The guitar solo. Whether it be to fill in some lyric-less space in a song, let the lead guitarist show off a bit, or to in fact melt our faces, it’s difficult to deny the brilliance many of them display. All eyes our on the strings, and in that moment, not even the lead singer matters compared to it. Often the most well-loved part of any song, contributors of The Indiependent are here to discuss their favourite solos of all time, and why a bit string fondling deserves so much recognition.
She’s Only 18 // Red Hot Chili Peppers
Coming from the album which became John Frusciante’s last farewell before his untimely departure from the band, Stadium Arcadium can’t help but be era-defining. It is unquestionable that many of the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s signature sounds came about due to Frusciante’s playing, and the solo of ‘She’s Only 18’ is certainly no exception. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXTOsigTF0I&w=740&h=422] This particular solo has the same impact on me after every listen. The significant use of distortion is perfectly done without sounding at all artificial, and the technical playing only confirms how fantastic Frusciante is as a guitarist; worth endless recognition. The solo is typically placed before the final chorus of the song, bringing it to an epic conclusion; as the guitar style unexpectedly shifts compared to the rest of the song’s melody, making it all the more significant in the structure of the song, and the effect it is capable of having. It’s the kind of solo that you don’t just listen to. Instead, you try your up-most to sing along to it, making various ‘wa wa wa’ sounds that would otherwise make you sound like a crying baby. It is simply a brilliant and impeccably crafted solo, incredibly vital and impossible not to notice when listening to the album. It can only have affirmed fan’s faith in the band on release, as well as undoubtedly showing new listeners exactly what they’d been missing. Words by Hannah Campbell