[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 roundup of classic Western songs with cool guitar solos (51–60)
I Believe in a Thing Called LoveThe Darkness
The song, marked by its catchy riff and soaring high-register vocals, appears on The Darkness’s debut album, Permission to Land, released in July 2003.
Celebrating an unshakable belief in the overwhelming power of love, it’s cherished by many fans as a glam rock classic that pays homage to Queen.
The album Permission to Land topped the UK charts and became a massive hit, selling over 1.5 million copies.
The track has also been used across various media, including films and video games, making it familiar to a wide audience.
One listen to the exhilarating riff and euphoric guitar solo will have you air-guitaring in no time.
It’s a perfect recommendation for anyone seeking a burst of pure joy through music.
Sympathy For The DevilThe Rolling Stones
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.
Ain’t that peculiarFANNY
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.
That LadyThe Isley Brothers
Formed in 1954, the Isley Brothers are a music group that, despite lineup changes and many twists and turns, continue to be highly active today.
Their song “That Lady,” included on the 1973 album 3 + 3 and also known as “Who’s That Lady,” is a classic of soul music.
Its powerful, bluesy phrases and sound design that makes full use of effects pedals are likely still startling to modern guitarists.
It’s an emotional number with an extended guitar solo that keeps you riveted.
[2026] A roundup of classic Western songs with cool guitar solos (61–70)
ReapersMuse
Muse is a British rock band boasting over 15 million records sold worldwide.
They excel in a variety of styles, including alternative rock, progressive rock, symphonic rock, and progressive metal.
They have a particular emphasis on guitar solos, and most of their songs feature memorable solo parts.
Among them, a standout recommendation is Reapers.
Its crisp, cutting guitar solo is especially compelling, so be sure to check it out.
No One KnowsQueens of the Stone Age
This is a track distinguished by a guitar solo with a uniquely commanding presence.
The dry, desert-like texture of the sound enhances the song’s sense of mystery.
It opens with a riff that resonates from the very first listen, and the guitar solo—unleashed in interwoven lines over the tight rhythm laid down by Dave Grohl—is truly stunning.
Released as a single in November 2002, it was included on the band’s third album, Songs for the Deaf.
It achieved significant commercial success, including reaching No.
1 on the U.S.
Modern Rock chart.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking an energetic yet otherworldly melody.
Listening to this track will open up a new horizon of music before your eyes.
Here Is No WhyThe Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are a quintessential alternative rock band of the 1990s and are still actively performing today.
Even among their alt-rock peers, they’re highly skilled musicians—the combination of Billy Corgan, who executes technical passages with flair, and James Iha, who excels at more off-the-wall, effects-laden playing, is especially distinctive.
The song introduced here, Here Is No Why, appears on the classic Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, a double album that achieved record-breaking sales.
While it wasn’t released as a single, it’s a hidden gem I strongly recommend for its simple riff and beautifully melodic guitar solo.
Don’t miss the moment when Iha’s guitar harmonizes with impeccable timing at the end of Billy’s solo.
Be sure to check it out!