[2025] A Collection of Classic Western Songs with Cool Guitar Solos

Sultans Of SwingDire Straits

Dire Straits – Sultans Of Swing (Alchemy Live)

Dire Straits are a British band known for their edgy style that doesn’t conform to prevailing musical trends.

While their sound is rooted in roots rock and blues rock, their musical range broadened as their career progressed.

One of their standout tracks featuring a memorable guitar solo is Sultans of Swing.

The solo has been highly praised and was ranked among Guitar World magazine’s Greatest Guitar Solos.

Be sure to check it out.

Get The Funk OutExtreme

Extreme – Get The Funk Out

Extreme set themselves apart from typical rock bands and heavy metal by gaining popularity with a sound that incorporates elements of funk.

While their massively successful ballad “More Than Words” is incredibly well-known, their true essence lies in the so-called funk metal sound centered around guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, whose technique is extraordinary.

True to its title, this track is a classic where funky grooves merge with metallic riffs, and the guitar solo—featuring fluid tapping on full display—is unbelievably cool!

Muffin ManFRANK ZAPPA

Muffin Man

Frank Zappa is one of America’s greatest artists.

Not only was he an exceptional musician, but he was also a formidable public commentator, voicing a wide range of opinions—from critiques of the Christian right to pointed takes on politics and the music industry.

He has many classic tracks, but the one I especially recommend is “Muffin Man.” Black music lies at the core of his musical sensibility, and you can feel that background particularly in the guitar solo on this track.

It’s a gritty, incredibly cool solo—highly recommended!

Paranoid AndroidRadiohead

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (Later Archive 1997)

This is a song that could be called one of Radiohead’s signature tracks, overwhelming listeners with its complex structure and innovative guitar sound.

Featured on the album OK Computer, released in May 1997, the track reached No.

3 on the UK Singles Chart.

The unique world crafted by Thom Yorke’s vocals and Jonny Greenwood’s guitar is captivating.

The frenzied guitar solo that unfolds from the middle to the end of the song is nothing short of breathtaking.

Any music fan has likely heard it at least once.

Listen to this track, and you’ll understand why Radiohead is hailed as the most important band in modern rock.

Free BirdLynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird (Official Audio)

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and still actively touring today, the five-piece rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is going strong.

The song “Free Bird,” included on their debut album Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, is also known as a number dedicated to Duane Allman, who passed away in 1971.

The extended guitar solo that begins when the tempo picks up midway is both hysterical and emotional, shaking the listener to the core.

It’s a track that excels with a floating feel in the first half and a driving sense of speed in the latter, conveying passion amid its lingering melancholy.

Smooth ft. Rob ThomasSantana

Santana – Smooth (Official Video) ft. Rob Thomas

Santana is a Latin rock band centered around guitarist Carlos Santana.

The group evolved from a blues band formed in San Francisco in 1966, and since their 1969 debut they have continued to release hit songs, remaining active at the forefront for many years.

Among his works, one particularly famous piece is Smooth ft.

Rob Thomas.

It’s a collaboration with Rob Thomas, and the Latin-style guitar solos that appear in the first half and during the interlude are especially striking.

LaylaDerek and the Dominos

Derek and the Dominos – Layla

One of the greatest guitarists in the world, Eric Clapton, left behind this masterpiece during his Derek and the Dominos era.

In Japan, the song is known by the title “Itoshi no Layla,” and as soon as you hear the main phrase, anyone will think, “Oh, that song.” It’s not only one of Clapton’s signature tunes, but also a classic that stands in the history of rock.

The stark change in mood between the first and second halves is striking, and the tasteful slide guitar that leaves as strong an impression as that famous riff is the work of Duane Allman.

You could say it’s a truly luxurious track that lets you savor solos from two legendary guitarists.