The Best Guitar Solos Of All Time: Number 1

"Best Of" lists are always subjective and it is really hard to judge and quantify art. Still, I hope you have enjoyed this countdown of my favorite guitar solos of all time. For the top spot, I spent a lot of time thinking about the solos that mattered the most to me. I kept coming back to something I used to say to a coworker at my old job: "I just want to focus on my work and listen to David Gilmour play guitar." That hasn't really changed. In fact, I often swing between classic Pink Floyd tunes and Gilmour's solo work. I especially like the 2015 solo album Rattle That Lock.

My choice for the best guitar solo of all time goes to David Gilmour and the Pink Floyd masterpiece, "Comfortably Numb." The song actually has two memorable guitar solos, but the second is the best. The song is on the 1979 release The Wall.

This was a hard choice for me because I also love the solo work on "High Hopes" from The Division Bell. In fact, I think that track displays some of Gilmour's best work and that is saying something considering his impact on guitar and the music world period.

The smoothness and uniqueness of "Comfortably Numb" tops my list because the solo is so transcendent and made extra special by the warm tone achieved by Gilmour. It provides a nice juxtaposition to the chilling lyrics performed by Roger Waters. It is fitting the duo share a writing credit and vocal duties on this signature track. It is the most important song on The Wall - and the song catapulted Pink Floyd into the stratosphere of epic rock stardom. No one thought the band could eclipse The Dark Side Of The Moon... and The Wall far exceeded expectations.

When the second guitar solo kicks in, Gilmour is ready to rock and show off. There's a lot of soul going on that helps bring the theme of The Wall together. Live, the song can go on forever and ever. Of any artist I have not yet seen live, the one I want to see more than any other is David Gilmour. The majestic second solo is a highlight of Gilmour's epic performance at Pompeii in 2016. Want to watch a masterclass in live guitar work? Just view the clip below.

It is fitting that the last song the members of Pink Floyd ever performed live together was "Comfortably Numb" during Live 8 in 2005. Also worth a watch:

Comments

[Gary]

I waited until your list was finished before I chimed. Some choices I questioned. Others I agreed 100% with. Can I just say that you could not picked a better #1, at least in this old guitar players opinion. A great solo should make the hair on your arms stand up it has that much feeling. This one does. Not a wasted note. Pure pentatonic bliss. Gil our has always been able to say in 5 notes what others couldn’t convey on 500. That truly the mark of an incredible player, at least to me. And believe me, I used to be in the “I have 30 seconds so let’s squeeze in 613 notes and 3 dive bombs and squeals on the whammy bar style of playing back in the day . 😂👍

[stu]

while i’m not the biggest pink floyd fan, i will say seeing comfortably numb on the division bell tour was awe inspiring. but if you’re asking for an eternal, goosebump solo, i’d have to say clapton’s solo on “wonderful tonight” from the 24 nights album would top my list.

[steverox]

Same as Gary ... have enjoyed the countdown to number one. Agree with most ... all are excellent guitar solo's.

Here is a list of some of my favorite solo's. I can't always say why I love a certain solo, but usually I tend to enjoy the melodic ones. This is more in the "glam rock" arena with just a few exceptions, so no Jimmy Hendrix, Pink Floyd or Queen on my list ...

These are not necessarily in order.

- White Lion, Wait (Vito Bratta) There's more Vito solo's that could go on the list. Little Fighter for example.
- Damn Yankees, Here I go again (Ted Nugent) Not a Nuge fan at all, but this solo rocks and is loooong.
- Europe, Superstitious (Kee Marcello) The run at the end is awesome.
- Ratt, Back for More (Warren De Martini). Also love the dual guitar section on Round and Round.
- Savatage, Edge of Thorns (Criss Oliva). A bit heavier, but awesome solo, and also long, with a bass section thrown in the middle of it.
- Nightranger, Don't Tell me you Love Me (Brad Gillis) Love the whammy bar in the middle. One my all time faves.
- Ozzy, Mr. Crowley (Randy Rhoads) No explanation needed, probably #1 all time. You get 2 great solo's in this song.
- GNR, November Rain (Slash) Sweet Child is also great, but this solo fits the song so well.
- Poison, Fallen Angel (CC Deville) Most think "Life Goes On" is his best, but this one for some reason does it for me. One of my top 5 favorite songs all time.
- VH, Hot for Teacher (EVH) Could have picked a handful of others from EVH.
- Cry Wolf, Pretender (Steve McKnight) On here because Steve was a colleague in on of my corporate jobs about 12 years ago, and he showed me this video of himself on youtube. He now plays in GayC/DC, hope to see him again sometime. This is a great solo regardless!
- Maiden, 2 minutes to midnight (Dave and Adrian) Love the transition in the middle.
- Tesla, Paradise (Frank Hannon). Just a great solo all around.

I'm probably missing a few of my faves, but these came to mind, and these are songs I always turn up the solo.

[Him]

As always, Allyson, you inspired some good discussions. And the posts here prove that. Different opinions; different top solos. But all great in their own way. Loved this traipse through the musical landscape.

For me, personally, at this minute, the answer is: Boston, "More Than A Feeling." It is slight, all things considered. But it builds off of Delp's phenomenal vocals. Just my one cent. And, for me again, a solo is part of a song and rises and falls based on that movement. But the others listed here are awesome too. That's the great thing.

Hope everyone's week is going well.

[Metalboy!]

1) Jimmy Page - “Heartbreaker”, Led Zeppelin II
2) Jimi Hendrix - “Johnny B. Goode”, Hendrix In The West
3) David Gilmour - “Money”, Dark Side of the Moon
3) Frank Zappa - “Zomby Woof”, Overnite Sensation
4) Tony Iommi - “Neon Nights”, Heaven and He’ll
5) Carlos Santana - “She’s Not There”, Moonflower
6) Eddie Van Halen - “Ice Cream Man”, Van Halen
7) Ritchie Blackmore - “Lazy”, Deep Purple
8) Keith Richards - “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)”, It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll
9) Billy Gibbons - “La Grange”, Tres Hombres
10) Angus Young - “Ballbreaker”, Ballbreaker
11) Rick Nielsen - “Mrs. Henry”, Sex, America, Cheap Trick

I know Jeff Beck and other obvious choices truly belong in the Top 10 but I sorta guess I just winged it with whatever came to mind … If I really researched the h*ll out of it, probably over half of this list would change … Still, it is a fascinating reveal to myself that I didn’t go with more Hair Metal or Punk, as both genres are so near and dear to my heart … George Lynch or Guy Days anyone?

[Metalboy!]

Doh! … Now, if I could only count!

Dee Dee: “One, Two, Three, Four!”