Famous and Popular Songs by Yngwie Malmsteen

Heaven TonightYngwie Malmsteen

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.

You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never ForgetYngwie Malmsteen

Yngwie Malmsteen – You don’t remember, I’ll never forget

This is “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget,” a classic mid-tempo rock tune that has been beloved by fans for many years, featured as the opening track on the 3rd album, Trilogy.

The distinctive rhythmic phrasing in the intro serves as an accent, and many listeners were likely surprised at first, finding it hard to catch the rhythm.

For some reason, the Japanese edition abbreviated the title to “You Don’t Remember,” but the full title—and the chorus lyrics—carry a poignant feeling that further elevates the melody.

Black StarYngwie Malmsteen

Yngwie Malmsteen – Black Star (Live) New tour dates!

Released in 1985 as his first solo album, Rising Force opened with Black Star, a track that truly deserves to be called the prelude to a revolution—an album that completely rewrote the history of guitar playing.

Beginning with a classical melody on acoustic guitar, the song unfolds at a mid-tempo pace for metal, yet it showcases overwhelming musical sensibility not only through blistering shred, but also with emotionally stirring bends and violin-like tones achieved through masterful volume swells.

Dreaming (Tell Me)Yngwie Malmsteen

Yngwie Malmsteen – Dreaming (Tell Me) (live in Leningrad 1989)

Not only is he known for blistering, full-throttle metal tunes, but Yngwie’s appeal also lies in his beautiful ballads that showcase his extraordinary melodic sense.

Among them, “Dreaming (Tell Me)” from the album Odyssey stands out with a unique charm, thanks in part to Joe Lynn Turner’s bluesy vocals on that record, setting it apart from the typical metal band ballad.

By the way, the short guitar solo might catch you off guard, but don’t worry—there’s a furious, extended solo toward the end of the track.

Icarus Dream FanfareYngwie Malmsteen

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.

Motherless ChildYngwie Malmsteen

Motherless Child

Among Yngwie’s high-speed tracks, this one in particular has incredibly satisfying hits and accents! The drums come in at an unexpected moment right from the intro, and the sparkling keyboard gives it a distinct charm compared to his other speed tunes.

The long guitar solo, too, is meticulously constructed even while being thoroughly shred-focused: ripping over the signature phrases, then a decisive one-shot bend before more ripping, back to shredding over the signature hits again, and even tearing it up on acoustic guitar.

It’s relentless fast playing, yet carefully and intricately arranged.

LiarYngwie Malmsteen

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.