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

Ain’t that peculiarFANNY

Fanny – Ain’t that peculiar (1972) | LIVE

Fanny, known as one of the first all-female bands to gain both critical acclaim and commercial success.

The opening track of their 1972 album “Fanny Hill,” “Ain’t That Peculiar,” stands out with its clear, airy vocals and lively ensemble.

The soulful guitar solo, featuring prominent slide guitar techniques, gives the song a powerful, undulating drive.

The contrast between the percussion-led intro and the slide guitar also creates a strong impact, making it a catchy pop-rock tune.

RattlesnakeSt. Vincent

St. Vincent – Rattlesnake (Live in Album de la Semaine 2014)

Singer-songwriter St.

Vincent, who has experience performing as a touring member for various artists and has continued to attract attention after her solo debut—including winning a Grammy—delivers a striking impact with the track Rattlesnake from her fourth album, St.

Vincent.

The ensemble features a hooky, synth-driven sound that makes a strong impression.

The searing guitar solo, which blends seamlessly into the ensemble, uses a minimal number of notes yet still elevates the song.

It’s an addictive number that guitarists will want to study, particularly from a sound-design perspective.

The WagonDinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr “The Wagon”

A landmark classic of alternative rock where a chainsaw‑like noisy guitar sound intertwines exquisitely with melodic phrases.

Dinosaur Jr.

frontman J Mascis’s guitar solos aren’t particularly showy or virtuosic, but their appeal lies in the perfect balance between ear‑splitting volume and noise and a melancholy-tinged melody.

Opening the acclaimed 1991 album Green Mind, this track reached No.

49 on the UK Singles Chart and No.

22 on the US Modern Rock chart.

The lyrics, inspired by the station wagon the band used in its early days, portray feelings for someone who has grown distant.

Still Got The BluesGary Moore

Still Got The Blues

Gary Moore, a guitarist representing Northern Ireland.

His song Still Got The Blues is his biggest hit, released in 1990.

While his musical roots lie in the blues, this track is crafted around a melody that emphasizes those very roots.

After releasing this song, he shifted his style more decisively toward blues-based music, making it an essential track for understanding who he is as an artist.

If you love blues-style guitar solos, this is a must-check piece!

Sympathy For The DevilThe Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil (Live) – OFFICIAL

This is the globally famous Rolling Stones classic known in Japan under the title “Sympathy for the Devil.” It’s a track packed with ideas—such as a samba-style rhythm driven by percussion, Nicky Hopkins’s piano, lyrics inspired by Russian literature, and the absence of a rhythm guitar—and precisely because it departs from the usual rock format, Keith Richards’s guitar solo, rich with string-bending vibrato, leaves an especially striking impression.

School DaysChuck Berry

School Days – Chuck Berry

Singer-songwriter Chuck Berry, known as one of the earliest guitar heroes of rock ’n’ roll and hailed as a legend in the rock world.

His 1957 single “School Days” is one of his signature numbers.

The guitar solo, whose approach shifts between the first and second halves and conveys a strong sense of musicality, shows that the depth and charm of the guitar aren’t just about technique.

It’s a timeless classic packed with old-school appeal, featuring an ensemble that perfectly embodies rock ’n’ roll and feels wonderfully satisfying.

GravityJohn Mayer

John Mayer – Gravity [HD]

John Mayer, a globally popular singer-songwriter and one of the top-tier guitarists on the contemporary music scene—often hailed as one of the “three great guitarists of our time.” Even his brief stint at Berklee College of Music, which he left after just a few months, somehow adds to his cool factor.

Among the many legendary performances he’s left us, I’d like to spotlight the slow ballad “Gravity,” whose bluesy flavor exudes a seasoned, understated charm.

Its simple chord progression sets the stage for melodic phrases that, together with Mayer’s honeyed vocals, will sweep you off your feet.