Are you ready to jam out to the top rock songs of the ’80s? Grab your axe and read on!
There’s no doubt that the ’80s were an era of great rock music. Whether you’re looking for iconic anthems or harder-hitting tunes, there’s something for everyone in this list of the best ’80s rock songs for guitar.
So put on your headbanger helmet and get ready to shred!
What is the Number One Rock Song of the 80s?
Some of the top 80s rock songs for guitar solos are:
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
- “Back in Black” – AC/DC
- “Money for Nothing” – Dire Straits
- “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
- “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
- “Panama” – Van Halen
Ready to learn all these awesome 80s rock songs for guitar? Get started today with guitar lessons – and check out the video below for more inspiration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZ64yEGPok
What Guitar is Best for 80s Rock?
In the 1980s, rock music shifted away from the hard-edged sounds of the previous decade and became more varied and experimental. As a result, many different types of guitars were used to create the new sounds that defined the decade.
80s rock is all about attitude, so the best guitar for 80s rock needs to be able to capture that raw energy and power.
For example, the Fender Stratocaster was often used for pop-rock songs, while the Gibson Les Paul was more commonly seen in heavier styles like hair metal.
This iconic instrument has been used by some of the biggest names in rock, including Slash and Jimmy Page.
The Les Paul Standard is known for its thick, rich sound, which is perfect for those big, distorted riffs that are so characteristic of 80s rock. If you’re looking to capture that classic 80s rock sound, a Les Paul Standard is definitely the way to go.
Ultimately, there is no single guitar that can be considered the best for 80s rock. Instead, it is important to choose the right instrument for the specific style of music you want to play. With so many different genres of rock to choose from, there is a guitar out there that is perfect for everyone.
The Essential ’80s Rock Songs for Guitar List
From arena-shaking hair metal to compelling pop grooves, the ’80s were a time of unmatched attitude, along with some of the best guitar playing of all time. Shredders such as Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and Slash inspired countless fans to seek out easy rock songs to learn on guitar and play these classic riffs for themselves.
Whether you want to relive the power of these immortal tunes, or you’re discovering the best ’80s rock songs for the first time, this list is sure to start you on a rockin’ journey!
From arena-shaking hair metal to compelling pop grooves, the ’80s were a time of unmatched attitude, along with some of the best guitar playing of all time. Shredders such as Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and Slash inspired countless fans to seek out easy rock songs to learn on guitar and play these classic riffs for themselves.
Whether you want to relive the power of these immortal tunes, or you’re discovering the best ’80s rock songs for the first time, this list is sure to start you on a rockin’ journey!
The Essential ’80s Rock Songs List
From AC/DC to Guns N’ Roses, these incredible ’80s rock bands stand the test of time.
1. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
This iconic opening riff is a favorite for intermediate guitarists who want to crank up the volume. It’s a challenge to play this line cleanly at first, but with practice, you’ll be sounding just like Slash in no time. The great thing about this song is that it has guitar parts for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players alike. Ready for a serious challenge? Take a crack at the guitar solo!
2. “Back in Black” – AC/DC
What makes “Back in Black” one of the top ’80s rock songs of all time? Pretty much everything about it! The rock-solid drumbeat, unforgettable vocals, and — you guessed it — epic guitar riff make this an enduring rock favorite. Beginners can work on playing the open chords and chip away at the intro riff, while intermediate players can explore some of the guitar solo licks.
- Are you ready to play? Learn about guitar lessons in your area.
3. “Money for Nothing” – Dire Straits
Not only was this tune one of the best rock songs of the ’80s, but it also ushered in the golden era of MTV music videos. Whether playing rhythm guitar or laying down a solo, Mark Knopfler’s guitar vocabulary is always unique. His tasteful guitar lines are just as fresh today as they were in 1985. Foregoing the pick and playing fingerstyle gives Knopfler a unique touch, which can be heard in his small chord clusters and bluesy licks.
On “Money for Nothing,” Knopfler steps away from his usual Stratocaster tone and picks up a Les Paul. Apparently, he came across this song’s signature tone by accident and was never able to truly replicate it again. You can get close by using guitar pedals, specifically an overdrive pedal and a wah pedal. Instead of moving the wah pedal up and down, leave it wide open or just slightly closed, and let the colorfully compressed tone rip!
