Guitar solos. They’re the moments in songs where the energy shifts, the instrumental prowess takes center stage, and the music soars to another level. While often associated with metal and hard rock, incredible guitar work exists across all genres. If you’re a guitar player or simply a lover of amazing guitar sounds, you know that the thrill of a well-crafted solo transcends genre boundaries. This article is dedicated to exploring those gems outside the realm of metal – non-metal songs packed with seriously cool guitar.
From classic rock anthems to pop hits and even some unexpected turns, we’ve compiled a list inspired by passionate music fans online, guaranteed to get your air guitar going. Get ready to discover (or rediscover) some tracks where the guitar playing is not just good, it’s downright awesome.
Iconic Guitar Solos in Rock and Pop Classics
Let’s kick things off with some of the giants, the songs instantly recognizable for their killer guitar moments. These are the tracks that have defined generations and continue to inspire guitarists today.
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Michael Jackson – Beat It: Eddie Van Halen’s iconic guest solo in “Beat It” is a masterclass in rock guitar injected into a pop mega-hit. It’s unexpected, fiery, and utterly unforgettable.
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Guns N’ Roses – November Rain: While Guns N’ Roses flirts with hard rock, “November Rain” is a power ballad with a sprawling, epic guitar solo courtesy of Slash. It’s melodic, emotional, and builds to a crescendo that’s simply breathtaking.
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Eagles – Hotel California: The twin guitar work in “Hotel California,” particularly the extended outro solo, is legendary. Don Felder and Joe Walsh weave together a tapestry of melodic lines and harmonies that perfectly capture the song’s mystique.
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Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing: Mark Knopfler’s signature fingerpicking style and clean tone are on full display in “Sultans of Swing.” His solo is intricate, tasteful, and tells a story all its own, perfectly fitting the song’s narrative.
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Pink Floyd – Time: David Gilmour’s guitar work is synonymous with Pink Floyd’s sound, and the solo in “Time” is a prime example of his emotive playing. It’s bluesy, melancholic, and builds with incredible dynamics.
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Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird: No list of awesome guitar solos is complete without “Free Bird.” This Southern rock epic culminates in a multi-guitar jam that’s both exhilarating and deeply rooted in blues tradition.
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Bad Company – All Right Now: Simple, powerful, and instantly recognizable, the guitar solo in “All Right Now” by Paul Kossoff is pure rock and roll energy. It’s a masterclass in making every note count.
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Quarterflash – Harden My Heart: This 80s hit features a soaring and melodic guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s emotional intensity. It’s a slightly lesser-known gem that deserves recognition.
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Steely Dan – Reelin’ In The Years & Peg: Steely Dan are known for their sophisticated musicianship, and their guitar solos are no exception. “Reelin’ In The Years” and “Peg” both feature incredibly slick, jazzy, and technically impressive solos that are a joy to listen to.
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Jimi Hendrix – All Along The Watchtower: Hendrix’s reimagining of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” is iconic for its psychedelic and groundbreaking guitar work. The solos are raw, innovative, and push the boundaries of what a guitar could do.
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The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps: Eric Clapton’s guest solo on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” adds a layer of bluesy soul to this Beatles classic. It’s tasteful, melodic, and perfectly enhances the song’s emotional depth.
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The Police – Driven To Tears: Andy Summers’ angular and atmospheric guitar work is a hallmark of The Police, and “Driven To Tears” features a particularly biting and inventive solo that reflects the song’s tense mood.
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Pat Benatar – Hit Me With Your Best Shot: This power-pop anthem rocks hard thanks in part to Neil Giraldo’s energetic and catchy guitar solo. It’s pure 80s rock fun.
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Bob Seger – Her Strut: “Her Strut” is a classic example of heartland rock with a swagger, and the guitar solo is just as confident and cool. It’s bluesy, driving, and perfectly captures the song’s vibe.
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Blue Oyster Cult – Don’t Fear The Reaper: Beyond the cowbell, “Don’t Fear The Reaper” features a haunting and melodic guitar solo that adds to the song’s eerie atmosphere. It’s a masterclass in mood-setting guitar work.
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ZZ Top – Gimme All Your Lovin’: Billy Gibbons’ signature bluesy and gritty guitar tone is all over “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” and the solo is a perfect example of his minimalist yet impactful style.
