The Beatles are one of the most influential bands in history. The impact that they have had on music is undeniable, and their songs are recognizable by many people all over the world. It’s not surprising that so many guitarists want to learn how to play them!
If you’re an amateur guitarist, in this post, we’re going to cover 14 easy Beatles songs to play on guitar to help guide you through which ones are the easiest for beginners.
1. Let it Be
Originally recorded by the Beatles in 1970, this ballad is an easy rock song to learn on guitar and features some simple chords which make it ideal for beginners.
The only difficult chord in this song is the F major, but most guitarists who are learning their first songs won’t find that too challenging.
Even though this song was written on the piano by Paul, it plays just as lovely when you translate it to the guitar.
Play this song when you want to show off your vocals to get the crowd involved in the emotional power of this song.
Related: For more, check out our list of beginner guitar songs here.
2. All You Need Is Love
What’s nice about Beatles songs is that most of them involve a handful of chords played over and over again.
That statement couldn’t be more true for this All You Need Is Love track by the Beatles written in 1967.
Once you have the chords down it will be pretty repetitive throughout the entire song and you’ll just want to focus on hitting your vocal lines.
This is a great one to spread positivity with and get people singing along.
3. Norwegian Wood
This beautiful classic was made in 1965 and is a great song for beginners because it’s based around the same four chords throughout the entire song.
It does have some simple chords, but what makes it easy for guitarists is that you can get creative with your playing by utilizing different rhythms throughout this piece.
You’ll find yourself embellishing each line unintentionally, which will make learning easier since you won’t feel like you’re playing the same thing over and over again.
Norwegian Wood is a lovely song that anyone will appreciate if you start playing live. It’s a short one too so you won’t have to stretch your abilities too far if you’re just starting out.
4. I Saw Her Standing There
When you’re ready to get the crowd dancing this Beatles song is the one to learn.
It won’t take you a ton of time either, because there are only four chords you need to memorize.
This track has an upbeat tempo which makes any head want to start bobbing.
I Saw Her Standing There is the quintessential track to bust out after playing a ballad or something with a slower tempo.
5. Eight Days a Week
With only three chords in the verse, Eight Days a Week is a great song for beginning guitarists to pick up.
What’s even better is that this song has a lovely upbeat tempo that will get your audience swaying from side to side.
The lyrics are well-known, so you might even have people singing along when you play this in a set.
There’s an easy strum pattern you can learn for this song but you can always switch it up to fit your style.
6. I Should Have Known Better
I Should Have Known Better is a catchy tune released by the Beatles in 1964.
Once you learn the chord progression it’s easy to play through this entire song but the faster tempo might make it tricky to change chords seamlessly.
For that reason, it’s actually a great one to learn because it will improve your skills as well as give you a new song to play.
If you really get good at this one, you can bust out the harmonica and start playing some solos on top of your guitar playing.
7. A Hard Day’s Night
The Beatles came up with this classic song in 1964 and it’s a great one to learn for any guitarist of any level.
There are more chords involved in this song than some of the others on this list, so it’s a great one to learn when you are trying to improve.
It has a nice up-tempo beat which makes it ideal for live shows and it has a catchy chorus that everyone will enjoy.
It’s a great one to play when you want to pick up the mood in the crowd.
8. Can’t Buy Me Love
This is a super simple song you shouldn’t have any trouble learning because there are only a few chords to memorize.
There’s a distinct rhythm and melody too so once you get the hang of this song you should have no problem getting others to sing along with you.
Since this is a faster tempo tune you might want to slow it down first and get the chords down before speeding it up.
This is one of those songs people can’t help but sing along to so it’s a great one if you need some more confidence in the middle of a set.
9. Come Together
This song slithers along with its medium tempo and oozes out confidence and sex appeal.
Even though this song has a ton of instrumentation on the original track, it still sounds just as good with an acoustic.
This is a great track to whip out when you want to get the crowd pumped and excited.
You can even experiment by stopping and starting at different parts so that it puts more emphasis on your vocals.
10. Eleanor Rigby
Eleanor Rigby was written and recorded by the Beatles in 1966 and it’s a beautiful ballad.
The entire song is played on an acoustic guitar which makes this one perfect for those looking to start playing songs on their instrument without having too much gear.
What really sets Eleanor Rigby apart from other slower tunes like I Will or Here Comes the Sun is its haunting nature.
It’s a perfect song to show off your intimate side with your audience.
11. Paperback Writer
This is a fun song to play because of the tempo and great lyrics.
Paperback Writer was written by The Beatles in 1966 and released as a single in the same year.
This song has some nice guitar licks you can learn to play on top of the rhythm that will impress anyone who hears it up close or from far away.
You might have trouble changing chords seamlessly, though, so make sure you work on your strumming patterns before busting this out at full speed.
12. All Together Now
All together now is perfect for beginning guitarists because it only uses a couple of chords and the strumming pattern can be altered, but it still has the same effect.
Not only that, but it has a positive message that people will love hearing and want you to keep spreading.
The main strumming technique can be used in a ton of different songs to create a somewhat country-sounding pattern.
The song was originally recorded on an acoustic guitar so you’ll have no problems recreating this classic.
13. Love Me Do
Love Me Do by the Beatles was released in 1962 and was one of their first-ever songs.
The song has a slow tempo which makes it perfect for beginning guitarists because you’ll still be able to keep up with the pace without straining your fingers or mind.
This is another great acoustic track that will impress any audience members who are standing close by or from afar since there is a distinct melody.
This is a sweet one that couples will really enjoy when you play it live.
14. Twist and Shout
All you need is three chords to play this classic tune covered by countless bands in the past.
The Beatles version gets the most recognition even though they didn’t write the song but there is something about the gritty vocals from John that sets it apart.
You’ll be able to pick this song up pretty quickly and add it to your set in no time.
Don’t be surprised if you see a couple of people get up and start dancing when you play this in front of a live audience.
Learning Beatles Songs on Guitar
The Beatles made countless hits throughout their years together that changed the world forever.
Now, with the songs from above, you can be a part of history and get people involved with your set by playing one of their favorites.
