Easy Beatles Songs On Guitar
For The Acoustic

Honey Pie was written by Paul McCartney in an effort to re-capture those days of Vaudeville in the 1920s and 30s.

The track can be found on their 1968 double album known as the White Album. McCartney often played the song in his concerts but it was never released as a single.

Using the chords Em, Am, Cm, G, A7, D7, D#, E7 and a C, you'll play a root down root up down up rhythm pattern in standard tuning. Be prepared for a little picking here.

I'll Cry Instead hails from the 1964 album A Hard Days Night and was written by John Lennon. He said the song was about realizing his loss of freedom after become famous. Paul McCartney said the song was about troubles he was having in his marriage to his then wife Cynthia. Either way, the song was never released as a single.

For this one play a root down up down up down up rhythm pattern in standard tuning with the chords G, D7, C7, Bm, A, E7 and an A7. No lead required.

I'm Only Sleeping was written by John Lennon for the 1966 Revolver album. The guitar solo was recorded forward and then reversing the tape. Lennon

slept alot and didn't want to face the days during this period. In 2021 Rolling Stone ranked it at #33 of all the Beatles songs.

This song is tuned one fret below pitch with the chords Em, Am, G, C, B7, Bm and an E7. You'll play a down down up don up down up rhythm pattern with a shuffle in a few places and a few riffs.

Kansas City was written in 1952 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who wrote a few hits for Elvis. The Beatles recorded this one for their  1964 album "Beatles For Sale".

Lennon has the lead vocals on this one with session musician Nicky Hopkins on the piano. The song was also recorded in just one take. The song was a B-side to a single in the UK with the song "Boys" as the A-Side.

This one has a steady down up down up rhythm pattern with some shuffle strumming in places while in standard tuning. You'll need the A, D7, E7 and A7 with a bit of lead to fill this one out.

Lovely Rita is a track on the 1967 Beatles album Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

The song was not released as a commercial single but was released as a promo single in the US before the album's release.

In standard tuning this one has a steady down up down up rhythm pattern in standard tuning and with quick changes but no lead work. You'll need the chords A, G, D, C, Bm, E, F, and a Gsus near the end.

Mr Postman was first released in 1961 by the group the Marvelettes and became a hit for that band in both the UK and the US.

In 1963 The Beatles put the track on their album With The Beatles, their 2nd album. It was never released as a single by The Fab Four.

I'm playing with a capo here but it's still a bit low playing the chords G, Em, C and D. The rhythm pattern is quick shuffle using a root down up down up root up down up in standard tuning. There is no lead here.

Oh Darlin can e found on the 1969 album Abbey Road with McCartney taking the lead vocals. He almost passed out trying to get the right vibe for this song but they captured it in one day of recording.

The song was never released as a single.

I play this one with a capo 2nd fret with the chords Bb-5, G, D, Em, C, Am, G7, D#, A, D7, C7 and a G# at the end. If you play a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern you can jam in some arpeggio notes and a few slides. No lead in here while in standard tuning.

Please Please Me was one of ten tracks recorded all in a single day by The Beatles for their Please Please Me album. 

This song hit #2 in the UK. The Smithereens, The Bee Gees and Bruce Springsteen have all covered this song.

This one has a few chords that change quickly which are D, C, A, G, Em, Bm, D7, F and A#. Played in standard tuning you'll need a down stroke pattern as well as a down up pause up down up pause up pattern. Just a few riffs here but no lead work.

She Said She Said is a track from the 1966 album Revolver. The inspiration came from a party Lennon attended where actor Peter Fonda was present and he kept

saying "I know what it's like to be dead", recounting a near death experience he had. The song was never released as a single.

This one has a bit of a strange time signature but the chords are easy in standard tuning with an A, G, D, Dmaj7, Em and an A7. You'll play a down down up down down up down up for most of it but there are also some chops in the rhythm, but no lead work here.

 The Ballad Of John And Yoko was recorded by just two of the four Beatles. You guessed it, Lennon and McCartney played all instruments and did all of the singing.

The song was written by JohnLennon about his marriage and travels with Yoko Ono. The song was a #1 hit in several countries. Elton John and The Barenaked Ladies have covered this number.

With the chords E, E7, A and a B7 in standard tuning, use a root down root up down up for the most part. There are lots of riffs in this one so rhythm will change in places to fit those into the rhythm. No lead work however.

The Night Before was a recording made in 1965 and appeared in their film "Help". Paul McCartney played the song for the first time in concert at Yankee stadium on Jul 15th 2011.

The song hails from the "Help" album.

Play this one in standard tuning with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. You'll have some picking in here while playing the chords D7, F, G, A7, D, C, Bm, Gm, Am and E7.

You Won't See Me is a track from the bands "Rubber Soul" album from 1965. The song deals with a relationship issue McCartney was having at the time with Jane Asher.

To my knowledge the song was never released as a single.

The rhythm pattern here is down down up down up down up and repeat but no lead work. For chords you'll play a D, A, B7, Dm, E7 and A7.

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away is a song written by John Lennon about fellow musician Brian Epstein, who was gay and had to keep it secret during those times.

The track appears on the 1965 Help album. The song was a single release in the US but not in the UK.

Use a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern here in standard tuning with the chords G, D, F, C and a Dsus. A few melody picking notes near the end.