10 Easy Country Songs Anyone Can Learn on Guitar

Learn to Play Country Music Songs with Just a Few Chords

Man playing guitar

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When you strip away the lyrics and all the other instruments, there are a number of contemporary country songs that are easy to learn on guitar. Once you get the hang of it, you'll discover that it's easy and fun. Each has just three or four different chords and you may already know the songs.

01
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"Strawberry Wine" by Deanna Carter

Nashville Songwriters 50th Anniversary - Concert

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There are just three chords to learn in Deanna Carter's "Strawberry Wine" so it's an easy song to learn.

The song is modern but it has that classic country style. It's a simple tune and the lyrics get nostalgic about the past. Essentially, it's everything that makes a country song great, which is why it's perfect for guitar beginners.

02
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"Everywhere" by Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Perform On NBC's Today

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Tim McGraw has many great songs for guitar pickers of every level. Few, however, are as simple as "Everywhere."

The song has a slow tempo but a nice change on the chorus. Also, you'll only need to learn three chords to pull it off. The lyrics follow the story of a lost love and a longing for what might have been, so it's another country classic.

03
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"Drive" by Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson performs during the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards

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It's nostalgic, but this song's not about a woman. No, the "love" of Alan Jackson's "Drive" is a plywood boat, then a half-ton Ford, then a jeep. 

This song has a fantastic, upbeat tempo that gets you going and the storyline is fantastic. While it may seem complicated when you listen to Jackson sing it, the guitar part is another three-chord ditty. You should have no problems learning this one.

04
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"Meet in the Middle" by Diamond Rio

Marty Roe of the band Diamond Rio perform on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage at the 2015 CMA Festival on June 14, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee.

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A memorable tune from 1991, it's very likely you already know Diamond Rio's "Meet in the Middle." That, along with just three chords, makes this a perfect song to learn quickly.

This song is all about compromise, a couple who "meets in the middle" from childhood through married life. It's a wonderful life lesson and you can even use it to serenade your sweetheart without getting too sentimental.

05
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"Heavy Liftin'" by Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton performs onstage during the 2018 CMA Music festival

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This song may have a tough sound, but the guitar chords are surprisingly easy. You'll have to learn just four chords for "Heavy Liftin'" by Blake Shelton.

The trickiest part of this song is that it moves fast, so limber up your fingers. The lyrics talk about a man who's tough, but not too tough to love a woman who's been through a lot in life.

06
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"My Baby Loves Me" by Martina McBride

Martina McBride attends Martina McBride

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Beyond her voice, the guitar in Martina McBride's "My Baby Love Me" is the best part. It's right out in front, keeping the tempo up and it never gets lost in the background. Plus, there's a fabulous bridge you'll really dig playing.

The best part about this guitar-centered song from 1993: you only have to know four chords to make it great. It's fast, it's fun, and it should definitely be on every country guitar player's list.

07
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"Complicated" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Carolyn Dawn Johnson accepts her Country Favorite New Artist award

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Carolyn Dawn Johnson's "Complicated" is a great love song and a soft tune. The guitar part follows the mellow lyrics, though there's a nice rise in tempo on the chorus for you to play with.

This is another three-chord wonder that should take no time at all to learn. The most challenging part is that the song's not as well-known as the others. However, it is simple enough and has a classic country melody, so you'll get its gist after just a couple times of listening to it.

08
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"Life's a Dance" by John Michael Montegomery

John Michael Montgomery performs on the Honky Tonkin

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A story about perseverance, John Michael Montgomery's "Life's a Dance" is a modern classic in country music. It also has just three chords and the chorus repeats so often that it makes up most of the song. That makes it even easier to learn.

You'll really enjoy learning this slow swinging song with a steady beat. It's also so familiar that you shouldn't have many problems keeping up with the tempo or chord changes.

09
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"Check Yes or No" by George Strait

George Strait performs in concert at The Frank Erwin Center

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A hit from the early part of George Strait's career, "Check Yes or No" was released in 1996. It's as great today as it was back then.

This love song is a toe-tapper and it's one that every country music fan knows. That makes it even faster to learn, and the fact that it's just four simple chords is a bonus.

10
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"Have Mercy" by The Judds

The Judds

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Slip back to 1985 with a hit by the mother-daughter duo known as The Judds. "Have Mercy" is a delight to play and sing and another timeless gem from the days of really great country.

It may also surprise you that the guitar part requires just three chords. There are also some little riffs that you can put your own spin on, especially during what is normally a piano solo.