The easiest 80s songs on guitar use three or four open chords that repeat for the whole song: “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty, “With or Without You” by U2, “Every Breath You Take” by the Police, “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by the Clash and “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison are the classic starting points. Each one below lists the chords, any capo you need and the part that makes it beginner-friendly.
If you only know a handful of shapes, start with the songs built on G, C, D and Em, then move to the power-chord rockers. Our guide to the guitar chords all beginners need to know covers every shape used here.
1. “Free Fallin'” – Tom Petty (1989)
Chords: D, Dsus4 and A (Asus4 if you like), with a capo on the third fret to match the record.
The whole song is one short, repetitive chord sequence played over and over. Keep your strumming hand moving in steady eighth notes and let the Dsus4 change happen by lifting and replacing one finger. It is one of the best first songs because the left hand barely moves.
2. “With or Without You” – U2 (1987)
Chords: D, A, Bm and G, in that order, for the entire song.
The song runs on a four-bar D–A–Bm–G progression from start to finish. Bm is the only barre chord; if it is still hard, play the small four-string version on the top strings. Strum gently in the verses and dig in when the song builds near the end.
3. “Every Breath You Take” – The Police (1983)
Chords: G, Em, C and D, with a capo on the first fret.
The record is in A-flat major, so a capo on the first fret lets you use the open G, Em, C and D shapes. Andy Summers plays the chords as picked arpeggios, one string at a time. Start by strumming the four chords, then pick each chord low string to high once you know the changes.
4. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (1981)
Chords: E, A and B, played as two-finger power chords.
This is a three-chord rock song with lots of space between hits, which gives you time to move. Use power chords on the low strings, mute with your palm between chords and count the stops. It is a good first song for anyone on an electric guitar.
5. “Should I Stay or Should I Go” – The Clash (1982)
Chords: D, G and A.
The famous opening riff is just D and G with a quick strum, repeated with stops. The chorus adds A. Play it loud, with downstrokes, and do not worry about being neat: the record itself is rough and loose.
6. “Summer of ’69” – Bryan Adams (1984)
Chords: D and A in the verses; Bm, A, D and G in the middle section.
The verses alternate D5 and A5 power chords, then open D and A, so most of the song is just two shapes. The palm-muted eighth notes in the verse are good practice for right-hand control. Learn the verse first; the bridge is the only part with more than two chords.
7. “Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman (1988)
Chords: Cmaj7, G, Em and D, with a capo on the second fret.
The signature riff is a picked pattern over these four shapes. A beginner can strum the same four chords along with the record and add the picking later. The chords never change order in the verse, which makes it easy to memorise.
8. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison (1988)
Chords: G, Cadd9 and D.
This acoustic power ballad uses the most common beginner shapes, and the Cadd9 keeps your third and fourth fingers anchored on the top strings when you move from G. Strum a relaxed down-down-up pattern and let the chords ring.
How to Practise These 80s Songs
- Learn the changes before the rhythm. Switch between two chords for one minute at a time, then add the strum.
- Use a capo where it says so. It lets you keep easy open shapes and still sing along with the record.
- Start slow. Play along at a lower speed, or loop one section, until the chord changes land on the beat.
- Notice the patterns. Several of these songs reuse the same family of chords; our page on the I–V–vi–IV progression explains why D–A–Bm–G sounds so familiar.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the easiest 80s song on guitar? “Free Fallin'” is usually the easiest, because it uses D, Dsus4 and A in one repeating pattern.
- Which of these songs need a barre chord? “With or Without You” (Bm) and the middle section of “Summer of ’69” (Bm). Everything else can be played with open chords or two-finger power chords.
- Do I need an electric guitar? No. Every song here works on an acoustic; “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go” just sound closer to the record on an electric.
- Where can I find more songs from the decade? See our list of the best 80s songs and pick the ones built on chords you already know.
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