35 Easy Bob Dylan Guitar Songs (With Lesson Videos)

There are many reasons why Bob Dylan continues to be one of the most iconic singer-songwriters of all time. While some love his deep lyrics, others can’t resist his emotive vocals. But for guitarists, we love how he often uses the simplest guitar chords and easy strumming patterns to create pure songwriting magic!

So many of Bob Dylan’s songs are super easy to learn and play, making them perfect for guitar novices to master! In this article, we’re bringing you a list of 13 easy Bob Dylan guitar songs. All the songs mentioned below use simple chords and are easy to grasp, especially for guitar beginners, and if you’re a fan of Bob Dylan there are sure to be songs you know and love.

List of Easy Bob Dylan Songs to Play on Guitar

1. Mr. Tambourine Man

Album: Bringing It All Back Home, 1965

Chords: G, A, D

Tuning: E A D G B E

Bob Dylan’s ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ from his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home is a masterclass in how a song can be beautifully complex songwriting yet simple in its execution. A striking blend of dense, mysterious lyrics with infectious, perky melody fueled by jangly guitars leaves a lasting impression on the listener. Furthermore, Dylan has penned the lyrics in such a way that they are pretty open to interpretation. With such imaginative songwriting, it’s no wonder the man won a Nobel Prize for literature!

As amazing as it is to the ears, ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ is also super fun and easy to play, with a simple G, A, and D chord progression with a capo on the 3rd fret and a pretty straightforward strumming pattern. The song’s massive popularity drove many famous musicians into recording their rendition of the folk hit. The most notable version is by an American rock band, The Byrds was also released the same year as the original.

2. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

Album: Pat Garett and Billy the Kid, 1973

Chords: G, C, D, Am

Tuning: E A D G B E

Dylan’s original version of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door is an excellent example of how even the simplest musical elements can create a touching composition. A few simple chords are all it takes to play this soulful hit! The song’s two short verses use just three major chords, G-C-D and a minor chord Am. Once you are through Dylan’s version, you could perhaps give its rockier rendition by Guns N’ Roses a shot.

Very few songs have enjoyed the same far-reaching appeal as this track.’ It became a massive international hit, charting remarkably well in several countries across the globe. Dylan wrote the song for the 1973 movie Pat Garett and Billy, the Kid, where it is played during an emotional death scene. The song got a fresh burst of popularity when hard rock giants Guns N’ Roses covered it in 1990. Other notable renditions include versions by Eric Clapton and Randy Crawford. Dylan himself performed the song over 460 times between 1974 and 2003! Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door is a legendary and one of my personal favorite easy Bob Dylan guitar songs.

3. Visions of Johanna

Album: Blonde on Blonde, 1966

Chords: A, D, E7, E

Tuning: E A D G B E

The next track is almost as iconic as the man himself! According to many fans and critics, ‘Visions of Johanna’ is Bob Dylan’s finest piece of songwriting, and we agree! The song uses only four chords A, D, E7, and E chords in standard tuning with a laidback strumming style, placing it well within reach of beginners.

Dylan pens the enigmatic lyrics in this track using surrealist metaphors and symbolism. The words revolve around a lover’s obsession for the unattainable ‘Johanna.’ It’s one of those songs which leave the interpretation up to the listeners. So when it comes to the song’s deeper meaning, your guess is as good as mine!

The song faced quite a few roadblocks during recording. In the 1966 New York sessions, Dylan toiled with backing musicians for fourteen takes but somehow couldn’t get the sound right. Luckily, a change of place did the trick. The song finally took shape in one of the recording sessions in Nashville. Dylan’s superb acoustic strumming and mesmerizing harmonica, along with guitarist Robbie Robertson’s haunting electric licks and AI Kooper’s organ riffs, make this a sonic feast.

