If you’re a fan of classic rock, then you’ve probably heard of Guns N’ Roses.
This iconic band has been making music since the mid-1980s, and their sound has been described as a mix of punk, blues, and hard rock.
They’re known for their powerful guitar riffs and high-energy performances, and their songs have become staples of classic rock radio.
If you’re looking to learn how to play some of their most famous songs on guitar, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll be exploring 17 easy Guns N’ Roses songs to play on guitar, and we’ll even provide you with the tabs so you can start playing right away.
So, if you’re ready to rock out with some classic Guns N’ Roses, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- 17. “Used To Love Her”
- 16. “Think About You”
- 15. “It’s So Easy”
- 14. “My Michelle”
- 13. “Yesterdays”
- 12. “Rocket Queen”
- 11. “Estranged”
- 10. “Live And Let Die”
- 9. “You Could Be Mine”
- 8. “Civil War”
- 7. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”
- 6. “Don’t Cry”
- 5. “Patience”
- 4. “November Rain”
- 3. “Paradise City”
- 2. “Welcome To The Jungle”
- 1. “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
17. “Used To Love Her”
“Used To Love Her” by Guns N’ Roses is a classic rock song from the band’s 1988 album, “G N’ R Lies”.
The song is about a man who used to love a woman, but now he’s “better off dead”.
The lyrics reflect the band’s signature hard rock sound, with Axl Rose’s powerful vocals and the band’s signature guitar riffs.
The music video for the song was directed by Nigel Dick and features the band performing in a graveyard, with Rose singing the lyrics from a tombstone.
Guns N’ Roses was formed in Los Angeles in 1985, and quickly rose to fame with their debut album, Appetite for Destruction.
The band is known for their hard rock sound and their rebellious lyrics, and “Used To Love Her” is a perfect example of their style.
The song was a hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s one of the band’s most popular songs and continues to be a fan favorite.
16. “Think About You”
“Think About You” is a classic love song by Guns N’ Roses, released in 1987 on their debut album Appetite for Destruction.
The song, written by Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin, is a classic rock ballad that showcases the band’s softer side.
It features a catchy guitar riff and a heartfelt vocal performance from Rose, who sings about the pain of being separated from a loved one.
The song has become a fan favorite over the years, and is often performed in concert.
Guns N’ Roses is one of the most successful rock bands of all time, selling over 100 million albums worldwide.
They are known for their hard-hitting rock anthems, but “Think About You” is a reminder of their softer side.
It’s a song that will stay with you long after the last note has been played.
15. “It’s So Easy”
“It’s So Easy” by Guns N’ Roses is a classic hard rock song from their 1987 album Appetite for Destruction.
The song is a testament to the band’s signature sound, featuring a driving rhythm section and a memorable guitar riff.
Axl Rose’s powerful vocals and the band’s tight musicianship make the song an instant classic.
The lyrics are a tongue-in-cheek look at the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, with Rose singing about the ease of getting women and money.
The song was a huge hit, reaching number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Guns N’ Roses were one of the biggest rock bands of the 1980s, and “It’s So Easy” was one of their most popular songs.
It remains a favorite of fans and is still played regularly on classic rock radio stations.
14. “My Michelle”
“My Michelle” by Guns N’ Roses is an iconic song from their 1987 album Appetite for Destruction.
The song is a tribute to Axl Rose’s friend, Michelle Young, and is a classic example of the hard rock sound the band was known for.
It starts with a slow, bluesy guitar riff and Axl’s signature vocal style, and then the drums and bass kick in, giving it a more upbeat, rock feel.
The lyrics tell the story of a young girl who is struggling with addiction and poverty, and Axl’s passionate delivery of the lyrics makes it a powerful and emotional song.
Guns N’ Roses was formed in Los Angeles in 1985 by Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler.
Their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, was released in 1987 and was an instant success, selling over 30 million copies worldwide.
The album featured some of the band’s most iconic songs, including “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” and “Paradise City,” all of which helped to establish Guns N’ Roses as one of the most successful hard rock bands of all time.
13. “Yesterdays”
“Yesterdays” by Guns N’ Roses is a classic rock ballad from the band’s 1993 album, “The Spaghetti Incident?”.
The song was written by Axl Rose, the lead singer and songwriter of the band, and was the only cover song on the album.
It was originally written by James Gaffney and was first recorded by the band Badfinger in 1970.
