in 2004.
By following the ii-V-I progression, you will be good to go to perform this one. It has a very simple yet brilliant composition that sounds great. So, either with an acoustic or an electric guitar, you can play this for every audience.
Nightmare – Avenged Sevenfold
This tune was featured on the band’s same-titled studio album in 2010. It was the first record to be made without the band’s actual drummer Jimmy Sullivan due to his passing away a year.
The guitarist of this band is a legend. He can play the craziest riffs and solos and writes amazing technical music. Check his work if you didn’t. You can try playing this one in Drop D by following the tab below.
Drive By – Train
Train is one of the late 2000s pop-rock bands that released this tune in 2012. You can find the song on their album California 37. You might know them from their famous song Hey, Soul Sister.
This song is played with an acoustic guitar. You have to strum the guitar on each offbeat. Three main progressions are played separately: the verse, pre-chorus, and verse parts.
Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
This neo-soul, psychedelic electronic funk song was out almost 17 years ago and is still on many people’s favorite playlists. Barkley’s album St. Elsewhere featured it in 2006.
Have a capo on the third fret of your guitar. The song is in C minor and is played with a simple and beautiful chord progression. The outro goes like the verses.
The Night We Met – Lord Huron feat. Phoebe Bridgers
This tune is a mellow folk rock song and a beautiful collaboration. It was featured on Huron’s album Strange Trails in 2017. And it is also included in the series 13 Reasons Why.
You can play this tune by following the very simple chord progression in the link below and by having a capo on the second fret. You can also jam with it by playing the F# minor scale.
The Night We Met Guitar Chords
House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals
You heard this song before! It is a very old American classic first recorded by this band in 1964. They say it comes from the 16th or 17th century, and some say it was first listened to in 1953 by Harry Cox.
You can find the Animals’ version on their self-titled album. The song has been covered by many later. The chords are so manageable on this one. Try using alternate strum patterns as suggested in the link.
House Of The Rising Sun Guitar Chords
Snuff – Slipknot
These beasts of metal unleashed this in 2009, and it featured on the band’s album All Hope Is Gone. This track is a rather soft song in comparison to other releases of Slipknot. They recorded this in Sound Farm Studio, Iowa.
The song is played in C# standard tuning. It first starts with simple progressions and then shifts into arpeggios. It then became more aggressive and distorted guitar playing power chords and rocking the place out.
This Is The Life – Amy MacDonald
This track was released in 2007 and appeared on MacDonald’s same-titled album. It is her most successful track ever since a decade. It became very popular and received well.
Have your capo with you and start checking the easy chords of this beginner song. All the song goes with the same strumming pattern, and the chord changes.
This Is The Life Guitar Chords
Tuyo – Rodrigo Amarante
You might know this amazing Latino tune from the famous TV Series Narcos. It is considered to be a bolero folk track from 2015. People were amazed by this song that year, and everybody listened to it for a long time.
There is an iconic electric guitar theme melody for this one. The chord changes can be tricky, but you’ll figure it out quickly.
Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers
One of the biggest soul r&b tunes ever, released in 1971 with the album Just As I Am by Withers. It is still a top cover choice by many musicians.
The song is an absolute beginner track that you can play with two simple strum patterns and a few chords.
Ain’t No Sunshine Guitar Chords
Malibu Nights – LANY
This tune is a soft rock pop track to perform. In 2018, the band released the same-titled album.
The capo goes to 2nd fret. Besides the simple chord progression, it has a stylish electric guitar lick that plays in half of the tune.
Hit The Road Jack – Ray Charles
Here is another legendary r&b track from 1961. Percy Mayfield wrote it.
Use half-step down tuning and barre chords to play this song. The tempo can be around 170 bpm.
Hit The Road Jack Guitar Chords
Slow Dancing In A Burning Room – John Mayer
This guy is one of the greates soft blues rock guitarists alive. This track was released in 2006.
Mayer plays the chord changes with an electric guitar and his fingers. It is an intermediate tune.
Slow Dancing In A Burning Room Guitar Chords
Atlantis – Seafret
This amazing band released this track in 2016. Seafret’s debut album, Tell Me It’s Real, featured it.
The guitar on this song sounds brilliant. Have your capo with you to play the basic chord changes.
Don’t Fear The Reaper – Blue Öyster Cult
This track is the best single by the psychedelic rock band BÖC. You can find it on their 1976 album Agents of Fortune.
The lead guitar and the rhythm are both an adventure. Simple yet creative licks and riffs made this song.
Don’t Fear The Reaper Guitar Chords
River Flows In You – Sungha Jung
Here is a beautiful fingerstyle acoustic guitar piece for you. Put your capo to the second fret and follow the tabs accordingly. It is an intermediate track to play.
River Flows In You Guitar Tabs
Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
In 1989, Isaak released this track of his third album Heart Shaped World and became popular in the whole world. Later, many bands and artists covered it like HIM.
Candy – Paolo Nutini
The 2009 album Sunny Side Up featured this folk rock song. It is one of the highest charting tunes of Nutini.
My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
This track is one of Harrison’s most beautiful solo recordings ever. It appears on his 1970 album All Things Must Pass. And it is quite an intermediate tune to play with complicated chord changes.
Black Dog – Led Zeppelin
One of the most-known riffs created this Zeppelin track in 1971. You can find it on the band’s album Led Zeppelin IV. The riff and the progression are easy to follow.
Paranoid Android – Radiohead
After Creep, this tune is the most famous Radiohead song. It was released in 1997 and appeared on the album OK Computer. The distinctive arpeggio progression is a must to learn if you are a beginner.
Paranoid Android Guitar Chords
My Curse – Killswitch Engage
This band is a very creative metalcore band and released this track in 2006 with their album As Daylight Dies. If you like aggressive music as a guitarist, please check their discography.
Society – Eddie Vedder
This track was written for the movie Into The Wild soundtrack album in 2007. It is a beginner acoustic song with 4 simple chords and beautiful vocals.
Lemon Tree – Fool’s Garden
This tune sounds amazingly vintage, but it’s from 1995. The band’s album Dish of the Day features it. The chord changes are fun to play, and you can play it via capo.
Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream
Eric Clapton’s former band Cream released this track in 1967, and it became a big hit. It consists of bluesy rock riffs and solos.
Sunshine Of Your Love Guitar Chords
Through The Valley – Shawn James
In 2012, James came out with this powerful acoustic track. It consists of a 3-chord progression with fingerpicking. Listen closely to the strumming on the original record.
Through The Valley Guitar Chords
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed checking all these different songs written in minor keys. As you see, there are so many tunes to learn and perform from various genres and styles. From intermediate to beginner, they want you to explore each one of them!
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