50 Modern Acoustic Guitar Songs to Learn Today (2023 Guide)

If you’re looking for some modern acoustic guitar songs to learn, you’ve come to the right post!

In this guide, I’ll discuss a handful of songs all written after the year 2000 that you can start learning on the guitar today.

Most of these are simple songs that are modern acoustic guitar songs for beginners.

But I’ve also thrown in a couple of more complex songs for intermediate and advanced players.

And if you want a more thorough guidebook that would be a good compliment to this blog post, check out:

Let’s get to it!

1. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz

This is one of those modern acoustic guitar songs that’s great to learn for beginners and more advanced players alike because of its popularity and simple sing-along nature.

Jason Mraz started performing I’m Yours in his 2004 and 2005 gigs.

It became a crowd favorite leading him to release the song as a demo on a limited edition EP known as Extra Credit in 2005.

The EP promoted Jason Mraz’s second studio album, Mr. A–Z.

This continued its meteoric rise in popularity, receiving a nomination for Song of the Year.

Jason also earned Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for this song at the fifty-first Grammy Awards.

Although the song is in the key of B; you can use easier chord shapes from the key of G by putting your capo on the fourth fret.

In the context of the fourth fret, the song revolves around the chord shapes: G, D, Em, C, A7, Dsus4, and Bm.

The studio version follows a tempo of 75 beats per minute.

Since the release of the 2005 demo version of this track, hundreds of fans have done cover versions of this track on YouTube. 

Check out these covers to help you learn the song and add your own flair to this great sing-along tune.

Learn to play the song’s lead parts as well as chord shapes using this tab.

2. We’re Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes

Released in late 2002, this is a song by the American rock band, The White Stripes from their album, White Blood Cells.

The studio version of this folk-rock/acoustic song follows a tempo of 97 beats per minute.

We’re Going To Be Friends doesn’t require a capo which is nice because that means you need one less item to play this tune.

The song revolves around the chords G, C, D, and A respectively all played in open positions.

Popular singer-songwriter Jack Johnson also recorded a cover of the song on his album Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies for the film, Curious George.

This is one of the first real songs I learned on the guitar, and I continue to play it today because it’s one of those easy acoustic guitar songs!

It’s a fun and simple song to learn to play.

You can learn it using this tab.

3. I Will Follow You Into the Dark

I Will Follow You Into the Dark is Death Cab for Cutie’s third track from their fifth album, Plans.

Death Cab for Cutie’s lead singer, Ben Gibbard, wrote and performs this acoustic solo ballad which the band released on August 30, 2005.

Surprisingly, they recorded it in monaural with a single microphone and very little editing.

As a result of its commercial success and recording simplicity, this song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Also, it remains the band’s best-selling single to date.

I was obsessed with Death Cab for Cutie in high school and even played this song at a high school talent show!

If you’re trying to play along with the studio version, it’s about 155 beats per minute.

Also, to play this one, you will need to capo on the fifth fret.

It revolves around the chord shapes: C, F, G/B, G, E, Am/G, Fm, C/G, and Am/E.

Even though other singles have outranked this one, it remains one of the band’s most-played songs on commercial radio stations.

Check out this tab to learn the song.

4. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson released this guitar-led acoustic song in 2005.

Johnson has an interesting professional history as an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, record producer, documentary filmmaker, and former professional surfer.

You’ll notice that this track has easy-listening vibes; a signature quality of Jack Johnson’s sound. 

This is also another tune that doesn’t require a capo.

The studio version follows a tempo of 120 beats per minute, and the chords are G7, D7, Am7, C7, D, Bm, and Em. 

Learn the song’s guitar parts with this tab.

5. Perfect by Ed Sheeran

This ballad has become a love anthem of global renown.

It’s one of the best acoustic guitar songs.

Ed Sheeran wrote this for his girlfriend/wife-to-be Cherry Seaborn in 2016.

Cherry was also Ed Sheeran’s old school friend.

