What is the most impressive guitar song?

101 greatest guitar songs by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Led Zeppelin - "Heartbreaker" ... Deep Purple - "Highway Star" ... Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird" ... The Who - "My Generation" ... Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - "Texas Flood" ... The Eagles - "Hotel California" ... Led Zeppelin - "Whole Lotta Love" More items... •

cleveland.com - 101 greatest guitar songs by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – In coming up with the list of the 100 greatest guitar songs, we took a unique approach by framing it within the confines of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Each song on our list comes from an act that has been inducted into the Rock Hall. So you won't see anything by acts that aren't eligible yet (i.e. John Mayer, Jack White or Foo Fighters). Sadly, you also won’t see songs from the long list of Rock Hall snubs, which left music from King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Dick Dale, Link Wray and several others. Fortunately, we were still left with plenty of iconic material to choose from. It's not just about the solos, core riffs or quality of the song. It's all of the above, and then some.

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101. The Doors - "Roadhouse Blues"

During The Doors’ peak years, Robby Krieger often had to tone down his guitar skills to keep the band’s songs rather simplistic. “Roadhouse Blues” is one of the tracks where he gets to cut loose and show what he can do with a boogie rock solo for the ages.

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100. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - "Breakdown"

Mike Campbell rarely got enough credit for his precise and stunning guitar work on some of Tom Petty’s greatest songs. That starts with “Breakdown,” Petty and the Heartbreakers’ first single highlighted by Campbell’s solo that comes 2 minutes in.

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99. Ricky Nelson - "It's Up To You"

Ricky Nelson became a teen idol during 1950s on the strength of being one of the first rock and roll pioneers to earn pop star status. But the backbone of his top-10 hit "It's Up To You" lies in its guitar part, courtesy of the great James Burton.

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98. R.E.M. - "The One I Love"

A favorite of the “Guitar Hero” video game series, R.E.M.’s 1987 hit stands as a showcase for how clever guitarist Peter Buck could be.

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97. U2 - "Mysterious Ways"

You know the Edge’s guitar when you hear it, and nothing gets a live crowd going like the opening to “Mysterious Ways.” The song came to life with The Edge toying around with a Korg A3 unit, which would lead to the funky and infectious chorus.

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96. The Clash - "Should I Stay or Should I Go"

Much of the Clash’s music came to define punk rock. But Mick Jones’ swaggering riff on “Should I Stay or Should I Go” approaches arena rock territory.

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95. Bo Diddley - "Bo Diddley"

Bo Diddley's 1955 song named after himself is, not surprisingly, the legend's trademark tune. The song's beat would become highly influential. But not to be overlooked is Diddley's precise guitar playing, which would help push rhythm and blues forward.

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94. Faces - "Stay With Me"

“Stay With Me” is truly a showcase of each individual part of Faces lineup. But Ronnie Wood’s work on electric and slide guitars is the most thrilling and the moment where the song begins to sore.

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93. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - "I Love Rock 'n Roll"

Jett took the original recording of “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” and turned it into a simple, but massive anthem. The song’s run at No.1 would make Jett a bonafide female guitar hero in a male dominated world.

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92. Yes - "I've Seen All Good People"

Steve Howe has a lot of standout moments on guitar (“Starship Trooper” and “Roundabout” come to mind). But he seems most at home on “I’ve Seen All Good People,” which shows off his country/folk influences in stunning fashion.

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91. Carl Perkins - "Blue Suede Shoes"

You surely know the Elvis Presley version better. But Carl Perkins’ original Sun Records version of “Blue Suede Shoes” and his energetic work on a Les Paul guitar truly helped establish the label in its early days.

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90. The Police - "Message in a Bottle"

Guitarist Andy Summers originally intended the riff on “Message in a Bottle” for another song. But it (redone in slightly different form) made it onto the final version of one of The Police’s most recognizable hits.

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89. The Ventures - "Walk, Don't Run"

Chet Atkins was the first to adapt jazz guitarist Johnny Smith’s instrumental “Walk, Don’t’ Run.” But the Ventures took and ran with it, creating one of the greatest and most important surf rock songs of all time.

