You’ve got your harmonica in hand, but what song should you play? Some songs are really well known, but very hard to play. Others are easy but obscure. So what are the best songs for harmonica?
The best song to play on harmonica is undoubtedly The Beatles’ “Love Me Do.” It’s a timeless classic that should be on every harmonica player’s list of songs they can play.
You don’t need to be able to read music or spend years practicing before you find out what makes this little instrument so appealing.
In this article, I’ll share some of the best and easy harmonica songs for rock, pop, and blues. I narrowed down the list to the 41 best tracks to learn on harmonica!
1. Love Me Do by The Beatles
You’ll be pleased to learn that one of the most popular songs of all time, “Love Me Do”, was written by Paul McCartney. The song starts with a lovely harmonica riff which was John Lennon’s idea.
It’s an absolutely awesome tune and should be part of your repertoire if you’re looking for some classics to play on your harmonica.
2. On The Road Again by Willie Nelson
“On the Road Again” is a song about the lifestyle of being on the road.
The harmonica playing here is very catchy, adding another layer to an already beautiful song. Thus, it’s such a great song to begin your harmonica journey with.
3. The Promised Land by Bruce Springsteen
The Promised Land was written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1975 album Born to Run.
This is a lively tune that can be easily learned on harmonica, but the lyrics are quite dark. Most people find it easy to play this song, even if they’ve never played a harmonica before!
4. Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters
One of the most influential blues musicians of all time, Muddy Waters was known for his unique voice and signature style of playing.
This song houses an iconic blues riff on harmonica and guitar that has been covered by many artists.
I also wrote about some of the best blues musicians in a recent article on my site. Feel free to check it out if you’re interested in the blues genre!
5. For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder later recorded this tune in 1971 for his album Signed, Sealed & Delivered.
The harmonica part is played by Stevie Wonder himself—and that’s just one of the reasons we love this song. The other reason? It has such a catchy melody, with heartfelt lyrics about finding your soulmate.
Stewie Wonder isn’t the only musician who cannot see. I talked about famous blind musicians in a recent article I wrote. Just click the link to read it on my site.
6. Mary Jane’s Last Dance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
It’s about a difficult relationship with marijuana, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for other things including addiction, infidelity, or even just any unhealthy habit.
The band uses a nice harmonica melody blended with this legendary guitar riff that makes it such beautiful music.
7. When The Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin
“When The Levee Breaks” was released on their 1971 album Led Zeppelin IV, which has become one of their most popular albums.
The song is based on the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and the harmonica makes up for an iconic part of this tune.
8. Whoopin’ The Blues by Sonny Terry
If you’re new to the harmonica, this song will be a great learning tool for getting familiar with the instrument and its technique.
It also features some basic bending techniques that will help you develop your own style as you play it more often.
You will surely have a good time!
9. Dirty Old Town by The Pogues
“Dirty Old Town” by The Pogues is a song that was originally performed by Ewan MacColl in 1958.
The opening harmonica part gives this song its unique sound and feel. One of the best things about “Dirty Old Town” is that it has a violin solo!
10. Train, Train by Blackfoot
The brilliant harmonica solo by Shorty Medlocke that opens this song is not only a great intro for beginners or newbies to the blues, but it also tells a story.
The sorrowful nature of the melody coupled with its upbeat tempo makes it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to learn how to play harmonica in their own way.
11. Piano Man by Billy Joel
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel is a classic song that deserves a spot on this list for its harmonica tune alone.
It’s one of many hits from Joel’s first solo album Piano Man, which tells the story of his days as a piano player in loungers around New York City during the early 70s.
12. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl by The Grateful Dead
A staple of the blues, “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” was first recorded by Sonny Boy Williamson in 1937.
It can be challenging if you’re just starting out on your harmonica journey, but it’s worth learning as a great beginner song with some blow notes..
13. On The Road Again by Canned Heat
Canned Heat’s version of “On The Road Again” features a low harmonica and a funky sound that makes it one of the most recognizable songs in American music history.
There are tons of great harmonica solos for beginners to learn from this tune!
14. Keep On Smiling by Wet Willie
“Keep On Smiling” is one of the greatest harmonica songs ever written.
It’s a powerful, upbeat rocker that has been covered by countless bands, but it still retains its original luster.
The opening chords are simple enough for anyone to play, yet there’s something about them that just feels right—it’s easy to see why this great song remains so popular today.
15. Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan
The song was released in 1964, and it’s still one of the most famous folk songs today.
The main hook of the song is a simple yet beautiful harmonica blend over the guitar strums.
This song was inspired by Bruce Langhorne, a musician who plays a large tambourine. This type of tambourine can make all sorts of sounds similar to a harmonica or ocarina when played right.
16. My Babe by Little Walter
This song is one of the most popular blues songs and has been covered by countless artists.
It’s a classic hit that you can sing with your friends or play on the harmonica in the park.
Little Walter is known for his smooth harmonica skills, so this song will touch every woman’s heart. If you’re looking for an easy way to impress your loved ones, learn this on harmonica!
17. Whammer Jammer by The J. Geils Band
If you’re a fan of rock and blues, this song is one of the best on the list.
The harmonica riffs are killer and will impress your friends as they hear them for the first time.
It’s also a great tune to learn the use of the harmonica if you’re new at it—the melody is easy enough but still interesting enough to keep people interested in what you’re doing.
18. Midnight Rambler by The Rolling Stones
If you’re looking to add a little harmonica to your next song, look no further than The Rolling Stones’ “Midnight Rambler.”
Released in 1969, this track is a rock classic that features some nice harmonica riffs from Mick Jagger.
The song tells the story of a serial killer who murdered 13 women in Boston.
19. Parchman Farm by John Mayall and the Blues Breakers
This song by John Mayall and the Blues Breakers is easy to memorize for a harmonica beginner.
The melody is simple but catchy, and it provides ample opportunity to practice different rhythms and scales.
Plus, the guitar solo in this song alone contains enough information to keep you busy for months!
20. The Wizard by Black Sabbath
“The Wizard” is a song by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
It was released on their fifth studio album, Black Sabbath in 1975.
The haunting and almost creepy opening is all thanks to some brilliant diatonic harmonica solo. The second half of this powerful song has another harmonical solo to die for!
21. Long Train Running by The Doobie Brothers and Tom Johnston
This song was written by the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, Tom Johnston.
It was released in 1973, but it has remained popular through the years as a jam band favorite. “Long Train Running” is about the life of a musician who travels from town to town playing music for people all over the country.
It’s also known for having one of the most memorable harmonica solos ever recorded!