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Alan Parsons Project – Games People Play & I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You: The Alan Parsons Project blended progressive rock with pop sensibilities, and their songs often feature intricate and well-composed instrumental sections. “Games People Play” and “I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You” are great examples, showcasing melodic and thoughtful guitar solos.
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Foreigner – Hot Blooded: “Hot Blooded” is pure arena rock, and its guitar solo is designed to get the crowd pumping. It’s energetic, catchy, and full of classic rock swagger.
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Billy Idol – Rebel Yell: Steve Stevens’ guitar work is a defining feature of Billy Idol’s sound, and “Rebel Yell” is a showcase for his energetic and flashy style. The solo is iconic and full of attitude.
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Heart – Barracuda & Magic Man: Heart is known for their powerful rock anthems and Nancy Wilson’s fantastic guitar playing. “Barracuda” and “Magic Man” both feature blistering and dynamic solos that are essential listening for rock guitar fans.
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Loverboy – Working for the Weekend (and many more): Loverboy were masters of 80s rock hooks, and their songs are filled with catchy riffs and solos. Many of their tracks feature short but sweet guitar breaks that add to their energetic sound.
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Journey – Who’s Cryin’ Now & Separate Ways: Neal Schon is a guitar virtuoso, and Journey’s power ballads are perfect vehicles for his melodic and soaring solos. “Who’s Cryin’ Now” and “Separate Ways” are just two examples of his incredible playing.
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The Cars – Candy-O: The Cars blended new wave with rock, and Elliot Easton’s guitar work was crucial to their sound. “Candy-O” features a cool and quirky solo that fits the song’s angular and stylish vibe.
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Bryan Adams – Cuts Like a Knife: Bryan Adams’ anthemic rock songs often feature strong guitar work, and “Cuts Like a Knife” is no exception. The solo is melodic and adds to the song’s emotional punch.
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Eddie Money – Shakin’ & Two Tickets to Paradise: Eddie Money’s brand of heartland rock always included great guitar work. “Shakin'” and “Two Tickets to Paradise” are upbeat tracks with fun and energetic solos.
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38 Special – Hold On Loosely: 38 Special delivered Southern rock with a pop sensibility, and “Hold On Loosely” is a prime example. The song features a catchy and well-executed guitar solo that enhances its appeal.
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Damn Yankees – Rock City: Damn Yankees were a supergroup of rock veterans, and “Rock City” is a high-energy rocker with a suitably fiery guitar solo that shows off their collective chops.
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Night Ranger – Don’t Tell Me You Love Me: Night Ranger were kings of melodic rock in the 80s, and “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” is packed with guitar goodness, including a memorable and singable solo.
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AC/DC – Shake a Leg: While AC/DC is often considered hard rock, their blues-rock roots are undeniable, and Angus Young’s solos are legendary. “Shake a Leg” is a prime example of his raw and energetic style.
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David Bowie – China Girl & Let’s Dance: Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guest appearances on David Bowie’s “China Girl” and “Let’s Dance” brought a bluesy edge to Bowie’s pop sound. Vaughan’s solos are instantly recognizable and inject incredible energy into these tracks.
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Toto – Hold the Line: Toto are known for their musicianship, and “Hold the Line” features a tight and well-crafted guitar solo that fits perfectly within the song’s polished rock sound.
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Cutting Crew – (I Just) Died in Your Arms: This 80s ballad features a surprisingly emotive and tasteful guitar solo that adds depth to the song’s romantic mood.
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Alannah Myles – Black Velvet: “Black Velvet” is a bluesy rock ballad with a smoky atmosphere, and the guitar solo is appropriately soulful and expressive, enhancing the song’s mood.
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Al Stewart – Year of the Cat & On The Border: Al Stewart’s sophisticated pop songs often feature intricate arrangements and excellent musicianship. “Year of the Cat” and “On The Border” are known for their smooth and melodic saxophone solos, but also contain noteworthy guitar work that complements their jazzy feel.
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Santana – Smooth & She’s Not There: Santana’s signature Latin-infused rock is built around Carlos Santana’s incredible guitar playing. “Smooth” and his cover of “She’s Not There” are packed with his signature fluid phrasing and soulful bends.
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Prince – Let’s Go Crazy (and many more): Prince was a multi-instrumentalist genius, and his guitar playing was often overlooked but truly exceptional. Songs like “Let’s Go Crazy” showcase his funky and flamboyant guitar style.
