Guitar & Bass Tabs
Europe
About Europe
Europe formed in 1979 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, and quickly grew into one of the defining acts of melodic hard rock. Led by Joey Tempest, with John Norum's soaring guitar, they crafted a signature blend of blistering riffs and big, singalong choruses that helped put Swedish rock on the global map. The band's breakthrough arrived with The Final Countdown (1986), a multi-platinum phenomenon whose title track became an enduring arena anthem and helped the album sell millions worldwide.
Over the years Europe has endured with a steady stream of records and live shows, balancing high-octane rockers with heartfelt ballads. Their 1991 Prisoners in Paradise and a catalog of enduring staples like Talk To Me and Sign Of The Times have inspired countless players. The band has persisted across decades with evolving lineups, touring and recording into the modern era while remaining a touchstone for melodic hard rock and the craft of memorable guitar-driven songs.
🎸 Want to know what gear Europe used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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The Final Countdown
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Rock The Night
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Ninja
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Cherokee
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Time Has Come
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Heart Of Stone
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On The Loose
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Love Chaser
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In The Future To Come
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Scream Of Anger
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Aphasia
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Let The Good Times Rock
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Open Your Heart
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More Than Meets The Eye
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Ready Or Not
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Sign Of The Times
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Never Say Die
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All Or Nothing
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Halfway To Heaven
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I'll Cry For You
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Little Bit Of Lovin'
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Talk To Me
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Prisoners Of Paradise
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View Tab →Playing Style
Europe’s guitar work is built on melodic hard rock foundations: punchy, riff-driven verses, soaring solos, and harmonized guitar parts that sit on top of tight rhythm sections. John Norum’s playing blends crunchy power-chord patterns with expressive bends, clean arpeggios, and glimmering, melodic lines that define the band’s sound. Expect palm-muted verses, rapid alternate picking in solos, and big chorus hooks; the band’s signature sound also benefits from layered keyboards that thicken the guitar texture on anthems like The Final Countdown. Their dynamics swing from aggressive riffing to soaring, emotionally expressive guitar work.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
In the studio and on stage, Europe’s guitar-driven sound has been built around solid, capable gear: humbucker-equipped guitars for heavy crunch, clean tones for ballads, and reliable amps that push a warm, tube-driven edge. Expect classic rock staples like delay and chorus effects, a touch of phaser, and a subtle whammy-bar flourish in solos. The melodic architecture shines through thanks to thoughtful amp settings and effects that enhance the band’s big-room, arena-ready guitar tone.
Why Learn Europe Songs?
Learning Europe’s catalog is a gateway to classic-rock prowess: you’ll tackle memorable riffs, precise alternate picking, expressive bends, and singable phrasing that translate to almost any 80s–90s hard rock repertoire. The difficulty ranges from mid-level rhythm parts to more challenging, melodic solos, so players build technique step by step while learning how to shape dynamics and phrasing to deliver big, stadium-ready performances.
Did You Know?
- 1Europe formed in 1979 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, and originally performed under the name Force before adopting Europe.
- 2The Final Countdown (1986) became a global phenomenon and remains one of the most recognizable arena-rock anthems of the 80s.
- 3Lead guitarist John Norum helped shape the band’s signature melodic hard rock sound and remained a central figure throughout Europe’s career.
- 4Prisoners in Paradise (1991) helped demonstrate Europe’s ability to blend hard rock with pop hooks during the band’s long-running career.
23 Europe lesson(s) available — Start learning today!
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