Rock And Roll 80s Hits
On The Acoustic

Welcome to my rock and roll 80s hits page hosting some great 80s classic rock songs you can learn on the acoustic for your next gathering or gig.

Help yourself to the free demos and chord sheets. If you need a full tutorial lesson, they are available for a very small fee. See the prices above.

Take It Easy was released in 1986 as Andy Taylor's debut solo single, written with former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones for the American Anthem movie soundtrack before later being included on expanded editions of his 1987 album Thunder.

The energetic rock anthem became Taylor's biggest solo success, reaching No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, while its accompanying music video received solid airplay during MTV's peak years. Best known as the guitarist for Duran Duran and The Power Station, Taylor used the song to establish his harder rock style.

Bassist Patrick O'Hearn and drummer Terry Bozzio also contributed to the recording, giving it a powerful, polished sound.

White Wedding was released in 1982 as the second single from his self-titled debut solo album, Billy Idol. Written by Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens, the song blended punk attitude with hard rock and new wave, helping establish Idol as a major MTV star.

Although it reached only No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, its striking gothic-inspired music video became one of the channel's early classics and introduced millions of viewers to Idol's rebellious image. Over the years, "White Wedding" has been covered by artists including Murderdolls, Doro, and Queens of the Stone Age in live performances.

Despite often being played at weddings, Idol has explained that the song was originally written as an ironic commentary on marriage rather than a traditional love song.

Nothing Compares 2 U is a song written by Prince and originally recorded by his side project, The Family, in 1985. However, the most well-known version of the song was later recorded by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor in 1990, and it became a massive hit.

The song gained widespread fame when Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor covered it for her second album, "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," released in 1990. O'Connor's emotional and powerful rendition propelled the song to become a global hit.

Over The Hills And Far Away is a song by Gary Moore from his 1986 album "Wild Frontier." Moore wrote the song himself, mixing rock music with Celtic and folk sounds.

The lyrics talk about going on a journey to far-off places. Moore's great guitar playing adds feeling to the song. While not a huge hit, many fans love this song.

It shows how Moore could blend different music styles. The song reached number 20 in the UK charts.

Never Gonna Give You Up was released in 1987 as the debut single from his first album, Whenever You Need Somebody.

Written and produced by the legendary Stock Aitken Waterman team, the upbeat dance-pop track became an international sensation, reaching No. 1 in more than 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, while climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Its memorable music video became famous decades later through the internet phenomenon known as "Rickrolling," introducing the song to an entirely new generation of fans.

Covered by artists ranging from Foo Fighters to indie performers, "Never Gonna Give You Up" has become one of pop music's most recognizable and enduring hits, far beyond its original chart success.

When I Fall In Love was released in late 1987 as the third single from his debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody. Produced by the hit-making team of Stock Aitken Waterman, the recording is Astley’s heartfelt interpretation of the classic song written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman.

Issued as a double A-side with "My Arms Keep Missing You," it became one of the biggest-selling singles of the 1987 Christmas season, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart while also charting across Europe and Australia. A promotional music video accompanied the release, showcasing Astley’s smooth vocal style.

First made famous by Nat King Cole in 1956, the timeless ballad has also been recorded by artists including Doris Day, Celine Dion, and Michael Bublé, making it one of popular music’s most enduring love songs.

Addicted To Love hit the airwaves in 1986 as the lead single from his album Riptide. Written by Palmer, the song combined hard rock, pop, and blues influences into a powerful anthem that became the biggest hit of his career.

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed into the Top 10 in several countries, helping Riptide become a multi-platinum success. Its stylish music video, directed by Terence Donovan and featuring identically dressed fashion models miming as a backing band, became one of MTV's most iconic clips and won the 1987 Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

The song has since been covered by artists including Tina Turner and Florence + The Machine, while its instantly recognizable riff and unforgettable video continue to define the sound and style of the mid-1980s.

Every Kind Of People was released in 1978 as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Double Fun. Written by former Free bassist Andy Fraser and produced by Tom Moulton, the song blends pop, soft rock, and Caribbean influences with a positive message celebrating unity and acceptance.

It became Palmer's first major international hit, reaching No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and helping introduce his music to a much wider audience before his MTV-era success in the 1980s.

Although no promotional music video accompanied the original 1978 release, a new remix issued in 1992 featured an accompanying video and returned the song to radio, introducing its timeless message to a new generation of listeners.

Higher Love .was released in 1986 as the lead single from his fourth solo album, Back in the High Life. Written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings, the uplifting pop-rock anthem features backing vocals by Chaka Khan, whose contribution helped give the song its distinctive gospel-inspired sound.

It became Winwood's first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 while also reaching the Top 20 in the United Kingdom and several other countries. Its energetic music video received heavy rotation on MTV, helping propel the song to worldwide success. In 1987, "Higher Love" earned two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year.

Decades later, a previously unreleased vocal recording by Whitney Houston was remixed by Kygo, introducing the song to a new generation of listeners and returning it to international charts.

 Valerie was released in 1982 as the third single from his album Talking Back to the Night. Written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings, the song was only a modest success on its original release, reaching the Top 70 on the Billboard Hot 100.

However, its fortunes changed in 1987 when producer Tom Lord-Alge remixed the recording for Winwood's Chronicles compilation album. The updated version climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of his best-known solo hits, supported by a promotional music video that received regular MTV airplay.

The song's smooth blend of pop, rock, and synthesizers has made it an enduring radio favorite, while its memorable chorus has inspired cover versions by numerous artists over the years.