Beyond the Mainstream: Deep Cuts and Genre Hopping
Awesome guitar solos aren’t limited to just the biggest hits. Here are some tracks from slightly less mainstream artists and genres, proving that cool guitar can be found in every corner of music.
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Don Henley – Dirty Laundry: Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” features a blistering guitar solo by none other than session legend Steve Lukather (of Toto). It’s a high-energy, technically impressive solo that elevates the song.
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Michael W. Smith – Secret Ambition: Christian artist Michael W. Smith’s “Secret Ambition” showcases surprising guitar work, proving that great solos can be found in unexpected places.
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David Meece – When I Was Seventeen: Another Christian music entry, David Meece’s “When I Was Seventeen,” also features a noteworthy guitar solo, highlighting the talent within the genre.
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DC Talk (early work): Early DC Talk tracks sometimes incorporated surprisingly strong guitar elements, showcasing a different side of their musicality.
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Irene Cara – Fame: “Fame” is an iconic 80s pop song, and its energetic guitar solo adds to its uplifting and motivational vibe.
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Freddy Jones Band – In A Daydream & Texas Skies: The Freddy Jones Band are known for their rootsy rock sound, and songs like “In A Daydream” and “Texas Skies” feature soulful and jam-oriented guitar solos.
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Phil Keaggy – Sounds, Salvation Army Band, Strong Tower, John the Revelator, Play Thru Me: Phil Keaggy is a guitar virtuoso known for his incredible technique and diverse musical styles, often within Christian music. Many of his instrumental tracks and songs like “Sounds,” “Salvation Army Band,” “Strong Tower,” “John the Revelator,” and “Play Thru Me” are showcases for his amazing guitar work.
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Yes – Owner of a Lonely Heart: Trevor Rabin’s guitar solo in Yes’s “Owner of a Lonely Heart” is unconventional and synth-infused, reflecting the song’s 80s production, but it’s undeniably catchy and memorable.
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Cutting Crew – I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight: This 80s power ballad features a surprisingly effective and emotive guitar solo that adds depth to the song’s romantic angst.
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Great White – Congo Square: Known more for their hard rock hits, Great White’s “Congo Square” shows their bluesy side and features a classy and soulful guitar solo.
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Thin Lizzy – Emerald: Thin Lizzy are legends of hard rock, but “Emerald” showcases their Celtic influences and features a twin guitar harmony section that’s both beautiful and powerful, acting as a unique kind of solo.
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Tesla – Don’t De-Rock Me: Tesla are known for their blues-rock style, and even on lesser-known tracks like “Don’t De-Rock Me,” they deliver fantastic guitar work, including a standout solo.
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Buck Rogers Theme Song & Greatest American Hero Theme Song: Even TV theme songs can have cool guitar! The themes from “Buck Rogers” and “Greatest American Hero” feature memorable guitar melodies and lead work.
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Amaran’s Plight – Shattered Dreams: For those venturing into progressive rock, Amaran’s Plight’s “Shattered Dreams” offers complex arrangements and impressive guitar solos within the genre.
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Visual Cliff – All Things New: Visual Cliff is another progressive rock act with tracks like “All Things New” featuring intricate instrumental sections and guitar solos.
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Glass Hammer – So Close, So Far: Progressive rock band Glass Hammer are known for their epic compositions, and “So Close, So Far” likely features the kind of intricate and soaring guitar work typical of the genre.
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Affector – Overture Pt. 2 Prologue: Affector is a progressive metal project, but their track “Overture Pt. 2 Prologue” might lean into more melodic or progressive rock territories, potentially featuring guitar solos that fit this theme.
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The Jacksons – Torture: Even within pop and R&B, you can find cool guitar. The Jacksons’ “Torture” features a surprising rock-influenced guitar solo that adds an edge to the track.
The Joy of Guitar Solos
This list is just a starting point. The world of music is filled with countless non-metal songs that feature incredible guitar solos. The beauty of the guitar solo lies in its ability to convey emotion, showcase virtuosity, and add an extra layer of excitement to a song. So, next time you’re exploring music, listen out for those guitar moments – you might be surprised where you find your next favorite solo.
What are some of your favorite non-metal songs with awesome guitar? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
