[2026] A roundup of classic Western songs with awesome guitar solos
Suddenly, but do you like guitar solos?
In recent years, debates like “We don’t need guitar solos anymore” regularly flare up online.
But in reality, guitar solos continue to evolve even now in the 2020s, and plenty of awesome solos are still being created.
Not just in rock—since the 1950s, in blues, jazz, soul, and many other genres—there are countless cases where a standout guitar solo has essentially defined a song’s appeal.
In this article, we’ve compiled classic Western tracks with “cool guitar solos” as the theme, regardless of era or genre.
We also introduce the players in detail, so guitarists should definitely check it out!
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[2026] A Collection of Classic Western Songs with Cool Guitar Solos (21–30)
LaylaDerek and the Dominos
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.
Let It BeThe Beatles
An immortal classic everyone knows, and the last single the Beatles released while they were still active.
Considering Paul McCartney’s state of mind at the time, his piano-and-vocal performance and the melody feel achingly melancholic and heart-rending.
The guitar solo may not be singled out very often, but George Harrison’s playing is deeply emotional, with beautifully controlled bends that are a highlight.
In fact, there are two different versions of the song, so I recommend listening to both and comparing them.
[2026] A roundup of classic Western songs with cool guitar solos (31–40)
While My Guitar Gently WeepsThe Beatles
The Beatles, who had a tremendous impact on pop music.
They’ve produced countless classic songs, but many people might not associate them with guitar solos.
For those people, I recommend While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
As it happens, the lead guitar part on this track is played by George Harrison’s friend Eric Clapton.
Perhaps because of that, the song features a particularly impactful guitar solo.
Get The Funk OutExtreme
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!
Paranoid AndroidRadiohead
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.
SomethingThe Beatles
A four-piece rock band that has had an immense influence on artists around the world and is still loved as a legend today, the Beatles.
This song, included on their 12th album Abbey Road, won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song in 1970.
The guitar solo, set against a string-featured backing, never pushes too far to the front, yet its lyrical phrases are deeply moving.
Crafted by George Harrison, the guitar solo uses few notes to bring out the song’s fullest color—an undeniable masterpiece whose enduring legacy is easy to understand.
VooDoo ChileStevie Ray Vaughan
A masterful cover by blues guitarist extraordinaire Stevie Ray Vaughan of a song by his idol, Jimi Hendrix.
It’s included on the classic album Texas Flood, released in 1984 under the name Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble.
Many guitarists have taken on Hendrix’s songs, but Stevie—arguably a true successor—delivers a performance that’s nothing short of breathtaking.
His fiery Strat-driven guitar solo really comes alive in live footage, where its intensity comes across even more than in the studio recording.