4. Like a Rolling Stone

Album: Highway 61 Revisited, 1965

Chords: Fmaj7/C, Dm7, C, Em, F, G

Tuning: E A D G B E

Guitar novices will love that the song hailed as the greatest composition by Bob Dylan is also quick and easy to learn! With a simple 4/4 rhythm, easy strumming style, and a chord progression that keeps repeating throughout the song, guitar beginners will not have much trouble grasping this track. The song uses familiar chords such as C, Dm7, Em, F, and G to create a powerful and timeless track!

Incredibly, Like a Rolling Stone was almost denied its day in the sun by the guys at Columbia Records. With a six-minute-long runtime and heavy electro-rock sound, ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ did not fit the bill as a radio-friendly track. Thanks to a copy that got leaked to a popular music club and the phenomenal response that followed, the track made the final cut. From Dylan’s sixth album, the song pushed the boundaries of rock like no other, earning itself the top spot on Rolling Stone Magazine’s ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list.

Notwithstanding its duration, ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ became Dylan’s biggest commercial hit inspiring countless covers by famous artists, including Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Michael Bolton, and Green Day. In this song, Dylan sneers and sings cynically about a high society debutante. This person, who once had it all, was left to fend for herself after a fallout with her rich friends. Punchy lyrics, impressive electric guitar licks, organ riffs, groovy chorus, and Dylan’s youthful vocals all came together to create the most entertaining rock ballad of his career.

5. A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall

Album: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, 1963

Chords: D, A, G

Tuning: D A D G B E

Using just 3 chords, Dylan’s seven-minute-long song captured his fury at the turbulent Cold War period and the Cuban Missile Crisis. With its apocalyptic imagery, passionate vocals, and powerful guitars, ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’ is arguably one of the most potent protest songs ever recorded! It featured in Dylan’s second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, and became a live staple on his concerts. Singer-songwriter Pattie Smith performed an emotionally overwhelming rendition of the song at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony in 2016, the year Dylan received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The song is modeled in a question-and-answer format after the famous ‘Lord Randall’ ballad. Even though its verse structure is complex, the chords used are only D, A, and G. So if you know how the song goes, it should be pretty easy to play. Every verse has two lines that make up a question which is played in D-G-D chord progression for the first one and D-A for the second line. Following the questions are replies in multiple lines which use a G-A-D chord progression. This is one of my favorite easy Bob Dylan Songs.

6. Blowin’ in the Wind

Album: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, 1963

Chords: G, C, D

Tuning: E A D G B E

Did you know that it took Dylan only ten minutes to write the song that made him a household name! His 1962 composition ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is a soul-touching song with rhetorical lyrics that still resonate with the listeners even decades after its release.

A super simple way to play this song uses just three chords- G, C, D, and a fairly common strumming pattern. However, the original recording uses a capo on the 7th fret and has quite a few embellishments that you can pick up once you are through with the easy version.

From war, freedom, and peace, this evocative composition questions everything before moving to an infectious refrain, ‘The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind’ that one can’t help but sing along to. As much as we love Dylan’s original, it was folk music trio Peter, Paul, and Mary’s showstopping rendition that catapulted this song to new heights. It became a part of the Civil Rights Movement when the trio sang it at Lincoln Memorial on the day Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech.

7. Subterranean Homesick Blues

Album: Bringing It All Back Home, 1965

Chords: A, G6, D, E, F#m, G, Asus, Asus4

Tuning: E A D G B E

Packed with twangy electric licks, bluesy harmonies, repetitive chords, and fast vocal delivery, ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ marked the beginning of Dylan’s rock ‘n’ roll journey. Lyrically, it’s another politically charged anti-war songwriting jewel from the Nobel Laureate’s repertoire that opened to raving reviews. It is reported that the legendary John Lennon found the song so captivating that he did not know how to create something that could top it!

