🎸 Best 80s Pop Rock Songs to Play on Guitar

From arena rock anthems and synth-driven classics to new wave crossover favorites, these artists helped define the sound of MTV and FM radio during one of music’s most creative eras. On this page, you'll find acoustic guitar lessons inspired by many of the best 80s pop rock songs from bands such as Toto, Tears For Fears, Survivor, The Clash, Eurythmics, and many others. Whether you enjoy emotional ballads, energetic rockabilly rhythms, or timeless singalong choruses, these songs continue to connect with listeners decades later and translate beautifully to acoustic guitar.

I Don't Mind At All ... 

Eye Of The Tiger is a song by the American rock band Survivor, released in 1982. The song was written specifically for the movie "Rocky III," in which it was prominently featured.

The song was composed by Survivor members Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan, and features heavy use of power chords, catchy hooks, and driving rhythms. The lyrics are motivational in nature, urging the listener to fight through adversity and stay strong in the face of challenges.

"Eye of the Tiger" was an immediate commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and staying there for six consecutive weeks. It also topped charts in other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Everybody Wants To Rule The World is a Tears For Fears 1985 single from the bands album Songs From The Big Chair.

The song did very well internationally reaching #1 in the US, Canada and New Zealand and #2 in Ireland, the UK and Australia. If the title sound familiar

it's a line in the song Charlie Don't Surf by The Clash from a 1980 album of theirs.

Signs cover by the group Tesla, appeared on their 1990 live acoustic album Five Man Acoustical Jam and became one of their most recognizable hits.

Originally written and recorded by the Canadian band Five Man Electrical Band in 1971, Tesla's version gave the rebellious anthem a gritty, bluesy hard rock twist while preserving the song’s anti-establishment message.

Their rendition climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, gaining them mainstream attention and solidifying their place in the late-‘80s/early-‘90s rock scene. This stripped-down acoustic performance helped define their style beyond the glam metal label, showcasing raw musicality and vocal strength.

Marie Marie ... was a track released in 1980 from the bands self-titled debut album, “Marie Marie” and became one of The Blasters’ signature tracks, blending rockabilly, roots rock, and punk energy.

Written by band member Dave Alvin, the song tells the story of a working-class romance with a driving rhythm and gritty vocal delivery. Although The Blasters’ version didn’t chart in the U.S., the song gained international attention when British rocker Shakin' Stevens covered it in 1980 — his version hit #19 on the UK charts.

“Marie Marie” helped define the band’s high-octane Americana sound and earned them a cult following in the early ‘80s roots revival scene.

Diggin Your Scene was from The Blow Monkeys 1986 album called Animal Magic. It was one of their most successful commercial songs reaching #14 in the US, #12 in the UK and #9 in Ireland.

This song has a bit of a disco vibe to it due to the rhythm.

Laurel Canyon is a track off of a 2014 album from The Church called Further/Deeper. 

This track was never released as a single.

Under The Milky Way was released back in 1988 as a single from their album Starfish.

The band managed a top 30 in the US, Australia and New Zealand with this song. It did reach #2 in the US on their Mainstream Rock Chart.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go was first released in 1981 and did OK on the charts but did not reach the top 40 in the US. The track is from the album Combat Rock.

Years later in 1991 when the song was used in a TV commercial about blue jeans, the song was re-released and hit #1 in the UK and was a top 10 in a few other countries.

Fire Woman is off of the 1989 album by The Cult entitled Sonic Temple.

The song reached #1 in new Zealand, 32 in the US and #15 in the UK.

Here Comes The Rain Again is a 1983 songs from the duo The Eurythmics and can be found on their album Touch.

The song was a #4 hit in the US and a #8 in the UK.

The King And Queen Of America is a single from the 1989 album by The Eurythmics called We Too Are One.

The once reached #23 in Ireland and #29 in the UK but failed to chart in the US.

Sweet Dreams was a 1983 single from The Eurythmics off of their album of the same name.

