Rock Bands from the 80s – Vol 3:
Learn These Great Guitar Songs

 This third volume features an eclectic mix of rockers, new wave legends, and post-punk icons who left their mark on the decade. From the driving rhythms of The Hooters like All You Zombies & Satellite, these songs are not just fun to listen to—they’re a blast to play.

Whether you're strumming Your Love by The Outfield or tackling Psycho Killer by Talking Heads, each lesson here brings the heart of the 80s to your fingertips.

All You Zombies was released in 1985 on the Nervous Night album. This hauntingly poetic track put The Hooters on the map with its blend of reggae rhythms and new wave edge.

The lyrics, filled with biblical references, sparked curiosity and debate. The song became a cult favorite and helped launch their international success.

Satelitte is a 1987 single from One Way Home album.

“Satellite” mixes jangly guitars with Cold War-era commentary.

Its upbeat feel masked darker lyrical undertones about government surveillance, giving players both rhythmic fun and food for thought.

Your Love is a timeless staple of 80s rock radio and this 1986 hit from The Outfield on their Play Deep album features crisp guitar riffs and an unforgettable chorus.

Peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Your Love” is a favorite for both nostalgic fans and guitar learners alike.

Chord sheet and video lesson is contained in the zip file below.

Back On The Chain Gang was one of the hit singles from The Pretenders' 1982 album "Learning to Crawl." It reached high positions on the charts in the US, Canada, and the UK, showcasing the band's widespread popularity.

The song is known for its catchy melody, memorable guitar riffs, and Chrissie Hynde's powerful vocals. Lyrically, it reflects on themes of heartbreak and resilience, with Hynde lamenting lost love and expressing determination to move forward.

"Back on the Chain Gang" remains one of The Pretenders' most beloved and enduring songs, capturing the spirit of the band's sound and ethos.

I'll Stand By You is a single from 1994 from The Pretenders and the song did well, reaching the top 20 in several countries and hails from the album The Last Of Independents.

Talk Of The Town is a track by The Pretenders from their 1980 album "Pretenders II." While it didn't chart in Canada or the US, it did reach number 8 on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing the band's popularity in their home country.

"Talk of the Town" remains a fan favorite and a staple of The Pretenders' live performances, often praised for its infectious energy and relatable lyrics.

Despite not achieving widespread chart success, it's considered a classic example of The Pretenders' distinctive sound and songwriting style.

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) is a track that hails from the 1984 album Learning to Crawl. This song was written by Chrissie Hynde as a tribute to bandmate James Honeyman-Scott.

With its ringing guitar and heartfelt lyrics, it climbed to #5 in the U.S. and remains one of the band’s most enduring tracks.

It's 7 o'clock is a track from The Quireboys debut album back in 1989 entitled A Bit Of What You Fancy. The song was one of two singles from the album and charted at #41 in Canada and #36 in the UK. A music video was also produced for the song.

Baby I Love You was an old song originally recorded by The Rondells back in1963. The Ramones covered the song for their 1980s album End Of The Century. It was released in the UK as a single and peaked at #8.