Axl Rose’s version of the song is a slow, melancholic ballad with a heavy focus on the lyrics.
The lyrics are about the regret of past mistakes and the desire to go back in time and fix them.
The song features a simple acoustic guitar, a piano, and Axl Rose’s powerful vocals.
The song was a hit for the band, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the most popular songs of the band’s career.
12. “Rocket Queen”
“Rocket Queen” by Guns N’ Roses is a classic rock song that was released in 1987 as part of the band’s debut album, Appetite for Destruction.
It was written by lead singer Axl Rose and features a unique combination of hard rock, blues, and funk.
The song is about a young woman who is involved in a love triangle with a man and a woman, and it has become a fan favorite due to its powerful lyrics and catchy chorus.
The song was also the first Guns N’ Roses song to feature a guitar solo by lead guitarist Slash, which has become one of his most iconic solos.
The song was a commercial success, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the band’s most popular songs.
It has been covered by numerous other bands and has been featured in several films and television shows.
11. “Estranged”
“Estranged” by Guns N’ Roses is a powerful and emotional song from their 1991 album Use Your Illusion II.
The song was written by lead singer Axl Rose and guitarist Slash, and is the longest song on the album at nine minutes and twenty-three seconds.
It is an epic ballad that tells the story of a relationship gone wrong, and the feelings of loneliness and despair that come with it.
The song is driven by a powerful guitar riff and a steady drum beat, with Axl Rose’s passionate vocals conveying the raw emotion of the lyrics.
The song also features a beautiful piano solo by Dizzy Reed, adding to the emotional intensity of the song. “Estranged” is a classic Guns N’ Roses song, and is one of their most beloved tracks.
10. “Live And Let Die”
“Live And Let Die” by Guns N’ Roses is a classic rock anthem from their 1991 album, Use Your Illusion I.
The song was actually a cover of the 1973 Paul McCartney and Wings hit.
It was the first single released from the album and was an immediate success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song was written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, and was featured in the James Bond film of the same name.
The track features a hard-rocking guitar solo from Slash, the legendary Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist.
The song has become a staple of the band’s live setlist and is often performed as the encore.
It has been covered by numerous other artists, including Aerosmith, and has been featured in a variety of films and television shows.
Guns N’ Roses’ version of “Live And Let Die” is a classic rock anthem that has stood the test of time.
9. “You Could Be Mine”
“You Could Be Mine” by Guns N’ Roses is a hard-rocking classic from their 1991 album Use Your Illusion II.
Written by lead guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, the song is a relentless, driving force of guitars and drums that perfectly captures the band’s signature sound.
It was also featured in the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and was the band’s first single to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 29.
The song is a great example of the band’s ability to combine heavy metal riffs with a catchy melody and clever lyrics, and it has become a staple of their live shows.
It’s a classic example of the band’s unique blend of hard rock, blues, and punk, and it’s one of the most recognizable songs of their career.
8. “Civil War”
“Civil War” by Guns N’ Roses is a powerful and poignant song that speaks to the struggles of the human condition.
Written by Slash and Izzy Stradlin and released in 1991, the song is the sixth track on the band’s Use Your Illusion I album.
It features Axl Rose on lead vocals and Izzy Stradlin on rhythm guitar, with Slash and Duff McKagan on lead and bass guitar respectively.
The song is an exploration of the idea of a ‘civil war’ within society, and the struggle between opposing forces.
The lyrics are full of imagery and emotion, and the music is a powerful mix of hard rock and blues.
The song has become a staple of the band’s live performances, and is a fan favorite.
It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the struggles of others, and of the power of music to bring people together.
7. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”
Guns N’ Roses’ “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is a classic rock song that was released in 1991 on the band’s Use Your Illusion II album.
Written by Bob Dylan and famously covered by Guns N’ Roses, the song is a poignant and powerful ballad about a dying soldier.
The song is filled with emotion and has become a staple of Guns N’ Roses’ live shows.
The band’s version of the song features a slow, bluesy guitar intro, followed by Axl Rose’s emotive vocals.
The song builds to a powerful climax, with a powerful guitar solo from Slash.
The song has become a classic rock anthem, and has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, and Avril Lavigne.
It is a testament to the power of Guns N’ Roses’ music that a song written by Bob Dylan has become so closely associated with the band.
6. “Don’t Cry”
“Don’t Cry” by Guns N’ Roses is a classic rock ballad from the band’s 1991 album, Use Your Illusion I.