To play this song the way Dylan does, you need to put a capo on the 5th fret and play with all chords in their familiar open positions. If you are looking to play this on an acoustic, check out Dylan’s acoustic rendition that features in The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961-1991. This title track from the 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home also became Dylan’s first Top 40 hit in the US, peaking at no. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also earned itself a well-deserved spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

8. All Along the Watchtower

Album: John Wesley Harding, 1967

Chords: Am, G, F

Tuning: E A D G B E

From his 1967 album, ‘All Along the Watchtower’ became a frequent feature at his live concerts, with Dylan performing it 2,160 times, more than any of his other songs. As always, the lyrics are where Dylan’s song shines. In his classic cryptic style, Dylan writes about a conversation between ‘the joker’ and ‘the thief.’ The dialogue is spread out over 12 lines in three short verses.

Dylan’s original is quite easy to play as it uses just three chords – Am, G and F all played in open positions. You’ll only need a capo on the 4th fret. Everything else is easy to master, the chord progression is repetitive, and the strumming pattern can be nailed without much trouble.

Dylan’s original may not have gotten the attention it deserved if it wasn’t for Jimi Hendrix’s electric-driven rendition. While Dylan’s version captivated the audience with its understated style, haunting harmonica, and simple riffs, Hendrix’s cover took the song to a whole new level. Breathtaking solos and masterful licks turned it into a timeless electric marvel. We’re sure you’ll have a super fun time learning to play both versions!

9. You Ain’t Going Nowhere

Album: Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II album, 1971

Chords: G, Am, C

Tuning: E A D G B E

Dylan wrote some of his most remarkable songs during a self-imposed exile from the public following a motorbike accident. ‘You Ain’t Going Nowhere’ is one such gem. Dylan sings the existential lyrics in laid-back vocals while strumming away gloriously on a 12-string acoustic.

For beginner guitarists who want to add a Dylan song to their repertoire, it can’t get any easier than this! This track is incredibly fun to play with no barre chords, capo, or embellishments, just three chords – G, Am, and C. The chord progression is pretty straightforward too. You just need to play each chord for four beats. That’s it!

The overall vibe of the song is very country-rock-like! The song was released in 1971 when it became a part of Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II album.

Popular Related Article: List of 57 Easy Guitar Songs for Beginners

10. The Times They Are a-Changin’

Album: The Times They Are a-Changin’, 1964

Chords: G, Em, Am, C, D, Gmaj7/D, D7

Tuning: E A D G B E

Here’s another easy to play composition by Dylan that showcases his literary prowess! Influenced by Irish and Scottish ballads,’ The Times They are A-Changin’’ is an anthemic call for change. This timeless classic is so potent that it still holds relevance in today’s world.

While this song does use a bunch of chords, none of them are hard to nail. The chord progression is pretty simple and repeats itself over and over again as the verses progress. The only thing you’ll need to practice patiently is the strumming pattern, get that right, and you’ll be able to play the entire song flawlessly.

With its powerful message, the song became highly influential. As a result, some of the biggest names in music released their renditions of this classic – Nina Simone, the Byrds, Peter, Paul and Mary, Tracy Chapman, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, the list is endless!

11. I Shall Be Released

Album: Music From Big Pink (The Band Version)

Chords: A, Bm, C#m, D, E

Tuning: E A D G B E

A raw and emotional tale of feeling trapped before enjoying the sweet release of freedom, Bob Dylan’s ‘I shall be released’ was first officially recorded by the Toronto-Based rock outfit ‘The Band’ for their debut 1968 album ‘Music From Big Pink’. However, Dylan went on to record his own version as well, accompanied by light acoustic picking and his singular, spoken-sung vocal style.

Dylan’s version is quite easy to grasp, using a simple strumming style and using familiar chords like A, Bm, D, E and C#m. Once you nail the opening line of the verse, the rest of the song is a cakewalk, since it pretty much uses the exact same progression over and over again!

