Worst guitar solos in popular songs

[Vibroluxer]

Dr Hook - Cover of the Rolling Stone. And this song did indeed get the band on the cover:

 

[telemaster03]

Not exactly the solo you would expect from either of these guys at 0:45.

 

[Heartbreaker_Esq]

But it’s a good note.

See also: Vampire Blues

Honestly that Cinnamon Girl solo rips. Imagine what can be done with two, or even three notes.

 

[Heartbreaker_Esq]

I think George was only halfway through the Bert Weedon book at this point.

We play this in my cover band. I don't know what I think of the solo as a listener, but the whole song is fun as heck to play.

 

[Tricone]

The solo in skynyrd's "free bird." Five seconds of that is too much. Just as bad or worse than Young's "Cinnamon Girl."

 

[Colo Springs E]

Tune your guitar, Skippy!

LOVE that solo! Also love the intro and rhythm parts, fun one to play

 

[elihu]

Whilst at work doing a bunch of stuff, I was tolera... er... listening to my supervisor's '80s playlist, and a song came on that had a guitar solo that I don't remember being so awful, but there it was, promptly at 3:00:



Some people might say it's prog genius, I say the guitarist was doing his best to sound like a drunken Yeti playing kazoo.
Watcha got?

I think y’all need to go after the person responsible for the lyrics.

That’s the main offender in this song. I look forward to Steve’s solo after listening to the words.

 

[buster poser]

I always thought his solos were terrible. Still an absolute banger

 

[Manual Slim]

Not exactly the solo you would expect from either of these guys at 0:45.

What the hell? They're pulling our leg, right? Sounds like me!

(Oops. I see the title now.)

 

[skypilot]

Dr Hook - Cover of the Rolling Stone. And this song did indeed get the band on the cover:

Oh sherry…Journey… waddy on gtr

 

[brookdalebill]

Dr Hook - Cover of the Rolling Stone. And this song did indeed get the band on the cover:

Admittedly bad, BUT it may be the best deliberately bad solo ever!

 

[Trenchant63]

Steve Howe is like Jorma Kaukonen, IMO.
Brilliant on acoustic guitar, uh, not brilliant on electric.
The drums on this, uh, are not great, either.

To each, their own of course. But I can’t relate to that notion. I think he’s exceptional on both. One example - “The Yes Album”, brilliant electric throughout and many more examples.

 

[BlackASATClassic]

Dr Hook - Cover of the Rolling Stone. And this song did indeed get the band on the cover:

Aww that’s beeyootiful

 

[archetype]

Rick Derringer has played some of the best I've heard, but the solo in Hang On Sloopy is "I don't know how to play the guitar" garbage.

Honorable Mention goes to Dave Davies for that similar solo in All Day and All of the Night.

 

[John Stephen]

Rick Derringer has played some of the best I've heard, but the solo in Hang On Sloopy is "I don't know how to play the guitar" garbage.

Honorable Mention goes to Dave Davies for that similar solo in All Day and All of the Night.

I think Derringer was still a teenager when he recorded that one. His vocals were just fine on that record, especially for somebody so young.

 

[archetype]

I think Derringer was still a teenager when he recorded that one. His vocals were just fine on that record, especially for somebody so young.

I agree that he gets a youth pass, but still...

 

[memorex]

Definitely Steve Winwood's worst guitar solo, but I love the fuzz tone.

 

[Vocalion]

Driven to Tears by The Police. Not only is the lead bad, it doesn't even remotely fit in with the song.

 

[Bruxist]

Admittedly bad, BUT it may be the best deliberately bad solo ever!

And the tone is on point!

 

[IowaTeleGuy]

EVH solo in Beat It