According to Ed Sheeran, he initially had no idea whether she really liked the track. He told BBC Radio 2:

“I just recorded it and sent it because she was living in New York at the time so I didn’t see her reaction….”

Perfect was recorded in the UK in 2016 and released in 2017.

The studio version is in the key of A♭ major but Ed typically plays it in the key of G in live performances.

It uses a tempo of 63.5 beats per minute in 12/8 time (without using triplets).

With triplets, it results in a 4/4 time signature.

To play along with the studio version, I recommend capoing on the first fret and using G shape chords.

Check out this tab to learn the song’s guitar parts.

6. Budapest by George Ezra

Budapest is a folk-rock song by English singer-songwriter George Ezra.

This song is from his debut studio album titled Wanted on Voyage which was released in 2014.

Ezra co-wrote Budapest with fellow musician, Joel Pott, who is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, Athlete.

According to Ezra, Budapest was his first try at writing a love song.

Also, Ezra said the song uses the first three guitar chords he ever learned: G, C, and D chords.

The studio version of the song follows a tempo of 128 beats per minute and is in the key of F.

However, you can easily transpose this one to G major or use a capo to make it easier to play. 

This tab details the song’s guitar parts.

7. Why Georgia by John Mayer

Legendary guitarist, John Mayer, started his music career at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston.

However, he later dropped out, wanting to pursue music on his own.

Clearly, this decision has worked out for him since he has catapulted himself into music fame.

Most of his songs feature more complex guitar styles while still managing to have mainstream appeal.

His track, Why Georgia, fits this description with greater complexity than most songs on this list.

So while this is may not be one of the better modern acoustic guitar songs to learn for a beginner, it is great for intermediate and advanced players.

Why Georgia is in the key of G and features some unique chords including C6/9, Em7, D/F#, G, Cadd9, A7sus, and more. 

Check out the instruction video above for more details on how to learn this track.

This is an awesome tab showing the song’s guitar parts.

8. Hey There, Delilah by the Plain White Ts

“Hey There Delilah” is a folk-pop/emo-pop song by the American rock band Plain White T’s.

They released this track in May 2006 from their third studio album called, All That We Needed.

The song received massive radio play over the following year, eventually reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 2007.

The studio version of this song is in the key of D major and follows a tempo of 104 beats per minute.

This is another one of the modern acoustic guitar songs in this list that doesn’t require a capo and uses simple chords including D, F#m, Bm, G, and A.

The band’s frontman Tom Higgenson wrote the song after he met Delilah DiCrescenzo, a nationally ranked cross-country runner.

I hate to burst anyone’s romantic bubble, but the two never actually dated and went on to have other romantic relationships.

You can read more about the back story of this song here.

Learn the song’s guitar parts using this tab.

9. Fifteen by Taylor Swift

Fifteen is a country-pop/ballad song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and co-produced with Nathan Chapman.

Swift released Fifteen on August 30, 2009, as the fourth single from her second studio album, Fearless.

Like most songs on this list, “Fifteen” is in common time, and it follows a moderate tempo of 96 beats per minute. 

This country-pop ballad is in the key of G major following a simple chord progression: Gsus2–Csus2–Em–Csus2.

This tab shows how the song is played on guitar.

10. I Don’t Care by Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran

Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran released I Don’t Care in May 2019.

This pop song quickly went up the charts and continued to receive tons of airtime on radio stations in 2020. 

The studio version is in the key of F♯ major, following a tempo of 100 beats per minute in 4/4 time following a chord progression of F♯–D♯m–B–C♯.

But to make it simpler, you can easily transpose it to the key of G and play the chords G, Em, C, and D.

It’s one of those fairly easy acoustic guitar songs.

Learn the song on guitar using this tab.

11. Love on the Weekend by John Mayer

John Mayer released this one in 2016. It’s the lead single from his seventh album “The Search for Everything.”

This is a more contemporary piece compared to some of his regular stuff.

There are, of course, a lot of overdubbed guitars.

But there’s the accompanying acoustic guitar throughout the song.