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88. Buddy Guy - "Stone Crazy!"

Buddy Guy’s stunning “Stone Crazy!” came out of nowhere in 1979, far removed from blues golden age. But Guy never stopped playing amazing music, cementing his status as a guitar giant that could stand the test of time.

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87. AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long"

Everything about “You Shook Me All Night Long” is a master class in how to create party rock. Angus Young’s riff does the heavy lifting, while his solo takes on a life of its own, building and building.

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Springsteen’s guitar work doesn’t take center stage on that many of his songs. But that doesn’t mean he can’t play. On “Adam Raised Cain,” from “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” he lets lose.

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85. Bon Jovi - "Wanted Dead or Alive"

When you think of Bon Jovi, you think of party rock, with one noticeable exception. “Wanted Dead or Alive” highlights Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s songwriting partnership, and the latter’s ability on guitar, delivering an iconic solo on a multi-necked 12-string.

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84. Heart - "Barracuda"

Ann Wilson and Nancy more than proved they could hang with the hard-rock boys. The guitar sound on “Barracuda” rides like a death horse chugging its way to the listeners demise.

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83. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Can't Stop"

Pick a great guitar song from the Chili Peppers and there’s no doubt John Frusciante, one of the most skilled guitarists of his generation, is behind it. That includes the bouncy funk of “Can’t Stop.”

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82. Gene Vincent - "Race With the Devil"

Gene Vincent and His Blues Caps made waves in the 1950s with the hit “Be-Bob-A-Lula.” The band never matched its success but released better songs, including “Race with a Devil,” a stunning rockabilly guitar showcase, especially for the period it was released.

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81. Muddy Waters - "Rollin' Stone"

Muddy Waters’ classic electric blues song was so impactful it supposedly is where both the magazine Rolling Stone and the group the Rolling Stones got their name.

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80. ZZ Top - "Sharp Dressed Man"

There’s no escaping the riff on “Sharp Dressed Man,” the song that serves as the backbone to ZZ Top’s monster album “Eliminator.” And in case you thought the band was playing it simple with the single, Billy Gibbons kicks things into high gear with one of his most memorable solos ever.

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79. Eddie Cochran - "Summertime Blues"

Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” was constructed so perfectly, it also because a hit for The Who and Brian Setzer, among others, and a live showcase for Jimi Hendrix.

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78. Rolling Stones - "Jumpin' Jack Flash"

Did anyone do guitar intros better than Keith Richards? Few were better than “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” a song where Richards plays a Gibson Hummingbird six-string that’s tuned to an open D.

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77. David Bowie - "The Width of a Circle"

Guitarist Mick Ronson was just weird and eccentric enough to be the perfect musical partner for David Bowie during his most fruitful period. “The Width of a Circle” runs over eight minutes. But Ronson’s guitar remains the centerpiece throughout, ranging in style from traditional rock and roll to entering the realm of heavy metal.

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76. The Beatles - "The End"

“The End” is often considered The Beatles’ greatest guitar moment, mostly because it features two stunning minutes of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison trading epic solos.

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75. Rush - "La Villa Stangiato"

It doesn’t really get bigger than this. “La Villa Stangiato” runs for more than 9 and a half minutes with Alex Lifeson delivering the musical version of a dream he had using various guitar techniques and sounds.

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74. Albert King - "Born Under a Bad Sign"

King’s soulful blues track became his most popular ever, especially with other musicians, given its guitar harmonies that lend themselves so easily to rock and roll.

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73. Neil Young - "Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)"

“Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)” (not to be confused with the acoustic “Out of the Blue” version) is the song that revitalized Neil Young’s career and helped inspire grunge music. Sadly, it’s probably best known to some as having its lyrics included in Kurt Cobain’s suicide note.

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72. Curtis Mayfield - "Move On Up"

Outside of the musicians who played music with James Brown, no one did more to showcase the art of the funk guitar than Curtis Mayfield. With its album version at over nine minutes long, “Move On Up” was Mayfield’s first definitive statement after leaving The Impressions.