While some listeners consider the song’s lyrics to be literally about someone being released from imprisonment, others find a more metaphorical meaning in his words. And that’s the beauty of Dylan’s songwriting – he leaves plenty of room for the audience to interpret the meaning the way they’d like to. The song features on the 6th rank in Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs.

12. One More Cup of Coffee

Album: Desire

Chords: Am, G, F, E

Tuning: E A D G B E

This track may not be as wildly famous as the others on this blog, but there is a magnetic appeal in its melody, lyrics, and vocal style that makes it worthy of adding to the list. Plus, it’s a treat for beginners to play! The chord progression uses just four of the most common chords – Am, G, F and E, along with a beginner-friendly strumming pattern.

The middle-eastern vibe of the track can be chalked up to the use of the natural minor scale throughout the track and the distinctly Arabesque vocal style. This song is a duet and features the vocals of multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris, who collaborated a lot with Dylan, especially in the album ‘Desire’.

The lyrics are quite enigmatic – with the protagonist confessing his love for someone doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. Instead, his love interest lives a nomadic lifestyle with no single place to call home. But just like so many of Dylan’s songs, some listeners perceive this song as an ode to living an unconventional life, away from the restrictive norms of society. The track is said to have been written by Dylan when he was attending a Roma Festival in a remote French town.

13. Forever Young

Album: Planet Waves

Chords: C, G, F/C, Am7

Tuning: E A D G B E

Recorded by Dylan in California in 1973, Forever Young is a beautiful song that is also super easy to play on the guitar. The track uses a simple down and up strumming pattern throughout the song and a simple 4 chord progression – C, G, F/C and Am7. There’s a reason why this song is so easy to play and listen to – it was originally written as a calming lullaby by Dylan for his eldest child named Jesse!

Once you get into the lyrics, you’ll see that the track reveals Dylan’s hopes that his son will grow up to be happy and strong. He also prays that luck and god’s blessings are always on little one’s side. However, to ensure that he didn’t sound too emotional, Dylan included two separate versions of ‘Forever Young’ on his album ‘Planet Waves’. While the first one was his original easy acoustic version, the second one was more complex and rock-oriented in its arrangement. A soothing track both in its composition and lyrics, musicians of any skill level would enjoy playing this beauty.

14. Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

Album	The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
Chords	C, G, F, Am, D7, G7, C7 (Capo on the 4th fret)
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right Chords Here

“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” gives a very relaxed feeling and makes you take off some heavy load from your brain, even though if you focus on the actual lyrics, you might see some sort of sadness there as well. This is a classic folk song, so the sound arrangement might seem pretty familiar to you if you’ve ever heard something of that genre.

The song features a fingerpicking acoustic guitar style, but if you’re not so good at that, don’t worry; it’s not that hard, and it is mostly played with chords that may be really familiar to you, such as C, G, Am, and F. However, the composition is also spiced up with dominant seventh chords that create some sort of tension that needs to be resolved, creating a little bit of a bittersweet mood.

15. The Times They Are A-Changin’

Album	The Times They Are a-Changin’
Chords	D7, D6, G, Em, C, Am, D
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See The Times They Are A-Changin’ Chords Here

“The Times They Are a-Changin'” brings some interesting dynamic changes, which are perfectly expressed in the velocity of the strumming patterns that Bob Dylan uses when playing this song. In general, it combines well with harmonica parts, especially.

You can see that the chords for the chord list for that song now include something subtle yet noticeable when mixed into a progression properly: 6th chords. In fact, there’s only one of these, D6, but you can still hear it pretty well and notice that the chord chart is now a little bit different from the original D Major chord. However, if observed in general, the chord progression itself is really simple and accessible for a great variety of guitar players.

16. Lay, Lady, Lay

Album	Nashville Skyline
Chords	A, C#m, G, Bm, E, F#m, Asus4, D
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Lay, Lady, Lay Chords Here

In 1969, Bob Dylan’s song “Lay, Lady, Lay” appeared on his album “Nashville Skyline.” Due to its greater reliance on country and folk-rock influences, this song stands out as a break from Dylan’s earlier folk and protest music styles.

