Runaway is Bon Jovi’s debut single from 1984 and one of the defining songs of 80s rock. The guitar solo is melodic, punchy, and packed with classic hard rock energy — a perfect study for players who want to develop confident rock lead guitar.
About the Solo
The solo combines melodic phrases with aggressive bends and vibrato. It moves with purpose and never overstays its welcome — a quality that makes it both fun to learn and musically satisfying to play.
What You Will Work On
- Classic rock phrasing — melodic phrases with attitude
- Aggressive bends — confident pitch bends with good intonation
- Vibrato on bent notes — adding sustain after a bend
- Rhythmic feel — locking in with the driving 80s rock groove
- Tone and attack — getting that classic 80s rock lead sound
Tips for Learning This Solo
- Focus on bend pitch first — use a tuner to check every bend.
- Practice vibrato on open strings before applying to bent notes.
- Play along with the original recording once the solo feels solid.
- Work on the fast run in the middle at half speed first.
WANT TO MASTER THIS SOLO PROPERLY?
Private Rock Guitar Lessons via Zoom — Diego Fonseca
Rock & metal specialist with 20+ years of teaching. Students across the US and Canada. I will build a lesson plan around the music you actually want to play — solos, technique, theory.
✔ Free 30-min trial lesson ✔ US & Canada timezones ✔ $240/month · 4 lessons
Fill out the form and Diego will reply within 12 hours.