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71. Chuck Berry - "Maybellene"

Considered by man to be the first rock and roll song, Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene” marks the onset of the modern rock guitar.

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70. The Byrds - "Eight Miles High"

Anyone who thinks John Coltrane didn’t impact rock and roll need look no further than The Byrds’ classic, which was influenced by the jazz musician’s free form style. “Eight Miles High” also borrows from Ravi Shankar with Jim McGuinn’s memorable guitar work taking on the sound of the sitar.

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69. Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"

Paired with distorted bass guitar riffs, Ad-Rock’s guitar on Sabotage isn’t all that technical. It’s a pure onslaught. The song and its corresponding music video became the hallmark of the Beastie Boys’ journey into more alt-rock style during the mid 1990s.

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68. Grateful Dead - "Slipknot!"

Separated on its own, “Slipknot” is a mind-blowing instrumental that has taken on various forms in a live setting. Paired with “Help on the Way,” the song was used to open many Dead sets and showcased the everything great about Garcia’s underrated guitar playing.

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67. The Isley Brothers - "Summer Breeze"

Seals and Crofts originally wrote and recorded “Summer Breeze.” But the Isley Brothers’ version brings the soulful funk and Ernie Isley’s mesmerizing solo.

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66. The Allman Brothers Band - "Jessica"

There certainly was life left in The Allman Brothers Band after the tragic death of Duane Allman. One of the group’s best compositions remains guitarist Dickey Betts’ fantastic showcase “Jessica, a song played with just two fingers on the left hand as a tribute to gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.

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65. Freddie King - "Hideaway"

Many blues musicians have played “Hideaway.” But no one slayed the instrumental better than Freddie King, who turned it into a hit on the pop charts.

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64. Sam and Dave - "Soul Man"

Sam and Dave never had to worry about the instruments backing them, as they had the greatest session crew of all time behind them in Booker T. & the M.G.’s. And when you hear the line “Play it, Steve,” that’s referring to guitarist Steve Cropper delivering flawless licks.

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63. Ramones - "Blitzkrieg Bop"

Johnny Ramone’s barre chord style is one of the most identifiable styles for any guitarist. And it’s the starting point for the Ramones’ best songs, including the classic “Blitzkrieg Bop.” The song cemented Ramone as, arguably, the greatest punk rock guitarist of all time.

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62. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - "East-West"

The Butterfield Blues Band’s sophomore album “East-West” is perhaps the best showcase for the guitar skills of Mike Bloomfield. The influential guitarist would work with such legends as Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan. But he was at his most free on “East-West” and its lively title track, an awesome display of Chicago blues.

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61. The Yardbirds - "Heart Full of Soul"

After Eric Clapton left The Yardbirds, the band began to experiment more, especially Jeff Beck. “Heart Full of Soul” is a flawless example of that, as Beck toys with traditional blues, fuzz and feedback all in one song.

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60. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Under the Bridge"

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ greatest song and guitarist John Frusciante’s iconic intro proved to be a double edged sword. The song became so popular, Frusciante decided to leave the band, desiring that fame never become a part of his life.

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59. T-Bone Walker - "Call It A Stormy Monday"

Often referred to as “Stormy Monday,” T-Bone Walker’s 1947 classic is one of the most important blues records of all time, influencing the likes of B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Albert King and others.

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58. The Velvet Underground - "Sister Ray"

There’s nothing pretty about Sterling Morrison’s guitar on The Velvet Underground’s “Sister Ray.” Of course, that’s the point, as Morrison’s sound had a dark sophistication to it, helping define avant-garde rock.

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57. Black Sabbath - "Iron Man"

Ozzy Osbourne’s haunting voice takes hold of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” But it wouldn’t mean much if not for Tony Iommi’s massive guitar riff, one of the most recognizable sounds in heavy metal history.