The musical arrangement of the song is relaxed and pleasant, with a strong pedal steel guitar fostering a cozy and comforting environment. The song “Lay, Lady, Lay” has a more personal and romantic atmosphere thanks to Dylan’s genuine vocals, which are noticeably smoother and more melodic than those on his earlier songs. You can also see that the song uses the Asus4 chord, creating a little bit of indetermination in the sound, which is a great thing to emphasize certain moods with a melody.

17. Just Like a Woman

Album	Blonde on Blonde
Chords	C, F, G, Em, Dm, Am, E7 (Capo on the 4th fret)
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Just Like a Woman Chords Here

Bob Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman” may be found on his 1966 album “Blonde on Blonde.” The song is well-known for both its lovely melody and its thoughtful, intensely felt lyrics, as in many of Bob Dylan’s poetic masterpieces.

The song “Just Like a Woman” has a smooth and melodious musical vibe that combines folk and rock elements. The emotional effect of the song is beefed up by Dylan’s signature vocal style, combined with a simple instrumental arrangement following the accessible chord progression in the key of E Major. However, you may also encounter some chord extensions here, so it’s nice to be familiar with them beforehand. Here’s the moment when understanding a little bit of music theory comes in handy.

18. It Ain’t Me Babe

Album	Another Side of Bob Dylan
Chords	G, C, D, Bm, Am
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See It Ain’t Me Babe Chords Here

The song is typically played in the key of G, and it revolves around basic open chords such as G major, C major, etc. The chord changes are relatively simple due to their position on the fretboard being on the same spot of the neck, eliminating any need to slide along it. This might serve as good practise in the field of chord changes for beginners.

You can keep the strumming pattern really simple here, so it will correspond to the actual vibe of the song. In addition, the track offers you a wide room for experimenting and coming up with certain additions that might sound appropriate for the main idea and personality of the melody. The song is in standard tuning.

19. I Want You

Album	Blonde on Blonde
Chords	F, Am, Dm, C, Bb
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See I Want You Chords Here

“I Want You” is a song that has a very interesting, fast-paced melody that makes you want to nod your head in rhythm, which is a clear side of a well-written and catchy melody. Bob Dylan featured it on his 1966 album “Blonde on Blonde.”

The combination of instruments used in the song is really prominent and creates a great vibe due to their proper usage. The structure of the song and its chord progression are pretty straightforward and won’t cause you any difficulties. There are only five chords that you are most likely already familiar with since the only obstacle they can pose for beginners is that some of them are traditionally played as barre chords. The tuning of the guitar used on the record is standard, so that only makes it more accessible for beginners.

20. Tomorrow Is a Long Time

Album	Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II
Chords	G, C, D, E, A, B
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Tomorrow Is a Long Time Chords Here

“Tomorrow Is a Long Time” is a very soft song written by Bob Dylan, which he first recorded during a session in 1962 but officially released on the legendary 1971 compilation album “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II.”

As I said, the song’s melody is very melancholic, matching the mood of the song. The thing we can all learn from Bob Dylan as guitar players is how to perfectly combine the force applied while playing chords and match it with the actual vibe and meaning of a song. That will definitely make your guitar playing more prominent. Actually, you might be impressed that the song is played with only major chords, but Bob’s ability to create a broad spectrum of moods makes these triads sound really sad.

21. Love Minus Zero/No Limit

Album	Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II
Chords	C, Csus2, Csus4, G, F, Dm, G7 (Capo on the 4th fret)
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Love Minus Zero/No Limit Chords Here

“Love Minus Zero/No Limit” offers us a relatively simple yet very interesting chord list: Three different C chords, each of which has its own place on the mood spectrum, created by Bob Dylan. For example, C major is really straightforward and open, while Csus2 is more undetermined and unresolved. Csus4 in this case is somewhat of a cousin of Csus2, but has a little bit of spiciness, created by the fourth note, added to its structure, primarily working as a very simple yet good extending tool to make the song more colorful and bright in terms of sonic diversity.

