The 1980s: A Timeline of Guitar Riffs

Special thanks to those who suggested songs to include in this one. I was bit overwhelmed by the idea of tackling this huge decade of guitar riffs and was putting it off for ages. Tried to include as many as possible but I'm sure there's plenty more great ones not featured here. Feel free to suggest others that you may have included.
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#1980s #guitar #rock
TRACKLISTING (dates taken from wikipedia)
1980 0:00
The Ramones - Do You Remember Rock ’n’ Roll Radio (04 February) 0:00
The Cure - A Forest (08 April) 0:08
Judas Priest - Breaking The Law (14 April) 0:13
Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell (21 April) 0:19
AC/DC - Back In Black (25 July) 0:28
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Puppet (14 September) 0:34
Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train (20 September) 0:40
Motorhead - Ace of Spades (07 October) 0:46
1981 0:49
Rush - Limelight (12 February) 0:49
Van Halen - Unchained (29 April) 0:57
Siouxsie And The Banshees - Spellbound (22 May) 1:04
The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up (14 August) 1:11
Queen & David Bowie- Under Pressure (26 October) 1:18
New Order - Dreams Never End (13 November) 1:22
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock ’n Roll (18 November) 1:29
Black Flag - Rise Above (05 December) 1:35
1982 1:39
Iron Maiden - Run To The Hills (12 February) 1:39
Asia - Heat Of The Moment (18 March) 1:46
The Beat - Save It For Later (02 April) 1:51
Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf (04 May) 1:59
The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go (14 May) 2:04
Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger (31 May) 2:09
George Thorogood & The Destroyers - Bad To The Bone (09 August) 2:16
Michael Jackson - Beat It (30 November) 2:21
1983 2:27
Def Leppard - Photograph (20 January) 2:27
U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday (28 February) 2:35
David Bowie - Let’s Dance (14 March) 2:40
ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man (23 March) 2:44
Iron Maiden - The Trooper (16 May) 2:50
The Police - Every Breath You Take (20 May) 2:56
Metallica - Seek & Destroy (25 July) 3:04
AC/DC - Nervous Shakedown (15 August) 3:11
1984 3:19
Van Halen - Panama (09 January) 3:19
Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane (07 February) 3:26
Ratt - Round and Round (27 March) 3:31
Killing Joke - Eighties (?? April) 3:39
Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock (10 May) 3:46
Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters (08 June) 3:55
Prince & The Revolution - Let’s Go Crazy (25 June) 4:01
U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love) (01 October) 4:07
1985 4:16
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now? (28 January) 4:16
Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (13 May) 4:22
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary (17 May) 4:30
Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love (?? June) 4:37
The Replacements - Bastards Of Young (18 September) 4:42
Husker Du - Divide and Conquer (?? September) 4:49
Queen - One Vision (04 November) 4:55
The Jesus And Mary Chain - The Living End (18 November) 5:01
1986 5:07
Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love (?? February) 5:07
The Psychedelic Furs - Pretty In Pink (28 February) 5:16
Metallica - Master Of Puppets (03 March) 5:22
Crowded House - Don’t Dream It’s Over (01 August) 5:31
Bon Jovi - Livin’ On A Prayer (18 August) 5:37
Huey Lewis & The News - Hip To Be Square (20 August) 5:40
Slayer - Raining Blood (07 October) 5:47
Beastie Boys - No Sleep Till Brooklyn (15 November) 5:53
1987 6:00
U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name (09 March) 6:00
Whitesnake - Still Of The Night (21 March) 6:05
The Cure - Just Like Heaven (05 May) 6:10
Motley Crue - Girls, Girls, Girls (11 May) 6:17
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine (21 July) 6:23
Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me (03 August) 6:30
R.E.M - The One I Love (24 August) 6:39
INXS - New Sensation (12 October) 6:47
1988 6:53
Pixies - Bone Machine (21 March) 6:53
Poison - Nothin’ But A Good Time (06 April) 7:00
Jane’s Addiction - Mountain Song (23 August) 7:08
Metallica - One (07 September) 7:14
Dinosaur Jr. - Freak Scene (?? September) 7:21
Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot (18 October) 7:28
Soundgarden - Flower (31 October) 7:34
The La’s - There She Goes (31 October) 7:42
1989 7:50
Pixies - Monkey Gone To Heaven (20 March) 7:50
Tom Petty - Runnin’ Down A Dream (24 April) 7:57
The Stone Roses - Waterfall (02 May) 8:03
Nirvana - About A Girl (15 June) 8:10
Aerosmith - Love In An Elevator (15 August) 8:15
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Knock Me Down (16 August) 8:23
Motley Crue - Kickstart My Heart (28 August) 8:30
Neil Young - Rockin’ In The Free World (02 October) 8:36

[@postpunk6947]

I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself. Hey Paul!

