Music

Songs with the best guitar solos in history

Explore an essential collection of the most iconic and virtuosic guitar performances that have left an indelible mark on music history. Discover legendary guitar solos that have defined genres and captivated audiences worldwide, from classic rock to progressive metal. This selection celebrates the skill, innovation, and raw emotion that guitarists have poured into their masterpieces. Dive into music history through the most influential and memorable guitar solos of all time.

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  1. 1

    Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1975)

    257 Global Votes
    • Features legendary guitar solos

      (+4)

    This Pink Floyd suite contains several David Gilmour solos known for their emotiveness, expansive atmosphere, and ability to evoke deep feelings, being a benchmark of progressive rock.

  2. 2

    Comfortably Numb (1979)

    125 Global Votes
    • Regarded as the greatest guitar solo of all time

      (+4)

    David Gilmour's solo in 'Comfortably Numb' is a sublime example of how the guitar can tell a story and evoke deep emotions, standing out for its ethereal and intense atmosphere.

  3. 3

    Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)

    63 Global Votes
    • Masterpiece of technical playing

      (+4)

    Despite its brevity, Brian May's solo in 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is iconic and melodic, serving as a counterpoint to the song's complex structure and showcasing his distinctive musicality.

  4. 4

    Free Bird (1973)

    50 Global Votes
    • Composition and escalation make it incredible

      (+4)

    This extended final solo by Allen Collins and Gary Rossington is a mythical piece that evolves dramatically, building an epic intensity that makes it unforgettable.

  5. 5

    Sultans Of Swing (1978)

    14 Global Votes
    • Features precise scales in solo

      (+4)

    Mark Knopfler's solo stands out for his unique fingerstyle playing, his fluidity, and his precision, creating complex and catchy melodies that make it unmistakable.

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  7. 6

    Gravity (2005)

    9 Global Votes
    • Features a classic guitar solo

      (+4)

    John Mayer's solo in 'Gravity' represents modern blues-rock, known for its 'feeling', expressiveness, and impeccable tone, influencing contemporary blues.

  8. 7

    Stairway to Heaven

    0 Global Votes
    • Iconic guitar solo

      (+4)

    Considered the most influential guitar solo of all time, this solo by Jimmy Page is a masterclass in how emotion and technique can merge to create an unforgettable piece.

  9. 8

    Eruption (1978)

    0 Global Votes
    • Considered the greatest guitar solo of all time

      (+4)

    This instrumental solo by Eddie Van Halen revolutionized electric guitar technique with its innovative use of tapping and its speed, setting a new standard for virtuosity.

  10. 9

    Hotel California

    0 Global Votes
    • Masterclass in melody, harmony, and phrasing

      (+4)

    The double solo by Don Felder and Joe Walsh is one of the most recognizable and influential in rock history, standing out for its memorable melody and impeccable execution.

  11. 10

    November Rain (1992)

    0 Global Votes
    • First solo is lyrical and builds intensity

      (+4)

    Slash's solo in 'November Rain' is deeply melodic and emotional, elevating the song with a key change and becoming a highlight of the piece.

  12. 11

    All Along The Watchtower

    0 Global Votes
    • Features a famous guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix

      (+4)

    This Jimi Hendrix solo is a testament to his mastery and innovation, with a revolutionary use of vibrato, feedback, and distortion that marked a before and after.

  13. 12

    Sweet Child O' Mine

    0 Global Votes
    • Features an iconic guitar solo

      (+4)

    Slash's solo in 'Sweet Child O' Mine' is instantly recognizable from its opening riff, being melodic, emotional, and building in an epic way.

  14. 13

    Beat It (1982)

    0 Global Votes
    • Features a narrative arc in the solo

      (+4)

    The guest guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen in 'Beat It' is an explosion of energy and technique that fused pop with rock in an innovative and transcendental way.

  15. 14

    One (1988)

    0 Global Votes
    • Ending solo is enjoyable to listen to

      (+4)

    Performed by Kirk Hammett, this solo is a fundamental piece of metal, combining melodic passages with bursts of speed and aggression that make it unforgettable.

  16. 15

    Mr. Crowley (1980)

    0 Global Votes
    • Features a solo section winding through a circle of 5ths

      (+4)

    Randy Rhoads' solo in 'Mr. Crowley' combines a dark and mysterious atmosphere with technical brilliance and neoclassical 'feeling', marking the history of rock and metal.

  17. 16

    Crossroads (1968)

    0 Global Votes
    • High point of blues/rock soloing

      (+3)

    Eric Clapton's adaptation of 'Crossroads' is a quintessential example of blues-rock, showcasing his characteristic style and improvisation skills with unmatched energy.

  18. 17

    Black Magic Woman (1968)

    0 Global Votes
    • Features an 8-bar variation on a minor blues

      (+3)

    Carlos Santana's solo in 'Black Magic Woman' stands out for its fusion of rock, blues, and Latin rhythms, with his distinctive tone, sustain, and vibrato that make it unique.

  19. 18

    Johnny B. Goode (1958)

    0 Global Votes
    • Iconic rock n roll lead guitar

      (+4)

    This Chuck Berry solo is a pillar of rock and roll, simple, catchy, and full of energy, which defined the sound of the genre and influenced countless guitarists.

  20. 19

    Purple Haze (1967)

    0 Global Votes
    • Features a psychedelic masterpiece

      (+4)

    Another iconic Jimi Hendrix solo, innovative and psychedelic, that used guitar effects in ways never heard before, marking an era in the evolution of the electric guitar.