With only four chords you can play these 10 songs!
Have you already finished our list of ten songs with only three chords? In that case, you can start on this list! This list is a little harder as it contains songs with four chords. Furthermore, these songs are also a little harder as the strumming patterns tend to be a little more complicated than with the last list. However, this list is a great challenge for the developing guitarist!
Riptide – Vance Joy
This fun ukulele song can definitely be played with a guitar by putting the capo on the first fret and using the chords A-minor, G, C and F-major seventh. The strumming pattern is quite fast, but the chords are relatively easy which means it’s a great song to practice with. The F-major seventh chord is likely new to many guitarists, but it’s actually a really easy chord to play. It’s basically a C-chord with the middle and ring finger one string up. Timing is also very important with this song, as there are multiple ‘no chord’ moments. Joy mostly uses his Maton Cutaway, which is a Dreadnought cutaway, similar to the James Neligan ASY-DCE or the Lâg T70DCE.
Zombie – The Cranberries
This beautiful protest song from the Irish band The Cranberries is actually quite easy to play. The song contains the chords E-minor, C, G, and D/F#. The strumming pattern is also quite slow, although it’s advisable to fingerpick the song. It may not be the most jolly song, but it’s definitely an emotional and inspiring song to play! Noel Hogan, The Cranberries guitarist, usually plays Jumbo guitars, such as the Yamaha CPX700II or the Lâg T177JCE.
Mean – Taylor Swift
This fun country song from the young Taylor Swift is a fun and easy song to play. The song can be played with a capo on the second fret with the chords B-minor, A, G, and D. Although one of these chords is a barre chord, the B-minor is a great barre chord to practice with. Transitions between chords aren’t very fast and the strumming pattern is relatively simple. Taylor Swift mostly uses Taylor Dreadnoughts. However, she also regularly uses koa guitars. Koa guitars are quite rare as koa itself is quite rare. Nevertheless, koa guitars are most definitely available, such as the Martin D-12E or the Tanglewood Winterleaf Exotic Koa.
Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
This very popular song is actually really easy to play. The chords are D-minor seventh, A-minor seventh, C, and G. It may be that the first two chords are new to you, but they’re actually quite easy. The D-minor seventh consists of a mini barre on the highest two strings on the first fret and the middle finger on the third string on the second fret. The A-minor seventh is basically an A-minor chord without the ring finger on the third string. The strumming pattern is also relatively easy! It's unknown what guitar was used during the recording of the song, but it sounds like a Telecaster. Great alternatives are the Fender Vintera '60s Modified or the Squier Affinity Deluxe.
99 Luftballons – Nena
Don’t feel like English songs anymore? Well, try Nena! This German protest song is not only fun to play, but also quite easy. The chords are D, E-minor, G, and A. The strumming pattern is also easy although it would be fun to switch it up and add demping! Carlo Karges, Nena's guitarist, used to play Stratocasters. Fun alternatives are the Aria Pro II 714-MK2 and the Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster.
Like The Way I Do – Melissa Etheridge
This song is a little harder than most in this list. Although the song does contain only four chords, one of them is a barre chord and the strumming pattern is relatively hard. The four chords are D-minor, Bb, C, and A seventh. What makes the song also a little harder (but also more fun!) is that demping plays a very important role. Consequently, it’s a fun song to practice demping with! Etheridge is known for her Les Pauls. Great alternatives are the Michael Kelly Patriot Instinct Bold or the Heritage H-150.
Hey Soul Sister – Train
This fun ukulele song is very easy to play. By putting the capo on the fourth fret the song only requires the C, G, A-minor and F chords. The strumming pattern is relatively fast but not very complicated. However, in the chorus there are quick transitions between chords, there are even multiple chords within a single bar. Taylor Locke, Train’s guitarist, predominantly uses Dreadnought guitars, such as the Eastman E2D or the Yamaha FG820.
Love Rescue Me – U2
This beautiful song from this amazing Irish band, written together with Bob Dylan, consists of only four chords. These chords are A, A seventh, D, and E. It’s almost a three-chord song, as A and A seventh are almost the same chord. It’s a fingerpicking song, but the picking pattern isn’t complicated so it’s a great song to practice fingerpicking with. The Edge mostly uses electric guitar, but if he does use acoustic guitars, he uses auditorium guitars. Great alternatives are the Eastman AC222CE or the James Neligan SCO-A.
The Night We Met – Lord Huron
This beautiful and melancholic song is relatively easy to play. It is a fingerpicking song and the pattern is relatively complicated to figure out, but the chords are relatively easy. With a capo on the second fret, the chords are E-minor, D, G, and C. This song is the ideal exercise for the guitarist who wants to practice more complicated fingerpicking patterns! Ben Schneider uses Telecasters, such as the Michael Kelly 1954 or the Godin Stadium HT.
Jolene – Dolly Parton
Last but not least, Dolly Parton! This very popular and fun song consists of only four chords: A-minor, C, G, and E-minor, with the capo on the fourth fret. The strumming pattern is very quick though, but the chords are fortunately quite easy which makes it suitable for beginning guitarists. It’s also possible to fingerpick the song, although it will make the song significantly harder. There is a wide variety of guitars suitable for the song, such as the Lâg T118ASCE or the Eastman E3OME.
