The Build Up To A Great Solo
A solo, like sex, can't be sprung on the target. We as the listener, must be in the mood, we
must be serenaded, we must be turned on. And only when we are about ready to burst, only
then can we be graced with that delicate, confident, raunchy, whatever solo. Whatever, so long
as it's good. These songs, oh these songs, they understand what it means to romance the
listener. |
| 1 |  | Motorhead
Ace of Spades
The line before the solo is so bad that it works. AND DON'T FORGET THE JOKER! |
| 2 | | Poison
Don't Need Nothing But the Good Times
"Here's to ya." |
| 3 | | Thin Lizzy
Emerald
They had come to claim the emerald, without it they could not leave. And then we have a two minute
guitar duel to end the album. |
| 4 | | Boston
More Than a Feeling
You don't think he can go any higher. Then he goes higher. But he can't go higher, right?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. |
| 5 | | Bon Jovi
Living on a Prayer
Richie was itching for a solo all song, with that talkbox. LIVING ON A PRAYER. Go Richie, go! |
| 6 | | The Darkness
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
GUITAR! |
| 7 |  | The Eagles
Hotel California
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. |
| 8 | | Gogol Bordello
Ultimate
What would that frantic, short short acoustic guitar solo be without the Doy doy doy doy doy doy doy doy
doydoy doy doy doy? |
| 9 | | John Mayer
Waiting on the World to Change
Alright, so most of the songs mentioned before were more just awesome things the singers say before the
solo, not really setting the mood for the solo. I lied in the deion. But this song, that laid back, jazzy
buildup to the solo is quite exquisite. |
| 10 | | Journey
Don't Stop Believing
The whole song's building up to that solo, getting louder and louder. We're all alone, we're all alone.
SOMEWHERE IN THE NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHHHT. SOLO. DON'T STOP BELIEVING. How could we,
Journey, how could we? |
| 11 |  | KISS
Detroit Rock City
After the chorus, the drums are still going, and we're waiting for Ace. Oh the sweet tension. Then Peter
does a fill and Ace starts slow, then Paul gets in for some double guitar action. Slow, simple, effective. |
| 12 | | Rick James
Super Freak
What better way to set up a sax solo than "BLOW DADDY BLOW"? |
| 13 | | Rush
Limelight
After a chorus, Alex announces his arrival with one single painstricken note. A short, beautiful solo follows.
Mmmm. |
| 14 | | Skid Row
18 and Life
He fired his six shot to the wind that blew a child AWAAAAYYYYYYY. |
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