🎸 80s Rock Bands – Vol 7: Guitar Chords & Rhythm Tips

In this seventh volume, we explore a mix of post-punk energy, synth-pop ballads, and stadium-sized rock hits from artists like Survivor, Tears for Fears, The Cult, and Eurythmics. Whether you're into power chords, rhythmic strumming, or moody textures, these songs offer something for every acoustic guitarist. Below, you’ll find helpful details on each track — including the chords used and the rhythm patterns that shape their sound.

Eye Of The Tiger is a song by the American rock band Survivor, released in 1982. The song was written specifically for the movie "Rocky III," in which it was prominently featured.

The song was composed by Survivor members Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan, and features heavy use of power chords, catchy hooks, and driving rhythms. The lyrics are motivational in nature, urging the listener to fight through adversity and stay strong in the face of challenges.

"Eye of the Tiger" was an immediate commercial success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and staying there for six consecutive weeks. It also topped charts in other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Everybody Wants To Rule The World is a Tears For Fears 1985 single from the bands album Songs From The Big Chair.

The song did very well internationally reaching #1 in the US, Canada and New Zealand and #2 in Ireland, the UK and Australia. If the title sound familiar

it's a line in the song Charlie Don't Surf by The Clash from a 1980 album of theirs.

Signs cover by the group Tesla, appeared on their 1990 live acoustic album Five Man Acoustical Jam and became one of their most recognizable hits.

Originally written and recorded by the Canadian band Five Man Electrical Band in 1971, Tesla's version gave the rebellious anthem a gritty, bluesy hard rock twist while preserving the song’s anti-establishment message.

Their rendition climbed to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, gaining them mainstream attention and solidifying their place in the late-‘80s/early-‘90s rock scene. This stripped-down acoustic performance helped define their style beyond the glam metal label, showcasing raw musicality and vocal strength.

Marie Marie ... was a track released in 1980 from the bands self-titled debut album, “Marie Marie” and became one of The Blasters’ signature tracks, blending rockabilly, roots rock, and punk energy.

Written by band member Dave Alvin, the song tells the story of a working-class romance with a driving rhythm and gritty vocal delivery. Although The Blasters’ version didn’t chart in the U.S., the song gained international attention when British rocker Shakin' Stevens covered it in 1980 — his version hit #19 on the UK charts.

“Marie Marie” helped define the band’s high-octane Americana sound and earned them a cult following in the early ‘80s roots revival scene.

Diggin Your Scene was from The Blow Monkeys 1986 album called Animal Magic. It was one of their most successful commercial songs reaching #14 in the US, #12 in the UK and #9 in Ireland.

This song has a bit of a disco vibe to it due to the rhythm.

Laurel Canyon is a track off of a 2014 album from The Church called Further/Deeper. 

This track was never released as a single.

Under The Milky Way was released back in 1988 as a single from their album Starfish.

The band managed a top 30 in the US, Australia and New Zealand with this song. It did reach #2 in the US on their Mainstream Rock Chart.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go was first released in 1981 and did OK on the charts but did not reach the top 40 in the US. The track is from the album Combat Rock.

Years later in 1991 when the song was used in a TV commercial about blue jeans, the song was re-released and hit #1 in the UK and was a top 10 in a few other countries.

Fire Woman is off of the 1989 album by The Cult entitled Sonic Temple.

The song reached #1 in new Zealand, 32 in the US and #15 in the UK.

Here Comes The Rain Again is a 1983 songs from the duo The Eurythmics and can be found on their album Touch.

The song was a #4 hit in the US and a #8 in the UK.

The King And Queen Of America is a single from the 1989 album by The Eurythmics called We Too Are One.

The once reached #23 in Ireland and #29 in the UK but failed to chart in the US.

Sweet Dreams was a 1983 single from The Eurythmics off of their album of the same name.

There were five singles from this album but this song was their biggest hit, hitting #1 in Canada and the US and making it into the top 10 in several other countries.