And, most importantly, you can easily play it as an acoustic version.

It’s a fun one to play, keeping the overall pop-rock style.

But there’s still some influence from Mayer’s earlier bluesy periods.

Use this tab to learn the song.

12. Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton, Originally by David Allan Coe

Now, Tennessee Whiskey is originally from 1981. Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove wrote it.

And eventually, David Allan Coe recorded it.

It’s long history and continual covers seems to indicate it’s one of the best acoustic guitar songs!

However, Chris Stapleton brought the song back to life.

And his version is a bit specific.

This classic country piece turned into something completely different.

In all honesty, it feels as if the song is his now.

There’s a lot to this piece, despite its overall simplicity.

You can interpret it in many ways.

But it’s the acoustic guitar in the background that keeps the song’s main country vibe.

The best thing about the song is that you can do a simple acoustic cover.

But you can do a more complex arrangement and even play both the melody and the progression.

This tab will show you the basic parts of it.

13. Señorita by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello

Señorita came out in 2019, and it immediately became a Latin pop classic.

And this song will likely retain its pop classic status for a long time.

Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello did an incredible job on it.

And their vocals are accompanied by a finger-picked acoustic guitar.

What makes this song a good choice is that it can teach you to add a percussive element to your playing.

You hit the strings with each chord.

But you also need to play in a very specific groove.

If you play it without other instruments, it can still sound full.

You can use this tab to learn how to play the guitar parts.

14. Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay

Sky Full of Starts was released back in 2014.

It’s a relatively simple song and an incredibly catchy one.

I find it super fun to play.

Sure, there are a few ways to perform it.

You can just strum along to it or even do a more intricate arrangement.

But one thing always remains the same.

Whenever you sing or play the melody over its chord progression, there’s just something nice about its sound.

It’s easy to learn and you should definitely have it in your setlist.

Learn the song’s guitar parts using this tab.

15. I Hope by Gabby Barrett

Gabby Barrett’s I Hope was released in 2019.

At this point, it’s a 5× Platinum song.

So it was an instant classic the moment it was released.

Here we have a crossover song fusing country and pop.

But it isn’t like any other country-pop tune.

Gabby does an incredible and emotionally-charged performance.

In addition. it all comes with an acoustic guitar that fits perfectly.

You can refer to this tab to learn the song’s parts.

16. Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper

A Star Is Born was not only a major hit film.

But it also brought one of the most interesting musical collaborations of our times.

We got the chance to hear Bradley Cooper singing with Lady Gaga.

Shallow not only became an instant classic but also got attention from guitar players because it’s just one of those really good acoustic guitar songs.

Even if you just play the chords and sing along to it, Shallow remains a fun song to perform.

You can learn its parts using this tab.

17. Circles by Post Malone

Post Malone is not exactly the name you associate with guitars.

However, his song Circles just wouldn’t work without one.

In fact, it sounds a lot like John Mayer’s more recent stuff.

In the background, you will notice an acoustic guitar.

This is why the song is also very popular to cover.

In addition, the song has some pretty unexpected chords.

So it can be a great way to get familiar with unique chord shapes.

You can learn these chords and the other guitar parts of the song using this tab.

18. Barcelona by Ed Sheeran

We could put a lot of Ed Sheeran songs on this list.

But I find Barcelona from 2017 to be one of his best and one of the best acoustic guitar songs.

It’s not only fun to play, but it requires some serious rhythm skills too.

All you need to know to learn this song are four chords.

And you’re free to play them whatever way you want.

Barcelona is open to interpretation.

However, you’ll really need to be precise if you want it to sound like the original.

It’s a seemingly simple song although it’s not quite as easy to play if you want to play it the way they play it.

Here‘s a tab of the song for ease of learning its guitar parts.

19. Favorite Crime by Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo may be one of the new names on the scene.

But her debut album Sour was a surprise especially because it featured some guitar parts.

You don’t often hear that with the youngest artists in modern pop music.

Favorite Crime is an interesting song.