[@davidirvine4279]

Excuse me, I have to return some videotapes.

[@robertminnis3244]

🤣

[@фрактур]

Do you like Phil Collins? 😏

[@tomasfabianserrut466]

Impressive, very nice.

[@davidirvine4279]

@@фрактур Been a big Genesis fan, ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand, any of their work, too artsy, too intellectual .. It was on Duke, where, uh, Phil Collins presence became more apparent .. I think "Invisible Touch" is the group's undisputed masterpiece .. It's an epic meditation on intangibility .. at the same time it deepens and enriches the meaning of the proceeding three albums

[@yadavmohip117]

I love how you show the best of the different worlds of popular guitar music… alternative, rock, punk, metal… some were mainstream at the time and some were more deeper cuts. Awesome year by year highlights.

[@bloxsy_]

Thanks man.

[@danieldemoro2743]

Because he’s not pretentious like lots of these music snobs out there.

[@paulsandor3522]

Agree 100% My comment says basically the same thing

[@yadavmohip117]

@@danieldemoro2743 correct his content always grabbed me for that reson. Man I don’t listen to all these songs now but I know most of them and respect all of them in one way or the other so to see someone play them with this kind of precise honour is nothing but a joy

[@TimothyYshurakhuno]

@@danieldemoro2743 yeah i like that humble and chill vibe here

[@paulsandor3522]

As someone who loves all rock- everything from heavy metal to classic rock to punk to alternative to prog and pop- it's good to see Sabbath, Van Halen, The Smiths, Black Flag, Rush, Crowded House etc represented here. Eclectic and well played

[@bloxsy_]

Thanks mate! Yeah I tried to get a bit of everything in there.

[@coolbeans8435]

Dont forget Metallica!!❤️

[@paulsandor3522]

@@coolbeans8435 yes, he played too many favorites to mention them all

[@pvt_mtbl9516]

You forgot nirvana

[@paulsandor3522]

@@pvt_mtbl9516 yes, you're right. Actually, there are too many bands for me to list. That's why I love this channel so much!

[@P-Bass_Pete]

I love that you included The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen, Siouxsie etc along with all the great rock riffs. So often everybody forgets how much of an influence British Post Punk and New Wave had on rock and roll music.

[@irfanindrianarsyah1013]

yes sir!

[@BudSchnelker]

@@irfanindrianarsyah1013 And great choices, "A Forest", "Spellbound", "Dreams Never End", "Save It For Later", etc. The variety in this entire video is spot on.

[@postpunk6947]

Thank you for remember of "She Sells Sanctuary" and "How Soon is Now".

[@user-ym3ld5ut7b]

One of the more weirder things that happened was The Cult going from the Indie/goth/whatever they were to the hard rock sound they ended up doing .

[@postpunk6947]

@@user-ym3ld5ut7b yes feel same, but mine personal biggest wtf about The Cult is Ian singing with The Doors.

[@SteeeveO]

And for remembering Geordie Walker's contribution....

[@postpunk6947]

@@SteeeveO yes, i was wrote comment about how cool "Eighties" is

[@DanTasticEntertainment]

Granted, the 60s-90s were all amazing decades for riffs, but there was truly something special about the 80s. Love it!

[@acoustic1688]

lets be real you wanted to flex the fender jag... wouldn't blame you

[@jpb1231000]

Butttt... You Could'a got A TELE!!!

[@vaocl]

@James Brown I used to think that

[@misakiyoshida]

@James Brown Straight up

[@serenitatis2191]

@James Brown volume knob is waaayy too close to the bridge for my taste

[@danejurus69]

Jaguars are overrated. Tele's are better.

[@MrPhins]

Huey Lewis into Slayer. I think I pulled a muscle. Nice work. 🤣Bonus points for Echo and the Bunnymen and Jesus and Mary Chain.

[@mungofinalfi4480]

I think This Charming Man should've been included.

