Last Updated on December 24, 2022 by Teemu Suomala
Country music still remains one of the most popular music genres today. And what’s so great about it is that there are plenty of awesome songs that are not that hard to learn to play. Amazing news for beginners!
How to use this post:
Scroll down and select your favorites.
If you click:
- the song name, you can listen to it on YouTube.
- the ‘’chords’’, you will be directed to the page where you can learn chords for that song.
- the ’’tab’’, you will find tabs for that song (if you don’t know how to read tabs, check this guide).
Most of the chords and tabs are provided through trusted ”ultimate-guitar.com”. A couple of the links direct you to the Songsterr’s page(interactive tabs) and one directs you to the Chordify’s website.
For some songs, I only find chords or tabs(not both), but you can still easily learn from one of those.
Note that some songs are played with a capo.
Capo is used to raising the pitch and changing the key of the guitar and songs. That ables you to use the same open chords in the different locations of the fretboard. Capo can definitely make things easier for you.
If you don’t own a capo but want one, I recommend this(I use it): Dunlop, Black Capo. (Works with regular-sized electric-, and steel-string acoustic guitars).
If you want to know more about guitar capo’s and want to know how to use them, watch this video:
Let’s get started!
Author: David Slavkovic
David has been playing guitar since 1998, his main focus back then was hard rock and metal. With years, his music tastes evolved and he eventually started appreciating all musical styles. Although officially an agricultural engineer, David began writing for Ultimate Guitar in 2017 where he’s currently working as a senior editor.
Editing & Research: Teemu Suomala
Playing guitar since 2009. Mainly focused on electric guitars, although jamming with acoustics too. Has played dozens and dozens of different guitars through different amps and pedals over the years. That’s why he started this blog in January 2020 and started sharing his experience. Has produced content for several large guitar websites, such as Songsterr, Musicnotes, GuitarGuitar, and Ultimate Guitar.
37 Easy Country Songs on Guitar for Beginners
1940s
Merle Travis – Sixteen Tons
“Sixteen Tons” is one of the most influential country songs of all time. It’s also been covered by other great artists like Elvis Prestley, Bo Diddley, Johnny Cach, and even Billy Gibbons and Jeff Beck. However, Merle Travis’ original version is still the most respected one.
Hank Williams – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
Country music wouldn’t be what it is without Hank Williams. Back in the late 1940s, Williams wrote and recorded “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” setting standards for the coming generations of musicians. Needless to say, this one has been covered so many times by other legends of the genre.
1950s
Johnny Cash – Cry! Cry! Cry!
A great classic from the 1950s, Johnny Cash made a wonderful hit when he wrote “Cry! Cry! Cry!” after coming back from the army. It’s one of the earliest combinations of country and rock ‘n’ roll genres.
Couple of other greats from the ’50s:
| Hank Williams – Jambalaya (On the Bayou) | Chords | Tabs |
| Marty Robbins – El Paso | Tabs & Chords |
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1960s
Dolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors
Dolly Parton is, by far, one of the biggest names not just in country music, but in the industry as a whole. There are plenty of great songs in her catalog, especially for those who are just starting out. For this purpose, we’d recommend “Coat of Many Colors” as one of the best examples.
Other easy country classics from the ’60s:
| Buck Owens – Together Again | Chords | |
| Johnny Cash – A Boy Named Sue | Chords | Tabs |
| Buck Owens – Act Naturally | Chords | Interactive Tab |
1970s
Dolly Parton – Jolene
What’s really exciting about “Jolene” is that the song feels fresh and relevant even to this day. Written and performed by Dolly Parton, it was one of the songs that helped her launch her career. And it’s really easy to strum and sing along to this fine tune.
Ed Bruce – Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies row Up to Be Cowboys
When it comes to simplicity and greatness fused into one musical piece, we’d single out “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies row Up to Be Cowboys” by Ed Bruce as a great example. This classic was interpreted by many artists and was eventually popularized by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson in 1978.
Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn – Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man
You rarely find a duo that fits so well as Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn did. “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” is probably one of the perfect love song duets of all time, as well as one of the most underrated tracks of the 1970s.
