Top 50 Songs That Feature Iconic Guitar Solos

A transcendent drum solo can make a song timeless. Those few measures of genius drumming can captivate audiences, raise a multitude of hackles, and most commonly, be the point where people recall the song. With plaintive blues bends that speak from the soul, angry bouts of double-bass drum thrashing that leave us speechless, and heavenly runs that transcend, a timeless solo can make a great song a one-time classic.

We raise a salute to 50 all-time, all genres and decades songs featuring indelible guitar solos. Here, from Chuck Berry’s 1950s rock & roll forefathers to scorching 21st-century work from modern guitar heroes, are all 50 entries, numbered from 50 to 1. You’ll find 1960s rock anthems and hard rock classics side by side – all united by their catchy six-string performances. Stars such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Prince and others show up herein, all contributing a solo that’s possible to hum from memory. If these songs topped the pop chart or existed as a one-time underground standard, these guitar solos have taken on a life of their own, delighting generation upon generation of music fans. So sit back and take this guided tour through riffs and solos that have taken a permanent place on music’s timeline.

50. Parabola by Tool

Tool is not a flashy-solo kind of progressive metal band, making the burning guitar outburst on Parabola a notable surprise. Guitar man Adam Jones unleashes on this song from 2001, bringing a different dimension to the song’s dark, grinding mood. As brief as the solo is, fans appreciate the way that it brings a touch of melody and imagination to Tool’s signature hard-hitting music.

49. Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band

Jessica is a bright Southern rock instrumental featuring Guitarist Dickey Betts. Released in 1973, this energetic jam combines blues riffs and a rambunctious country feel, highlighting the Allman Brothers’ signature twin-guitar harmony (despite the post-Duane loss thereof). The song’s catchy melody made Jessica a classic rock radio anthem and a crowd-pleasing instrumental.

48. Nutshell by Alice In Chains

Nutshell is a haunting acoustic track where Jerry Cantrell’s guitar solo feels like a continuation of Layne Staley’s tortured vocals. Featured on their 1994 Jar of Flies EP, this song has no traditional chorus – the aching guitar melody takes that role. Cantrell’s delicate, emotive solo practically “speaks” when the words run out, amplifying the song’s sorrowful mood.

47. Gravity by John Mayer

Gravity is a smooth, bluesy ballad that shows off John Mayer’s tasteful guitar work. Released in 2006, this mellow track keeps its solo short and sweet – just enough to tug at the listener’s heartstrings. Mayer’s clean Stratocaster tone and expressive bends give off a classic blues vibe, proving that sometimes a few well-placed notes can say everything.

46. Paranoid Android by Radiohead

Radiohead’s Paranoid Android is a 1997 sprawling art-rock epic that surprises by breaking out a crazy guitar solo. Midway through the song, guitarist Jonny Greenwood explodes with maniacal tremolo-picked chords and warped wails, but sounding less a typical rock lead and more a possessed machine. Despite its experimental bite and duration, this single was a hit, showing guitar heroics could actually flourish even in ’90s alt-rock.

45. Maggot Brain by Funkadelic

Maggot Brain (1971) is really a ten-minute electric guitar solo and is the magnum opus of Eddie Hazel. George Clinton once instructed Hazel to play “like your momma just died,” and the outcome is a raw, emotional ride. With wah-wah, fuzz, and feedback, Hazel gives every note his heart and soul. The resulting psychedelic funk instrumental was a guitar expression cult classic.

44. I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness

In 2003, British rockers The Darkness returned flamboyant guitar solos to mainstream radio with I Believe in a Thing Called Love. This glam-rock hit features a blistering solo by frontman Justin Hawkins that channels the spirit of 1970s arena rock. It’s full of big bends, speedy hammer-ons and cheeky flair – all perfectly matching the song’s tongue-in-cheek retro vibe.

43. Shock Me by KISS

KISS guitarist Ace Frehley went all out on 1977’s Shock Me. The hard-rock anthem, the first KISS track on which Ace sang lead, is a solo that’s become a blueprint for the next wave of rock guitar heroes. The lead is loaded up with memorable blues-rock rips and the inevitable vibrato that’s become his trademark. It’s not a sophisticated, intricate solo, but the attitude and hooks have been absorbed by countless players.