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56. John Lee Hooker - "Boom Boom"

So many artists have recorded versions of “Boom Boom,” it’s easy to forget John Lee Hooker’s original. But don’t make that mistake. It’s a recording wonder, aided by Motown’s the Funk Brothers as the backing band.

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55. Fleetwood Mac - "Albatross"

“Albatross” doesn’t always get credit as one of Fleetwood Mac’s finest songs, because it’s an instrumental and it came early on in the band’s career. But it’s a highlight of guitarist Peter Green’s time with the band and a reason why other blues musicians hold him in such high regard.

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54. U2 - "New Year's Day"

The Edge goes all out on “New Year’s Day,” shuffling between piano and electric guitar. The latter remains one of the most distinctive sounds for U2, making “New Year’s Day,” and The Edge’s epic solo, a live staple for decades.

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53. Kiss - "Shock Me"

Guitarist Ace Frehley wrote “Shock Me” after almost getting electrocuted during one of Kiss’ tours. You can feel that raw energy in his playing, especially on the greatest solo of Frehley’s career, which takes over the song about just over 2-minutes in.

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52. Les Paul - "How High the Moon"

“How High the Moon” had been a jazz standard since 1940. But Les Paul and Mary Ford’s 1951 recording would become legendary, becoming one of the guitar icon’s signature tunes.

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51. The Beatles - "Taxman"

You could make the case The Beatles greatest guitar moment doesn’t come from George Harrison (Though, he wrote the song). It’s Paul McCartney playing lead on the bouncy “Taxman” and the one who delivers its blistering solo.

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50. Frank Zappa - "Zoot Allures"

Frank Zappa may have better, more intricate solos (maybe). But the instrumental title track to “Zoot Allures” showcases everything he was capable of as a uniquely gifted guitarist.

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49. Michael Jackson - "Beat It"

“Beat It” might be the biggest hit on this list, which makes its guitar riff the stuff of legend. As the story goes, Eddie Van Halen was contacted to add guitar to the song and thought he was being pranked. It was no joke, as Van Halen’s legendary solo became one of the most iconic pieces of his career.

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48. Santana - "Europa"

On “Europa,” Carlos Santana perfects the use of melody with his guitar. Using feedback, Santana creates a catchy tune that doesn’t contain any words. It’s proof why a band take its name from its amazing guitarist.

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47. Rolling Stones - "Can't You Hear Me Knocking"

It may very well be Keith Richards’ coolest guitar work, from a writing standpoint. But perhaps it's Mick Taylor who steals the show with an early extended solo.

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46. Steely Dan - "Kid Charlemagne"

Maybe Steely Dan isn’t the coolest band on this list. But those boys could play, as evident by “Kid Charlemagne,” which shines the spotlight on jazz-fusion guitarist Larry Carlton. You’ll never want his solo to end.

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45. ZZ Top - "La Grange"

ZZ Top would go on to have massive mainstream success in the 1980s. But nothing ever sounded as rich and filthy as the standout track from 1973’s “Tres Hombres.” Billy Gibbons absolutely kills on his 1955 Fender Stratocaster, playing the guitar straight into an amp with a stop tailpiece.

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44. Prince and the Revolution - "Purple Rain"

“Purple Rain” isn’t just Prince’s greatest song. It’s one of the greatest rock ballads to ever grace this earth. The Purple One’s guitar is present throughout. But, as he was known to do, Prince takes things to a level few other guitarists have ever achieved during the song’s second half.

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43. Cream - "White Room"

Eric Clapton plays guitars on "White Room." It's important to keep that plural, as the song's heavy feel comes from the layers upon layers Clapton brings to the table. It actually makes "White Room" one of the more difficult tunes for aspiring guitarists to emulate.

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42. Aerosmith - "Walk This Way"

Joe Perry’s famous guitar riff would be iconic even if it didn’t go on to be used by Run-DMC. As it stands, the riff became the backbone for the most important fusion of rap and rock in music history.

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41. Funkadelic - "Maggot Brain"

The extended, 10-minute guitar solo by Eddie Hazel on the title track to Funkadelic’s landmark album “Maggot Brain” is nothing short of extraordinary and turned him into a guitar legend.