The song blends folk and rock elements, which is definitely something that we know Bob Dylan for and what he was succeeding in.

22. If Not for You

Album	New Morning
Chords	G, D, C, Am, A7, D/C, D/B, D/A, G7
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See If Not for You Chords Here

“If Not for You” is very lively, carrying somewhat of an optimistic feeling, making it really pleasant to listen to and relaxing.

The lyrics of the composition also represent the same mood as the melody.

This time Bob Dylan blends folk music with something more of a country-style sound, which definitely creates a very cool atmosphere, fitting the setting. The chord progression is very simple and consists of not so many chords, which are simple triads and some extensions, creating an open, bright, straightforward sound that pleases your ears and heart while you’re playing or listening to it. If you are a beginner, this song will be a perfect choice to get your hands on in order to expand the usage of the chords you might have recently learned.

23. Boots of Spanish Leather

Album	The Times They Are a-Changin’
Chords	G, C/G, Em, C, D/F#
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Boots of Spanish Leather Chords Here

The next song is called “Boots of Spanish Leather,” and as you can see, Bob Dylan applies the same rules of creating the general cohesive personality of the song by adjusting the velocity with which he hits strings and the loudness of his signature vocal performance.

The track’s simple acoustic guitar arrangement is pretty much accessible for beginners, too, but if you are one, you have to consider chord inversions, which are present on the chord list here: I’m talking about C/G and D/F#, which are really popular ones to use in music, so it might be really useful to learn them. Thankfully, the song presents you with this opportunity, so I wish you good luck and productive exploration.

24. The Man in Me

Album	New Morning
Chords	G, Am, D, C (Capo on the 1st fret)
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See The Man in Me Chords Here

Bob Dylan recorded the song “The Man in Me” for his 1970 album “New Morning.” The song is renowned for both its introspective lyrics and its easygoing, carefree musical sound, which is a very signature combination of the artist because you can encounter it in many of his songs.

The melodic arrangement of the composition is influenced by folk and country music. Acoustic guitar, piano, and soft percussion are used in the song’s instrumentation to create a cozy and welcoming mood. The chord progression is really simple since it only consists of four chords, and the ones it includes are pretty much familiar to a great number of guitar players due to the simplicity of their structure and the frequency of their usage.

25. My Back Pages

Album	Another Side of Bob Dylan
Chords	G, C, Am, Em, F
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See My Back Pages Chords Here

The song “My Back Pages” was written by Bob Dylan and debuted on his 1964 album “Another Side of Bob Dylan.” It also became a symbol of Bob becoming a greater lyricist and poet.

The track is pretty much a folk-influenced composition, and Dylan’s particular singing style gives the reflective lyrics more depth due to their genuineness. Acoustic guitar combined with the harmonica used in the song’s instrumentation creates an interesting mellow and reflective ambiance, which certainly fits the mood of the song. Bob Dylan still keeps it very simple and straightforward in terms of chords, which is a very good thing from a certain perspective. The song is in the key of Eb Major, which is one of my personal favorites because of the moodiness and soulfulness it gives to a song.

26. I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight

Album	John Wesley Harding
Chords	F, G, Bb, C
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight Chords Here

The next song by Bob Dylan, “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” was initially released on his album “John Wesley Harding.” It is one of Dylan’s happier tunes and is distinguished by its mild and jovial musical tone.

“I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” is a country-folk-influenced arrangement that is straightforward and melodious. Acoustic guitars combined with electric ones are what really make it sound interesting and cool. Talking about the rhythm part played throughout the song, you might need to consider some important details: first, the dynamic changes you need to follow in order to convey the same mood; second, the timing, because the percussion is not really consistent at some parts of the recording, so don’t be afraid to count in your head or stamp your feet on the ground if that helps you follow the pace.

