As some inspiration for guitar players, here is a short list of songs that sound amazing when played on guitar, preferably to a tipsy audience of close friends seated around a campfire. No Wonderwall allowed.

Out Getting Ribs – King Krule

This melancholy tune by one of my favourite artists, King Krule, features an absolutely beautiful guitar riff that sounds enthralling on an acoustic. The tuning is a bit strange on this one, drop D with the G string tuned down a semi-tone to F#, but it really is a fantastic song, albeit maybe a bit depressing to play at any kind of social event. Bit of a bring down really, but a very aurally pleasing one.

Tab – http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/k/king_krule/out_getting_ribs_ver2_tab.htm

I See Fire – Ed Sheeran

This song was featured during the credit roll of The Hobbit: The Desolaution Of Smaug which acted as a brilliant finale to the movie. You will need a capo on sixth fret for this one and some tricky finger picking with plenty of hammer-ons and pull-offs, but if played well it sounds fantastic.

Tab – http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/e/ed_sheeran/i_see_fire_ver4_crd.htm

Layla (Unplugged) – Eric Clapton

This is a bit of a generic one, but truly a classic song for guitar players, and for good reason. This version is from Clapton’s live album recorded through MTV’s fantastic Unplugged series which also included the amazing acoustic Nirvana performances. Not too difficult to play for intermediate level guitarists, the opening solo is fantastic if you have a second guitarist, but the chords and chorus riff work great as a standalone, especially if you are a capable singer/starting a cheesy sing-along.

Tab – http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/e/eric_clapton/layla_acoustic_ver2_tab.htm

Hard Time Killing Floor Blues – Skip James



I first heard this haunting Blues song in the film O Brother Where Art Thou and just had to learn how to play it. It’s in a very low tuning, apparently called cross-note D, which gives the song such a dark and ominous sound. It’s fairly simple to play with a bit of practice, just classic blues done dark.

Tab – http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/s/skip_james/hard_time_killing_floor_blues_ver4_tab.htm

1979 – The Smashing Pumpkins



This classic 90’s song by The Smashing Pumpkins uses a technique called an Octave Chord, essentially a Power Chord but with the middle string muted. These types of chord tend to give a melodic feel to a song, and generally sound great on acoustic Guitars. They are utilized perfectly in this song, which just oozes a psychedelic, chilled vibe.

Tab – http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/s/smashing_pumpkins/1979_ver2_tab.htm

Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson



No one does campfire music like Jack Johnson, and I consider either this or Taylor (which would also be very suitable on this list) to be his greatest song. Such a distinct melody with its mix of a fantastic chord progression alongside the little slide riff in the intro/chorus.

Tab – http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/j/jack_johnson/banana_pancakes_tab.htm

Everlong (Acoustic) – Foo Fighters



An amazing number by Dave Grohl, it’s fairly simple to play but sounds amazing. Guitar should be tuned to drop D, and from there it’s simply some chords in the verses and an awesome chorus that has a great building up feel by having the chords slide up the fretboard and crescendoing on a power chord. Classic rock song here.

Tab – http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/f/foo_fighters/everlong_acoustic_tab.htm