3-Chord Guitar Songs

Browse 3-chord guitar songs with chord diagrams, tabs, and playing guides for guitar, ukulele, and piano.

3-Chord Guitar Songs – Chord Charts & Tabs

Discover 100 songs that use 3 chords. Fewer chords means faster learning — each song below includes full chord diagrams, strumming patterns, and tabs for guitar, ukulele, piano, banjo, and mandolin.

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You Are My Sunshine

Traditional
Advanced
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The ultimate first ukulele song. Three chords, a universally known melody, and a tempo slow enough that even brand-new players…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Green Day
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Green Day’s acoustic departure became one of the defining songs of a generation. Played at graduations and farewells worldwide, it…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Ring of Fire

Johnny Cash
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Johnny Cash’s country classic with its distinctive mariachi-style horn line. Three chords and a driving rhythm create one of country…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Jolene

Dolly Parton
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Dolly Parton’s desperate plea is one of the greatest country songs ever written. The driving rhythm and emotional intensity make…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Tennessee Whiskey

Chris Stapleton
Advanced
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Chris Stapleton’s soulful country-blues classic uses just three chords to create an emotionally powerful experience. The slow tempo and bluesy…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Riptide

Vance Joy
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Vance Joy’s indie hit took the world by storm with its catchy ukulele-driven melody. On guitar, the three minor and…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Sweet Home Alabama

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
A Southern rock anthem with one of the most recognizable riffs in guitar history. Just three chords in a repeating…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Wild Thing

The Troggs
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
The ultimate three-chord rock song. If you know A, D, and E, you can play Wild Thing. The driving rhythm…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Atap to play
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Bad Moon Rising

Creedence Clearwater Revival
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
A Creedence Clearwater Revival classic that sounds complex but uses just three chords. The upbeat tempo and driving rhythm make…
GuitarUkulelePiano
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Blowin’ in the Wind

Bob Dylan
Beginner
Simple downstroke strumming works great
Bob Dylan’s protest anthem remains as relevant today as when it was written in 1962. Three chords, a harmonica, and…