When we think about what guitar tabs we need to start learning songs, we usually only think about songs we like. We know that our taste in music isn't bad at all, but if we're going to play guitar and sing in front of people, we need to get used to the idea that what we like might not be what they want to hear. When we look at the most popular songs, we might get the uneasy feeling that we might have to play songs we don't like. Guitar players are known for sticking to what they believe in and not giving up on what they want to play. They are also well-known for giving the audience what it wants. So, as you look through your list of guitar tabs on the internet, you'll probably have a mix of these two attitudes. While we're talking about lists of guitar tabs, remember that you can find ready-made collections of easy guitar tabs at your local music store or online. You can find books with titles like "Popular Songs for Acoustic Guitar" or "CMT's 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music."
Field tests done by buskers, night club performers, and cover bands have shown that you should look for songs from the past to add to your set list. Oldies are goodies. You should also think about whether or not you like to have people in the audience join in. If you're still thinking about it a second after the thought comes to you, it's probably not true. So don't sing songs that make you shout "Everyone now!" or "Just the girls this time!" Also, if you play acoustic guitar by yourself and have a voice like Johnny Cash, you might not want to play "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin. But don't give up on songs you like just because they don't seem possible right away. Don't forget the songs "Light My Fire" by Jose Feliciano and "Layla" by Eric Clapton unplugged.
If you don't pay attention to how you sing and play the guitar, it won't matter much what songs you choose. People pay to see people do something better than they can. Which is why you should play music that you like. If you are playing a song that you think will please the crowd but that you personally don't like, you should focus on the part that the crowd likes. That's something you already know. That's why you don't shout "Hello, darkness, my old friend!" or sing "Welcome to the Hotel California" with less enthusiasm.
Okay, so what we've learned is that there are songs that a lot of people like and that you can sing and play these songs in a way that shows off your own skills. Here is a short list of songs that have been known to please crowds over the years:
Cat Stevens's Wild World
John Lennon wrote "Imagine."
Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven"
Donovan wrote Catch the Wind.
Elvis Presley's song "Can't Help Falling in Love"
The Kinks sang Waterloo Sunset.
The Rolling Stones' song "Angie"
Everyone Hurts is a song by REM.
Paul Simon wrote "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover."
Simon and Garfunkel's "59th Street Bridge Song"
Don Maclean's American Pie
Joni Mitchell wrote Both Sides Now.
The Mamas and Papas sang the song "California Dreamin'."
Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
Simon and Garfunkel's Mrs. Robinson
You're So Self-Centered by Carly Simon
Bob Dylan wrote Blowin' in the Wind.
Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl
Johnny Cash's song "I Walk the Line"
Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven
Van Morrison's Gloria (or Them)
The Eagles' song "Hotel California"
The Who's Behind Blue Eyes
Cream's White Room
Marcy Playground's Sex and Candy
Red Hot Chili Peppers sang "Californication."
Everlast's "What It's Like"
Elvis Costello's Alison
Stevie Ray Vaughn's Life By the Drop
Allman Brothers' song "Melissa"
The Rolling Stones' Dead Flowers
Bad Company's Seagull
Al DiMeola and Paco De Lucia's Mediterranean Sundance
Mason Williams's "Classical Gas"
This list could be much, much longer, but you're probably already seeing songs here that you'd never play in a million years, so all I can say is that I hope this guide to essential guitar tab has been helpful.
