Finding easy three chord songs can be a daunting task for most guitar players. When learning to play the guitar, it is important to start with tunes that are simple and fun.
If you’re looking for easy three chord songs, then look no further!
We have put together a list of 15 that is perfect to play at any time. Whether it’s for an acoustic performance or just something to sing along within the car, these songs will do the trick.
These 3 chord guitar songs are all easy and simple enough for anyone to learn. And most importantly, they sound great!
Table of Content (Easy Three Chord Songs)
→ List of the Best Easy Three Chord Songs
→ 1. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
→ 2. Ring Of Fire – Johnny Cash
→ 3. In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins
→ 4. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan
→ 5. Walk Of Life – Dire Straits
→ 6. Rock Around The Clock – Bill Haley And His Comets
→ 7. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
→ 8. Twist And Shout – The Beatles
→ 9. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
→ 10. Working Class Hero – John Lennon
→ 11. The Guns Of Brixton – The Clash
→ 12. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
→ 13. The Trooper – Iron Maiden
→ 14. Englishman In New York – Sting
→ 15. Pride And Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble
→ Conclusion:-Easy-Three-Chord-Songs
→ Frequently Ask Questions (Easy 3 Chord Songs)
List of the Best Easy Three Chord Songs
1. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Home Alabama is one of the most iconic easy three chord songs in history. This Southern rock classic is easy to play and sounds great on guitar.
The song, however, only has three chords. The three chords in the song are C, D, and G, all of which are major chords. The same principle applies to the intro, chorus, and verse.
2. Ring Of Fire – Johnny Cash
Ring Of Fire is one of the easy three chord songs that is one of Johnny Cash’s most popular songs and the guitar chords are easy. The song is played in E major, which uses three simple chords: Emaj, Bmaj, and Gsus.
The lyrics are also not too difficult to learn as they’re repeated throughout the whole song.
The song is still a three-chord composition to this day, despite the fact that it is one of his most well-known 3chord songs. The song’s chords are C, D, and G. Of course, all major chords are included. While the chords in Sweet Home Alabama are identical, there aren’t any other parallels between the two.
3. In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins
In the air tonight is another one of the easy 3 chord songs was recorded by English musician and composer Phil Collins as his solo debut. Phil Collins’ Air, Tonight might be his signature song of him, which instantly became a hit.
Not only is the song incredibly powerful and moving, but it’s also simple and strong. The song was inspired by Phil Anselmo’s experience of splitting from his first wife, which likewise prompted the dissolution of Genesis.
The song features a narrative as its form, with an eerie topic and, without a doubt, the most famous drum break in history. The break is even on the list of top drumming moments. The main theme of the song is heartbreak and sadness following a breakup.
That said, the chords for the song are rather basic. The three-chord track has Dm, C, and B in every chord.
4. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is one of the most famous musicians in history, but he was also given the Nobel Prize in Literature.
There have been a lot of covers throughout the years. Among the most well-known cover versions are Jimi Hendrix’s All Along The Watchtower and Bob Dylan’s Knocking On Heaven’s Door, which has previously been covered by practically everyone.
It’s impossible to know what the song’s real message and inspiration was, but one thing is certain: it’s a really simple tune to play. The song has only three chords, G, A, and D.
5. Walk Of Life – Dire Straits
Dire Straits, a British rock group on the list, has an unusual entry. It is one of the best songs with 3 chords. Mark Knopfler formed the band in London in 1977. Everyone who started out on guitar knows Sultans of Swing and how amazing Knopfler’s guitar skills are.
This is not, however, the song that earned him a place on the list. Brothers in Arms is a 1985 album with just three chords. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity. Mark Knopfler’s creative fingerpicking technique will make this song challenging for novices, despite the fact that it has only three chords.
Of course, if they want to play it correctly and try to imitate his fingerpicking pattern. The chords in the song are E, A, and B, after which you must practice his approach before you can master this seemingly simple song.