[@mauriciodominguez595]

yessss, that riff is too recognizable and gives good vibes

[@glitaldi]

You probably know it, but you are a fucking great guitarist, my friend. I've been watching you for a month or more and watching you playing made me playing guitar again after some years. Thank you for these masterpieces and inspiring me to do something I loved when I was younger. Greetings from Brazil!

[@bloxsy_]

Thanks! I really appreciate you watching.

[@ireallyshouldntbehereltd7814]

I could genuinely talk for hours with this guy about music based souly on his choices here! I know every. single. song.

[@findantu]

Not all of em but I would definitely like to hear more of the obscure ones

[@austrianguy1833]

5:42 Lets see Paul Allens riff

[@scottyshot]

lmao

[@geordiedog1749]

Tell you what, matey…. You picked some tricky bloody riffs in that lot and did a great job in them!

[@bloxsy_]

Cheers mate!

[@geordiedog1749]

@@bloxsy_ I thought you’d bottled it when the timeline passed ‘Message in a Bottle ‘ but you actually choose the even harder Police riff! Fair play!:)

[@aviationlba747]

Nice to see Eighties by Killing Joke! Most of my favourites bands are in this video.

[@rogerowo]

Breaking the law will forever be one of the most iconic hard rock/metal riffs ever. And I'm not even a Judas Priest fan but it's just that epic 🔥

[@deepeddyrecords5933]

So great to see the Replacements and Husker Du represented!

[@scottyshot]

80s is really the golden age of riffs

[@daikirai285]

I think 90s is better

[@stefanoaquino5158]

I like how you, unlike other youtubers, remember punk exist.

[@davidmreyes77]

Damn, you really represented the 80s. From U2 to Sonic Youth and so many others. Good job.

[@jamessullenriot]

I hope everyone appreciates the video editing that went into this one.

[@gabekarp3008]

Must listen to more Siouxsie, and the Pixies. Not a surprise Neil Young's riff is so heavy.

[@romanticg4460]

Dude right now you're my favourite youtuber. Argentina represent

[@sunangel-rivka]

That Jazzmaster is absolutely gorgeous 😍

[@carissanami5824]

every time that guitar from Just Like Heaven kicks in, I don't know why, I always feel the butterflies in my stomach p.s. I hope you'll do 10 The Jesus and Mary Chain riffs! ✨

[@eumesmo3495]

Greaf riff collection ! Missed some Smiths and INXS. for my unsurprise i fall for The Cure JLH like i always did so easily, but surprsingly i had to admit Raining Blood is really a killer. Killer. One.

[@_eric_torres_music_8116]

Ok, but can we agree that the tone for Limelight is literally SPOT ON! Great video 🙏

[@_sizzler]

You are my favorite youtube guitarist. Yes, there are much more people on yt who can shred and tap all around at 1000bpm making songs unnecessarily overwhelming, but you can actually play and feel just like us, the common guitarists, i love your vids and sometimes i watch your hands and learn how to play that riff, what is really handy. And all of that precious playing without useless talking and face selling. This is the best guitar channel sorry for any grammar and syntax mistakes, i'm not a native English speaker

[@reddeadreddeadtion1172]

Bro I just knew you were gonna include nirvana in 89

[@andrewwebb3431]

Videos like this put into perspective how skewed my musical perception of time is. I would never have put How Soon is Now and She Sells Sanctuary in the same year as Money for Nothing and The Power of Love. Yet they were all 1985.

[@friendlychat34]

The inclusion of crowded house brought a smile to my face, thank you :)

[@chewycenter7690]

That you got The Puppet, How Soon is Now and Teen Age Riot in there alongside Def Leppard... Just wow!

[@deliveredbyjace5977]

Your different effects were awesome. Well played! You covered so many great bands/songs! From Van Halen to The Smiths…very impressive!

[@StarWarsMeg]

Major respect for adding each date as time-stamps! 🤘Love the vids!

[@bloxsy_]

Thanks!

[@junkhead_92]

1987 is one of the best years for rock.

[@codeling2552]

1988 too

[@josephgledhill7046]

yeah and 84, 85, and 86

[@fleshrags]

and 77. and 67.