42. Sloe Gin by Joe Bonamassa

Joe Bonamassa’s rendition of Sloe Gin (2007) is a slow-burning blues-rock epic full of soulful guitar work. Spanning nearly eight minutes, the song’s extended solos show Bonamassa’s less-is-more approach – he favors expressive bends, smooth sustain, and heartfelt phrasing over speed. The result is a moody atmosphere reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, proving Bonamassa can indeed make a guitar weep.

41. Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine’s 1992 anthem Killing in the Name has a guitar solo that doesn’t really sound like a guitar at all. Tom Morello employs only a whammy pedal and frantic picking to produce gnarled, siren-like sounds – and they’re all scratch and no rock riff. The non-traditional solo was so famous, it actually topped the UK charts back in 2009, long after its initial release.

40. Flying in a Blue Dream by Joe Satriani

Joe Satriani’s 1989 instrumental is as sunny and otherworldly as its title suggests, Flying in a Blue Dream. The four-minute piece for guitar has become a fan favorite through its singing, lyrical lead melody and Satriani’s signature smooth legato style. It’s a technical wonder and a musical ride, all wrapped up in one piece that has inspired countless budding guitar heroes everywhere.

39. Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones’ 1968 classic, Sympathy for the Devil, progresses over a hypnotic groove before Keith Richards’ guitar solo intervenes with raw, unexpected phrases. The lead breaks arrive out of timing, taunting the beat and providing a devil-may-care edge to the solo. Never a single, this fearless song and its risk-taking solo were a signature moment by the Stones in rock history.

38. Rock Bottom by UFO

UFO’s Rock Bottom (1974) achieved the status of a classic mostly because of the lengthy solo played by guitarist Michael Schenker, particularly during concerts. The version on the recording was already hard-hitting, but during live performances, on-stage, Schenker elongated his solo over a thrilling ride of searing runs and ascending, singing melodies. His spontaneity-inspired solo-playing style influenced future metalmen, who proved that the pièce de résistance of a song can be the live guitar solo.

37. The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King

B.B. King’s 1969 hit The Thrill Is Gone brought the blues to a mainstream audience, powered by King’s expressive guitar work. His lead playing is a lesson in saying more with fewer notes – every bend and shimmering vibrato oozes pure emotion. King’s mournful guitar phrases practically sing back to his vocals, helping make this soulful track a crossover success and his signature tune.

36. Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers by Jeff Beck

Originally written by Stevie Wonder, this slow 1975 instrumental was transformed by Jeff Beck into a lyrical guitar ballad dedicated to bluesman Roy Buchanan. Beck coaxes a remarkable range of emotion from his guitar – using volume swells, delicate bends and subtle sustain to make each note sing. It’s a study in dynamics, flowing from whisper-quiet phrases to impassioned cries that bleed pure feeling.

35. Lenny by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble

When Eric Clapton tackled Robert Johnson’s blues standard Cross Road Blues when he played with Cream in 1968, the end product was a blazing guitar extravaganza simply entitled Crossroads. The live performance was a collector’s item featuring Clapton firing off torrid blues-rock solo performances that left fans speechless. The frantic, yet soulful phrasing on Crossroads was a hallmark moment of the ‘60s rock guitar heroicism. The raw power and virtuosity on the track solidified the status of Clapton as one of the decade’s leading guitar gods.

34. Walk This Way by Aerosmith

In 1996, Pantera’s guitarist Dimebag Darrell provided one of metal’s most mournful solo moments on the song Floods. Amidst the band’s typical barrage of crushing riffs, the guitar solo emerges melodically, almost a mournful-sounding solo. Dimebag integrates soulful bends and even a hint of two-hand tapping, progressing toward a grand finale of harmonized notes. The spooky rain sound effect that follows makes the solo’s conclusion all the more indelible for metal heads.

33. Crossroads by Cream

When Eric Clapton tackled Robert Johnson’s blues standard Cross Road Blues when he played with Cream in 1968, the end product was a blazing guitar extravaganza simply entitled Crossroads. The live performance was a collector’s item featuring Clapton firing off torrid blues-rock solo performances that left fans speechless. The frantic, yet soulful phrasing on Crossroads was a hallmark moment of the ‘60s rock guitar heroicism. The raw power and virtuosity on the track solidified the status of Clapton as one of the decade’s leading guitar gods.

32. Floods by Pantera

In 1996, Pantera’s guitarist Dimebag Darrell provided one of metal’s most mournful solo moments on the song Floods. Amidst the band’s typical barrage of crushing riffs, the guitar solo emerges melodically, almost a mournful-sounding solo. Dimebag integrates soulful bends and even a hint of two-hand tapping, progressing toward a grand finale of harmonized notes. The spooky rain sound effect that follows makes the solo’s conclusion all the more indelible for metal heads.

