Basic songs to learn

[The Cheezy One]

[while a thread like this is going, that one focuses more on beginner songs. i am not a beginner, more of intermediate]
In a about a week, there is an open mic night between me and about 20 friends
i am learning guitar, and can play good but basic songs, and still play best reading chords rather than tabs, but i would like to impress as many people as possible
anyway, i was just interested in seeing what the community would think of good songs for me (at my current skill level) to learn
if i cant find anything, ive got a fall back of Hallelujah by leonard cohen, underdog by you me at six and beautiful day by u2
one last point, as little profanity as possile, im looking to impress, not offend

EDIT: my apologies, i forgot to specify
acoustic guitar mainly because i have more experience in that, but i could go for electric
and rock/punk rock/indie, rather than metal

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

As another beginner guitarist I can recommend a couple:
You've got to go for Walk by Pantera. It's not really chord-based but simple as pie if you ignore the solo.
And the riff for Enter Sandman by Metallica is pretty simple (Well, I can play it and I'm awful), not sure about the rest of the song though. though.

 

[Torque669]

My first songs Ive ever learnt were songs by bands like Blink - 182, U2, Taylor Swift and Jimmy Eat World.

I suggest The Middle by Jimmy Eat World as its a great song, very catchy and pretty easy to learn.

 

[WrongSprite]

Enter Sandman, In My Head, In Utero, Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Just learn the easy riffs, don't bother with whole songs until you're better.

 

[The Cheezy One]

My first songs Ive ever learnt were songs by bands like Blink - 182, U2, Taylor Swift and Jimmy Eat World.

I suggest The Middle by Jimmy Eat World as its a great song, very catchy and pretty easy to learn.

you, sir, have STYLE
i love that song, why have i never checked that out?

 

[DuplicateValue]

Anything by The Kooks is easy to play/sing. Try Ooh La.

Oh, and New Slang by The Shins.

Edit: I was recommending songs good for acoustic guitar. I don't think you specified.

 

[alwaysrockon]

are you playing acoustic or electric?
or what style are you trying to go for?

 

[Always_Remain]

Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple or Ironman by Black Sabbath. Fuck yeah.

 

[The Cheezy One]

are you playing acoustic or electric?
or what style are you trying to go for?

good point
acoustic mainly because i have more experience in that, but i could go for electric
and rock/punk rock/indie, rather than metal

 

[Ironboot]

Broken by Seether is fairly easy but cool sounding. It's the only song I can play...

Spoiler: Song inside

 

[SteinFaust]

Los by Rammstein is a pretty simple acoustic song. even better if you know someone who can play the harmonica along with it.

 

[alwaysrockon]

play "my my hey hey" by neil young or try "redemption song" (the cash version). Or maybe "Mr. Jones" (counting crows), "macy's day parade" (green day), "wish you were here" (pink floyd), "knokin on heavens door" (dylan) or "the weight" (The Band)

those are some pretty easy acoustic/electric songs to try out.

 

[Zerbye]

"All Apologies" by Nirvana. Famous catchy tune, and very easy to play all the way through. No solos.

 

[poppleguy]

Really easy fun and basic songs? First off, do you know how to play a power chord? If so, there are probably the easiest:

1. Pork and Beans by Weezer
2. Brain Stew by Green Day
3. Polly by Nirvana

 

[alwaysrockon]

Oh, I also forgot you can play "all along the watchtower" by dylan, or "its been a while" by staind. those two sound pretty badass.

 

[SlowShootinPete]

Dude.

Freebird.

Do it.