Are you a guitar-toting troubadour dreaming of captivating crowds and filling your tip jar? Then you've come to the right place! Finding the best songs for busking guitar can be the difference between a successful street performance and a silent struggle. This isn't just about picking catchy tunes; it's about choosing songs that resonate with a diverse audience, encourage participation, and ultimately, earn you those well-deserved coins. We all know the frustration of playing a brilliant solo to an indifferent crowd, so we've compiled a killer list of crowd-pleasing classics and modern hits perfect for showcasing your guitar skills on the street. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your busking journey, this curated selection will help you attract listeners, build your reputation, and, most importantly, make some beautiful music. Get ready to strum your way to success!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Perfect | Ed Sheeran | ÷ (Deluxe) | 4B+ |
| 2. Sweet Child O' Mine | Guns N' Roses | Appetite For Destruction | 2B+ |
| 3. Firework | Katy Perry | Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection | 1B+ |
| 4. Every Breath You Take | The Police | Synchronicity (Remastered 2003) | 1B+ |
| 5. Livin' On A Prayer | Bon Jovi | Slippery When Wet | 1B+ |
| 6. Price Tag |
B.o.B Jessie J | 921M+ | |
| 7. More Than Words | Extreme | Extreme II - Pornograffitti | 760M+ |
1. Perfect - ÷ (Deluxe)
Simple Chords: Perfect utilizes a straightforward chord progression, making it easy to learn and play for buskers of all skill levels.
Relatable Lyrics: The song's themes of love and longing resonate deeply with audiences, encouraging strong audience engagement.
Singalong Potential: Its catchy melody and familiar chorus invite audience participation, creating a lively and interactive busking experience.
2. Sweet Child O' Mine (1987)
Iconic Riff: Sweet Child o' Mine boasts one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history, instantly engaging passersby and creating a captivating atmosphere for busking.
Relatable Melody: The song's memorable melody and singalong chorus are easy for audiences to pick up, encouraging participation and generating a lively, interactive performance.
Crowd-Pleasing Factor: Its classic rock sound and upbeat tempo are guaranteed to attract listeners and create a fun, energetic vibe, perfect for drawing in tips during your busking set.
3. Firework (Katy Perry - 2025)
Easy Chords: "Firework" features a relatively simple chord progression, making it accessible for guitarists of various skill levels to learn and perform confidently during busking.
Singalong Chorus: The anthemic chorus is incredibly catchy and easy for crowds to sing along to, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere perfect for street performances.
Crowd Pleaser: Its uplifting and celebratory vibe resonates well with diverse audiences, guaranteeing a positive response and potentially increased tips for your busking efforts.
4. Every Breath You Take (The Police - 1983)
Easy Chords: "Every Breath You Take" features a relatively simple chord progression, making it accessible for guitarists of varying skill levels.
Memorable Melody: The instantly recognizable melody is easy to learn and will quickly draw in listeners, perfect for grabbing attention in a busy environment.
Engaging Rhythm: The song's reggae-infused rhythm is naturally captivating and encourages audience participation, creating a lively busking atmosphere.
5. Livin' On A Prayer (Slippery When Wet - 1986)
Catchy Chorus: "Livin' on a Prayer" boasts an incredibly memorable and singalong-ready chorus, perfect for audience participation during your busking set.
Relatable Theme: The song's themes of perseverance and striving for a better life resonate with a wide audience, creating a connection that enhances the performance.
Guitar-Friendly Structure: Its iconic guitar riff and relatively straightforward chord progression make it easy to learn and perform acoustically, ideal for busking.
6. Price Tag
Strong Melody: "Price Tag" boasts a catchy and memorable melody that's easily adaptable to a guitar-centric arrangement, making it instantly recognizable and engaging for passersby.
Singalong Chorus: The powerful chorus is perfect for audience participation, encouraging singalongs and creating a lively atmosphere during your busking performance.
Relatable Theme: Its themes of materialism versus genuine value resonate widely, sparking connections with listeners and adding emotional depth to your performance.
7. More Than Words
Simple Chords: "More Than Words" features incredibly easy-to-play guitar chords, perfect for beginners and ideal for busking situations where quick transitions are necessary.
Emotional Resonance: The song's stripped-down arrangement and heartfelt lyrics create a powerful emotional connection with listeners, making it highly effective for drawing in a crowd.
Strong Vocal Melody: The vocal melody is memorable and relatively simple to sing along to, encouraging audience participation and creating a more interactive busking experience.
8. Stand By Me - Don't Play That Song (Mono)
Simple Chords: "Stand By Me" features incredibly easy-to-play guitar chords, perfect for beginners and buskers alike, making it instantly accessible to a wide audience.
Powerful Vocals: Ben E. King's soulful vocals are instantly recognizable and deeply emotive, easily captivating passersby and drawing them in for a closer listen.
Broad Appeal: Its timeless melody and message of support resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring a receptive audience in almost any setting.
9. I Want To Break Free - The Works (Deluxe Edition 2011 Remaster)
Catchy Melody: "I Want To Break Free" boasts a memorable, singalong chorus that's easily picked up by audiences, perfect for encouraging participation during your busking set.
Upbeat Tempo: The song's driving rhythm is inherently engaging and gets people moving, creating a lively atmosphere that draws in listeners and keeps them entertained.
Relatable Theme: The song's theme of liberation resonates with a broad audience, making it an emotionally connecting performance piece suitable for various demographics.
10. Country Roads (1971)
Easy Chords: Country Roads boasts a simple chord structure, making it highly accessible for beginner guitarists and perfect for busking.
Singalong Appeal: Its familiar melody and relatable lyrics encourage audience participation, creating a lively atmosphere.
Crowd-Pleasing Sound: The gentle, folksy sound is universally appealing and creates a relaxed, enjoyable experience for both the performer and listeners.
11Wonderwall
Oasis
1995
(What's The Story) Morning Glory? (Deluxe Remastered Edition)
12Dust in the Wind
Kansas
1977
Point Of Know Return (Expanded Edition)
13Let It Be
The Beatles
1970
Let It Be (Remastered)
14With Or Without You
U2
1987
The Joshua Tree (Super Deluxe)
15Free Fallin'
Tom Petty
1989
Full Moon Fever
16Tears in Heaven
Eric Clapton
1992
Rush (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack)
17Unchained Melody
The Righteous Brothers
1965
Just Once In My Life
18Bad Moon Rising
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1969
Green River (Expanded Edition)
19No Woman, No Cry
The Wailers,Bob Marley
1974
20Candle in the Wind
Elton John
1973
21City of New Orleans
Johnny Cash,Willie Nelson,Kris Kristofferson,Waylon Jennings,The Highwaymen
1972
Live - American Outlaws
22Romeo And Juliet
Dire Straits
1980
Making Movies
23Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan
1963
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
24Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
The Beatles
1968
25Crocodile Rock
Elton John
1972
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player
26Heart of Gold
Neil Young
1972
Harvest (50th Anniversary Edition)
27Fire and Rain
James Taylor
1970
Sweet Baby James (2019 Remaster)
28Dead Flowers
The Rolling Stones
1969
Sticky Fingers (Remastered)