Hey there, guitar fans! Just yesterday, on February 6th, 2025, we celebrated legendary Bob Marley’s 80th birthday with amazing concerts and events worldwide. His music still brings people together, and that’s what makes learning his songs extra special.
The cool thing is – learning Bob Marley songs on guitar is way easier than you might think!
I started playing guitar with these songs, and trust me, most of them only need 3 or 4 basic chords. The best part? You don’t have to be a pro to sound good! From the peaceful vibes to the groovy rhythm, these songs are perfect for beginners.
Want to start your reggae journey with an easy beginner guitar lesson? Let’s check out seven easy Bob Marley songs to learn on guitar that will get you jamming in no time!
1. Three Little Birds
Album: Exodus (1977) | Guitar Chords
Three Little Birds is one of the easiest Bob Marley songs to play on guitar, and it’s a great one to start with if you’re new to reggae. It only uses three basic chords—A, D, and E—all open chords that beginners learn early on.
The strumming follows a relaxed, offbeat reggae rhythm, but you can start with simple downstrokes before adding upstrokes for a more authentic feel.
I remember playing this song for the first time, and it instantly made me feel good. The message is pure joy—“Don’t worry about a thing”—and it’s as easy to play as it is to love.
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2. Stir It Up
Single by Bob Marley and the Wailers (1967) | Guitar Chords
As we are celebrating Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, let me tell you about this awesome song that’s perfect for beginners. You can use just three basic chords – A, D, and E – which makes it super easy to learn.
The reggae strumming is simple too – usually start with one down-strum per chord until you get comfortable.
This song first came out in 1967, and it was actually the first Bob Marley song that became popular outside Jamaica. Johnny Nash liked this song so much that he covered it in 1972 and got it into the top charts!
I like playing it with a slow, groovy rhythm that makes everyone want to sway. When you’re ready to level up, you can add some clean upstrokes to get that classic reggae feel.
3. One Love/People Get Ready
Album: Exodus (1977) | Guitar Chords
One Love / People Get Ready is a classic Bob Marley song that spreads a message of unity and peace. It’s also an easy tune to learn on guitar.
The song uses just four chords—A, D, E, and F#m. The strumming follows a steady down-down-down-down pattern, but the key is playing on the offbeat, hitting the ‘ands’ between beats.
When I first played this, I struggled with F#m, but after some practice, it felt natural. The upbeat reggae groove makes it fun, and once you get the rhythm, you’ll be jamming like Marley in no time!
4. No Women No Cry
Album: Natty Dread (1974) | Guitar Chords
A must-have on any Bob Marley playlist, this song is one of his most emotional and heartfelt tracks. The song is easy to play on acoustic with just four simple chords—C, G, Am, and F.
I remember practicing the chord transitions over and over, but once I got them down, the smooth reggae rhythm felt natural.
The strumming follows a steady downstroke on the offbeat, giving it that classic reggae groove. This is a great sing-along song, and if you check out the guitar tutorial, you’ll be strumming like a pro in no time.
5. Redemption Song
Album: Uprising (1980) | Guitar Chords
Redemption Song is one of Bob Marley’s most powerful songs, and it’s also great for beginner guitarists. Unlike his usual reggae tracks, this one is an acoustic folk-style song.
The intro is fun to play, using simple fingerpicking. The main chords—G, Em, C, G/B, Am, and D—are beginner-friendly, though G/B might take some practice.
The strumming pattern follows a relaxed down-down-up-up-down-up motion. When I first played this song, I loved how raw and emotional it felt. If you want to learn a song with meaning and a simple chord progression, this is a perfect choice.
6. Is This Love
Album: Kaya (1978) | Lesson Video | Guitar Chords
This reggae classic has a smooth, laid-back groove that makes it fun to play. It works well on acoustic or electric guitar, and the guitar chords strumming pattern follows the signature offbeat reggae rhythm.
The main chords are F#m, D, A, and E, and they repeat throughout the song. You can also add chords like C#m and Bm to make the song more colorful. It’s great for Bob Marley guitar song fans who want to practice barre chords.
A cool fact—supermodel Naomi Campbell appeared in the music video when she was just seven years old! This is another must-learn song for any Marley fan.
7. Could You Be Loved
Album: Uprising (1980) | Guitar Chords
This song has a catchy rhythm and a groove that makes it fun to play, but it’s not the easiest one on our list for absolute beginners.
It’s based on D major and B minor, with a reggae beat that sounds best using barre chords. The chorus follows a D–Bm–G progression, while other sections mix in E minor and F# minor.
A cool fact—Marley wrote this song on an airplane while jamming with The Wailers. The upbeat feel and smooth reggae strumming make it a great pick for practice.
It’s one of Marley’s biggest hits, having more than one billion streams on Spotify, and it’s perfect for any fan wanting to play reggae guitar.
Thomas M., the founder of Guitar Top Review, boasts 15+ years of guitar experience and was a church band member in L.A. Transitioning from piano to acoustic guitar, his first love remains his Taylor GS Mini. Alongside like-minded hobbyist friends, he launched the site, driven by a deep love for music that transcends professional boundaries.