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40. Jeff Beck - "Beck's Bolero"

Beck’s first solo track is a stunning proclamation of a guitar legend setting out on his own, experimental path. “Beck’s Bolero” is an epic masterpiece and one of the greatest instrumental tracks in rock history. For the recording, Beck called on several session players, including Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones. But the star of the show is the man whose name is in the title.

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39. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Purple Haze"

As a whole, you could make the case that “Purple Haze” is Jimi Hendrix’s best guitar track. It’s truly perfect, utilizing distinct blues chords Hendrix would become known for.

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38. Bill Haley and His Comets - "Rock Around the Clock"

The guitar parts on Bill Haley and His Comets’ hit are subtle but as a collection, groundbreaking. Haley, Franny Beecher, Danny Cedrone and steel guitarist Billy Williamson team up for one of the greatest guitar collaborations in rock history.

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37. Black Sabbath - "Paranoid"

It’s been said that the foundation for heavy metal was created on the hands of Tony Iommi. He certainly confirmed that on Black Sabbath’s second album with the guitar masterpiece that is “Paranoid.” It’s a metal track with pop sensibilities and a fuzz effect that's life changing.

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36. Van Halen - "Hot for Teacher"

“Hot for Teacher” opens with Alex Van Halen’s astonishing double bass run. But it’s not long before Eddie Van Halen’s blistering guitar takes hold. Neither ever really lets up on one of Van Halen’s trademark tracks.

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35. AC/DC - "Back in Black"

There’s really not much to say after hearing the opening “Back in Black.” You can tell Angus Young knows the power of the riff he created, playing it with restraint until he can let lose at the song’s awesome conclusion.

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34. Elvis Presley - "Hound Dog"

Elvis’ version of “Hound Dog” became an essential part of rock history not just because of Presley’s performance. What he had that no one else did was guitarist Scotty Moore, arguably the greatest sessions player of his era. Moore’s modern take on the guitar became the real force behind one of the greatest songs in rock history.

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33. The Allman Brothers Band - "Whipping Post"

The studio version of “Whipping Post” is fantastic. But it’s really a table setter for what occurred live on stage. For over 20 minutes, Duane Allman and Dickey Betts’ dual guitars took over, decimating everything in their path. The marriage between the two was exceptional, with Allman’s slide guitar serving as one of the most furious weapons in rock history with Betts’ rhythm playing as its sidekick.

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32. The Who - "Won't Get Fooled Again"

It may be the greatest album-closing track of all time, epic in scope and flawless in execution. Pete Townshend’s guitar is the clear driving force. It was such a great success, Townshend would use the recording technique of feeding his guitar through a volume pedal and into a amp as the blueprint for The Who’s future work.

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31. Pearl Jam - "Alive"

You can pick just about any song from Pearl Jam’s debut album, “Ten,” and it’s an indisputably great guitar track. But “Alive” feels special, as guitarist Mike McCready took several shots at the massive solo, eventually nailing the final version in one stretch.

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30. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - "Pride and Joy"

Everything on Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Texas Flood” is a example of brilliant guitar playing. But “Pride and Joy” is Texas blues at its finest, even with Vaughan tuning the guitar down slightly, giving the song its thicker feel.

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29. Metallica - "Master of Puppets"

The opening guitar riff of “Master of Puppets” is so devastating you figure the song will eventually crumble under its own weight. Instead, it goes on and on and on, pushing one of the greatest heavy metal songs of all time.

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28. Queen - "Brighton Rock"

Given the power of Freddy Mercury’s stunning vocals, some might overlook Brian May’s guitar work in Queen. Yet, there’s no denying May’s impact on a number of songs, including “Brighton Rock.” The track shows May’s full range of hard-rock guitar playing leading into one of the best guitar solos in history.

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27. The Stooges - "I Wanna Be Your Dog"

It may be labeled garage rock, but The Stooges “I Wanna Be Your Dog” is every bit as terrifying as any heavy metal song you can think of. It’s a landmark display of distortion from the great Ron Asheton that’s hard to wrap your head around.