[@danielxh558]

Amazing , a big smile on my face when you played Ratt and underrated songs like unchained and nervous shakedown 🤘🤘

[@romulocordeirokeoma]

0:58 how a powerfull riff! R.I.P EVH❤🙏

[@TheBigScreenPictures]

The guitar tone for Bastards of Young sounded spot on!

[@TonyLeva]

Man I can’t help but miss rock from the 80s

[@Robv93]

LOVE the fact that you put Divide and Conquer in there. Seriously underrated riff from a seriously underrated band

[@geordiedog1749]

Husker Du - “underrated”? Nah. I know where you’re coming from but I’d say that they have plenty plenty kudos. For once, somebody really genuinely good gets credit I reckon. D and C is in my top five of all time. What. A. Fucking. Riff.

[@jkf9167]

@@geordiedog1749 the whole song is that riff, and each verse is better than the last. My favorite Huskers song.

[@geordiedog1749]

@@jkf9167 Probably in my top three fave songs of all time if I’m honest!

[@KatherineOfEden]

Without a doubt the best decade of music in my opinion. I can literally listen to any genre and I'll like it 😌

[@Simmo_Cars]

I’m so glad you added def leopards photograph in there! As well as nervous shakedown, two very overlooked songs in my opinion! Good job!

[@bloxsy_]

Thanks! Very underrated, I agree.

[@nnikaa3]

One time I heard photograph in my dream

[@theJ_.007]

Dude, the things I would give up to go back to the 80s..and to stay there forever

[@postpunk6947]

"Life Goes On" and "Come As You Are" are good, but "Eighties" win everything.

[@aleclynner1860]

Oppisate

[@facundoiglesias1060]

Real

[@aleclynner1860]

@@facundoiglesias1060 ?

[@geordiedog1749]

See, I think ‘80s is mint but not really like the other two. ‘Life’ and ‘Come as’ are pretty much the same jam but ‘Eghtirs’ is different enough I’d say. But….. all great songs though.

[@postpunk6947]

@@geordiedog1749 little details makes that song great. It's only one from this three with faster and more mechanical rhythmic. Drums in "Eighties" are great. And additional notes on riff, that's make difference.

[@millerfamilymayhem389]

So many of my favorite bands here! Yes!!

[@boxtrot6435]

Hey if you ever do one on 90s riff here's some songs I'd recommend Who was in my room last night? - Buthole Surfers Galaxie - Blind Melon Land of Sunshine - Faith No More Regular John - Queens of the Stone Age Sleep Now in the fire - Rage Against The Machine Ween - Buckingham Green

[@forksknivesstudios513]

You know something’s good when it starts with Ramones

[@BTNMNKI]

A lot more choice deep cuts than I expected. Well played, sir.

[@juliusseizure324]

Starting it off with the Almighty Ramones, and including Black Flag’s “Rise Above” is badass!!! You cover it all, homie! Great job!

[@bloxsy_]

Thanks dude!

[@jamesadams1698]

Ghostbusters, Power of Love, and Addicted to Love were surprisingly heavy

[@manboi6852]

6:00, one of my absolute favorites 👌. Great job on doing all these great riffs 👍👍 keep it up.

[@fuzzcous]

A decade of catchy riffs. Nice selection 👍

[@Normalpeoplestillexist]

It amazes me that songs that came out in 83 (my birth year) are still so widely known and played.

[@thesean3194]

Thanks for the She Sells Sanctuary and One I love in your mix.

[@thomasnelson5758]

Surprised you didn't pick Need You Now for INXS, iconic. Great video!

[@bloxsy_]

How could I forget that one! Maybe I was thinking it was in the 90s

[@HAL_9000__]

Damn. My whole youth in 8 minutes 49 seconds. “Pride and Joy” by the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan (1983) would’ve been great though!

[@2isceez]

Love the 80s!! Such a good time for rock music. Glad you included dreams never end

[@orcinlove7969]

I am fascinated about the great choice of songs ! bravo !!

[@KennelGuyTries]

That is a gorgeous SG you used for the Back in Black riff.

[@andykennard9458]

Much respect for including the Replacements

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

Such a good guitar player. You have the best taste in music by a country mile.

[@rm-cc4pm]

Great selection, You are doing something great for people who have/and want to play, Great Presentation, all others, keep Strumming

[@sectiongang]

This is incredible. I know all these songs. Perfect playing and perfect re-creation of the guitar songs.

