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Classic 60s Guitar Hits – Songs to Learn and Play
The 1960s delivered an unforgettable blend of catchy melodies, folk ballads, and pop-rock charm—and many of those iconic tunes translate beautifully to acoustic guitar.
On this page, we explore classic 60s guitar hits by artists like Peter & Gordon, Brian Hyland, Ralph McTell, Joe Dolan, and others.
Each song listed includes a demo performance, a chord chart, and the option to purchase a full video tutorial if you want to master the rhythm, strumming, and style of the original recording.
Whether you're a beginner looking to expand your 60s repertoire or a seasoned player searching for nostalgic gems, this page is a great place to dig in.
🎸 Overview Video -
“Watch This Preview of My Best
Classic 60s Guitar Hits”
Classic 60s Guitar Hits List
1. Brian Hyland - A You're Adorable, Sealed With A Kiss2. Jimmy Clanton - Venus In Blue Jeans
3. Joe Dolan - Make Me An Island, You're Such A Good Looking Woman
4. Mary Hopkin - Goodbye - Those Were The Days
5. Peter & Gordon - A World Without Love, I Go To Pieces, Lady Godiva, Woman
6. Peter Paul & Mary - If I Had A Hammer, Right Field, The Wedding Song
7. PJ Proby - Niki Hokey
8. Ralph McTell - From Clare To Here, Streets Of London
1. Brian Hyland Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
A You're Adorable a.k.a the Alphabet song was first made popular in 1949 by Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters.
Brian Hyland recorded this song for his debut album "The Bashful Blonde" in 1960 but never released his version as a single.
Chords And Strumming
A handful of chords in this one consisting of D, B7, Em, A7, A, G, E7, Ddim and a Gbm with a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern throughout. No lead here in standard tuning.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Sealed With A Kiss was a #3 hit in both the US and UK in 1962 and the song was written by Gary Geld and Peter Udell.
The track is from his 1962 album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
This one has two different rhythm patterns you could play which is a root down up root up down up or a shuffle which is a root down up down up root up down up. A bit of lead work in this one as you play the chords Em, D, A, Am, G, E7, B7 and a Gb. A Capo first fret is where this one is and moves up one fret later, but I left that out of this arrangement.
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2. Jimmy Clanton Songs
- Learn To Play On Guitar
Venus In Blue Jeans was a single released from the album of the same name by Jimmy Clanton in 1962. The managed to reach $7 in the US and #5 in Canada on the charst.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played in standard tuning with a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern with a short picking pattern and with the chords D, Gbm, G, A, Bm, E7, Em, E7, C and a B7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. Joe Dolan Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Make Me An Island was a single released back in 1969 from the album of the same name.
It became one of Dolan's signature hits and helped establish him as an international artist. The song was written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, who were also responsible for several other popular tracks of the era.
"Make Me An Island" reached the number 3 position on the UK Singles Chart, marking Dolan's highest-charting single in Britain. It also performed well in other European countries, reaching number 1 in Ireland and the Netherlands.
Chords And Strumming
I play a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern here in standard tuning with the chords Dm, A7, D7, Gm, G, D, A#, D# and a G#m. No lead work in this one.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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You're Such A Good Looking Woman is an upbeat, brassy pop tune that became one of Joe Dolan’s signature hits, cementing his status as one of Ireland’s most charismatic entertainers.
Released in 1969 and written by songwriting duo Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, "You're Such a Good Looking Woman" was a chart success, reaching #3 in Ireland and cracking the UK Top 20.
The song’s infectious melody, bold orchestration, and Dolan’s powerhouse vocal delivery made it a radio favorite and a staple of his live performances for years. Its timeless charm continues to resonate with fans of 60s pop and lounge-style vocal tracks.
Chords And Strumming
I play this one in standard tuning with a root down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and no lead. The chords here you'll need are Dm, Gm, C, F, A7, D, D7 and a G.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Mary Hopkin Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Goodbye was written by Paul McCartney and released by Mary Hopkin in 1969. It would have reached number one but had to settle for number two a a pesky song by The Beatles called Get Back took the #1 spot on the UK charts.
She played acoustic on the track while McCartney played bass and the acoustic intro and solo.
Chords And Strumming
This one has a root down up down up down up rhythm pattern with a few chops in it and a short picking break. The chords here are D, Gbm, Bm, Bm/A, G, A7 and A in standard tuning with a capoed 2nd fret.
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Those Were The Days is a track from the Mary Hopkin 1969 album. The song was produced by Paul McCartney and hit #3 in the UK and #28 in the US.
Chords And Strumming
There is a one fret key change in this song near the end which is in standard tuning but played with a capo 2nd fret. There is some down strokes, shuffle strumming and a root down up down up down up and repeat pattern for rhythm . No lead but a few riffs with the chords Em, E7, Am, Gb, B7, D, G, F, F7, A#m, C7, Fm, D#, G# and A#.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. Peter & Gordon Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
A World Without Love was the very first single ever released by the British duo Peter And Gordon way back in 1964. Paul McCartney actually wrote this song.