4. “Every Breath You Take” – The Police
When this single hit the soft rock scene in 1983, fans in both the U.S. and the U.K. were smitten by the spacious sound, thoughtful lyrics, and tasteful guitar line. “Every Breath You Take” not only dominated the charts in 1983, but it went on to become one of the most-played songs in radio history. The beautiful chord voicings make this a great easy rock song to learn on guitar.
5. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
With a soaring guitar line and an inspirational message, this song is a favorite for music fans of all ages. Look up the term “rock anthem” in the dictionary, and this song is just what you may find first! The catchy riff is played at a reasonable speed, making this one of the easiest rock songs to learn on guitar. But not so fast — you’ll need some serious skills to pull off the solo. Stick with it and “Don’t Stop Believin’” you can master this tune!
6. “Panama” – Van Halen
At the pinnacle of guitar wizardry lies Eddie Van Halen, whose revolutionary approach to the electric guitar still dazzles rock fans today. An inventor and guitar technician, EVH pushed the boundaries of the instrument further than it had ever gone before. By using techniques such as tapping, he cast forth a flurry of sound, which to this day players are trying to emulate. Learning Van Halen songs on guitar is not for the faint of heart!
What is the Easiest Rock and Roll Song to Play on Guitar?
If you’re looking for an easy rock and roll song to play on guitar, there are a few factors to consider. The first is the overall level of difficulty of the song. For beginners, it’s important to choose a song that isn’t too challenging, as this can lead to frustration and even give up playing altogether.
Additionally, you’ll want to choose a song that you actually enjoy listening to. After all, rock and roll is all about having fun!
Looking for some easy guitar rock songs for beginner players? Here are some easy rock songs for guitar from the 80s that are sure to knock your socks off:
- “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
- “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
- “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard
- “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses
- “Summer of ‘69” by Bryan Adams
- “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones
- “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan
- “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen
- “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by the Scorpions
Best 80s Acoustic Guitar Songs
You now know all the best advanced and beginner rock songs for electric guitar. But what about those for acoustic guitar? Electric guitar shouldn’t get all the love!
While the 80s is remembered for its rock anthems and over-the-top hair bands, the decade also produced some great acoustic guitar songs. Here are a few of the best:
- “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison – This power ballad is one of the most iconic acoustic guitar songs of the 80s. Featuring Slash on lead guitar, the song topped the Billboard charts and became Poison’s only number 1 hit.
- “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits – This classic Mark Knopfler ballad features some of the most beautiful and evocative acoustic guitar playing of the decade. The song was a huge hit, spending nine weeks at number 1 in the UK.
- “Wind of Change” by Scorpions – This operatic ballad was written by Scorpions frontman Klaus Meine about the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Featuring some stunning acoustic guitar work from Rudolf Schenker, the song remains one of the band’s most popular tunes.
- “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd – Another classic ballad, this one written by Roger Waters about his former bandmate Syd Barrett. The simple but effective acoustic guitar
How Do You Play 80s Songs on Guitar?
If you’re looking to jam along with these classic rock songs for guitarr, there are plenty of resources to learn them. You can find guitar tabs online to easily determine which notes to play, and you can watch video lessons on YouTube. As much as possible, play these tunes with other musicians to develop your jamming abilities. The power of ’80s rock guitar really shines when you crank up the volume and play with a band!
80s guitar playing is all about attitude and feeling. You want to capture the feel of the era, which was all about big hair, big dreams, and bigger guitars.
To get that 80s sound, you’ll need to crank up the gain on your amplifier and use lots of distortion. Play your chords with power and conviction, and be sure to add in plenty of hammer-ons and pull-offs.
When it comes to solos, think Van Halen: go for speed, flash, and attitude. Don’t be afraid to fly high with some wide vibrato and huge bends. If you can capture the feel of the 80s, you’ll be nailing those classic songs in no time.
Let’s face it — we all need guidance to achieve our musical goals. Taking on these rock anthems may seem daunting, but the right guitar teacher can speed up your progress. You can also try an online group guitar class to learn with peers, no matter where you are!
So, there you have it – our list of the best ’80s rock songs for guitar. If you’re looking to improve your skills on the instrument, or simply want to learn some classic tunes, these are a great place to start. We hope you enjoy playing them as much as we enjoyed putting this list together!
What are your favorite ’80s rock songs? Let us know in the comments below!
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