Aside from her expressive vocals, the song also features an acoustic guitar.

It’s a very soft finger-picking arrangement.

And it goes perfectly with her singing.

It shouldn’t be too hard to perform.

Learn its parts using this guitar tab.

20. We Don’t Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth feat. Selena Gomez

We Don’t Talk Anymore is one of those songs that needs no introduction.

It was released in 2016, and you still hear it all over the place.

In other words, most people think this is one of those really good acoustic guitar songs.

At this point, the song has a multiplatinum status in various countries.

While most people focus on the beat and the vocals, the song just wouldn’t be the same without acoustic guitar.

This is its essential component.

Overall, the song shouldn’t be that hard to play.

However, as can happen with pop songs, it’s not that simple if you want to make it sound like the original.

It’s not that hard to make out the chords, but the trick is to figure out the picking pattern.

Your picking hand technique needs to be tight for this one.  

Check out this tab of the song to learn its guitar parts.

21. Free Fallin’ – John Mayer

“Free Fallin” is the opening track of Tom Petty’s debut solo album “Full Moon Fever” (1989).

While it’s Petty’s longest- and highest-charting hit, the song had a resurgence in popularity when John Mayer covered it at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles in 2007 for his live album “Where the Light Is” (2008). 

With this, “Free Fallin’” became a John Mayer song for a new generation of listeners. 

The song is in the key of F. To play it on guitar like on the record, put a capo on the third fret.

You then use D shape chords.

Here‘s a tab of this song for ease of learning its guitar parts.

22. Photograph – Ed Sheeran

A signature Ed Sheeran song, “Photograph” was co-written with Snow Patrol instrumentalist and background vocalist Johnny McDaid in 2012.

McDaid’s piano loop gave rise to the composition.

The song, which appears on Ed Sheeran’s second album, “x” (2014), had 60 to 70 recorded versions before the final one was made, according to the singer.

The song is in the key of E.

Ed Sheeran plays it with a capo on the second fret. 

The chords then are played using D shape chords.

You can learn the song on guitar using this tab.

23. Payphone – Maroon 5

Maroon 5 was initially a guitar-oriented band, but with the changing times, their sound underwent a shift too. 

Just the same, the band’s newer songs lend themselves to acoustic guitar playing.

“Payphone,” off their fourth album, “Overexposed” (2012), actually features acoustic guitars, though not prominently.

The song is in the key of E. 

Here‘s a tab of the song if you want to learn to play it fingerstyle.

24. Believer – Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons – “Believer” Acoustic – YouTube“Believer,” like Imagine Dragons’ other hits, is partly characterized by its beats.

But the band also plays the song in an acoustic setting, and it’s just as urgent and compelling as the original version.

The song is in the key of A# minor.

If you play it on a guitar with standard tuning, you can put a capo on the first fret.

You can then use A minor shape chords.

To learn the song more quickly, you can use this tab.

25. I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz

Following the success of his smash hit “I’m Yours” (2008), Jason Mraz engaged in activism.

In between joining cleanup efforts in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, fighting child slavery in Ghana, and learning about climate change aboard the National Geographic Explorer in Antarctica, Mraz was writing his fourth album, “Love is a Four Letter Word” (2012).

The record’s lead single, “I Won’t Give Up,”  is partly a byproduct of his activism.

It features the line “I don’t wanna be someone who walks away so easily / I’m here to stay and make the difference that I can make.”

Mraz said that although the song was “written selfishly,” the meaning of the song lies in this line in the bridge.

The song is in the key of E.

Mraz plays it with a capo on the second fret.

You can learn to play it using this tab.

26. XO – John Mayer

John Mayer’s stripped-down acoustic cover of Beyonce’s “XO” is a case of staying true to the essence of a source material while making it one’s own.

Mayer released the studio recording of the song in May 2014, about a month after performing it live in Adelaide, Australia.

While Beyonce’s original is in the key of C, Mayer’s version is in the key of D. 

The song was composed and co-written by OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder.

You can refer to this tab to learn the song on guitar.

