So, you’re learning guitar and want to play some Beatles songs?
Good call. Their music is packed with simple chord progressions and catchy tunes that are perfect if you’re just starting out.
The best part? You don’t need to be a pro to sound awesome playing these classics.
Here are 15 Beatles songs that are super easy to learn and really fun to play.
Whether you’re jamming at home or trying to impress your friends, these songs will do the trick.
Also, if you’d like to get a free ebook with 40+ classic riffs to master, you can download it here.
1. Love Me Do
Let’s kick things off with “Love Me Do,” the Beatles’ debut single. It’s as simple as it gets—a catchy rhythm with a straightforward chord progression that repeats throughout the song. The beauty of “Love Me Do” is how approachable it is for beginners.
You can focus on getting comfortable with basic open chords without worrying about complicated transitions. Plus, the song has a steady rhythm, so there’s no need to rush.
This one’s perfect if you’re just getting started or looking for something fun and familiar to play.
2. Yellow Submarine
“Yellow Submarine” is another Beatles hit that’s a crowd-pleaser and super fun to play. The lyrics are light-hearted, and the melody is easy to follow. The best part? The chord progression is really straightforward, making it a great choice for beginners. Whether you’re playing for yourself or jamming with friends, “Yellow Submarine” will have everyone singing along.
The song’s cheerful vibe and repetitive structure make it easy to keep up with, and you won’t need to worry about any tricky changes or barre chords.
3. Let It Be
There’s no way we can talk about easy Beatles songs without mentioning “Let It Be”. It’s one of their most iconic ballads, and it’s also super beginner-friendly. The chord progression is simple and classic, and once you’ve got it down, the song flows beautifully. What’s great about “Let It Be” is how versatile it is—you can play it as a simple strumming song or experiment with fingerpicking to add some extra depth.
The steady rhythm and memorable melody make this a must-learn for any Beatles fan.
4. Eleanor Rigby
“Eleanor Rigby” is known for its haunting string arrangement, but it translates really well to guitar. You can play the entire song using just two basic chords, making it one of the simplest songs in the Beatles’ catalog. If you’re a beginner, it’s perfect for practicing switching between chords while maintaining a smooth rhythm. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can experiment with fingerpicking to mimic the song’s original texture.
It’s a great song for building confidence in your playing, especially since the repetition makes it easy to get into the groove.
5. I Saw Her Standing There
Looking for something a bit more upbeat? “I Saw Her Standing There” is a fun, energetic song with a classic rock ‘n’ roll vibe. The chord progression is simple and repeats throughout, so you’ll get a lot of mileage out of just a few shapes. It’s a great song for working on your rhythm playing, as the fast tempo will keep you on your toes without being too difficult.
This one’s a crowd-pleaser, and once you’ve got the rhythm down, you’ll have no problem keeping the energy high.
6. Can’t Buy Me Love
Here’s another energetic tune that’s easy to play. “Can’t Buy Me Love” is driven by a classic rock chord progression, making it great for beginners who want to practice switching between common chord shapes. The song’s upbeat tempo will keep you engaged, but the rhythm is simple enough to get the hang of pretty quickly.
Once you’ve nailed the chord changes, you’ll find it’s one of those songs that feels great to strum along to—and the catchy melody makes it even more fun.
7. A Hard Day’s Night
“A Hard Day’s Night” starts with that iconic opening chord, and from there, it’s a fun ride through one of the Beatles’ most famous songs. The structure of the song is straightforward, and the chords are beginner-friendly. The strumming pattern keeps things lively without being overly complicated, so you can focus on getting those chord changes nice and smooth.
It’s a great song to practice transitioning between open chords while keeping up with a steady rhythm.
8. All My Loving
If you’re working on playing rhythm guitar while singing, “All My Loving” is an ideal choice. The chords are simple enough to let you focus on strumming while singing along, and the song has a repetitive structure that makes it easy to memorize. The upbeat tempo gives it energy, but it won’t overwhelm you as a beginner.
You’ll also get a chance to practice a couple of barre chords, which are a good stepping stone for developing your chord-changing skills.
9. Ticket to Ride
“Ticket to Ride” is another Beatles classic with a straightforward chord progression that’s easy to follow. The song has a laid-back, groovy feel, making it perfect for practicing your strumming without worrying too much about speed. It’s a great way to work on keeping a steady rhythm while learning to transition between chords smoothly.
Plus, it’s one of those songs that’s instantly recognizable, so you’ll impress anyone who hears you play it.
10. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Looking to practice some fingerpicking? “Norwegian Wood” is the perfect song to try it out. The song’s mellow, folky vibe translates beautifully to guitar, and the picking pattern is simple enough for beginners to pick up. If you’re more comfortable with strumming, you can still play the song that way—it’ll sound great either way.
“Norwegian Wood” is a great introduction to fingerpicking, and it adds a unique texture to your Beatles repertoire.
11. Something
“Something” is a beautiful ballad that’s not too difficult to play on guitar. The chord progression is relatively simple, and the rhythm is relaxed, so you won’t need to rush through any tricky changes. It’s a great song for practicing smooth chord transitions and adding some emotion to your playing.
Once you get the feel for it, you’ll see why this song is considered one of the Beatles’ finest love ballads.
12. Eight Days a Week
For a song that’s all about infectious rhythm and fun energy, “Eight Days a Week” is a fantastic choice. The chords are easy to pick up, and the strumming pattern is repetitive, making it a breeze to play along. This song will help you improve your rhythm guitar skills while keeping things light and fun.
It’s a great one to jam along with, especially if you’ve got some friends who can join in.
13. Blackbird
“Blackbird” might sound complex when you first hear it, but it’s actually quite approachable once you break it down. The fingerpicking pattern is repetitive and easy to get the hang of, making this a great song for beginners who want to practice their fingerstyle playing.
It’s a great way to add some variety to your playing while working on your fingerpicking technique.
14. Yesterday
“Yesterday” is one of the most covered songs in music history, and it’s easy to see why. It’s beautiful, timeless, and surprisingly simple to play. The chord progression is straightforward, and the rhythm is relaxed, allowing you to focus on the emotion behind the song.
This is a great one to practice if you want to work on adding dynamics and feeling to your playing.
15. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Finally, we’ve got the fun and upbeat “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”. The rhythm is bouncy, and the chords are easy to switch between, making it a great song for beginners who want to practice staying in time while having fun. This one will definitely put a smile on your face as you play it.
It’s perfect for jamming with friends or just enjoying a good time on your own.
Final Thoughts
The Beatles have an incredible catalog of songs, and luckily for us, many of them are quite simple to play on guitar. From upbeat rockers to mellow ballads, there’s something for every player, no matter your skill level.
Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for some classic songs to add to your setlist, these 15 tunes will have you sounding great in no time.
So grab your guitar, start strumming, and enjoy the timeless music of the Fab Four!
This guest post was written by Dave, a Polish guitarist and YouTuber. For more insights and tips, visit his blog Strefa Gitar.
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