It was written by Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin, and is one of the most popular songs of the band’s career.
It was released as a single in 1992 and peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song is an emotional plea to a former lover, with Rose singing, “Don’t you cry tonight, don’t you cry tonight, there’s a heaven above you, baby.”
The song is also notable for its use of two guitar solos, one by Slash and one by Gilby Clarke.
It is a classic example of Guns N’ Roses’ signature blues-influenced hard rock sound and has been covered by many artists since its release.
The song has been featured in many films, television shows, and video games, and is a staple of classic rock radio.
5. “Patience”
Guns N’ Roses’ song “Patience” is a classic rock ballad that was released in 1989 on their album, “G N’ R Lies”.
Written by lead vocalist Axl Rose, the song is a reflection on the struggles of life and the importance of having patience.
The song is driven by a gentle acoustic guitar and piano, as well as Rose’s powerful vocals.
The lyrics are full of emotion and emphasize the need to be patient in order to survive life’s hardships.
The song has become a fan favorite and is often played at Guns N’ Roses concerts.
It has also been covered by a variety of artists, including the Jonas Brothers, who released their version in 2008.
The song has become an anthem for those who are struggling and need a reminder that things will eventually get better.
It is a testament to the enduring power of Guns N’ Roses’ music, and the timelessness of their lyrics.
4. “November Rain”
“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses is one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.
Written by lead singer Axl Rose, the song was released in 1992 on the band’s album Use Your Illusion I.
It was the longest song ever to make it to the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it remains one of the most popular songs of the band to this day.
The song features a unique combination of hard rock and classical music, with a string section and piano solo, as well as a long guitar solo at the end.
The lyrics of the song tell a story of love and loss, and the music video, which was directed by Andy Morahan, was the most expensive music video ever made at the time.
The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography in 1992, and it has been viewed over one billion times on YouTube.
Guns N’ Roses is one of the most successful rock bands of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.
“November Rain” is a classic example of the band’s unique sound and songwriting style, and it continues to be beloved by fans around the world.
3. “Paradise City”
Guns N’ Roses’ song “Paradise City” is an iconic rock anthem that has been described as a “stadium-rock classic” and is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
Written by lead singer Axl Rose and lead guitarist Slash, the song was released in 1988 on the band’s debut album Appetite for Destruction.
The song is known for its hard-rock sound, which features a driving guitar riff and a powerful chorus.
The lyrics of the song evoke a sense of longing for a place of freedom and escape, and the chorus of “Take me down to the Paradise City, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty” is instantly recognizable.
The song has become a staple of the band’s live shows, and is often played as the last song of their set.
It has also been featured in numerous films and television shows, and has been covered by numerous artists.
2. “Welcome To The Jungle”
“Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses is an iconic hard rock song that has become a staple of the band’s live performances.
Written by lead singer Axl Rose and lead guitarist Slash, the song was released as the lead single from the band’s 1987 debut album Appetite For Destruction.
The song has become one of the most recognizable and popular hard rock songs of all time, and has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and video games.
The song’s lyrics are about the harsh realities of life in the big city, and the music is a perfect blend of hard rock and glam metal.
The song features a memorable guitar riff from Slash, as well as a driving rhythm section from bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Steven Adler.
The song is also known for its intense vocal performance from Rose, who delivers the lyrics with a powerful and passionate intensity.
With its iconic sound and powerful lyrics, “Welcome To The Jungle” is a classic hard rock anthem that has stood the test of time.
1. “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses is an iconic rock song that has been beloved by fans since its release in 1987.
The song was written by lead guitarist Slash and vocalist Axl Rose and was featured on the band’s debut album Appetite for Destruction.
It was the band’s first and only number one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and it has since become one of the most popular rock songs of all time.
The song has an instantly recognizable guitar riff that was written by Slash in just five minutes.
The lyrics tell the story of a man looking back on his childhood and the innocence of his youth.
The song has been covered by many other artists, including Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
It has also been featured in many films and television shows, including The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory.
Guns N’ Roses has gone on to become one of the most successful rock bands of all time, selling more than 100 million records worldwide.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” is a timeless classic that will continue to be loved by generations to come.
Born and raised in Florida! I’ve been playing guitars for the past 5 years. Love to learn, and I’m always striving to achieve greater heights in music. Currently have a Fender Stratocaster as my main guitar.
