tips

33 Best Rock Songs to Learn on Guitar From the 80s and 90s

Musicnotes

• 5 min read
Best Rock Songs Guitar 80s 90s

Every decade seems to bring new definitions to music. The 80s and 90s were glory days for rock music, and many songs from that era remain popular even now. For guitarists, mastering several of them is a chance to shine.

80s Rock Songs

The 80s saw a trend toward metal with songs by popular groups such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and Van Halen. These tunes were loud and aggressive, and several featured iconic guitar solos.

Many 80s rock band members had long, teased hair, inspiring the term “hair bands.” Rock ballads and anthems, along with songs focused on patriotism in America, were popular during the decade.

The launch of MTV on August 1, 1981, ushered music videos into the mainstream, with popular bands creating dynamic videos to capture attention further. Among the best rock videos from the 80s are:

With the explosion of music videos, many wanted to imitate guitarists like Slash, Eddie Van Halen, Prince, and Angus Young.

Best 80s Rock Songs

If you want to learn songs from the 80s to play on guitar, several will interest you.

Best Solos

  1. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
  • Slash
  1. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
  • Neal Schon
  1. “Hot for Teacher” – Van Halen
  • Eddie Van Halen
  1. “Back in Black” – AC/DC
  • Angus Young
  1. “Purple Rain” – Prince
  • Prince
  1. “Fade to Black” – Metallica
  • Kirk Hammett
  1. “Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne
  • Randy Rhoads

Best Intros

Now, if you’re all about songs with amazing guitar intros, here are a few 80s rock songs to get you started:

  1. “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
  • Ricky Byrd
  1. “Hell’s Bells” – AC/DC
  • Angus Young
  1. “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
  • Richie Sambora

Guitars That Are Best for Playing 80s Rock Songs

Every guitarist has a preference and may change guitars to produce different sounds for various songs. Some of the most popular guitars musicians use for 80s rock music are the Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul, and Gibson SG.

Slash of Guns N’ Roses uses Gibson guitars almost exclusively. In fact, the manufacturer has a signature line called the Slash Collection. Kurt Cobain liked Fender Mustang guitars, while Prince used a variety of Fender and Gibson guitars before settling on his signature Cloud guitar.

There are a few techniques commonly used in 80s rock guitar music: whammy bar harmonics, two-hand tapping, fast legato runs, tremolo picking, and riffs with sus4 chords. Take some time to learn these to have a better experience when playing hits from the era.

90s Rock Songs

Alternative rock, grunge, hip hop, and “girl power” gained popularity in the 90s. This period’s music was eclectic, even combining some genres. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Radiohead are some prominent bands from that era.

Some of the challenging themes embodied in music during the 90s were introspective, heavy, and filled with angst. Epic guitar solos declined in popularity as the decade progressed, but only for some bands.

The 90s produced a multitude of rock videos, many of which can inspire aspiring guitarists. Some of the most famous are:

Best 90s Rock Songs

Guitarists in the 90s used two techniques that defined the period: barre chords and two-string melodies. Every guitarist will find inspiration in songs like:

  1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana
  • Kurt Cobain
  1. “Wind of Change” – Scorpions
  • Matthias Jabs
  1. “Black Hole Sun” – Soundgarden
  • Kim Thayil
  1. “Interstate Love Song” – Stone Temple Pilots
  • Dean DeLeo
  1. “Californication” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • John Frusciante
  1. “November Rain” – Guns N’ Roses
  • Slash
  1. “Alive” – Pearl Jam
  • Michael David McCready
  1. “Enter Sandman” – Metallica
  • Kirk Hammett
  1. “Thunderstruck” – AC/DC
  • Angus Young
  1. “Creep” – Radiohead
  • Johnny Greenwood

90s Acoustic Rock Songs

The 90s grunge era included many acoustic tracks. MTV showcased acoustic music in its Unplugged series, featuring artists like Nirvana, Eric Clapton, Alice in Chains, and Rod Stewart. Several of the Unplugged sessions were released as albums. If you’re wondering about the best 90s songs to play on acoustic guitar, check these out:

  1. “Wonderwall“– Oasis
  • Noel Gallagher
  1. “More Than Words” – Extreme
  • Nuno Bettencourt
  1. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
  • Billie Joe Armstrong
  1. “Tears in Heaven” – Eric Clapton
  • Eric Clapton
  1. “Patience” – Guns N’ Roses
  • Slash

Rhythm and Bass Guitars

While the lead guitarist often gets the spotlight, they depend on bass and rhythm guitarists to complement their playing. Songs with memorable bass guitar arrangements include:

  1. “Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen
  • John Deacon
  1. “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie
  • Carmine Rojas
  1. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
  • Duff McKagan

If you’re looking for songs with excellent rhythm guitar parts, consider:

  1. “Welcome to the Jungle” – Guns N’ Roses
  • Izzy Stradlin
  1. “Panama” – Van Halen
  • Eddie Van Halen
  1. “The Shortest Straw” – Metallica
  • James Hetfield
  1. “Shoot to Thrill” – AC/DC
  • Malcolm Young

Why Should You Get Your Sheet Music From Musicnotes?

You’ll find over 400,000 arrangements in the Musicnotes library, featuring songs for musicians at any level, from beginner to expert. View in the app, or print instantly in the original key or other available keys that are transposed by musicians.

The versatile Musicnotes app syncs across your devices and provides powerful tools to enhance your experience:

  • Instant transposition
  • Playback with tempo control
  • Easy annotation
  • Simplified printing

You can access your officially licensed sheet music using Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. The arrangements are produced by musicians, not computers, and musicians are available through support. You’ll have access to live chat customer support, or you can submit an online request for help.

Sources:

  • https://loudwire.com/most-epic-80s-rock-metal-music-videos/
  • https://xttrawave.com/best-metal-bands-that-dominated-the-80s/
  • https://iloveclassicrock.com/top-10-greatest-guitar-solos-of-the-80s/
  • https://www.theguitarhead.com/blogs/guitar-tips/10-songs-of-the-90s-every-guitarist-must-know
  • https://guitartopreview.com/90s-guitar-songs/
  • https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2018/05/50_greatest_music_videos_of_th.html
  • https://www.soundoflife.com/blogs/mixtape/90s-music-trends
  • https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/MTV
  • https://www.boysetsfire.net/the-three-most-popular-guitars-used-in-80s-rock-music/
  • https://q1043.iheart.com/featured/gerry-martire/content/2017-04-21-the-story-of-princes-purple-rain-guitar/
  • https://guitargirlmag.com/lessons/5-80s-rock-guitar-tips-and-tricks/
  • https://www.guitarworld.com/features/best-rhythm-guitarists/5