90s & 2000s Rock Guitar Hits – Vol. 1
The 90s and early 2000s gave us some of the most iconic rock anthems of all time — songs filled with unforgettable hooks, heartfelt lyrics, and instantly recognizable riffs.
In this collection, you’ll find acoustic-friendly versions of classics from Oasis, Goo Goo Dolls, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, and more.
Whether you’re chasing the soaring choruses of “Wonderwall” or the emotional depth of “Iris,” these lessons make it easy to bring these timeless tracks to life on your guitar.
Check out 90s–2000s Rock Radio Hits – Vol 2 for more great songs and guitar lessons.
🎸 Overview Video -
“Watch This Preview of My 90s-2000s
Rock Radio Hits Vol 1”
Rock Radio Hits List Vol 1
3 Doors Down --- Here Without You
Coldplay --- When I Ruled The World
Collective Soul --- Shine
Creed --- With Arms Wide Open
Goo Goo Dolls --- Iris, Slide, Sympathy
Lifehouse --- First Time
Oasis --- Champagne Supernova, Don't Look Back In Anger, Wonderwall
Pearl Jam --- Future Days, I Wish
Red Hot Chilli Peppers --- Under The Bridge
1. 3 Doors Down Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Here Without You is a heartfelt power ballad from the 2002 album Away From The Sun and showcases the band’s softer side, with a strong focus on melody and emotion.
A great acoustic choice, it’s driven by steady chords and a memorable chorus.
The song was released as a single and reached #5 on US Billboard Hot 100.
Chords And Strumming
This one I play with a capo on the 3rd fret in standard tuning, but the original key is a capo 1st fret and sung on the high end of that key which is A# with the chords Am, F, G, C and a G6.
No lead in here but a few riffs as you play a down down up down up down up and repeat. I play this one a little faster than the original but you can obviously play it a bit slower.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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2. Coldplay Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
When I Ruled The World is an anthem that blends strings, percussion, and soaring melodies, perfect for acoustic reinterpretation. The song can be found on the bands 2008 album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.
Known for its sing-along chorus and uplifting feel, the song peaked at #1 in the US and the UK.
Chords And Strumming
This one is a pretty easy play for acoustic players in standard tuning as there is no lead here but a bit high to sing if you play these original chords in standard tuning which are C, D, G, Em and a Cmaj7. I start with all down strokes for rhythm and then play a down down up down up down - up up up down up down and repeat that rhythm pattern throughout the song.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. Collective Soul Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Shine is a 90s alternative classic with a southern rock twist, known for its distinct guitar riff and uplifting “yeah” chorus.
The song hails from the 1993 album Hints Allegations And Things Left Unsaid and reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one in standard tuning with the chords G, F and C and with a few riffs and some lead required. You'll play a steady down up down up rhythm pattern here and with a capo up on the 6th fret. If it's too high of course just lower the capo position.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Creed Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
With Arms Wide Open is a track from the bands 2000 album Human Clay. The song was a #1 in the US and a #2 in Canada.
A rock ballad with uplifting lyrics, this track shines on acoustic with its open chord progressions. It’s one of Creed’s most recognizable songs but I don't teach open tuning in my version here.
Chords And Strumming
Play a down down up down up down - down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern here in standard tuning. A few quick riffs in places with the chords C, G6, Am, F, E7, D and an A#.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. Goo Goo Dolls Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Iris was a huge song for the Goo Goo Dolls and can be found on their greatest hits album from 2007 as well as the City Of Angels Soundtrack and from the 1998 album Dizzy Up The Girl.
It's an emotional ballad and is one of the most requested acoustic songs of the era. The song reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Adult Top 40.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in standard tuning with a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and no leas, just a few riffs in places. A high sing with the chords Bm, A, G, D/Gb and a D.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Slide became a #1 hit in several countries when it was released back in 1998 from the album Dizzy Up The Girl.
It's a song with upbeat rhythms and jangly guitars and the track captures the late-90s pop-rock sound perfectly.
The song reached #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Chords And Strumming
In standard tuning you'll play a fast down down down up down up up down up down up down up and repeat for a rhythm pattern. No lead here with the chords Em, D, C, G and a G6.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Sympathy managed to make it to the #10 spot on the US charts when it was released from the album Gutterflower back in 2002.
