🎸 Rock Bands from the 80s – Vol 5
Welcome to Vol 5 of our Rock Bands from the 80s guitar lesson series — your go-to place to explore a fresh wave of iconic tracks that helped shape a decade.
In this volume, we feature unforgettable hits from bands like 10,000 Maniacs, A-Ha, Bananarama, and Concrete Blonde. You’ll find helpful details on guitar rhythm patterns and the chords used in each song to guide your learning.
These songs span pop-rock, synth-pop, and alt-rock — a mix of chart-toppers and cult favorites that deserve a place in your 80s repertoire.
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Rock Bands From the 80s Vol 5 List
1. 10000 Maniacs --- Like The Weather2. A-Ha --- Take On Me
3. Bananarama --- Cruel Summer
4. Concrete Blonde --- Joey
5. Del Amitri --- Always The Last To Know
6. Depeche Mode --- Personal Jesus
7. Dexy's Midnight Runner --- Come On Eileen
8. Dio --- Rainbow In The Dark
9. English Beat --- Save It For Later
10. Fine Young Cannibals --- She Drives Me Crazy
11. Haircut 100 --- Love Plus One
12. Hoodoo Guru --- What's My Scene
1. 10000 Maniacs Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Like The Weather is a track featured on their 1987 album In My Tribe, this jangly, upbeat track contrasts its cheerful melody with lyrics about depression and isolation.
The song became their breakout hit, reaching #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning widespread college radio play. Natalie Merchant’s distinctive vocals made this track a fan favorite.
Chords And Strumming
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Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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2. A-Ha Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Take On Me was first recorded in 1984 for the bands debut album "Hunting High And Low". The song was then remixed with some additional music added.
The first release failed to chart in the UK but with that second release, the song went to #2. In the US, with the help of MTV, the song reached #1.
Chords And Strumming
Chords for this one are Am, D, G, C, G6, Em, D/Gb, Bm, F and D7 in standard tuning and a capo 2nd fret. I play a down up stop up down up stop up and repeat rhythm pattern with a riff in the rhythm.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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3. Bananarama Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Cruel Summer hit the airwaves back in 1983. The song was a single with no album attachment.
The band put the track on their 2nd album in 1994 called "Bananarama". The song hit #8 in the UK and #9 in the US.
Chords And Strumming
This one is played with a capo 4th fret in standard tuning with a steady down down up down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. A few riffs in the rhythm with the chords Am, F and G.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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4. Concrete Blonde Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Joey is a haunting ballad from Bloodletting (1990) became Concrete Blonde’s biggest hit, reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s often interpreted as a heartfelt plea to an addict, delivered with raw emotion by vocalist Johnette Napolitano.
Chords And Strumming
You can play this one with a down down up down down down up rhythm pattern or use all down strokes. Use the chords G, G 6/9, Em, C, D, C/G and a Dsus. No real lead in this one played in standard tuning.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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5. Del Amitri Songs - Learn To Play On Guitar
Always The Last To Know was released in 1992 on Change Everything, this emotionally charged song blends pop-rock with introspective lyrics.
It reached #30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the band’s most commercially successful singles.
Chords And Strumming
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6. Depeche Mode - Learn To Play On Guitar
Personal Jesus was the lead single from this bands 7th album called "Violator" when it was released back in 1990.
The song peaked at #13 in the UK and reached #28 in the US.
Chords And Strumming
I play a capo 2nd fret on this one in standard tuning with a down -1-2-3 down up and a steady up and down shuffle where (1-2-3 are arpeggio notes in the chord). Just a few riffs with the chords Em, A, G, Gb, A, Am and an F.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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7. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Learn To Play On Guitar
Come On Eileen hit #1 in both the UK and the US when it was released back in the summer of 1982.
The song hails from the bands album "Too-Rye-Ay".
Chords And Strumming
For rhythm here play a down down up down down up and repeat pattern and later play down strokes. Some lead here in standard tuning with the chords C, F, Bb, Bbm, G, Em, A, D, Gbm.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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8. Dio - Learn To Play On Guitar
Rainbow In The Dark is Dio’s signature solo hit came from the 1983 album Holy Diver.
With soaring vocals and electrifying guitar work, it remains a metal anthem and helped establish Dio as a frontman beyond his time in Black Sabbath and Rainbow.
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9. English Beat - Learn To Play On Guitar
Save It For Later was released as a single back in 1982. The band was known as "The Beat" in the UK and "The English Beat" in Canada and the US.
The was the bands last album called "Special Beat Service". The song reached #47 in the UK and #58 in the US.
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10. Fine Young Cannibals - Learn To Play On Guitar
She Drives Me Crazy was one of two singles from their 1988 album The Raw & The Cooked.The song was a number one hit in several countries including the US.
Chords And Strumming
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11. Haircut 100 - Learn To Play On Guitar
Love Plus One is a track from the British band Haircut 100 off of their Pelican West album from 1981.
This single was released in 1982 and reached #3 in the UK and #37 in the US, making it their only hit in the United States.
Chords And Strumming
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Back To Song List
12. Hoodoo Guru's - Learn To Play On Guitar
What's My Scene is a track from the 1987 by Hoodoo Gurus called Blow Your Cool.
The song only charted in Australia but reached #3 on the charts there.
Chords And Strumming
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Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
Chords & LyricsBack To Song List
That wraps up our fifth collection of 80s rock guitar lessons! Each band on this list brought something distinctive to the sound of the decade, from haunting ballads to high-energy pop anthems.
On this page, you’ll get rhythm tips and chord insights, while our full lesson packages include detailed tutorials and downloadable chord sheets — all bundled in one convenient zip file upon purchase. Ready to keep exploring the 80s? Check out Vol 6 to keep the music going.
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