Best 60s Guitar Songs You Can Learn to Play Today

On this page, you’ll find easy-to-learn guitar songs from some of the decade’s most iconic artists — including Dion, Donovan, Gene Pitney, Norman Greenbaum, and Scott McKenzie.

Whether you're drawn to folk-rock, pop ballads, or the counterculture anthems of the late '60s, these songs capture the spirit of a transformative era in music.

Each lesson includes chords, strumming patterns, rhythm tips, and a video demo to help you play along. If you’re looking for the best 60s guitar songs to add to your setlist, this is a great place to start.

Blues Coming On is track from Dion's 2020 album entitled "Blues With Friends". This track is one he recorded with blues artist Joe Bonamassa. The album has 14 collaborations with many great artists.

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

In The Still Of The Night was released as a single by Dion And The Belmonts back in 1960 and reached #38 in the US. This is a remake of an old Cole Porter song originally released in 1937. There is another song with the same name but a totally different song.

This version features Dion's distinctive vocals and the group's signature harmonies, and it has become a classic example of doo-wop music. The song's nostalgic lyrics and slow tempo are perfectly suited to the group's style, and their recording remains a beloved example of the doo-wop genre.

The song can be found on the album "Wish Upon A Star with Dion And The Belmonts. 

Ruby Baby is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and originally recorded by The Drifters in 1956. However, it was Dion who had a major hit with the song in 1963 when he recorded his own version, titled "Ruby Baby".

"Ruby Baby" became a top 5 hit for Dion, reaching #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and helped solidify his status as one of the top artists of the early 1960s.

Del Shannon, Bobby Darin and The Beach Boys are just a few artists who have covered this one.

Runaround Sue is one of Dion DiMucci's most famous and lasting hits. It was released in 1961 and became a #1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as a top 20 hit in several other countries. Dion co-wrote this one and was a hit after he went solo from The Belmonts.

The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo, coupled with Dion's distinctive voice and style, made it an instant classic. The lyrics tell the story of a woman named Sue who is known for being unfaithful and playing with men's hearts, earning her the nickname "runaround Sue".

The song can be found on the album of the same name.

The Wanderer was also a song released from the "Runaround Sue" album and written by long time friend Ernie Maresca. Dion used the same backup singers known as the Del-Satins for this track as he did with Runaround Sue. 

"The Wanderer" is another classic hit by Dion DiMucci. It was released in 1961 and became a top 5 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as a hit in several other countries.

"The Wanderer" has been covered by numerous artists over the years and has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, cementing its place in pop culture history.

Catch The Wind is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan in 1965.

It was Donovan's first single and became a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart.

Mellow Yellow was released by Donovan in 1966 as a single and later included on his album "Mellow Yellow". The song became a hit in both the United States and the United Kingdom, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

Rumour had it that Paul McCartney was the one whispering "Mellow Yellow" but this turned out not to be true. The whispering was done by Donovan himself. 

Season Of The Witch was a track on Donovan's 1966 album Sunshine Superman but the song was never released as a single. In 2910, Lana Del Ray covered the song.

Sunny Goodge Street hails from Donovan's 1965 album "Fairytale". The song is named after a street in the Soho district of London, known for its bohemian and counterculture scene during the 1960s.

While "Sunny Goodge Street" was not released as a single, it remains a popular and influential song from the 1960s, and has been covered by several artists over the years.

The song is often seen as a tribute to the bohemian lifestyle of the time, and a reflection of the social and cultural changes that were taking place during the 1960s.

Guitarist Shawn Phillips played on this album with Donovan. Judy Collins and Vince Guaraldi both covered this song in the late 1960's.

Sunshine Superman was released in 1966 as a single and later included on his album of the same name. The song is considered one of Donovan's signature songs and is often cited as an early example of psychedelic rock.

The song was a commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the UK Singles Chart. Rockers from Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones played on this track.

24 Hrs From Tulsa is one of Gene Pitney’s most iconic hits, written by the legendary duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Released in 1963, the song tells the gripping story of a man on his way home — just twenty-four hours from Tulsa — who has a chance encounter that changes everything. With its sweeping orchestration, dramatic narrative, and Pitney’s unmistakable voice, the track blends pop and storytelling in a way few others have.

The twist ending — where the singer confesses he won’t be coming home — gave the song its emotional punch and lasting appeal. Featured on the Gene Pitney: 25 All-Time Greatest Hits collection, this classic remains a standout example of early 60s pop melodrama at its finest.

It Hurts To Be In Love was released in 1964 as part of Gene Pitney's album "Blue Gene." It's one of his most famous songs. Written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller, this emotional ballad became a big hit.

In the U.S., the song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in the UK, it climbed to number 29. While Pitney's version is the most famous, other artists, like Marc Almond in the 1980s, have also covered it.

"It Hurts to Be in Love" captures the pain and complexity of love, making it a lasting part of Pitney's musical legacy and a treasured piece of 1960s music.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was released in 1962. It's one of Gene Pitney's most famous songs, featured on his album "Only Love Can Break a Heart" from the same year.

Although it didn't reach number one, the song was a hit, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

Written by the famous duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song tells a dramatic story, referencing the Western film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance."

This song highlights Gene Pitney's talent for conveying deep emotions and stories, making it a beloved part of his musical legacy.

Tower Tall is a lesser-known yet emotionally resonant track from Gene Pitney’s 1962 album The Many Sides of Gene Pitney.

Showcasing Pitney’s dramatic vocal delivery and flair for the theatrical, the song explores themes of romantic idealism and unshakable devotion. With lush orchestration and a swelling melody, Tower Tall tells the story of a love so powerful it could withstand even the greatest barriers — figuratively “as high as a tower tall.”

Though it wasn’t released as a single, the song reflects Pitney’s early mastery of pop balladry and his ability to bring depth and sincerity to even the most poetic lyrics. A hidden gem in his catalog, it's a great pick for fans looking to explore beyond his biggest hits.

True Love Never Runs Smooth is a touching song released in 1963. It's part of Gene Pitney's album "Only Love Can Break a Heart," which came out the same year. The song did well on the charts, reaching number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

Written by the famous duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song has powerful and emotional lyrics about the ups and downs of love.

Many artists, including Connie Francis and Bobby Vinton, have covered "True Love Never Runs Smooth," showing its lasting popularity and classic status.

Spirit In The Sky was written by Greenbaum and released late in 1969. It was #3 in the US and hit #1 in Canada, the UK and Australia. The song is the 2nd most requested song at funerals, behind Danny Boy and is the most famous one hit wonder songs.

Found on the album "Spirit In The Sky".

San Francisco was a #4 in the US but hit #1 in Germany, New Zealand and the UK when it hit the airwaves in 1967.

The song hails from the album "The Voice Of Scott McKenzie".