Top 10 Best Acoustic Rock Songs
Unplug the amps and cue the strumming. Acoustic rock takes all the grit and soul of electric-driven rock and filters it through wood and wire. It's the raw version of the genre, stripped down to the basics, where every chord rings clear and every lyric feels closer. This isn't background music. It's campfire confessions, studio sessions gone quiet, and stadium rockers proving they don't need a wall of distortion to hold your attention.
This list is built on the favorites of those who know that sometimes less really is more. You can hear the crowd in your head when that first familiar acoustic riff kicks in. You know the lyrics, even if you didn't know you knew them. These songs aren't here because they're loud. They're here because they cut through. And now it's your turn to weigh in. Which ones still give you chills or make you reach for your own six-string?
-
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
We have to go deeper than Green Day in first place. Maybe some Oasis? How I wish... How I wish you were here... We are just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl... Year after year... ahh... that voice...
Greatest acoustic rock song ever written. I didn't like acoustic rock until this song changed my views. Now I love it!
As great as Green Day is, this song surpasses it. This is possibly one of the greatest songs ever written.
-
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
Short, but yet so meaningful. Describes life in a way that is both satirical yet hopeful. It really brings forth a lot of heartfelt emotion in the way he sings it. Go Green Day!
This band has changed my life so much. This song is one of my favorite songs by them, and it was also the first song I learned on guitar. I love you, Green Day.
Love all of Green Day's songs. It was between this and Wake Me Up When September Ends for me, but I chose this as it was in second place.
-
Layla - Eric Clapton (Unplugged)
Layla deserves the number one spot! No doubt about it! The passionate flow of the acoustic music is seriously one of the best I have ever heard. Vote for #1.
The unplugged version is awesome. On the other hand, maybe I'm a purist, but the audience member who "woo-hoos" during the chorus pisses me off every time I hear this track.
It should be this and Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over version) battling for the first spot forever.
-
Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
What? This song is supposed to be at least in the top 10. Kick-ass solo by James... No way it's just 35.
It's the best acoustic song I've ever listened to.
This song is evergreen. Please vote for it!
-
Hotel California - The Eagles
This definitely should be first. It revolutionized acoustic music. It shows that acoustic can be as powerful as hard rock.
This song is a message about fame and reality. It is very metaphorical but sounds really good.
-
Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Come on, this song is one of the greatest songs. It deserves to be first by a large margin.
-
Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan
Soft, smooth, and subtle. One of the best things about the song is that it is all chords - no fancy strumming, just simple music at its best!
-
The Bard's Song (In the Forest) - Blind Guardian
One of the best songs I've ever heard - unique melody, awesome vocals, great lyrics.
-
Patience - Guns N' Roses
A full band singing in harmony for half the song. Two legendary guitarists and one awesome bassist all on acoustic guitars. An awesome melody line played by Slash under the chords being played by McKagan and Stradlin. This makes it one of the best acoustic songs written by a rock band.
The electric version in Tokyo 1992 and the 1989 AMA versions are even better.
I just can say that clearly, this is the best song I've ever heard.
-
Nutshell - Alice in Chains
Everything about this song is so haunting and chilling but at the same time peaceful. The harmonies, the guitar, and the vocals provided by probably the greatest singer of all time, Layne Staley, are mesmerizing.
Alice in Chains' Unplugged album is one of my favorites. I love how Layne and Jerry sing off each other. I'm thankful every day for all of their music.
The acoustic bass is amazing. Really, everything in that song is amazing, though.
-
?
I Was Wrong - The Sisters of Mercy
A chill closing track to an otherwise heavy album. It's quite amazing.
-
?
Two Is Better Than One - Boys Like Girls
Beautiful melody and nice drum beat! Taylor Swift's voice just makes it better!
-
Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison
This would get my vote. I'm still trying to figure out how Poison came up with this song. What is the second-best Poison song, by the way, if there is one? This is a great song, though. Everyone loves it.
This should be in the top 3! Grow up, guys!
-
Tangerine - Led Zeppelin
This should be in the top 3. Incredible song.
-
Soldier of Fortune - Deep Purple
-
Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
Wanted Dead or Alive is a good song by Bon Jovi from their 1986 studio album, Slippery When Wet, alongside Livin' on a Prayer and You Give Love a Bad Name. I love Richie's solo guitar and also Jon's voice, especially when he screams "Alright."
-
Heart of Gold - Neil Young
-
Yellow Ledbetter - Pearl Jam
-
Fiddler on the Green - Demons and Wizards
Excellent melody, vocals, story, and guitars. Great and epic guitar outro.
-
Changes - Ozzy Osbourne
-
A Past and Future Secret - Blind Guardian
Unique melody. Sad and beautiful song. Great vocals.
-
Ramble On - Led Zeppelin
Simply one of the most unique acoustic openings.
-
Stranger Things Have Happened - Foo Fighters
-
Angie - The Rolling Stones
This has got to be moved up. I learned how to play it right, with all the instrumentation and everything. Not only is it a great song, but it's also fun to play!
-
Yesterday - The Beatles
-
Billie Jean - Chris Cornell
Fantastic: the best and only other way to play this song. And a golden voice.
-
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Seriously? I know this isn't much of an acoustic song, but the intro is such a masterpiece of fingerpicked guitar by Jimmy Page. It should be at least top 10.