15 Happy Guitar Songs You Should Learn in 2023

Table of Contents

Sometimes you just want to play happy guitar songs and feel-good music.

I get that!

And so, for everyone who feels that way, this post is for you!

1. Walk of Life by Dire Straits

Mark Knopfler - Walk Of Life (A Night In London | Official Live Video)

Sure, most remember them for Sultans of Swing. But Dire Straits has many other awesome songs in their discography. One of them is Walk of Life.

This tune is very simple to play and thus perfect for beginners. It’s essentially all E major, B major, and A major chords. However, there’s an occasional B7 chord as well. In fact, it’s the perfect cheerful rock tune to sing along to.

2. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satsfaction (Live) - OFFICIAL

The Rolling Stones is one of the longest-running bands. Say what you will, but their old songs are still more than popular. No matter the genre that they’re into, nearly all music fans know of Satisfaction.

Once again, this is a fairly simple song, a great pick for beginners. The riff is pretty simple to play. Additionally, you get the chance to learn that bouncy rock ‘n’ roll feel with this tune. It’s a great addition to any guitar player’s repertoire.

3. Highway to Hell by AC/DC

AC/DC - Highway to Hell (Live At River Plate, December 2009)

Sure, the title doesn’t sound too cheerful. But this is one of the songs that puts a more cheerful twist on hardships. Not to mention that Highway to Hell is a hard rock classic.

The song is quite popular among beginners. However, in order to perform it properly, you need to get into syncopations. In fact, rarely anyone performs AC/DC songs well. It’s all in the details and they’re actually more challenging than you think.

4. Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses

Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine (Official Music Video)

Sweet Child O’ Mine is, indeed, an unavoidable classic. Sure, hard rock and classic heavy metal aren’t exactly cheerful. But Guns N’ Roses managed to bring these two worlds closer together. At this point, the song is popular among fans of all genres.

5. Let’s Work Together by Wilbert Harrison

WILBERT HARRISON / LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Wilbert Harrison’s Let’s Work Together is an underrated rock classic. In fact, this is probably one of the most covered songs of all time. However, rarely anyone knows the original. In the early 1970s, Canned Heat popularized this song.

But, perhaps most relevant to this post, this song is pretty easy to learn. Both its music and lyrics are really optimistic. In fact, Let’s Work Together is one of the biggest hippie movement anthems.

6. Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (2019 Mix)

Without The Beatles, we wouldn’t have the music that we have today. Their music is still incredibly influential.

As far as cheerful songs go, Here Comes the Sun is a pretty awesome one. Additionally, it can teach you some intricate picking patterns. It’s also a great example of George Harrison’s incredible songwriting skills.

7. Wonderwall by Oasis

Oasis - Wonderwall (Best Ever Live Version) HQ

Sure, at this point, Wonderwall has become a meme. It’s one of the most overplayed songs of all time. But there’s always a reason why a certain song becomes a cliché. It wouldn’t be the case if it wasn’t that popular.

We’d all like to see Oasis back together, although chances for this are slim. But, until that happens, take your time to learn their legendary Wonderwall. After all, it’s one of those songs that you just have to learn.

8. Never Say Die by Black Sabbath

BLACK SABBATH - "Never Say Die" (Live Video)

You might feel skeptical seeing Black Sabbath on this list. After all, their music has always been full of despair. And the lyrics are usually accompanied by some sinister-sounding riffs. However, they’re far more diverse than most rock fans think.

In fact, there are a few pretty cheerful songs in their discography. Their Never Say Die from the album of the same name is a great example. In this song, you will find cheerful riffs and vocal melodies in a major key.

9. Santeria by Sublime

Sublime - Santeria (Official Music Video)

Sublime has some pretty awesome laid-back songs worth checking out. But if you want something really cheerful, check out Santeria from their 1996 self-titled record.

You can easily imagine yourself on a sunny beach playing this song. It features a reggae kind of groove and simple major and minor chords.

10. Happy by Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams - Happy (BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2014)

Despite its popularity among guitar players, Pharrell Williams’ Happy isn’t exactly a guitar song. However, it’s impossible not to mention it here. What’s more, there are plenty of awesome guitar-oriented versions of it.

In fact, if you’re learning about music theory, you can try and make your own arrangement. It features some simple chord progressions. Plus, it’s really easy to remember.

11. Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band - Jessica

If you just got into guitar, then you should definitely check out The Allman Brothers Band. The duo of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts changed rock music forever. In fact, one of the band’s most notable songs is the instrumental song, Jessica.

This song has a simple structure. Overall, it shouldn’t be that hard to learn. However, it has some nuanced parts that you should pay attention to. It might not be as simple as it seems at first.

12. Hey, Soul Sister by Train

Train - Hey, Soul Sister (Official Video)

Although released back in 2009, Hey, Soul Sister remains a pop-rock classic. You can still find this one on various playlists. And it’s no surprise as the song is incredibly catchy.

This multi-platinum single is also popular among guitarists. This is especially the case with beginners who are looking to expand their repertoire.

13. Fishing for Fishies by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Fishing For Fishies (Official Video)

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is one of the most diverse bands today. Their musical styles range from psychedelic pop to thrash metal. Not to mention, they have released 18 albums in less than 20 years.

If you need a cheerful song, the title track of their album Fishing for Fishies is a good one. It has that bluesy and bluegrass feel to it. On top of that, they have their unusual instrumentation and high-pitched vocals.

14. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours (Live in London)

Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours first came out in 2005 as a demo on a smaller release. But he never expected it to become a crowd favorite. He then recorded it for his 2008 album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. and it turned out into a worldwide hit.

I’m Yours is pretty popular among ukulele players. Nonetheless, the song features acoustic guitars. But there are plenty of ways for you to perform it. And it will always sound happy.

15. Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen

Queen is up there with The Beatles when it comes to the impact on modern music. Plus, they have seriously diverse works showing off their incredible musical skills.

If you like happy-sounding songs, then Crazy Little Thing Called Love is for you. However, bear in mind that this cheerful song has its tricky parts. Even though it may not sound like it, there are some weird rhythmic parts in there.   

Happy Guitar Songs: Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you find some happy guitar songs to play on your instrument!

And if you want to read about some guitar song lists on my blog, check out:

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment below if you have questions about this or another guitar topic!

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