Songs With Guitar Solos at the End

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I have been trying for a few months to put together a list of great guitar solos, but trying to get it down to a good number and only have one per guitarist is proving beyond me.

However, I have noticed that most guitar solos appear about two-thirds of the way through the song, followed by a bridge, a final verse, a few renditions of the chorus and the crowd is still left with those notes ringing in their ears. It's actually awesome.


But there are a few songs with a guitar solo at the end. In some cases, it's the main solo, in others, it's a second (or third) solo, but it doesn't happen that often. However, when it does, it seems the results tend towards above awesome.

As such, I've found fifteen of these songs and, well… here they are!

Some rules – the solos have to finish the song. No words to close us out (sorry, 'Stairway To Heaven' fans), just a dominant guitar, even if with other instruments. I decided on one solo per guitarist. Solo must be at least 20 seconds long. Obviously no instrumentals. Simple, right? Unfortunately… no. This was a great list to collate, so get ready for an awful lot off classic rock!
**'White Room' by Cream (1968)
Guitarist: Eric Clapton**

In my opinion, Clapton was at the peak of his playing when he was with Cream, and this one-minute solo shows just how fantastically brilliant he could be when motivated. Not even Ginger Baker's drums or Jack Bruce's bass could over-ride was is a glorious ending to a great song.
**'Starship Trooper' by Yes (1971)
Guitarist: Steve Howe**

Okay, first, yes, this song is 9 minutes long, but it was prog rock and prog doesn't mind when things just go on, especially when this well done. The instrumentation throughout is so amazing, showing that Yes really were filled with great musicians (only fair – most were classically trained). That closing solo is just another superb piece of the glorious whole.
**'Layla' by Derek And The Dominos (1971)
Guitarist: Duane Allman**

Hang on, I hear you cry – D&tD was an Eric Clapton band! What's this guitarist person? Well, that magnificent slide guitar (over Jim Gordon's beautiful piano playing) is Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. The 3-minute outro is so wonderful and really helps make this song the iconic one it is regarded as today.
**'Moonage Daydream (Ziggy version)' by David Bowie (1972)
Guitarist: Mick Ronson**

The original version is fine, but adding Ronson made this magnificent. Adding in weird sound effects for the whole concept of the album and letting Ronson go wild was a master-stroke, showing that Bowie was not afraid of changing things up and revisiting his old works. Under-rated track.
**'Reelin' In The Years' by Steely Dan (1972)
Guitarist: Elliott Randall**

Who's that guitarist? Actually, according to an interview with Don Fagen, he was a session musician. It's not the showiest solo on this list, but sometimes simplicity works wonders, and this is a perfect example of that.
**'Free Bird' by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)
Guitarist: Allen Collins**

With a drum solo thrown into the middle of it, the solo is around 4 minutes long and is just some of the best, most blistering guitar ever played. And live, when they really hit it, according to the concert footage I've seen, this could go on for as long as 10 minutes. I don't care. This is such a great musical piece.
**'Hotel California' by The Eagles (1977)
Guitarist: Don Felder, Glenn Frey & Joe Walsh**

Yes, all three of them have a go during the amazing outro of the most California rock of all California rock tracks. At the very least, all three have claimed at various times it was them. While the lyrics are a little obscure, the guitar playing is not – this is three men playing some of the greatest licks, and we'll say it's together.
**'Whole Lotta Rosie' by AC/DC (1977)
Guitarist: Angus Young**

About a woman singer Bon Scott had a one-night stand with, this track is just all guitar wildness, and the guitar at the end just keeps on going. An album cut, this has become one of the band's most popular songs in their live shows, and the guitar work is a huge part of that love.
**'We Will Rock You' by Queen (1977)
Guitarist: Brian May**

The members of Queen infamously thought this song wouldn't work. Not only did it work, but it has become one of Queen's most iconic songs. Just go "stomp, stomp, clap, pause" and watch how many will join in. But then, at the end, after it's all over, Brian may comes up with a guitar solo, the shortest on this list, but one which everyone knows. And, like our next entry, you hear this and you know the guitarist straight away,
**'Sultans Of Swing' by Dire Straits (1978)
Guitarist: Mark Knopfler**

One of the best debut singles in rock ends with one of the most intricate guitar solos in rock. Knopfler is one of those guitarists with a style and sound many aficionados recognise straight away, and it was there from the get-go. However, I do understand that many may not have heard the full version, as the single edit had quite a deal of the solo removed.
**'Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd (1979)
Guitarist: Dave Gilmour**

Picking a Dave Gilmour solo for this was tough (there could have been at least 6 songs I could have chosen), but this one is so good, so clean, and still sends shivers down my spine. The Wall is an uneven album set, but this is one of the definite highlights. And watching this live (1988 – I was there!) was a sublime experience.
**'The Spirit Of Radio' by Rush (1980)
Guitarist: Alex Lifeson**

When people think of Rush, they either think of Neil Peart's drumming or Geddy Lee's amazing voice, but Alex Lifeson's guitar was a huge part of the appeal of the band. And this song with its stunning outro shows just how well the man can play.
**'Rosanna' by Toto (1982)
Guitarist: Steve Lukather**

Hang on, you say, interrupting me again – this song doesn't end with a guitar solo. The singers are singing and it fades out. Sure. In the single edit. But listen to the album version, the original version, and that closing solo. It is not flashy, sure, but it is certainly glorious and suits the song so well. Forget the single edit – buy Toto IV and hear some great music.
**'Legs' by ZZ Top (1983)
Guitarist: Billy Gibbons**

This is one of those great songs that is better known for its video clip and the lyrics than the fact there is some really strong musicianship underneath. And all you have to do is listen to the guitar solo that carries the song to fade to realise Billy Gibbons is a master at the instrument.
**'Let's Go Crazy' by Prince (1984)
Guitarist: Prince**

Prince is often under-rated as a guitarist , but just listen to this outro and tell me the guy can't shred. Now, I might have broken a rule here, as he yells, "Take me!" at the end of the track, but two words as the guitar continues to solo? I'm ignoring it.
So, there you are, a brisk fifteen songs with fantastic guitar solos that close them out. Something a little different, I guess. I hope you enjoyed this one.

Air guitars as twenty paces!
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