27. Love Yourself – Justin Bieber 

If Justin Bieber’s 2015 hit “Love Yourself” sounds like an Ed Sheeran song, that is because the English singer-songwriter co-wrote it.

Although the album version of it features an electric guitar, Bieber also performs it with an acoustic guitarist accompanying him. 

The song is in the key of E.

Here‘s a tab of the song to help you learn its guitar parts.

28. Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish 

Starting out as a jazz-flavored ditty featuring acoustic and bass guitars, “Happier Than Ever” blossoms midway into an emo, pop-punk track with distorted guitar tones and a driving ¾ beat.

The song was written by Eilish and her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell and is included in her second studio album of the same title. 

It was recorded on June 16, 2020, a few months into the Covid-19 pandemic.

The song is in the key of E. 

In the heavier parts of the song, power chords are more apt to use.

You can learn the song on guitar with the help of this tab.

29. All Too Well – Taylor Swift  

“All Too Well,” an evocative and detail-heavy song, is originally off Taylor Swift’s 2012 album “Red.” 

Following a public dispute over the ownership of her masters, Swift re-recorded the album, and released it in November 2021.

Included in the album are the unabridged, 10-minute version of “All Too Well,” which includes sections of the original version of the song which had been removed to shorten it for the 2012 album.

The 2012 version of the track is 5 minutes and 28 seconds long.

Both versions feature subtle acoustic guitars.

But since the song is a power ballad, with arena rock and pop rock characteristics, it’s an apt song to play on an acoustic guitar.

The song is in the key of C.

If you want to play a fingerstyle arrangement of the song, you can check out this tab.

30. Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles 

Written in the vein of funk-pop and soul songs of the ‘70s, “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles prominently features rhythm guitar strumming.

Although electric guitars are more conspicuous in the song’s album version, Styles does play it on an acoustic guitar in live performances.

“Watermelon Sugar” is from Styles’ second studio album, “Fine Line,” released in 2019.

Here‘s a tab of the song to help you learn its guitar parts more quickly.

31. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry

“The One That Got Away” was released in 2011 as a single for Katy Perry’s 2010 album, “Teenage Dream.”

It was originally titled “In Another Life,” using the first three words of the song’s chorus.

In January 2012, an acoustic version of the song was released to digital retailers. 

A mid-tempo pop tune, it’s in the key of E major.

You can learn to play this song with the help of this tab.

32. The Reason – Hoobastank

Released in January 2004, “The Reason” is Hoobastank’s most commercially successful single. 

It peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. 

The song is from the band’s second album of the same title, released in December 2003.

“The Reason” is a power ballad that prominently features electric guitars.

Over the years, the band has also played the song on acoustic guitars. 

The song in the key of E major.

The guitar in the verses is a little daunting.

You can refer to this tab to learn the parts.

33. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt

“You’re Beautiful” was written by James Blunt along with fellow British songwriters Sacha Skarbek and Amanda Ghost.

A part of Blunt’s 2004 album, “Back to Bedlam,” the song was released as a single in May 2005.

The song is autobiographical and has been reported to be about Blunt’s former girlfriend Dixie Chassay, a casting assistant for the “Harry Potter” films.

Blunt, however, has neither confirmed nor denied this.

Nonetheless, Blunt told Oprah on her show in March 2006, “It’s kind of miserable. It was about seeing my ex-girlfriend on the Underground in London with her new man, who I didn’t know existed. She and I caught eyes and lived a lifetime in that moment, but didn’t do anything about it and haven’t seen each other since.”

The song is in the key of Eb major.

You can refer to this tab to learn the song’s guitar parts.

34. Just Give Me a Reason – Pink

“Just Give Me a Reason” is from Pink’s sixth studio album, 2012’s “The Truth About Love.”

The pop ballad was released as a single in February 2013. 

It features Fun vocalist Nate Ruess, who co-wrote the song along with Jeff Bhasker.

The collaboration was initially just a songwriting session, but the song ended up featuring Ruess on vocals after Pink realized the song’s conversational theme. 