The song was a #1 in the UK and the US.
McCartney was dating Peter's sister at the time and moved in with her when he was 16. Paul didn't think the song was good enough for his new band The Beatles so he gave the song to Peter Asher who had just landed a recording contract with his duo partner Gordon Waller.
The song is found on their album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
The first rhythm pattern is a root down up root up down up and the second is a quick shuffle using a root down up down up root up down up. A little picking in this one and playing the chords E, Ab, Dbm, Am, Gbm, B7 and C in standard tuning.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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I Go To Pieces is a song written by Del Shannon and was a hit for Peter And Gordon back in Feb 1965. These guys were touring with Del Shannon in the fall of 1964 in Australia. Del sang the song to
The Searchers in their dressing as they were touring also, but they passed. But Peter And Gordon heard the song from another dressing room and asked Del if they might record the song, which he agreed.
The track is on the album of the same name.
Chords And Strumming
This one you can play a root down up down up root up down up rhythm pattern with the chords E, Abm, A, B7, Dbm, Am, Gb and a B7. No lead here and in standard tuning.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Lady Godiva was released as a single in 1966 and reached #16 in the UK and #6 in the US and hit #1 in Australia and Canada.
The song can be found on their album of the same name released in 1967.
Chords And Strumming
One small riff near the end of this one in standard tuning you can play with a root down up root up down up rhythm pattern. The chords you'll need are D, A, G, Em, A7, D7, B7 and an E7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Woman was released as a single by Peter And Gordon in Jan of 1966. The song reached #14 in the US and #28 in the UK.
But it was revealed before the song charted that it was written by Paul McCartney, who use a fake name as the writer to see if the song would do well on it's own and not be associated with him.
Chords And Strumming
This one I play with a capo 2nd fret and with downstrokes for rhythm. The chords here are A, D, Dm, A, A/Ab, Gbm, B7, E, E/C, Bm, F and a Dbm.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. Peter Paul & Mary Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
If I Had A Hammer was a song written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays back in 1949 as a progressive protest song.
It was first recorded by The Weavers. In 1962 Peter Paul and Mary released their version which reached #2. Trini Lopez took it to #3 in 1963.
Chords And Strumming
Peter Paul And Mary played this with a capo on the 2nd fret with a steady down up down up rhythm pattern and in standard tuning. I've added a short picking break here in my version with the chords G, Bm, C, D and an Em.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Right Field is a track from the Peter Paul And Mary album entitled No Easy Walk To Freedom released back in 1986 which received a Grammy nomination in 1987.
This song was never released as a single. I believe their last single releases ceased in 1983.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played with a root down up down up rhythm pattern and a bit of lead in the middle of the song. I play this on standard tuning with the chords G, D/Gb, Em, Em/D, C, G6, Am, D7 and an F.
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The Wedding Song is actually a solo song from Nole "Paul" Stookey's first solo album from 1971, but I've decided to file it here.
Chords And Strumming
The rhythm on this one is a steady down up down up pattern as you pluck a few notes for arpeggio and played with a capo on the 2nd fret in standard tuning. No lead here with the chords D, E7, G, A/Db, Bm, A7sus and an A7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. PJ Proby Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Niki Hokey is a song from PJ Proby but to my knowledge the song was never a single release.
The track is on the 2011 compilation album "Greatest Hits From The Sixties.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played with a root down up down up down up and repeat or you can play a double bass like I'm playing here in standard tuning. Only three chords and they are E, A and a B7 with some lead required.
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8. Ralph McTell Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
From Clare To Here was written by Ralph McTell in the 1970's and appeared on his 1976 album "Right Side Up".
Working with an Irishman in London in the mid 60s, he responded to a question from McTell by saying "yes it's a long way from Clare to here".
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm here play a down down up down up down up and repeat pattern in standard tuning. For chords use an Fmaj7, Am, G, C, C and an Em with some lead required.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Streets Of London appears on McTells 1969 album entitled "Spiral Staircase" but was not released as a single in the UK until 1974. There have been over 200 covers of the song.
Roger Whittaker had a successful cover in 1971 as well. The song peaked at #2 in the UK. There is a third verse which McTell wrote in Mar 2020.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played with a capo 2nd fret and with a down up down up up down up rhythm pattern with riffs blended in and some lead. The chords here in standard tuning are D, A, Bm, Gbm, G, A7, E7, Bm/A and an A/Db.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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The songs featured here showcase the softer, melodic side of 60s guitar music—from heartfelt folk harmonies to bright pop arrangements. Each lesson brings out the emotional essence of the original while making it accessible to players of all skill levels.
If you’ve enjoyed working through these tracks, be sure to explore our other 60s guitar pages for more legendary tunes, one-hit wonders, and acoustic-friendly favorites.
There’s a world of vintage guitar magic waiting to be rediscovered.
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Popular Songs From The 60s