Willie Nelson – On the Road Again
Among all country music legends, Hank Williams holds a special place in the hearts of music fans of all genres. If you’re just starting out with country music, we’d recommend you go with a song like “On the Road Again” from the musician’s 1979 record “Honeysuckle Rose.”
Other country classics from the ’70s:
| Willie Nelson – Whiskey River | Chords | |
| Merle Haggard – The Fightin’ Side of Me | Chords | Tabs |
| Dolly Parton – I Will Always Love You | Chords | Interactive Tabs |
| Steven Goodwin – City of New Orleans | Chords | |
| John Denver – Thank God I’m a Country Boy | Chords |
1980s
Merle Haggard – I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink
And while we’re on the topic of country legends, Merle Haggard is one of the most notable names in the genres. His 1980 song “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” is worth mentioning on a list like this one, most notably due to its simple structure. And there’s even a lead section for those who want to figure out the basics of country soloing.
Hank Williams Jr. – Family Tradition
Hank Williams Jr. continued his father’s legacy by making great music of his own. In fact, this song reflects on how he’s proud to be a part of this great country music legacy. “Family Tradition” should definitely be a part of your beginner country repertoire.
Couple of other greats from the ’80s:
| Dwight Yoakam – Guitars, Cadillacs | Chords | Tabs |
| The Judds – Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days) | Chords | |
| David Allan Coe – Tennessee Whiskey | Chords | Intro Tabs |
1990s
Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy Breaky Heart
The 1990s brought a lot of changes in modern music, shifting most of the genres in some unexpected directions. This also happened to country music, and a legend like Billy Ray Cyrus used the opportunity to write and record a rock-fused country tune “Achy Breaky Heart.” It’s a great addition to every guitar beginner’s repertoire.
Other easy country classics from the ’90s:
| Deana Carter – Strawberry Wine | Chords | |
| Tim McGraw – Everywhere | Chords | |
| John Michael Montgomery – Life’s A Dance | Chords | Interactive Tabs |
| Garth Brooks – Friends in Low Places | Chords | Interactive Tabs |
| Brad Paisley – He Didn’t Have to Be | Chords | Interactive Tabs |
2000s
Old Crow Medicine Show – Wagon Wheel
Written in collaboration with Bob Dylan, Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel” was proof that country music is ready to keep on going strong even during the 20th century.
Another easy country classic from the 2000s:
| Blake Shelton – Heavy Liftin’ | Chords |
2010s
Chris Stapleton – More of You
Chris Stapleton is one of the relatively younger artists that keeps the old country style alive. And this is exactly what we can hear on his wonderful 2015 tune “More of You,” featuring a simple waltz rhythm.
Couple of other greats from the 2010s:
| Carrie Underwood – Blown Away | Chords |
| Lindsay Ell – Waiting on You | Chords |
2020s
Jaime Wyatt – Just a Woman
Traditional Easy Country Songs
How to Learn Hard Songs? – 3 Simple Steps
Although it’s a good idea to learn some easy songs at first so that you can maintain your motivation…but it’s an even better idea to always try to improve your skills. That’s why you should learn some harder songs, riffs, and solos too!
The hardest parts for me are usually fast chord shifts and super fast and complex guitar solos. If I find myself struggling with some songs, I usually do this:
- learn to play the song correctly at a very slow speed
- speed up the playing with small steps
- practice the hard parts more than others
These steps have helped me to learn many hard songs, riffs, and solos. The time period spent practicing varies, but eventually, songs start to sound right at the correct speed. That’s how real skills are developed, with practice, practice, and practice. But the end goal is worth all the hard work.
The #1 Guitar Practice Mistake When Learning Songs
Please, check this short video I crafted so that you can avoid the #1 practice mistake I made when I started playing:
Conclusion on Easy Country Songs on Guitar for Beginners
A lot of country songs are beginner-friendly, mostly due to their simpler structure and an option to play almost everything using open chords. Additionally, you can also use them as a great basis to learn how to sing and play, as well as to learn how to play simple country music solos.
However, it’s always a good idea that you cover some basic things about the guitar ASAP. This post will help you with that: How to Play Guitar? Get Started Fast and Free!
Also, if you want more easy songs to master, check this post out: 70 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners from Every Genre (With Tabs and Chords).
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