“I was like, ‘No, this is a story, this is a conversation, this song.’ It needs the other perspective, whether it’s a guy and a girl, or two girls or two guys,” the singer said.

The song is in the key of G major.

You can refer to this tab to learn the song’s guitar parts.

35. Halo – Beyonce

“Halo” is another hit by Beyonce that was composed and co-written by Ryan Tedder.

Released as a single in January 2009, the song is from her third studio album, 2008’s “I Am… Sasha Fierce.”

Controversy arose when similarities were drawn between the song and Kelly Clarkson’s song “Already Gone,” which was co-written by her and Ryan Tedder and released as a single in August 2009.

Clarkson claimed that Tedder reused the instrumentation of “Halo” in “Already Gone.” She unsuccessfully tried to have it excluded from her album “All I Ever Wanted” (2009) for fear that the public would incorrectly assume that she stole it from Beyonce.

“Halo” uses the common time and is in the key of A major, with a tempo of 84 beats per minute.

Here‘s a tab of the song if you want to learn to play it fingerstyle.

36. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

“Thinking Out Loud” is off Ed Sheeran’s second studio album, “x” (2014).

The album was already close to completion when Sheeran and frequent collaborator Amy Wadge wrote it in his house in February 2014. 

The two had not intended the get-together to be a songwriting session, but Wadge played a chord progression that Sheeran liked, and it eventually developed into “Thinking Out Loud.”

In June 2015, the song became the first single to spend an entire year in the UK top 40. 

It went on to win Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 58th Grammy Awards.

You can learn to play it on guitar with the help of this tab.

37. Let Her Go – Passenger

“Let Her Go” is off the album “All the Little Lights” (2012) by the English singer-songwriter Michael David Rosenberg, better known by his stage name, Passenger.

The track was released as a single in July 2014, and was a sleeper hit.

It first gained wide popularity in the Netherlands and has since become successful globally. 

The song is in the key of G major.

You can learn to play it on guitar using this tab.

38. You Are the Reason – Calum Scott

Calum Scott released the pop ballad “You Are the Reason” as a single in November 2017.

It is off the 2015 “Britain’s Got Talent” runner-up’s debut album, “Only Human” (2018).

Scott wrote the song alongside Corey Sanders and Jon Maguire. 

The song is in the key of Bb major with a tempo of 58 beats per minute.

This tab details the song’s guitar parts.

39. Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

The 2007 film “Once” is noted as much for its storytelling as its music.

Its soundtrack is composed of songs written by the film’s lead stars, the musicians Glen Handard and Marketa Irglova. 

Among the songs is “Once,” a moving acoustic-guitar-driven track that encapsulates the film’s story. 

The song was written while the film was in production and, along with the film, introduced Hansard and Irglova to a global audience.

It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 80th Academy Awards.

The song is in the key of C major.

You can refer to this tab to learn the song’s guitar parts.

40. Night Changes – One Direction

“Night Changes” is one of the most enduringly popular songs performed by the erstwhile group One Direction.

The boy band wrote the song alongside Jamie Scott, Julian Bunetta and John Ryan.

It was released in November 2014 as the second and last single of their fourth studio album, “Four” (2014).

The song starts off in the key of Ab major and later goes up to Bb major.

Here‘s a tab of the song to help you learn it on guitar.

41. Young Dumb & Broke – Khalid 

When Khalid broke onto the scene, it was with his Billboard Hot 100 top 20 singles “Location” and “Young Dumb & Broke,” off his debut album “American Teen” (2017).

“Young Dumb & Broke” was released as the album’s second single in June 2017. 

It was enthusiastically received by listeners worldwide, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard chart and number 1 in the Philippines and New Zealand.

Though the album version of the song is buoyed by a steady beat, Khalid also performs it live with an acoustic guitar accompaniment.

You can learn to play it on guitar using this tab.

42. Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez

Stephen Sanchez is one of the newest artists to hit the scene. 

