Las Vegas Pop Headliners – Guitar Songs & Modern Classics

This page includes upbeat hits from Barry Manilow, such as Copacabana, I Can’t Smile Without You, It’s a Miracle, and Weekend in New England, along with smooth pop standards like Michael Bublé’s Everything and It’s a Beautiful Day.

You’ll also find retro-inspired favorites such as Lou Bega’s “Mambo #5,” the breezy soft-pop sound of Chris Montez’s “The More I See You,” and show-stopping renditions like David Lee Roth’s “Just a Gigolo.”

Each lesson provides chords, rhythm patterns, and helpful tips so you can easily play these lively and crowd-pleasing songs on your acoustic guitar.

Copacabana was released in 1978 and appeared on Barry Manilow’s album Even Now and quickly became one of his most theatrical hits. Issued as a single, it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

A colorful music video was later produced for television specials, helping cement the song’s nightclub storyline in pop culture.

“Copacabana” has been covered in multiple languages and even expanded into a TV movie and stage musical.

Manilow originally wrote the song as a joke between recording sessions, but its disco flair proved irresistible to radio.

I Can't Smile Without You came out in 1978 and can be found on the album Even Now and became a major Adult Contemporary hit. The single reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart.

While no formal music video was produced, Manilow performed it widely on TV and in concert, where it quickly became a fan sing-along favorite.

Several artists have covered the song, including the Carpenters, whose version was recorded earlier but released later.

Manilow often joked that the song’s simple structure made it unexpectedly emotional for audiences, especially during live shows.

It's A Miracle hit the airwaves in 1975, appearing on the album Barry Manilow II and became his second Top 20 hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

No official video exists, but dozens of televised performances showcased the song's bright, upbeat feel.

Manilow has said the song was inspired by the exhaustion of constant touring — “the miracle” being finally getting home.

Mandy was released in 1974 and became Barry Manilow’s breakthrough hit and appeared on his album Barry Manilow II.

Originally titled “Brandy” when recorded by Scott English in 1971, Manilow reworked the arrangement into a dramatic piano ballad. Issued as a single, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and became one of the most defining songs of the decade.

No official music video was produced, but Manilow performed it widely on television, including The Midnight Special and American Bandstand. The song has been covered often, with notable versions by Johnny Mathis and Westlife.

Manilow initially resisted recording “Mandy,” believing it didn't suit him — until Clive Davis insisted it was a hit.

Weekend In New England released in 1976, appeared on the album This One’s for You. The single reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, becoming one of Manilow’s most beloved ballads.

No video was produced, though the song was a frequent feature on television specials.

Despite its iconic title, the lyrics never mention New England — Manilow loved the song but often joked that he couldn't answer fans who asked where the “New England” line appears.

The More I See You recorded by Chris Montez in 1966, appeared on his album The More I See You. The single reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a major Adult Contemporary success with its smooth, soft-pop arrangement.

No music video existed, but Montez performed it on shows like Shindig!.

The song, originally written in 1945, has been covered by numerous artists, including Nancy Sinatra and Chet Baker.

The success of this track marked Montez’s stylistic shift from earlier rock ’n’ roll songs to a more laid-back crooner sound.

Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody was recorded by David Lee Roth in 1985 on his EP Crazy from the Heat.

Released as a single, it became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and soared on MTV thanks to its comedic, high-energy music video.

The track is a medley based on earlier versions by Louis Prima and Bing Crosby.

Roth insisted on recreating Prima’s exaggerated Vegas showmanship, and the video’s playful parody of 1980s pop culture became one of MTV’s most-played clips of the year.

That's Life was recorded by David Lee Roth in 1986, appeared on his album Eat ’Em and Smile as a bold, big-band-style cover of the Frank Sinatra classic.

Although not released as a major U.S. single, the track became a fan favorite thanks to Roth’s over-the-top Vegas-showman delivery. A music video was filmed in Roth’s trademark comedic style, featuring flashy sets and exaggerated lounge-act energy.

The song showcases his shift from hard-rock frontman to full-on entertainer, blending brass-heavy arrangements with tongue-in-cheek swagger. Roth reportedly grew up listening to Sinatra with his father, which inspired him to record the song as a tribute — but with a mischievous twist only Diamond Dave could pull off.

Going In With My Eyes Wide Open appeared in 1977 on David Soul’s album Playing to an Audience of One.

The single reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart, continuing his run of British pop success. No traditional music video exists, though Soul

performed the song frequently on UK variety programs.

Soul became so popular in Britain during this era that he briefly outsold several major U.S. acts despite being better known in America for Starsky & Hutch.

Silver Lady by David Soul is a well-liked single that became a hit in 1977. It was written by Tony Macaulay and Geoff Stephens, with Macaulay handling the production. The song reached the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart.

Before securing the number one spot, "Silver Lady" spent five weeks in the top ten, surpassing even Elvis Presley. The single also performed well in Ireland, where it stayed at number one for four weeks. It reached number five in Australia but didn't fare as strongly in the United States, peaking at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 23 on the Easy Listening chart. The song is part of David Soul's second album, titled "Playing to an Audience of One."

Interestingly, the song was featured in the 2013 film "Filth" in the UK. Overall, "Silver Lady" remains a notable song in David Soul's musical career, achieving success in various parts of the world and leaving a lasting impact.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow was recorded by Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole in 1988 and released on the album Facing Future (1993), became one of the most recognizable reinterpretations of the classic.

Though not released as a major single, it charted internationally after appearing in films and commercials. The accompanying video features gentle Hawaiian imagery rather than a performance.

Iz recorded the entire medley in a single late-night take — just voice and ukulele — after calling the studio asking if he could “try something before the inspiration left.”

Mambo #5 was released in 1999 from German singer Lou Bega’s from his debut album A Little Bit of Mambo.

The single became a global smash, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in over ten countries. Its vibrant, retro-Latin music video received heavy MTV rotation.

The song is based on a 1949 instrumental by Pérez Prado, with Bega adding lyrics and a pop arrangement.

Bega’s version reignited worldwide interest in mambo music and earned him multiple international awards.

Everything,  released in 2007, appears on Michael Bublé’s album Call Me Irresponsible.

The single reached No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 but shot to No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, where it remained for several weeks.

The music video features Bublé moving through everyday scenes while couples appear around him, reflecting the song’s warm, optimistic feel.

Bublé wrote the song for actress Emily Blunt, his partner at the time.

It's A Beautiful Day released in 2013, is featured on the album To Be Loved.

The single reached No. 31 on the UK charts and became another No. 1 Adult Contemporary hit for Bublé.

The playful music video shows him singing joyfully after breaking up with his partner — a humorous twist that made it a fan favorite.

Bublé intentionally wrote this song to be “the happiest breakup you’ve ever heard.”