Easy Guitar Songs & Chord Progressions
Best Campfire Songs on Guitar: Sing-Along Classics With Easy Chords
A handful of well-known songs, easy chords and a steady strum is all you need to be the hero of the campfire. Here is a set list that works.
About these song lists
We list the chords commonly used to play each song and describe the feel. We do not publish lyrics or full transcriptions — use the original recording and a licensed lyrics or tab service to play along. Some recordings use a capo or a different key; use our transposer and capo finder to match them.
The campfire set list
| Song | Artist | Chords | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take Me Home, Country Roads | John Denver | G, Em, D, C | Everyone knows the chorus |
| Leaving on a Jet Plane | John Denver | G, C, D | Gentle and easy to sing |
| Stand By Me | Ben E. King | G, Em, C, D | Instant sing-along |
| Knockin' on Heaven's Door | Bob Dylan | G, D, Am, C | Slow, great for groups |
| Wagon Wheel | Old Crow Medicine Show | G, D, Em, C | Fun and upbeat |
| Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison | G, C, D, Em | Happy crowd-pleaser |
| Wonderwall | Oasis | Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4 (capo 2) | Everyone will sing |
| A Horse with No Name | America | Em, D6add9/F# | Two chords, hypnotic |
| Ring of Fire | Johnny Cash | G, C, D | Country classic |
| Wish You Were Here | Pink Floyd | C, D, Am, G, Em | Late-night favourite |
| Hallelujah | Leonard Cohen | C, Am, F, G, E7 | For the quiet moment |
| Blowin' in the Wind | Bob Dylan | G, C, D | Timeless |
| Redemption Song | Bob Marley | G, Em, C, Am, D | Solo acoustic classic |
| I'm Yours | Jason Mraz | G, D, Em, C (capo 4) | Relaxed, beachy |
| Heart of Gold | Neil Young | Em, C, D, G | Folk-rock classic |
Tips for leading a sing-along
- Choose the right key. Most groups sing comfortably in G, C or D. If the song is too high or low for the group, move it with a capo — our capo finder helps.
- Strum louder and simpler. Outdoors, big down-up strums (pattern D – DU – UDU) carry better than delicate fingerpicking.
- Count in. "One, two, three, four" so everyone starts together.
- Keep going. If you fumble a chord, keep strumming the rhythm — nobody will notice.
- Print a chord sheet with just the chord names so you don't need your phone by the fire.
Taking your guitar camping
- Use a padded gig bag or hard case, and keep the guitar out of direct sun and away from the fire.
- Never leave a guitar in a hot car — heat can loosen glue and damage the finish.
- Cold nights and damp air will detune your strings: bring a clip-on tuner.
- Consider a cheaper laminate-top or travel guitar — they are much more resistant to temperature and humidity changes. See guitar storage and humidity.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good campfire song for beginners?
"Leaving on a Jet Plane" (G, C, D) and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (G, D, Am, C) are slow, well-known and easy to sing.
What guitar is best for camping?
A durable laminate acoustic or a travel-size guitar. Solid-wood guitars are more sensitive to temperature and humidity swings.