There were five singles from this album but this song was their biggest hit, hitting #1 in Canada and the US and making it into the top 10 in several other countries.

Don't You Want Me is a track by The Human League and hails from their 1981 album Dare.

It reached #1 in the UK that year and #1 in the US the following year.

What Do All The People Know is a song by the Norwegian new wave band The Monroes, released as a single in 1982. The song became a hit in Norway and other European countries, as well as in the United States where it reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The Monroes were formed in the early 1980s and consisted of members Lage Fosheim on vocals and guitar, Eivind Rølles on bass, Lasse Hafreager on keyboards, and Per Vestaby on drums. "What Do All the People Know" was their biggest hit and is considered a classic of the Norwegian new wave scene.

This song was never featured on any regular album but has appeared on various compilation albums and greatest hits collections of the band, such as "The Best of The Monroes" and "Absolute Monroes".

I Won't Stand In Your Way showed a softer side of the Stray Cats when it appeared on their 1983 album Rant N' Rave With The Stray Cats.

Written by Brian Setzer, the song moves away from the band's usual rockabilly energy and instead delivers a heartfelt ballad about heartbreak, regret, and letting go of someone you still love.

The lyrics tell the story of a man who realizes a relationship has slipped away and accepts that he can no longer hold on. Produced by Dave Edmunds, it remains one of the most emotional songs in the Stray Cats catalog.

Rock This Town, with its retro rockabilly vibe, roared onto the scene in 1981, reviving 50s-style rock ‘n’ roll for a new generation.

Featured on their debut album Built for Speed, it hit the Top 10 in the U.S. and UK. Brian Setzer’s twangy guitar and the band’s high-energy delivery helped put rockabilly back in the spotlight.

Stray Cat Strut was another smash from Built for Speed, this 1982 single peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Known for its cool-cat swagger and jazzy guitar solo, “Stray Cat Strut” cemented the group’s unique style — a sleek blend of punk attitude and retro flair that made them MTV darlings.

Africa was recorded by the American rock band Toto and was released in 1982 as a single from their album "Toto IV". The song was written by the band members David Paich and Jeff Porcaro and became one of Toto's most popular and recognizable songs.

This song is one of the most enduring soft rock anthems of the decade.

With its tribal rhythms, lush harmonies, and poetic lyrics, it hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song enjoyed a massive revival decades later, proving its timeless appeal.

Hold the Line, a song by Toto, was released in 1978 as the debut single from their self-titled album, "Toto". The song was written by the band's keyboardist, David Paich, and it features a mix of rock, pop, and R&B elements.

This debut single from 1978 rode the line between classic rock and power pop. While technically a late-70s release, its massive popularity carried into the early 80s, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Its piano-driven intro and commanding vocals make it one of Toto’s most recognizable hits.

I Won't Hold You Back is a ballad song by Toto, released in 1983 as a single from their album "Toto IV". The song was written by the band's keyboardist, Steve Porcaro, and it features a piano-driven melody and emotional lyrics about a failing relationship.

Seen as a softer side of Toto, this song features emotional vocals and orchestral arrangements.

It peaked at #10 on the Billboard charts and became a fan favorite for its heartfelt lyrics and smooth delivery.

Rosanna was released in 1982 by Toto as the lead single from their album "Toto IV". The song was written by the band's keyboardist, David Paich, and it features a mix of rock, pop, and R&B elements.

Inspired by actress Rosanna Arquette, this 1982 hit blended jazz, rock, and pop influences. Also from Toto IV, it won multiple Grammy Awards and reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Jeff Porcaro’s legendary “half-time shuffle” drum groove became a benchmark for drummers worldwide.

The Promise was the debut single from the group When In Rome and was released in 1987 in the UK and 1988 in the US.

This 1988 synth-pop track became a one-hit wonder classic, thanks to its haunting chorus and emotional delivery. Though the band didn’t replicate its success, “The Promise” gained renewed attention in the 2000s after being featured in films and TV.

It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.