31. Under a Glass Moon by Dream Theater

Progressive metal masters Dream Theater featured a tour de force solo on 1992’s Under a Glass Moon. Guitarist John Petrucci employs this solo as a sampler of nearly every rock technique out there – blazing alternate picking, sweep arpeggios, tapping, whammy dives, name them. Within a minute, Petrucci navigates a minefield of intricate licks with accuracy. For budding shredding guitarists, Under a Glass Moon is still a scary and motivational standard.

30. La Grange by ZZ Top

Its 1973 boogie-rock classic La Grange is Billy Gibbons sounding his absolute best. La Grange opens up as a sleazy Texas blues riff, but the solo is where Gibbons elevates things to a next-level level. He sprinkles his lead with pinch harmonics (wailing high notes) and raw-string bends that scream attitude. La Grange was to become the group’s first breakout hit, and its swampy, swaggering solo is still a definitive lesson on Texas blues-rock done correctly.

29. Alive by Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam’s 1991 debut single Alive brought epic guitar soloing into the grunge era. Guitarist Mike McCready closes out this rock anthem with an exhilarating extended solo that nods to his classic rock heroes. With wailing bends, wah-pedal flourishes, and raw passion, McCready’s outro solo turns Alive into a live showstopper. It proved that even in the ’90s alternative scene, a blazing guitar solo could raise a song to new heights.

28. Firth of Fifth by Genesis

Progressive rock is no repository for hit singles, but its music has yielded certain transcendent moments on guitar – such as Steve Hackett’s solo during Genesis’s 1973 song Firth of Fifth. Following a long piano and flute introduction, Hackett joins the fray with a singing, soaring guitar line that lifts the song to emotional peaks. Phrasing and sustain on this solo are exquisite, integrating his classical influences with rock sensibility. Never a commercial hit, Firth of Fifth (and its grand guitar solo) was a perennial fan favorite and a highlight of Genesis’s early work.

27. Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile) by Santana

Carlos Santana’s 1976 instrumental, Europa, is a lesson in lyrical guitar work. The song’s melody is so genuine and memorable, it’s one that speaks through a barrier of language – no singing necessary. Santana’s sustaining, rich lead tone croons over a softly Latin-jazzy chord pattern. Every phrasing and bend on the Europa solo is a narrative one. The song actually made a presence on the world’s music charts as an instrumental, and is one of Santana’s most popular solo compositions due to its passion and elegance.

26. Limelight by Rush

Rush’s 1981 hit Limelight pairs a reflective lyric about fame with an absolutely soaring guitar solo by Alex Lifeson. Lifeson’s lead break comes in with a smooth, singing tone drenched in delay and a hint of whammy-bar dive, giving it a floating quality. He bends notes until they cry and then lets them fall away into echoes. Although Rush was known for complex prog, this concise, heartfelt solo became one of Lifeson’s signature moments and helped Limelight become a rock radio staple.

25. Something by The Beatles

George Harrison’s songwriting masterpiece Something (1969) also provided the opportunity for a showcase on lead guitar. The short solo on the song has been widely hailed for its sheer melodic purity – every note appears to “speak” as softly as the lyrics. Phrasing is elegant and sincere, subtly bending the notes to reflect the lovesick mood. Short and indelible, the solo on Something has been cited as one of the Beatles’ greatest moments on guitar, even winning accolades from Harrison’s contemporaries.

24. Blackbird by Alter Bridge

Contemporary rock hasn’t overlooked grand guitar solos. In Alter Bridge’s 2007 song Blackbird, both lead guitarist Mark Tremonti and singer/guitarist Myles Kennedy share a lengthy solo that has already become epic lore amongst fans. The solo is built from a slow, melodic pace, growing denser and increasingly complex as the song goes on. Tremonti and Kennedy infuse their instrument work with immense passion, doing justice to the emotionally driven tribute song’s memorial to a fallen friend. The dual-guitar solo from Blackbird has soared to become one of the greatest of the 21st century, a testament that the guitar solo is a thriving art form.

23. Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry

If a single song deserves to write the rulebook on rock ’n’ roll guitar, it’s Chuck Berry’s 1958 single Johnny B. Goode. From the definitive opening riff to the hot solo, Berry’s double-stop, finger-flyin’ licks provided the blueprint for future generations of guitar heroes. The lead break’s not long, but bluesy bends, boogie-woogie runs, and sheer delight are all squeezed in. Johnny B. Goode was a top-10 hit and a timeless anthem, and its release brought to the world’s attention the sound of the rock guitar.

22. Layla by Derek and the Dominos

Eric Clapton’s 1971 classic Layla is actually a tale of two solos. The first half of the song features Clapton ripping into a passionate, high-octane lead guitar line that mirrors the song’s desperate lyrics. Then, in the famous piano coda, guest guitarist Duane Allman takes over with a weeping slide guitar solo that carries the tune into heart-rending territory. Layla’s fiery fretwork (and tender outro) made it one of rock’s most iconic love-gone-wrong anthems, and a top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

21. Hangar 18 by Megadeth

Thrash is loaded with face-melting solos, and Megadeth’s Hangar 18 from 1990 has a whole arsenal. Guitarists Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman alternate scorching hot leads during the song, one solo hotter than the next. Friedman, specifically, infuses his runs with exotic sensibilities, bending strings from unfamiliar scales and making “wrong” turns opportunities for adrenaline. The song’s non-stop assault of solos raised thrash’s level of tech and has become a crowd-pleaser during live performances.

20. Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson’s Grammy-winning instrumental, Cliffs of Dover (1990), is all guitar joy. It bursts out the starting gate with a memorable, singsong melody and doesn’t relent. Johnson’s trademark tone is famously smooth and violin-like, and his talent is impeccable – he navigates blindingly swift runs and tricky bends without a stumble. And yet the song never feels like pure showboating; Cliffs of Dover is a cozy, musical treasure that’s a guitar lover’s first-stop instrumental anywhere.

19. Reapers by Muse

Muse demonstrated in 2015 that stadium rock could still be all about shred. Reapers, from the album Drones, is-filled to the brim with guitar fireworks, courtesy of frontman Matt Bellamy. From the get-go, Bellamy tears through Van Halen-style tapping licks, and afterward he blazes off a solo that wails and dove-bombs thanks to a Whammy pedal. It’s a 32nd-note-rollercoaster ride and unhinged pitch-shifting effects. Reapers may not have reached pop charts, but its fearless guitar work delighted rock enthusiasts and proved that Muse can shred alongside the best.

18. For the Love of God by Steve Vai

Steve Vai’s 1990 instrumental For the Love of God is often cited as his masterpiece – six minutes of virtuoso guitar that somehow feels spiritual. Starting with a mournful melody, Vai continually ups the intensity, pouring more and more emotion into each passage. He employs everything from singing sustain and wide bends to rapid two-handed tapping flurries and dive-bombing whammy bar howls. The solo builds into a frenzy but never loses its sense of purpose. For the Love of God affirmed that a rock guitar solo could be both technically breathtaking and deeply soulful.

17. Still Got the Blues by Gary Moore

In 1990, hard rock guitar man Gary Moore blindsided the music world when he released Still Got the Blues – a gentle, soulful blues ballad that made his guitar cry all the tears. The solo is emotion-rich. Moore wrings sustains out of every note, making use of his famous sweet Les Paul tone and vibrato to make the guitar “cry.” It’s a solo that develops patiently from gentle mournings, through wailing high notes. Still Got the Blues became a theme song for Moore and went on to prove that his guitar heroics needn’t be lacking soul and substance.

16. Back in Black by AC/DC

Few riffs are as recognizable on first listen as AC/DC’s Back in Black, but the song’s brief guitar solo by Angus Young has its own moment to shine. Issued in 1980, Back in Black’s solo isn’t a speed solo – it’s a solo all about attitude and impeccable placement. Angus tears through bluesy rips and wide bends with a raw, crisp tone that cuts through the song’s crushing rhythm. In a few bars, he constructs a solo that’s as hook-laden as the song’s primary riff. Back in Black ruled rock radio and became AC/DC’s signature tune, and its solo has guitar enthusiasts to this day who can’t wait to turn it up.

15. Fade to Black by Metallica

With the 1984 song Fade to Black, Metallica demonstrated that a thrash band could also create a searing guitar solo. The song begins as a dark ballad and evolves over its duration, its emotional contours guided by lead guitarist Kirk Hammett. He opens up soloing mournfully and songfully, and afterward, a lengthy outro solo getting angrier and fiercer. Hammett’s use of arpeggios and minor scales introduced a new richness to Metallica’s music. The song was a crowd-pleaser, a demonstration that hard music must be neither hard-hearted nor hard-headed, and its virtuosic, heart-wrenching aspect was a distinct possibility.

