3 Classic Rock Songs from the 1980s Rooted in the Era-Defining Synthesizer

When you hear a rock song that includes the synthesizer, you can almost always guess the song in question is from a certain era. Probably from the 1980s, give or take, the track is defined by and enjoyable because of the time from which it springs.

Indeed, there are many a classic rock song from that time period that take advantage of the versatile yet era-specific instrument. Here below, we wanted to explore three such offerings. These are a trio of classic rock songs rooted in the synthesizer.

[RELATED: No Skips: 4 Classic Rock Albums You’ll Never Have to Fast-Forward]

“Jump” by Van Halen from 1984 (1984)

For a band known for its lead guitar player Eddie Van Halen, one of their most famous songs opens with an iconic synth line that’s as buzzy as it is melodic—and it too was even played by Van Halen! The track “Jump,” which came out on their 1984 LP 1984, could be used for an alarm clock—as soon as it opens, it enlivens and opens eyes and ears. And that’s the point. The synth makes you want to move and, yes, even jump out of your seat. That’s the power of music and in the 1980s that was the power of the synth.

“Tom Sawyer” by Rush from Moving Pictures (1981)

With warbling, ominous synth lines played by Geddy Lee, the band’s bassist and lead singer, this track helped to make the synth a household instrument in the 1980s. It made the instrument cool and weird and strange and maybe even a little dangerous. The synthesizer has so many uses and so many different sounds built into it, sometimes it’s all about finding the right one. And that’s what Rush did on this epic offering.

“When Doves Cry” by Prince from Purple Rain (1984)

Prince used the synth on this track more subtly than the songs above but it is nevertheless present on the near-constant riffs amidst the electronic drums, guitars, and Prince’s romantic, imploring voice. The lead single from the artist’s breakout album Purple Rain, this song helped make him an icon for the ages. Perhaps no songwriter used the synth more in the 1980s than Prince. And for good reason—he knew how to be tasteful with it and not overexpose its era-defining sounds.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images