29 Best Songs in Standard Tuning: Ultimate Guitar Playlist

1. Sweet Child O' Mine (1987)

Tuning: Sweet Child o' Mine is famously tuned to standard tuning (E A D G B e), making it accessible for many guitarists to learn and play along.

Iconic Riff: The song's instantly recognizable opening riff, played on a clean Les Paul, is a cornerstone of rock guitar history and is easily playable in standard tuning.

Playability: While the solo is more challenging, the main rhythm parts are relatively straightforward, making it a great choice for practicing standard tuning and building proficiency.

2. Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

Tuning: "Nothing Else Matters" is famously written in standard tuning (EADGBe), making it accessible for guitarists of all levels to play along and appreciate its iconic riffs.

Riff Simplicity and Impact: Despite its simplicity, the main riff is instantly recognizable and deeply ingrained in popular culture, a testament to its effectiveness within the standard tuning framework.

Emotional Resonance: The ballad's powerful emotional core, conveyed through Hetfield's vocals and the song's overall structure, resonates deeply even without complex tuning changes, highlighting the strength of songwriting within standard tuning.

3. Every Breath You Take (1983)

Tuning: "Every Breath You Take" is famously written and recorded in standard tuning (E A D G B e), making it easily accessible for guitarists of all levels to play along and appreciate its iconic chord progressions.

Rhythm: The song's reggae-infused rhythm section provides a steady, driving groove that's both instantly catchy and surprisingly complex, making it perfect for practicing rhythmic precision.

Vocal Melody: Sting's distinctive vocal melody is both memorable and relatively easy to sing along to, which contributes to the song's enduring popularity and suitability for various musical applications in standard tuning.

4. Back In Black (Back In Black)

Tuning: Back in Black is famously tuned in standard E tuning (E A D G B e), making it readily accessible for guitarists of all levels to play along or learn from.

Rhythm: The song's iconic riff provides a powerful, driving rhythm section that's both memorable and easy to follow, a great foundation for standard tuning practice.

Accessibility: Its straightforward chord progressions and relatively simple structure within standard tuning make it an excellent choice for honing your skills and improving your timing.

5. Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Tuning: Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is famously written in standard tuning (E A D G B e), making it easily accessible for guitarists of all levels to learn and play along.

Rhythm & Groove: The song features a memorable, driving rhythm section that provides a solid foundation for Billie Joe Armstrong's iconic vocals and the anthemic chorus.

Emotional Resonance: Its melancholic melody and introspective lyrics about disillusionment and lost dreams create a powerful emotional connection with listeners, making it a great choice for those seeking to explore songs with a deeply felt emotional impact that are also playable in standard tuning.

6. Enter Sandman - Metallica (Remastered)

Tuning: Enter Sandman is famously tuned in standard E tuning (E A D G B e), making it easily accessible for guitarists of all levels to play along and appreciate its iconic riffs.

Riff Memorability: The main riff is instantly recognizable and incredibly catchy, a testament to its simple yet effective construction within the standard tuning.

Overall Feel: The song's blend of heavy and melodic elements, all within the familiar framework of standard tuning, contributes to its enduring popularity and widespread appeal.

7. Wonderwall (1995)

Wonderwall - Oasis

Tuning: Wonderwall's iconic riff is perfectly suited to standard tuning, making it easily accessible for guitarists of all levels to learn and play along.

Chords: The song utilizes a relatively simple chord progression in standard tuning, contributing to its widespread popularity and memorability.

Sound: The combination of Noel Gallagher's distinctive vocals and the instantly recognizable guitar riff creates a sound that is both timeless and instantly gratifying in standard tuning.

8. Hotel California (1976)

Tuning: Hotel California is famously written in standard tuning (E A D G B e), making it easily accessible for guitarists of all levels to play along and appreciate its iconic riffs.

Iconic Guitar Riff: The instantly recognizable guitar riff, a masterpiece of simplicity and memorability, is a joy to play in standard tuning, its structure lending itself well to practice and improvisation.

Vocal Harmony: The Eagles’ signature vocal harmonies shine brilliantly, creating a rich sonic texture that is equally satisfying to listen to and attempt to recreate within the familiar framework of standard tuning.

9. Hey Jude

Tuning: Hey Jude is famously written in standard tuning (EADGBe), making it easily accessible for musicians of all levels to play along with or cover.

Instrumental Simplicity: Despite its emotional depth, the song's basic structure and relatively simple chord progression contribute to its suitability for standard tuning and easy playability.

Iconic Status: Its enduring popularity and simple structure have solidified its place as a cornerstone of popular music, making it a perfect example of a great song easily approached in standard tuning.

10. Highway to Hell (Highway to Hell - 1979)

Tuning: "Highway to Hell" is famously tuned in standard E tuning (E A D G B e), making it instantly accessible for guitarists of all levels.

Riff Power: The iconic opening riff is a cornerstone of hard rock, instantly recognizable and perfectly suited to standard tuning; its simplicity belies its effectiveness.

Vocal Delivery: Brian Johnson's powerful vocals cut through the mix with clarity, demonstrating how a strong vocal performance complements a song’s inherent tuning.