27. She Belongs to Me

Album	Bringing It All Back Home
Chords	G, C, C/G, A
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See She Belongs to Me Chords Here

The next song by Bob Dylan that is called “She Belongs to Me” was initially released in 1965 on his album “Bringing It All Back Home.” The track is a mix of folk and rock influences that defines the general style of the sound.

This composition is built primarily around a warm acoustic country sound, yet there are also traces of rock components. The simplicity of such an arrangement allows you to hear the chords played throughout the song more distinctively, therefore making the chord inversion of C/G more prominent, creating a more stable bass line, and providing cohesiveness and solidity to the general sound. This inversion is also really easy to play, so as with the other chords on the list, it won’t cause you many difficulties, I believe.

28. Shelter from the Storm

Album	Blood on the Tracks
Chords	E, B, A
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Shelter from the Storm Chords Here

​​The next song is a prominent example of how simplicity can create something magical. “Shelter from the Storm” is a song that was released on the 1975 album “Blood on the Tracks,” which is a pretty famous record created by the artist.

The most interesting part of the progression is that a player’s hand position technically remains on the same place of the fretboard, making it accessible for those who can’t change chords fast; the only thing that changes is the B chord, which requires you to nail the skill of using barre chords. That also brings the sound of the song forward melodically, creating a cool vibe within the framework of the idea put inside by the author.

29. I Threw It All Away

Album	Nashville Skyline
Chords	A, Dm, C, Em, F, G, Am, A7, Bb
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See I Threw It All Away Chords Here

Bob recorded the song for his “Nashville Skyline” album. The song has a very country-influenced musical style, which can truly be felt when you listen to it.

The guitar part dwells at a laid-back tempo, making the melody flow in a really peaceful way. The chords for the song remain simple, yet extensions are still present here; for example, the A7 chord is a prominent example of a chord that can easily create a powerful sense of need to resolve somewhere, usually to the root chord of a progression that would feel like ‘home,’ as many music theory teachers explain that to their students. The tuning of your guitar should remain standard, so you don’t have to sit for a long time trying to reach the needed note before you actually get to play the song.

30. When I Paint My Masterpiece

Album	Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II
Chords	D, A, E, E7, Dm, C#m, B7, Bm
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See When I Paint My Masterpiece Chords Here

The next song was released in 1971 on a record called “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II.” Again, the track borrows elements from folk and rock, so certain sounds and melodic decisions are pretty much self-explanatory.

The chord changes are really simple here due to their location on the fretboard; all of the chords in this progression are built from are placed on the relatively same region of the neck, so you don’t have to constantly slide back and forth in order to successfully progress in playing the guitar part. The song lives in the key of A major, which explains the perfect structure of the chord progression, making the D major chord the fifth degree of the scale and the E major chord the fourth, which then, in tandem, resolves in a great relationship between them (I, IV, and V chords get along well with each other according to the Nashville Number System).

31. Tangled Up in Blue

Album	Blood on the Tracks
Chords	A, G6, D, E, F#m, G, Asus2, Asus4
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Tangled Up in Blue Chords Here

Bob Dylan recorded the song “Tangled Up in Blue” for “Blood on the Tracks.” Due to its intricate narration and emotional depth, it became one of Dylan’s masterpieces.

The folk-rock arrangement present in the song is what makes it sound really good. Actually, you can see how the quality of his records has improved over the years, which is absolutely a good thing. The tempo is 100 BPM, which is a classic number for such a song. You can also observe much more interesting chords that this song consists of: now it offers us a great variety of ones, starting from simple triads, such as A major, D major, and E major, to sixth chords, such as G6, and finishing in Asus2 and Asus4, creating a very bright vibe of unresolvedness and openness.

32. Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You

Album	Nashville Skyline
Chords	G, C, Bm, Am, Cm, Ab, D
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You Chords Here

Bob Dylan recorded “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You” for “Nashville Skyline,” released in 1969. It’s very romantic and well-arranged, making itself really pleasant to the listener.

The song draws much inspiration from country music, which can again be heard in the general mood of the song, mostly created by the arrangement. The tune is pretty upbeat, featuring simple chords that Bob Dylan plays throughout the song, winding up in the key of G Major, which is one of the main reasons the sound is really bright and uplifting. Probably the only difficulty this song might cause you is barre chords, but if you nail this skill, you unlock a huge variety of possibilities within the framework of your guitar playing.

33. Meet Me in the Morning

Album	Blood on the Tracks
Chords	E, A, Asus, B7, A/E
Tuning	E B D G# B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Meet Me in the Morning Chords Here

The “Meet Me in the Morning” song was recorded in 1975 for the album “Blood on the Tracks.” You can definitely hear a sudden change of sound with this particular song, since it represents one that is highly blues-influenced, with slide guitar having a prominent impact on the composition.

Since, as I said, the arrangement of the song has a very bluesy vibe, the chords chosen for the guitar part have a very frequent presence in many blues tracks, making a constant listener of such music easily pick them up. These chords are E major and A major, but the most interesting one here is B7, a chord that creates a lot of tension and perfectly fits into such music.

34. Buckets of Rain

Album	Blood on the Tracks
Chords	E, A, B, G#m, F#m
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Buckets of Rain Chords Here

The next song was released in 1975. It’s really a pleasant one to listen to, primarily because of its acoustic instrumentation, which creates a very soulful vibe.

The chords of the song are really simple, yet the list features sharp ones, which are not really different from other triads, but you still have to keep an eye on them, especially if you are a beginner, because for some reason they become confused with them occasionally. The tuning is standard, so except for these factors and maybe barre chords, the song isn’t very hard to learn and play on the guitar, so it’s really accessible for a vast majority of musicians. You can also experiment with some strumming patterns since the simplicity of the song allows you to have much room for that.

35. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)

Album	Blonde on Blonde
Chords	G, Am, Bm, D, C, G7, Em
Tuning	E A D G B E
Learn to Play the Song	See Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) Chords Here

The next song is called “Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine),” and it is featured on Bob’s seventh album called “Blonde on Blonde.”

This track is really interesting because it includes a very interesting instrumental arrangement, featuring electric guitar and harmonica, creating a very distinct sound that is actually really pleasant and not clashy in any shape or form. The guitar part consists primarily of 7 chords, of which one stands out most prominently: G7, which is a very bluesy-sounding chord. The other chords are simple triads, half of which are really common and used among all the guitar players despite their level of proficiency. The tuning is, as usual, standard. You might also use inversions to beef up the sound (as the chords from the website show it).

Popular Related Article: List of Easy Acoustic Guitar Songs (with Lesson Videos)

Final Thoughts

It’s pretty mindblowing how a solitary man with his guitar and thoughts managed to transform the landscape of American songwriting over time, and even won a Nobel Prize for it! And as you may have realized while reading this blog, the real genius of Bob Dylan lies in how he keeps his compositions astonishingly simple, but at the same time manages to convey incredible emotional depths!

This amazing combination of complex lyrics and simple melodies is a big reason why Bob Dylan’s music has awakened the collective consciousness of not just his own generation, but those that have come after him as well. Plus, it’s also why thousands of artists couldn’t help but want to cover his songs and give them their own artistic spin. We highly recommend exploring all the albums that the songs shared above are featured in…in fact, just check out his entire discography! We are sure that you will find many more gems that are not only beautifully written songs but very easy to replicate on the guitar as well.

But above all, his songs leave behind a familiar feeling in the hearts of his listeners, because when it comes to Bob Dylan, the same song can mean something so personal to each of his listeners.