20 Easy Rock Guitar Songs

After the success of my recent post on 20 easy, three chord songs, I’ve decided to continue the series with 20 more easy guitar songs. These ones are a little different, though, because the focus here will be more on riffs and tabbed songs (rather than chords).

Most of the tabs I’ve linked to here will require you to have the tab program “Guitar Pro” (read my Review of Guitar Pro and why you should buy it!).

Just click on the title of the song to download the tab.

1. Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple

If you haven’t learnt this one yet, where have you been? This is an absolute classic and the great thing is: it’s not too hard to get the main riff down. A must for beginner guitar players everywhere!

2. Paranoid – Black Sabbath

One of the first Sabbath Songs that I learnt to play, and it only uses about three chords! Also a good introduction to the Fathers of Heavy Metal.

3. Breaking the Law – Judas Priest

The main riff and rhythm parts shouldn’t cause you too much trouble…and if you’re feeling confident (or find the rhythm parts easy) you can even attempt the solo

4. Ace of Spades – Motorhead

Another famous rock standard. The main thing you’ll need for this song is energy…and an attitude to match!

5. P.O.D. – Alive

Not particularly heavy, or rocky…or even famous…but you have to admit: this is a tune! The tuning is a little odd, but it’s mostly powerchords, so shouldn’t be too tricky.

6. Nothing Else Matters – Metallica

O.K…so it’s Metallica…the solos are going to be difficult! However, the main rhythm section is made up of arpeggios and chords! Anyway, it’s probably the easiest Metallica song there is!

7. Elastica – Connection

Mostly known as “the theme to Trigger Happy TV”, this one was originally played on keyboards.

8. Back in Black – ACDC

The main riff is only three chords…three chords that’ll make you want to dance around your room and air guitar until your fingers bleed (except you’ll actually HAVE a real guitar)!

9. God of Thunder – KiSS

I searched hard to find an easy Kiss song, as you gotta have a bit of Kiss! This one is basically a pentatonic pattern for the verse, followed by powerchords in the chorus.

10. Alright Now – Free

If you’re my age or older, you’ll remember this from the chewing gum advert…

11. Highway to Hell – ACDC

Another tune from ACDC, the band that have a knack for turning three chords into a classic rocker!

12. School’s Out – Alice Cooper

“School’s out for summer…”

…well even if it’s not, there’s still the hope…

13. Sunshine of Your Love – Cream

Eric Clapton and the D minor blues scale all the way!

14. Wild Thing – The Troggs

Was also covered by Jimi Hendrix!

15. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen

This one is mostly open chords …with a few barre chords…

16. Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf

Again, powerchords FTW!

17. Tush – ZZ Top

Good Old 12 bar blues! This one’s in G, and the hardest part is when you have to play doublestops!

18. Song 2 – Blur

“Wooohoooo!”

19. You really got Me – The Kinks

Actually played on the Record by Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin!

20. Hawkwind – Silver Machine

The famous one that Motorhead’s “Lemmy” sang on…making the other band members jealous of his success!

September 24, 2010 at 11:00 pm | Guitar Technique and Exercises | 11 comments

11 Responses to “20 Easy Rock Guitar Songs”

• After the success of my recent post on 20 easy, three chord songs, I've decided to continue the series with 20 more easy guitar songs. These ones are a little different, though, because the focus here will be more on riffs and tabbed