- Features
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The 2023 greatest guitar solo poll results are in, and the top 10 are truly formidable. The response to the poll was a record turnout, demonstrating that the guitar solo is here to stay.
At the number one spot sits this decade’s “Heartbreaker” and “Eruption”. Although there may be ongoing debates about the guitar solo’s place in composition, its form, and necessity, one thing remains clear – the solo is not going anywhere.
The top 10 list is a testament to the fact that the solo is ever-evolving, capable of telling a story and offering a glimpse into the player’s soul.
The solo will continue to outlive us all. What sets your world on fire will be even better.
10. Towa Bird – Boomerang
TikTok’s Towa Bird enjoys the irony of ranking in the top 10 guitar solos of 2023, despite having declared themselves as “arrogant.” Art is full of contradictions and surprises. If the guitar speaks to your soul, why deny yourself the pleasure of a few bars on the treble clef to cut loose?
In an interview with Guitar World, Bird described “Boomerang’s” solo as having to “feel like a conversation.” You can hear that in the phrasing – it invites a response. The tone of “Boomerang” is awesome and not surprising that a TikTok star uses plugins to dial in an electric guitar sound.
Bird said, “Being able to do that in the box is really helpful… Throwing things into different rooms, playing it on two different guitars and then having two different distortions or fuzzes was just so fun.”
9. Big Wreck – Hangers On
Ian Thornley’s solos are often essential to his songwriting, providing an opportunity to express what words may have failed to capture. “Hangers On” features a solo that is teased out, sparse but not minimalist, with an elliptical quality, reminiscent of Peter Green.