21 Easy Xylophone Songs For Beginners

“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen

Song year: 2012

For those looking for a bit of silly bubble gum pop fun, there’s always Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.” The verse section is quite repetitive, so no issues there. The chorus is where the fun begins. And I don’t mean it’s super hard to play. I mean it’s a lot of fun because it’s a great melody!

“Call Me Maybe” works very nicely on the xylophone. You can tell that there’s a real song in there.

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurhythmics

Song year: 1983

I probably don’t even need to tell you – the Eurhythmics “Sweet Dreams” features a classic minor key 80s riff and melody. They hit the sweet spot with this one, because the song can still be heard on the radio today, and there was that extra ominous Marilyn Manson version from 1995 too.

It’s no mystery to me as to why, mind you. The first time I heard the song on the radio, I said to myself, “I need to look this one up later.”

This is a fun one, so do give it a go!

“Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” by Green Day

Song year: 2004

Not that Green Day didn’t always have pop appeal, but they certainly turned the punk rock dial way down and the pop rock dial way up with “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams.” And this isn’t the last time they would do that, either.

The melody features a good amount of movement, but it’s not too hard to play. It’s also very recognizable. These factors make it perfect for the xylophone, which can capture the feel of that melancholy melody in spades.

“Wannabe” by Spice Girls

Song year: 1996

Although I’m sure some would disagree, I think the Spice Girls were everything right with pop music and girl groups in the late 90s and early 2000s (although they have since reunited multiple times), and “Wannabe” is their signature song. It plays quite nicely on the xylophone, and it’s not too hard either.

“Imagine” by John Lennon

Song year: 1971

John Lennon’s piano ballad “Imagine” lives on as one of the most important songs ever written. Not necessarily for its quirky and idealistic message (some can surely relate to it), but mostly for its musicality and influence.

Not surprisingly, its simplicity and starkness translate nicely over to the xylophone as well.

“We Are The Champions” by Queen

Song year: 1977

Queen’s expertly written “We Are The Champions” became a sports arena epic. But we all know what Freddie was singing about, and the song is so much more than that.

Anyway, from a compositional standpoint, this song is well worth studying. Its gradually ascending melody is a thing of brilliance, and it’s something you appreciate even more playing it on the xylophone.

It’s not the easiest song to learn, but it’s certainly not the hardest. “We Are The Champions” is recommended to all beginners who’ve managed to master a couple of simpler songs beforehand.

“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes

Song year: 2003

Jack and Meg White created a bit of a monster with “Seven Nation Army” in the early 2000s. It received its share of criticism, sure, but when the dust settled, it ended up being recognized as a bit of a modern garage rock classic.

From the guitar to the drums, the song is very simple. And because the band primarily operated as a duo, there were no layers to add complexity to “Seven Nation Army” either.

Try it on the xylophone. You’ll discover for yourself just how easy it is to play.

“The Final Countdown” by Europe

Song year: 1986

Swedish rock band Europe proved again and again that they were more than just another glam metal band. And “Final Countdown” showcases every aspect of the band’s greatest strengths – Joey Tempest’s smooth vocals, John Norum’s blistering lead guitar, and of course Mic Michaeli’s unforgettable synth riff.

Fun fact – that synth riff was originally written by Tempest and not Michaeli! Developed as the ultimate concert opener, with “The Final Countdown,” the band truly found its rocket boosters and took off into the stratosphere.

Oh yeah, it’s cool on the xylophone too.

“Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

Song year: 2017

Some people don’t see it. But I believe The Chainsmokers and Coldplay hit on something truly transcendent with “Something Just Like This.” And I’m not that big of a fan of either, so that should tell you something!

This song features real, raw, soul and emotion. The melodies, themes, and textures are all simple but inspired. They layer very nicely onto each other, and this song has that rare quality, where it feels as though no matter how many layers you added on top, it would still sound exceptional.

The melody is very strong, and that makes it a great song for the xylophone too. It’s not the easiest, but it’s also not the hardest song to learn.

“Come As You Are” by Nirvana

Song year: 1991

The brilliance of the main riff to Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” is that it’s almost like a beginner guitar exercise (which could be the case – you just never know where song ideas might come from).

Yet, the musicality is there, and its ominous quality lends itself to the subject matter of the song (which, admittedly, remains somewhat of a mystery).

You can play this riff, as well as the entirety of the song’s melody on the xylophone, and it’s a good song for beginners with a little bit of experience behind them too.

Best Xylophone Songs For Beginners, Final Thoughts

If you get stuck with any of these songs, don’t hesitate to do a bit of your research. You can probably find multiple versions of the same songs – different video tutorials, different sheet music arrangements, and more. Some versions will be easier to play than others.

As with any other instrument, learning the xylophone can take time and effort. But once muscle memory starts to kick in, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable with it, so hang in there!