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“Like a Hurricane” isn’t one of Young’s most complex guitar tracks. But it’s a signature performance. For most of it, Young’s playing seems on the verge of trailing off. But that lazy style is hypnotic and the solo serves riveting vehicle of distortion.

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25. B.B. King - "The Thrill is Gone"

B.B. King’s signature song was a step up from his raw style. Its arrangement is quite complex compared to previous work. Yet, King keeps his guitar as the centerpiece and you won’t find a faulty note in the bunch. It’s a moving piece of blues perfection.

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24. Dire Straits - "Sultans of Swing"

Believe it or not, Mark Knopfler didn’t like “Sultans of Swing” at first. It wasn’t until he played it on a new Stratocaster guitar that he took a liking to it. The rest seems pretty much effortless, as Knopfler delivers the precise guitar parts and amazing solo with ease. He was just that good.

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23. Guns n' Roses - "Sweet Child O' Mine"

When you hear the term “guitar track,” few songs come to mind faster than “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” The riff is unmistakable, as is Slash’s beautiful solo. Interestingly enough, it all began with Slash just joking around. But others in the band had a better idea of the magic that was taking place.

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It’s not easy to create a pop song that rocks so hard. The opening chords of Nirvana’s game changer are what grab you. But the part that makes “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the ultimate guitar song of the 1990s is Kurt Cobain’s soaring solo.

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From top to bottom, “Time” is a perfect piece of music that allows each member of Pink Floyd to shine on their greatest album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.” But make no mistake – David Gilmour’s blues guitar solo midway through is earth shattering.

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20. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Little Wing"

Jimi Hendrix’s R&B influences (specifically, Curtis Mayfield) can be felt in one of his most soulful tracks “Little Wing.” The memorable guitar solo was actually fed through an 8-inch speaker that was being rotated.

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19. Led Zeppelin - "Heartbreaker"

Everything about “Heartbreaker” is Jimmy Page at his finest. But the unaccompanied solo is what pushes things over the top. In fact, Page once told Guitar World, the solo was recorded after the song was completed – an afterthought done using the pull-off technique on the guitar.

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18. Deep Purple - "Highway Star"

Deep Purple’s “Machine Head” is one of the most important albums in guitar playing history. One of its standouts, “Highway Star” draws its influence from classical music. Of course, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore’s style and epic solos would serve as a backbone for the development of heavy metal. “Highway Star” is Blackmore at his absolute best.

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17. Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird"

The original guitar solo for “Free Bird” was played by Allen Collins. It was iconic right from the start. But Skynyrd’s evolving lineup would give the band a three-guitar attack like no other and transform “Free Bird’s” ending into a dual solo that would become a must-see at live shows.

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16. The Who - "My Generation"

It wasn’t The Who’s first single. But it’s the one that change everything. “My Generation” is Pete Townshend, aka a wizard, at work. The basic instrumental is one guitar part, giving Townshend room to later add layers to it and some serious feedback.

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15. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - "Texas Flood"

Initially, it seems like Stevie Ray Vaughan is going to play his cover of Larry Davis’ “Texas Flood” pretty close to the original. But that goes out the window when Vaughan invokes Albert King with improvised solos that instantly proved how much of a once in a lifetime player Vaughan was.

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14. The Eagles - "Hotel California"

“Hotel California” may be the greatest guitar team-up in music history. Sure, it’s a reflection of Joe Walsh’s influence on the band. But Don Felder is the one who delivers the primary part here. When they come together that the listener witnesses musical magic. The dual guitar solo at the end of the song is one of the greatest conclusions to a rock song you will ever hear.

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13. Led Zeppelin - "Whole Lotta Love"

It’s perhaps the coolest guitar riff of all time and the starting point for, arguably, Led Zeppelin’s greatest song. Page could play a solo with the best of them. But the brilliance of “Whole Lotta Love” was his ability to structure an entire song around a pitch perfect riff.