6. Rock Around The Clock – Bill Haley And His Comets
Bill Haley and His Comets is another one of the pouplar easy three chord songs, it was a rock and roll act that formed in the 1950s. Bill Haley, a country musician, modified the style to something that became rock and roll.
The Comets were a hard rock band who performed energetically. They had matching costumes and were referred to as revolutionary virtually at the same period as the Beatles.
The recording of dozens of shows performed around the world over a period of 10 years is proof that their song Rock Around The Clock was the most successful single in the history of rock and roll. Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers wrote the song, which is another example of a three-chord track.
E7, D7, and A7 are the chords used in the song, but you may play it with just major versions of those chords.
7. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
The most famous rock and roll song ever written by guitar hero Chuck Berry. This is another one of the easy 3 chord songs. The song is about a country boy who is illiterate but can play the guitar like nobody else.
The song’s origins date back to the 1960s, when The Beatles premiered “Roll Over Beethoven.” When asked about the inspiration behind the track, Chuck Berry stated that it was partly autobiographical.
While “Roll Over Beethoven” has three chords (E, D, and A are all major), the most interesting part of the tune is its inclusion of an E augmented chord.
The song was the first rock and roll single to reach #l on Billboard’s Top 100 chart, which is extremely difficult to achieve. The most famous version of this tune in history is perhaps by Michael Jackson, who performed it with Berry himself at Live Aid.
8. Twist And Shout – The Beatles
The Beatles are well-known throughout the world, and their influence on music is immeasurable. While John Lennon was already mentioned, it would be a travesty not to include the rest of the group.
We had to choose only one Beatles song that utilizes just three chords, while there are several songs with 3 chords by the group that use only three chords. Twist and Shout is one of the tunes that helped them gain recognition and start Beatlemania.
While the song’s chord progression is simple D, G, and A, the avalanche they started with their music isn’t. There are so many musicians nowadays who attribute their success to the four Liverpool lads.
9. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
We all know another version of La Bamba, which is a Mexican folk song. Ritchie Valens was a pioneer of the rock genre, and everyone was surprised when he died in an airplane accident at the age of 17.
This song is one of the best easy three chord songs. Despite the fact that his musical career lasted only eight months, he created one of the most famous and well-known rock and roll songs ever.
When we think of “The Day the Music Died,” we will always feel melancholy. Ritchie Valens’ version of the song has a traditional sound with a rock edge, and it’s also made up of three chords.
G, C, and F are the chords. Richie was unsure whether to combine rock and roll with his heritage, but he eventually decided to record it. For our benefit, thankfully.
This song got him into several Halls of Fame and first place on charts.
10. Working Class Hero – John Lennon
The first album released by John Lennon following the Beatles’ breakup was John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. Working Class Hero is one of the tracks on the album and was paired with Imagine as a single.
This political song is about the distinctions between social classes, and it’s a coming-of-age tale set in the working class. He stated during an interview that he thinks the song is revolutionary.
You may learn how simple it is if you’ve ever heard the song. Lennon performs only on the guitar and vocalizes in this song.
The chord changes stay consistent throughout the song. The song has a simple A minor and G minor chord progression with a D major section during the chorus. Simple, however, was something in which the Beatles excelled. Most of their songs are quite basic, yet they communicate a strong message and emotion.
11. The Guns Of Brixton – The Clash
The Clash is another one of the easy 3 chord songs that was the first wave of British punk rock, or post-punk. The band blended genres such as ska, funk, punk, reggae, and rock to create a distinct sound that made them one of the most influential musicians in the field.
Paul Simonon wrote the song, and he even performed on it. The song was inspired by his adolescence and life in Brixton, a south London neighborhood.
The Guns of Brixton has a strong reggae flavor to it, and it was the first song that Simonon wrote. Simonon had learned to play the guitar by the time “The London Calling” album came out, allowing him to contribute more to the songwriting.
Paul Simonon, who was the bassist in the Clash, played it on this recording as well. He would trade instruments with Joe Strummer during live shows, assuming the guitar while Joe played bass for the song.
The chords in the song are F#m, Bm, and G.
12. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
Even though the song was not written or recorded by Elvis Presley, he is the one we’ll think of when we hear Hound Dog.
The song was written in 1873 by an African-American spiritual, although the exact name of the author is unknown. It’s not clear whether or not “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic” was ever intended to be a military hymn. In fact, it wasn’t! According to their website, they had been operating for 13 years.
The song, which was written by John C. McGinley, is a simple twelve-bar blues with three chords: C, G7, and F. Furthermore, not only is the song one of the most famous in history; it’s also one of the best-selling singles in history.
Since then, numerous musicians have created their own version of the song. Of course, if you want to play this song, you should certainly practice your Elvis moves.
13. The Trooper – Iron Maiden
When a little-known band from London called Iron Maiden released its debut record, it had a significant influence on popular music. They didn’t only continue to perform for over forty years, but they also continued to create outstanding music.
The Trooper is one of their most well-known easy three chord songs, which helped to launch a beer brand. Despite the fact that the song is nearly three decades old, it is still popular.
The song is about the Battle of Balaclava and the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. This song has a lot of great aspects to it. From harmonizing galloping riffs performed by two guitarists Adrian Smith and Dave Murray to mind-bending solos and Bruce Dickinson’s unique voice, there’s a lot to like about the song.
The chord progression for the song is E, A, D, C. The chords are played in that order during the verses. This song is another one of the best easy three chord songs.
14. Englishman In New York – Sting
Sting began his music career as a member of the Police, and he continues to create chart-topping songs decades after the group disbanded. Sting composed one of the most well-known tunes on his second solo album. It is one of the easy three chord songs on the market.
The song quickly rose up the charts after it was released in early December, and since then he has performed it live on almost every solo show. Quentin Crisp is an eccentric English writer and actor known as The Englishman from the song.
When Crisp was in Los Angeles, he and Sting met up for a drink. They began chatting about cricket when things got around to cricket, and after that, they started talking about their significant others. This song is one of the best easy 3 chord songs.
Another recording of the song, called “Stupidity,” was written and recorded by Sting for his album Symphonicities. The song features a recognizable rhythm and, of course, three chords: E Minor, A Major, and B Minor. The chord sequence is repeated in each section of the song.
15. Pride And Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble
Traditional blues songs that Stevie Ray Vaughan expanded with his astounding guitar playing were used by one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived, Stevie Ray Vaughan.
However, Pride and Joy was one of the first songs he composed for his lover. It’s a typical Texas shuffle in 4/4 time, with no deviations. It’s played at a quick tempo and is in E major.
Furthermore, Stevie Ray Vaughan almost always played the guitar that was tuned half a step lower (hence the song’s actual key is Eb). The song has three chords: E, A, and B. Because of the tuning, they’re more accurately called Eb, Ab, and Bb. Plus, this song is one of the easy 3 chord guitar songs for beginners.
However, you may play the song in whatever tuning you like, and yet attempting to perform it the way SRV performed it will be difficult. It is one of the best 3chord guitar songs.
Conclusion: Easy Three Chord Songs
There are so many songs that use only three chords, if not even less! This may appear to be incredible for novice guitarists, but it does
All of the bands and performers we’ve mentioned are legends, and they used nothing more than necessary to convey a message or exhibit emotion.
Furthermore, the foundation of many blues songs (the 12-bar blues) is made up of only three chords, and the most popular rock and roll song of all time only has four! So, don’t be afraid to try and learn a three chord song.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: What is the 3 chord trick?
A: The 3 chord trick is a simple way to create new songs using only three chords.
Q: How do I use the 3 chord trick?
A: By using three chords in different combinations and sequences, you can create an endless number of songs.
Q: What is the easiest song to play on a guitar?
A: The easiest song to play on a guitar is probably Mary Had A Little Lamb.
Q: How great is our God Sing with me chords?
A: Our God is great, sing with me. Our God is great, and greatly to be praised!
That’s all for the easy 3 chord songs list. You can also check out Best Songs for Baritones to Sing and 21 Karaoke Songs for Bad Singers of All Time.