The Nashville-based musician released his hit “Until I Found You” in September 2021 as the lead single of his second EP, “Easy on My Eyes.”

The song became viral on TikTok.

It’s in the key of Bb major and has a tempo of 101 beats per minute.

Here‘s a tab of the song to help you learn its guitar parts.

43. Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi

“Someone You Loved” may come off as a song about romantic love, but Lewis Capaldi has said that he wrote it about his grandma who had died. 

The song was released in November 2018 as the third single from his second EP, “Breach” (2018).

It was later included in his debut album, “Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent” (2019).

The song is in the key of Db major and has a tempo of 110 bpm.

44. I Like You (A Happier Song) – Post Malone featuring Doja Cat

Although predominantly a rap song, “I Like You (A Happier Song) is also fun to play on the acoustic guitar.

This is thanks to the tune’s hooks, a characteristic that Post Malone’s songs are known for. 

The tune was written by Malone and featured singer and rapper Doja cat, alongside Billy Walsh and producers Louis Bell and Jasper Harris.

A tab of the song is available here.

45. Somebody That I Used to Know – Gotye

With its official video having over 2 billion views on YouTube, Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” is truly one of the biggest hits of the 2010s.

Although the Belgian-Australian singer-songwriter hasn’t been able to replicate the feat, one could say that what he has achieved with the song he wrote and performed is a legacy, for all intents and purposes.

The song features a guest appearance from New Zealand singer Kimbra.

Learn the song’s guitar parts using this tab.

46. Price Tag – Jessie J

“Price Tag” was released in January 2011 as the second single of the debut album of English singer-songwriter Jessie J, “Who You Are.”

The song features a reggae bounce, making it apt for acoustic jams.

Performed in the key of F major, it follows a tempo of 84 beats per minute.

You can use this tab to learn the song’s guitar parts.

47. Sunroof – Nicky Youre, Dazy

Nicholas Scott Ure, known professionally as Nicky Youre, and Nick Minutaglio, better known as Dazy, released “Sunroof” in December 2021.

By November 2023, the song had reached the top 10 of Billboard Hot 100. 

This is due mostly to its popularity on social media platforms like TikTok. 

In fact, it was the most popular song of 2023 on TikTok.

The song is classified as sunshine pop, making it a fantastic fit for feel-good acoustic jams.

A tab of the song is available here.

48. Best Part – Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.

“Best Part” is a song by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R., who both wrote it.

It was released in 2017 as part of Daniel Caesar’s debut album “Freudian” as well as H.E.R.’s self-titled compilation album. 

The song won Best R&B Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

A mellow track, the song prominently features an acoustic guitar. 

You can refer to this tab to learn its recurring guitar parts.

49. Flowers – Miley Cyrus

“Flowers” is Miley Cyrus’s lead single from her eighth studio album, “Endless Summer Vacation” (2023).

Described as a funk and disco song, “Flowers” has been said to interpolate Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 disco anthem “I Will Survive.”

Like “I Will Survive,” “Flowers” is in the key of A minor.

You can learn to play it on guitar with the help of this tab.

50. Exception – Paramore

“The Only Exception” is the third single from Paramore’s third studio album, “Brand New Eyes.”

It was released in February 2010.

Featuring an acoustic guitar in the intro, the song is noted as a departure from the band’s heavier sound at the time.

It was written by vocalist Haley Williams and the band’s former guitarist Josh Farro.

Here‘s a tab of the song to help you learn to play it on guitar.

Modern Acoustic Guitar Songs: Conclusion

I hope this list has given you some ideas of modern easy acoustic guitar songs you can start learning today!

And if you need more help getting started, check out my post on how I recommend learning the guitar.

What do you think of this list?

Are my songs not modern enough?

Is something missing from this list?

Let me know in the comments!

And if you want to read more about great song lists on this blog, check out:

• The Best Nursing Home Setlist for the Guitar (2023 Edition)
• 15 Awesome Slide Guitar Songs
• 10 Great R&B Songs to Learn on Guitar