The song is a stripped-down, folk-influenced ballad that’s tailor-made for acoustic performance.
The song did chart on the Adult Top 40 when it was released as a single.
Chords And Strumming
For this one play a down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with a few riffs and no lead. The chords you'll need are C, G6, Am7, Gmaj7, Em, D, Gbm and a Bm and a capo 1st fret.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. Lifehouse Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
First Time was released back in 2007 from the album Who We Are and made the top 40 in two countries and hit #27 in the US and hails from the album Who We Are. The song was written by frontman Jason Wade.
A driving, melodic rock song with a powerful chorus and simple chord structure that works great on acoustic.
The song did pretty good and reached #26 on Billboard Hot 100.
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm you can play either a down up down up pattern or play a steady down stoke pattern. There is not lead in this one but the chord shapes are a bit odd, but I explain those in the full tutorial lesson.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. Oasis Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Champagne Supernova is a track from the bands 2nd album released back in 1995 called What's The Story Morning Glory.
It's a Britpop epic with dreamy verses and a soaring outro, perfect for sing-alongs.
The song was a single in the US only and made it to #1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Chords And Strumming
This one is in standard tuning played with the chords Asus2, Asus2/G, Asus2/Gb, Asus2/E, G, Csus, E, Fmaj7, Esus and an E.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Don't Look Back In Anger is also found on the bands 1995 album What's The Story Morning Glory.
The song was built around a piano and guitar hook reminiscent of classic rock ballads, this is one of Noel Gallagher’s finest compositions.
It did well, reaching #1 on the UK Singles Chart.
Chords And Strumming
Play a down down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning and some lead required here. Use the chords C, F, Gb, Am, E, Fm, Gsus, G and an Adim.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Wonderwall is the third lesson on this page from Oasis and is also from the bands 1995 album What's The Story Morning Glory.
One of the most famous acoustic songs of all time, instantly recognizable from its first strummed chord and easy to play.
The song was released as a single and peaked at #2 UK in the and #8 US Billboard Hot 100.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one with a capo on the 2nd fret with a fast shuffle pattern that follows a down down up down up down up up up down up down up while in standard tuning. No lead work but the chords are Em7, G, Dsus, Asus, C and a D/Gb.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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8. Pearl Jam Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Future Days is the last track from the 2013 album Lightning Bolt. This song was never released as a single.
A tender, stripped-down ballad showcasing Eddie Vedder’s softer side and perfect for fingerstyle or basic rhythm playing.
This track was never released as a single.
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 1st on this one with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern in standard tuning. For picking there is a riff that is played following the phrasing of the vocals. For chords play a C, G6, Am, Am/G, Fmaj7, F, G and a G7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Wishlist is a laid-back, minimalist track with simple chords and heartfelt lyrics from the 1998 album Yield and the song charted on US Mainstream Rock Tracks.
Chord sheet and Video Lesson in the zip file below.
Chords And Strumming
In standard tuning, play all down strokes for the most part mixed some arpeggio and up strokes. Some lead required in this one. For chords you'll need C, F, Fmaj7 and a G.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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9. Red Hot Chilli Peppers Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Under The Bridge is a 90s alt-rock masterpiece with a touching, autobiographical story, great for expressive acoustic playing.
The song hails from the 1992 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik from 1991 as their 2nd single. The lyrics were written first and then the band collaborated on the writing of the music around the lyrics. The song became a #2 hit for the band.
The song peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Chords And Strumming
Played in standard tuning you can use an arpeggio rhythm along with a little bit country because I'm adding the riff in under the rhythm. So my rhythm now becomes two down strokes followed by the riff. I'm playing a muted down up down up where I'm not playing the riff section.
The chords required are D, Gb, Db, E, B, Dbm, Abm, A, Emaj7, Gbm, Am7, Gmaj7/A, Fmaj7/A, Amaj7 and an Esus.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Back To Song List
From the Britpop glory of Oasis to the alternative brilliance of Pearl Jam and the heartfelt ballads of the Goo Goo Dolls, these 90s and 2000s guitar hits never go out of style.
Each tutorial is designed to help you capture the essence of the original song while keeping things approachable for acoustic players. Once you’ve mastered these tracks, check out Volume 2 for even more rock essentials from the same unforgettable era.
Ready for more? Continue to Vol 2 of 90s–2000s Rock Radio Hits and keep learning.
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