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12. Rolling Stones - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"

Keith Richards never intended for his three-note guitar sound in “Satisfaction” to become one of the most recognized sounds in rock history. It was a placeholder for horns that were to eventually come in. That never happened, as the rest of the band decided they liked Richards’ part just fine.

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11. Deep Purple - "Smoke on the Water"

It’s one of the most recognized guitar riffs in music history. Ritchie Blackmore tapped into the blues for “Smoke on the Water’s” central sound. It almost seems too simple and perfect. But that was the genius of Blackmore, who had as much influence on the early days of heavy metal as anyone.

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10. Metallica - "One"

The guitar intro to “One” comes from James Hetfield. From there on out, it’s the Kirk Hammett show. The opening solo is just a taste of what’s to come. “One” is unrelenting, yet beautiful, reaching its peak during Hammett’s second solo, which features some of the most intricate guitar work you’ll ever come across.

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9. The Kinks - "You Really Got Me"

The guitar sounds of hard rock start with The Kink’s power chords on “You Really Got Me.” Dave Davies’ solo was so good, for along time there were rumors it was actually performed by session player Jimmy Page. That’s not true, as Davies’ deserves the credit for changing the sound of rock and roll.

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8. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - "All Along the Watchtower"

You know you’ve got a special cover song when you’ve all but erased Bob Dylan’s version from the books. Hendrix keeps the acoustic backbone of Dylan’s sound. But Hendrix recorded the four distinct solo portions separately. It’s like getting four of the greatest guitar solos in history on one song. Actually, that’s exactly what it is.

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7. Led Zeppelin - "Stairway to Heaven"

Considered by some to be the greatest rock song of all time, there’s a chance you got sick of “Stairway to Heaven” at some point in your life. Go back to it. The song’s themes (along with Robert Plant’s voice) pull you in. But it’s hard to argue against Jimmy Page’s guitar solo being the greatest in music history. There’s nothing quite as cinematic in hard rock.

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6. Cream - "Crossroads"

You could make the case that Derek and the Dominos’ “Layla” is Eric Clapton’s crowning achievement on guitar. But that band isn’t in the Rock Hall. So for this list, you might have to settle with Cream’s exceptional “Crossroads.” The song is a reworking of Robert Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues” that led Clapton, a true blues purist, to step slightly out of his comfort zone with some harder hitting rock.

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5. Van Halen - "Eruption"

“Eruption” might be the greatest display of technical guitar playing in music history. Eddie Van Halen pulls of a master class that’s indulgent and mesmerizing. The instrumental is used a lead in to Van Halen’s cover of “You Really Got Me” on the band’s debut album. But “Eruption” is what fans and guitar enthusiasts latched onto. No one had ever heard anything quite like it.

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4. The Beatles - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

George Harrison wrote “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” But he doesn’t play the track’s legendary solo. That honor goes to Eric Clapton, who Harrison invited to play on the song. It’s Clapton’s overdubbing that would give the track its final, memorable touches.

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When David Gilmour’s guitar shows up on “Comfortably Numb,” it absolutely erupts. But it’s in that closing part where he reaches a rare stratosphere only few guitarists have ever touched. It’s the kind of ending you want for a song you never want to end.

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2. Chuck Berry - "Johnny B. Goode"

When you think of modern rock and roll, you think of “Johnny B. Goode.” Chuck Berry’s trademark song is the blueprint for what was to come. But it’s not all that original. Berry borrowed from (or copied) Louis Jordan’s 1946 song “Aint That Just Like a Woman.” Of course, Berry would add his own special touches on the song’s solos, giving it the danceable awe factor that would take America by storm.

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1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)"

The power of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” lies in its swagger. Taken from the band’s original “Voodoo Chile,” Hendrix developed the track on the spot during a documentary filming session with ABC. The end result radiates with a god-like power. Playing it in all its awesomeness won’t make you Jimi Hendrix. But damn if you don’t feel some of that magic for just a second.

cleveland.com - 101 greatest guitar songs by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

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