Basic guitar skills can come in handy. It’s amazing where knowing a few simple chords can take a person. Learning songs is fun as a hobby, a better way to procrastinate than going on reddit, and might even help you pick up some chicks, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Here is a mix of a few tunes that even I can play (that’s how I know they’re easy) minus the solos, and are really good songs too.
1. Against Me! – Walking Is Still Honest
This song has shown up on a previous mixer of mine, but it had to be included again here. This is the acoustic version. It’s one of my favorite songs ever, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to play.
2. Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
A cult-classic acoustic guitar track with a simple chord progression would be a great way to impress a girl, maybe an Anne Frank look-alike.
3. Bob Dylan – Blowin’ In The Wind
Lean this song and you will be as legendary as Dylan himself…almost. But really, Peter, Paul, and Mary were on to something covering this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOQ-5cps31I
4. Paul Baribeau – Boys Like Me
The genre of folk-punk lends itself nicely to crappy acoustic guitar players. It’s in the lyrics, not in the crazy guitar licks. So if you dig what folk-punks like the bearded Paul Baribeau have to say in their heartfelt lyrics, why not try out a song for yourself?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDFVdYBBUwc
5. Bright Eyes – The First Day Of My Life
Even though it’s become a girl-with-guitar favorite, this song still garners the ability to jerk tears in the right situation. And it really is a beautiful song. Play it for someone special.
6. The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Another one of my all time favorite songs that can be played with a few easy chords. Who knows, you might be the next Morrissey. Can’t know unless you try!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-cD4oLk_D0
7. Elliott Smith – Say Yes
If you can channel even an ounce of the emotion that Elliott Smith recorded this song with, then it’s bound to be a hit for whomever hears you play it. Bonus points if they recognize it from Good Will Hunting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-cD4oLk_D0
8. Lana Del Rey – Video Games
This song is actually on the piano instead, but it’s even easier. Learn it and you’ll have something to mess around with when there is a piano in the room. It’s entertaining to see who among your friends can do the best Lana impression.
9. Andrew Jackson Jihad – Sense, Sensibility
More folk punx. Most songs in Andrew Jackson Jihad’s catalogue are pretty easy to pull off, but this one is my favorite. I can never whistle that well though.
10. Against Me! – Sink.Florida.Sink
In my opinion, this is the ultimate easy-to-play acoustic song. It’s like a campfire song, with just four chords and a chorus of ‘whah-oh-ohs’ that doesn’t take long for everyone to learn and sing along to.
