Yngwie Malmsteen Popular Songs Ranking [2025]

BrothersYngwie Malmsteen15rank/position

Yngwie Malmsteen – Brothers (Japan Philharmonic Orchestra)

When you think of Yngwie’s instrumentals, blistering fast playing with classical melodies comes to mind, but his appeal isn’t limited to speed.

His soul-stirring vibrato and blues-inflected bends are hallmarks of his style that are anything but easy to imitate.

Among his slow, ballad-like instrumentals, one of the most popular is Brothers, featured on the 1994 release The Seventh Sign.

And of course, just because it’s a ballad doesn’t mean he takes it slow the whole time—true to form, he packs in bursts of rapid-fire shredding throughout.

Crash and BurnYngwie Malmsteen16rank/position

CRASH AND BURN

Yngwie’s songs, whose classical melodies leave a lasting impression, often convey melody not only in the solos but also in the riffs.

Still, among the relatively simple tracks with a strong sense of groove, there are some real gems.

A prime example is Crash and Burn.

After the verse and pre-chorus riffs built on palm muting, the chorus—where the melody from the intro explodes—always makes me pump my fist.

The guitar solo, ripping over a deliberately restrained, heavy riff instead of sheer speed, is also highly effective.

EclipseYngwie Malmsteen17rank/position

Yngwie Malmsteen – Eclipse：Performance by yukki

The 1990 album Eclipse may seem somewhat less highly regarded compared to other albums from the same period, but it’s a masterpiece with a uniquely Nordic metal atmosphere that only this record delivers.

Its title track—an explosive, fast-picking instrumental—features sparkling keyboards that add a distinctive accent, giving it a different vibe from other staple instrumentals, don’t you think? Among the many classic instrumental tracks, this one especially stands out for its hard rock-style sense of speed.

Heaven TonightYngwie Malmsteen18rank/position

Yngwie J Malmsteen Heaven Tonight 1988 Music Video WIDESCREEN 720p

Because of the genre name “neoclassical metal,” some people imagine it’s all fast, galloping songs, but Yngwie is also top-tier when it comes to playing hard rock–style tracks.

Among his hard rock songs, one of the most popular is “Heaven Tonight” from the album Odyssey.

Joe Lynn Turner’s soulful vocals match the song perfectly, and it’s fair to say that a new facet of Yngwie’s talent as a songwriter truly blossomed here.

I’ll See The Light TonightYngwie Malmsteen19rank/position

I’ll See The Light Tonight

In addition to his lightning-fast technique, one of Yngwie’s appeals lies in those instantly memorable intro guitar riffs you can remember after a single listen.

Among them, “I’ll See The Light, Tonight” from his second album Marching Out (1985) leaves a particularly strong impression with its intro.

The recurring riff throughout the song, combined with the powerful shouts, arguably defines the track’s character.

The verse section, where the mood shifts dramatically, and the catchy chorus are also awesome!

Icarus Dream FanfareYngwie Malmsteen20rank/position

Yngwie .J. Malmsteen – Icarus Dream Fanfare [HD 1080p]

Though Yngwie sometimes quotes phrases from classical pieces, the opening section of Icarus Dream Fanfare is an arrangement of Albinoni’s Adagio.

He’s often spotlighted only for his speed picking, but even on his first album he had already mastered the soulful, “weeping guitar” style that delivers a tender, moving performance.

The opening phrase is also often played live as a prelude to Far Beyond The Sun.

LiarYngwie Malmsteen21rank/position

Liar

It’s fair to call this one an early classic from his straight-ahead metal period, featuring Mark Boals’s soaring high-register vocals in top form.

The blistering sweep-picking at the start of the guitar solo is one of his signature licks and stands as a textbook example of neoclassical metal.

By the way, the title “Liar” refers to the late bassist Marcel Jacob, who had a falling-out with Yngwie; knowing that the song carries that grudge can give you a different way to listen to it.