14. While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles

When George Harrison penned While My Guitar Gently Weeps in 1968, he asked his friend Eric Clapton to contribute the guitar solo – and Clapton came up with something special. His lead guitar actually “weeps,” bringing a bluesy, crying inflection to the Beatles’ ballad of frustration. The solo is all about feel, not speed. Clapton bends his notes till they hurt and supplies a smooth, lingering vibrato that’s left floating in the air. His addition lifted a great song to one of the Beatles’ greatest performances. Though Clapton wasn’t credited on the album, fans recognized his soulful infusion on this timeless solo immediately.

13. Highway Star by Deep Purple

Deep Purple’s 1972 rocker Highway Star showcases one of Ritchie Blackmore’s most exhilarating guitar solos. Often cited as a precursor to neo-classical metal, the solo is fast and furious, yet melodically structured. Blackmore rips through a 20-bar lead filled with rapid-fire picking and baroque-inspired runs that made listeners’ jaws drop. It’s a demanding solo that uses all four fretting fingers in athletic unison. Highway Star helped launch Deep Purple into rock legend, and its solo became a rite of passage for aspiring rock guitarists.

12. Purple Rain by Prince

Prince was a musical genius on multiple instruments, and his work on 1984’s Purple Rain is one of his all-time performances on the guitar. The song culminates in a titanic outro solo where Prince is able to make one note say a thousand words. He doesn’t blast – he makes room between his wailing bends and comfortably sweet motifs. The effect is a solo that’s not flashy, but really, really expressive. During live performances (such as his epic 2007 Super Bowl performance during a rainstorm), Purple Rain’s solo would reduce audiences to tears and prove once again that Prince was a underappreciated guitar hero.

11. All Along the Watchtower by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

When Jimi Hendrix adapted Bob Dylan’s All Along the Watchtower in 1968, he made the song his own through a litany of mind-blowing guitar solos. The song contains several lead breaks, but the one that really takes center stage occurs around the 2:20 point, where Hendrix pours on a deluge of bluesy bends, octave runs, and percussive chord thwacks – all over a span of a few bars. His tone is hot and dense, courtesy a cranked Marshall amp and a dollop of wah-wah for variety. Hendrix’s resourceful soloing on Watchtower stunned audiences and even Dylan, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest guitar renderings in rock history.

10. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne

From its famous opening riff to its frenetic solo, 1980’s Crazy Train announced that a new guitar hero had arrived: Randy Rhoads. Rhoads’ solo on this Ozzy Osbourne classic is a blistering blend of classical flair and heavy metal fire. He tears through fast minor scale runs one moment and hits wild, train-whistle harmonics the next. Yet it’s all very melodic – you can almost sing parts of it. Crazy Train became a metal anthem, and Randy Rhoads’ guitar work (especially this solo) inspired countless hard rock and metal guitarists who followed.

9. Beat It by Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s 1983 smash hit Beat It did the impossible – it embedded a scorching hard rock guitar solo dead-center inside a pop song, courtesy Eddie Van Halen. Accounts say that Van Halen ad-libbed the solo during one take, and it’s a searing 30-second whirlwind tornado of dive-bombs, lightening-quick tapping, and uncompromised rock ’n’ roll snarl. The solo rips through the funk beat and transports the song to a completely different stratosphere. Beat It soared to #1 everywhere, introducing millions of pop fans to the thrall of a wailing electric guitar solo and collapsing the barrier between rock and pop irreparably.

8. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Free Bird!” was a crowd-pleasing concert cliché thanks to this song’s ageless solo. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1973 anthem, Free Bird, started out as a wailing soul ballad but ended up as a four-minute face-melting guitar extravaganza that tore up the tape. Guitarist Allen Collins steps up to the helm (double-tracked for maximum impact), ripping through a nearly endless cache of white-hot Southern rock riffs. The solo gained momentum quicker and crazier, trainwreck-style, and brought the live crowds absolutely wild. The grand finale ending to Free Bird coined the term “guitar jam” for all future generations and solidified the song’s reputation as a closing anthem for the ages.

7. Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits

Mark Knopfler’s fingerpicking guitar virtuosity on 1978’s Sultans of Swing demonstrated that one doesn’t necessarily need distortion to be mesmerizing. With a clean Fender Stratocaster tone, Knopfler traded a rapid, agile solo that skip-hopped through arpeggios and savvy licks with effortless virtuosity. The song’s final solo, in particular, is a marvel – a whirlwind of agile phrases that none the less never compromise melody. Sultans of Swing was Dire Straits’ firstmajor hit, and Knopfler’s smooth, virtuosic solo is a gold standard against which all clean-sounding electric guitar work is measured.

6. Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses’ 1987 anthem Sweet Child o’ Mine is commonly recalled for its signature opening riff, but Slash’s lead guitar playing all the way through – and particularly his soloing – gives the song its magic lift. The first solo is lyrical and singing, complementing the song’s chords. Then, towards the end of the final minute, Slash delivers a raw and explosive solo, scorching up the fretboard and blues-angrily. The juxtaposition of fire and gentle touch propelled Sweet Child o’ Mine to #1 and made Slash the defining guitar hero of late ’80s rock.

5. Hotel California by Eagles

The Eagles’ 1977 classic, Hotel California, is topped off by one of most identifiable twin-guitar solos ever. After the last verse, guitar gods Don Felder and Joe Walsh alternate soulful rips for nearly a minute before joining together on those Heavenly harmonized lines every guitarist dreams his fingers could play. The solo’s melody is almost song-like on its own – convoluted but instantly recallable. Hotel California hit the top of the charts and its majestic final solo, where Felder’s accuracy is matched by Walsh’s showmanship, has topped countless “best solo” lists for its storytelling and sheer musicianship.

4. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven (1971) often tops polls as the greatest guitar solo of all time – and for good reason. Jimmy Page’s solo is a song within the song: a perfectly structured buildup that elevates the track from its gentle opening to its hard-rock climax. Page starts with emotive, bluesy phrases that mirror the song’s chord progression, then escalates to a flurry of fast, fiery licks that explode with emotion. Amazingly, Page improvised this solo in the studio in just a few takes, yet it feels meticulously composed. Though never released as a single, Stairway became an FM radio staple, and its cathartic guitar solo is now rock legend.

3. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd

David Gilmour’s guitar on 1979’s Comfortably Numb is sheer transcendence. The song has two separate solos – one towards the middle and one towards the end – and both are stunning. Gilmour’s tone is smooth and ascending, supported by his Stratocaster and a Big Muff pedal to wailing glory. He doesn’t play a whole lot of notes; he constructs a narrative, aided by each and every bend and phrase judiciously sized. By the point the iconic final solo appears, Gilmour subjects the listener to a two-minute emotional ride that culminates with wailing bends and elegiac motifs. Comfortably Numb was not a hit single, but its solos are routinely included on lists of greatest ever for sheer emotional power.

2. Eruption by Van Halen

In 1978, Eddie Van Halen unleashed Eruption – a one-minute, 42-second instrumental solo piece – and the world of guitar was irreparably changed. The solo, embedded within Van Halen’s self-titled debut, was a solo recording, and to rock fans, it was unlike anything heard before. Eddie blazed through blindingly rapid hammer-ons, pull-offs, whammy-bar dives, and his two-handed tapping style he made famous – essentially updating the possible playability of the guitar. Despite a tiny fault on his behalf (one he has said he noticed), since Eruption was simply blinding, it was left on the album and became lore. It was not even imagined to be a song, and yet, influenced a generation or two of players to play maniacally, to try and recreate those mind-bending runs through tapping. Eruption is still the ultimate showstopper on the electric guitar and a benchmark against which virtuosity is measured.

1. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) is widely referred to as the ultimate all-time greatest rock song, and built into its six-minute structure is a short four-bar guitar solo that’s absolute melodic gold. Brian May’s nine-bar solo is delivered as a bridge from Freddie’s ballad-style verses and the song’s opera middle section. May doesn’t indulge in speed and showiness during those four bars – he emphasizes song and feel, and produces a songful lead that you can hum as well as a chorus. Phrasing is loose and effortless, and ranges across the backbeat, rather than strictly adhering to a grid-based pattern. The solo is brief and simple, but wonderfully positioned as the ultimate melodic release before that famous song “Galileo!” opera section. Bohemian Rhapsody was a surprise hit (reaching #1 twice on the UK chart and becoming a global anthem), and Brian May’s elegant solo is a significant component of its timeless appeal.