Music is not just vibrations in the air. There is something physiological about it. When a song comes on, it somehow starts to interact with your DNA and change your internal composition. It can make you tap your toes before you even realize it. Or it can put you in a joyous mood. Or it can elicit tears from your welling eyes.
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Here below, we wanted to explore three versions of just that. A trio of classic rock tracks that feature guitar solos that might just make you weep. Indeed, these are three classic rock lead guitar solos that might make you cry real tears.
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“Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix from Axis: Bold as Love (1967)
One of the most envied guitar-based songs in rock history. Jimi Hendrix summons such beauty with the intro riff and his playing throughout the song is both so effortless and perfect that it’s inspired so many others in his wake to attempt the same. But no one can get it quite right and then the solo hits around the 1:45 mark. It’s like Hendrix has seen your soul and can summarize it with music.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles from The Beatles (1968)
Perhaps the easiest choice for a list like this, the song’s title points right to it. But nevertheless, this track from The Beatles was written by George Harrison and features Eric Clapton. Released in 1968 on the band’s self-titled LP, which is more commonly known as the White Album, Harrison sings about the passing of time and the cruel realities of life. All while his guitar gently weeps along with him. Then, at the 2-minute mark, Clapton comes in with a guitar solo that breaks your heart.
“Purple Rain” by Prince from Purple Rain (1984)
The song that culminates both the album and movie of the same name culminates itself at the 4:50 mark with an incredible, tear-jerking guitar solo from the man known as Prince. One of the best guitar players ever, Prince shows supreme facility on the instrument as he wows the moviegoing and album-listening audiences. This is his coup de grace and so it lives on forever, one of the most epic and heart-wrenching displays of guitar playing in rock history.
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
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