Rock Bands from the 80s – Vol. 1 Guitar Lessons
The 1980s gave us some of the most memorable rock anthems ever written, blending soaring vocals, big guitar riffs, and unforgettable hooks.
In this collection, we dive into some of the decade’s most iconic bands, including Cinderella, Crowded House, Cutting Crew, Duran Duran, Great White, Guns N’ Roses, and INXS.
Each tutorial walks you through the chords, strumming patterns, and techniques you’ll need to capture the sound and feel of these timeless tracks on acoustic guitar.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to expand your repertoire or a seasoned player revisiting old favorites, these lessons will have you rocking out 80s style in no time.
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Rock Bands From The 80s Vol 1”
Rock Bands From the 80s Vol 1 List
1. Cinderella --- Coming Home, One For Rock And Roll2. Crowded House --- Better Be Home Soon, Distant Sun, Don't Dream It's Over
3. Cutting Crew --- I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight
4. Duran Duran --- Say A Prayer
5. Great White --- Once Bitten Twice Shy
6. Guns & Roses --- Sweet Child Of Mine
7. INXS --- Beautiful Girl, Don't Change, Never Tear Us Apart
1. Cinderella Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Coming Home was released in 1988 on the Long Cold Winter album, this emotional ballad marked a noticeable move by Cinderella toward a blues-influenced rock sound.
With its rich 12-string guitar work and atmospheric feel, it reached #20 on the U.S. charts and later found new life when featured in the TV drama October Road.
Chords And Strumming
I play this song in standard tuning with the chords G, C, D, Em, Am, G7, and an F. A bit of lead is required here with a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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One For Rock And Roll is a rollicking, upbeat track from Long Cold Winter (1988), “One for Rock and Roll” brings the band’s blues-infused edge and joy for live performance front and center.
Pulsing with foot-stomping rhythms and sing-along choruses, it became a staples among Cinderella’s concert setlists and remains a fun, energetic tune for guitarists to strum along to—capturing that classic 80s hard-rock spirit.
Chords And Strumming
You can play this in standard tuning and sung on the high end of G if you can do it. This song has a country vibe to it with a root down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern with some lead and riffs. The chords are G, D, Am, Em and a C.
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2. Crowded House Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Better Be Home Soon is a warm, contemplative single from their debut album Temple Of Low Men from 1988 as their 2nd single.
This song highlights Neil Finn’s lyrical depth and melodic charm—perfect for both couch-strum sessions and late-night acoustic jams.
The song reached #2 in both Australia and New Zealand and hit #7 in Canada and #42 in the US.
Chords And Strumming
You play an arpeggio and rhythm mix here with a 1-2 up 1-2 up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. A few few riffs in here but no heavy lead work and played in standard tuning with the chords C, Am, Em, F, G, C7, G6, D7, A# and an A7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Distant Sun was the 1st single from the Crowded House 1993 album entitled Together Along. the original release never charted in the US but eventually did the following year after a remix.
In the UK the song reached #19 as well as peaking at #4 in Canada, #5 in New Zealand and #23 in Australia.
Chords And Strumming
Play a simple down up down up rhythm pattern here with a few hammer on's for the lead work and in standard tuning. Play with the chords C, Fmaj7, Am, D, G and an E7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Don't Dream It's Over hit the airwaves back in 1986 and was the 4th single from the Crowded House album Crowded House.
The song was a huge international hit reaching #1 in new Zealand, number #2 in the US and a top 10 in several other countries.
Paul Carrick joined Paul Young who covered the song in 1991.
Chords And Strumming
In this song in standard tuning you'll need to play a down down up down up down up and repeat for the rhythm with some lead required in here. The chords required are D, Bm, G, Gb, A and a C.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. Cutting Crew Songs- Learn To Play On Guitar
I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight was the debut single for the group Cutting Crew back in 1986 and hails from their album "Broadcast".
The song was a monster hit reaching #1 in Canada, US, Norway and Finland and hitting the top 10 in several other countries.
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm here I play down strokes, then a down up down up down down up rhythm pattern in the middle of the song. Some lead required in standard tuning with the chords Bm, Em, A, Gbm, G and a Gb.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Duran Duran Songs- Learn To Play On Guitar
Say A Prayer was first released in the UK as a single in 1982 from their album "Rio". It hit #2 on the charts.
Three years later in 1985 they released the song in the US where it peaked at #16.
Chords And Strumming
No lead here with the chords Dm, F, A#, G, Bm, D and a Gbm in standard tuning. Play a down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. Great White Songs- Learn To Play On Guitar
Once Bitten Twice Shy is from the album Twice Shy and sees the band inject swaggering hard-rock flair into an earlier tune, helping it become synonymous with the era’s arena rock aesthetic.
Chords And Strumming
This song a a steady down strokes pattern all the way through in standard tuning and some improvised lead. You'll need the chords A, E, B, G, C, D and an E7 for this one.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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6. Guns & Roses - Learn To Play On Guitar
Sweet Child Of Mine became the only #1 song in the US from Guns N Roses where it was released as a single from their debut album of 1987 called Appetite For Destruction.
A career-defining track, it reigns with Slash’s iconic riff and Axl’s soaring vocals—and became their first of several U.S. hits by the band
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm you can play a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern with down strokes and accents throughout. Some lead in this one that is improvised as you play this one in drop D tuning with the chords D, C, G, A, E, Am and a B7.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. INXS- Learn To Play On Guitar
Beautiful Girl is from their Welcome to Wherever You Are album.
This romantic track carried strong U.K. and U.S. airplay, landing inside the Top 50—hitting #23 in the UK and #46 on the U.S. Hot 100, while climbing to #10 on the U.S. Alternative chart
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 4th on this one in standard tuning with a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern with just a few riffs and no lead. The chords are G, C, Cmaj7, Em, Bm, D and an Am.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Don't Change was a breakthrough single from Shabooh Shoobah (1982) helped propel INXS from Australia to the world stage.
Its inspiring message and steady groove earned the band #18 on the Australian charts, #80 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and #17 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart.
The song remains a defining anthem and a staple closer at live shows.
Chords And Strumming
Played in standard tuning with a steady down up down up rhythm pattern and no lead but a few accent notes with the rhythm. The chords here are A, Gbm, C, Em, Bm, D and an Am.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Never Tear Us Apart was Released in June 1988 as part of their mega-seller Kick.
This emotional ballad became one of their most enduring hits. It soared to #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #5 on U.S. Mainstream Rock, #14 in Australia, and #24 in the U.K.
In 2025, Triple J listeners voted it the greatest Australian song of all time
Chords And Strumming
In this number play a down down down up down down rhythm pattern with some lead work required and in standard tuning. The chords in this one are Am, F, Dm, C and a G.
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This first volume of Rock Bands from the 80s is just the start. From heartfelt ballads to high-energy stadium rockers, the songs here capture the diverse spirit of the decade.
Once you’ve mastered these tunes, be sure to explore the next volumes in this series for even more guitar classics from the 80s rock scene. Grab your guitar, turn up the volume, and let’s keep the music alive.
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