[@Commonwealth96]

Hair metal had some of the most killer guitar riffs

[@Tom-en3ms]

That Jaguar can do everything! Nice video.

[@jamesstafford5564]

Awesome variety!! Would love to learn most of these licks. I know a few.

[@sth8119]

Sick. Can't wait for the 90s timeline

[@zepmarq]

That was an awesome trip down memory lane for this Gen Xer. Thanx! 😎

[@VintageDefectors69]

I was pleasantly surprised to hear Nervous Shakedown on here. I discovered that album when I was first exploring itunes I believe and despite feeling the production was far below the last couple albums before it, I loved multiple songs from it (Nervous Shakedown being my favorite early on).

[@briantwiss9078]

I was getting worried there wouldn’t be any love for the Replacements for a second.

[@bradoozy]

hitting us with both the replacements and husker du? i love this channel!

[@ahmadbani1452]

This probably the most riffs you've put in one video. Keep it up!

[@chrisdrake447]

Like re-living my late teens and early 20s all over again. Cheers!

[@pancon5]

Wonderful, waiting for the 90s one (if it's not already made!) Cantrell, Morello and all the other fine gentlemen!

[@liam_riley]

Thought this was all going to be arena rock, but I'm glad the post-punk bands got a mention here!

[@aziziabdrahman7756]

Love this video. The 80s really did have some of the greatest riffs in rock music history.

[@sigurdholbarki8268]

What an eclectic mix, cheers!

[@MrHubb1]

You're an incredible musician. You have great taste. Good to see some Sonic Youth amongst many other of my favorite songs.

[@chelseafc2009able]

Fantastic work as usual! I'd probably suggest Touch Me I'm Sick by Mudhoney

[@bloxsy_]

Thank you. Yeah that would have been a good one.

[@markwarren3724]

This is fucking genius. Every song moves me in one direction or another.

[@mathewcribb1227]

You hit it out of the park with this one can't wait for the 90's 🤘🤘🤘

[@darrenflaxman7665]

What a fantastic selection, great to hear so many different genres included.

[@mathumphreys]

Great list!! So diverse!

[@JubaDeMetalAlumínio]

Awesome! I just miss some Dio's song (his solo band) and maybe any faster thrash riff (like Fight Fire With Fire, but there's enough Metallica here); thrash was a big part of the 80's, from simple to complex stuff (like: Show No Mercy by Slayer being more simple and straight, and maybe Alice In Hell by Annihilator being something more complex).

[@diggigada2427]

This is my playlist of songs I need to learn

[@TheAcContreras]

i never thought you'll add INXS! thank youuuuu, such an underated band!

[@MGPMusic81]

Great playing and song choices 🎸🎸🎸

[@clockworkartist]

Im so glad you included certain songs, you chose the best

[@bloxsy_]

Thank you.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

love that VH unchained riff. I remember Dave Wakeling from The Beat saying he got a phone call from Pete Townshend and David Gilmour as they were sitting together trying to work out thr tunings for save it for later, he thought it was a wind up.

[@richardtravassos7484]

Well done, amazing, every riff perfect played, and interesting list of the 80s music 👏👏

[@bloxsy_]

Thank you.

[@slywolf3331]

Yooo, the tone you used for bad to the bone was perfect

[@neptuneknox7729]

this gives me ✨ serotonin ✨, thank you

[@evanseurkamp76]

Really loved the inclusion of the smiths, echo and the bunny men and psychedelic furs. Actually though Pretty in Pink the song is from 1981 even though the movie was released in 86

[@rorybrendonbarker1893]

Great playing! Perfect tone! Fantastic song choices

[@David_Watts]

VERY well done, Sir....👍👍

[@neilarnold9662]

Awesome video, every riff sounds spot on

[@nikolaimikhail7774]

I appreciate your use of fingerstyle for Dire Straits!

[@jkf9167]

Coulda definitely used Mudhoney - Touch Me I'm Sick, AC/DC - For Those About to Rock, Husker Du - Pink Turns to Blue, Fugazi - Waiting Room, and Van Halen - Hot For Teacher.

[@Peerk9058]

Glad you added stone roses. For those who don't know them, go listen their debut album

[@cyberpunk7192]

I feel me back to the 80'ts 👍👍👍

[@TwilightCalzone]

A wide range of great riffs, nicely recreated tones, and playing Master of Puppets with only downstrokes. Nailed it.