Top 20 Guitar Solos of 1981

The 20 greatest guitar solos released in 1981, ranked: solos our consensus of published lists rates highest come first, then our genre and artist rankings, with no more than three per artist. Led by Limelight by Rush, Stray Cat Strut by Stray Cats and Over the Mountain by Ozzy Osbourne.

1. 1
   Limelight

   Rush · solo by Alex Lifeson · 1981
2. 2
   Stray Cat Strut

   Stray Cats · solo by Brian Setzer · 1981
3. 3
   Over the Mountain

   Ozzy Osbourne · solo by Randy Rhoads · 1981
4. 4
   Stone in Love

   Journey · solo by Neal Schon · 1981
5. 5
   Mean Street

   Van Halen · solo by Eddie Van Halen · 1981
6. 6
   I Love Rock 'n Roll

   Joan Jett & the Blackhearts · solo by Ricky Byrd · 1981
7. 7
   Tom Sawyer

   Rush · solo by Alex Lifeson · 1981
8. 8
   YYZ

   Rush · solo by Alex Lifeson · 1981
9. 9
   Flying High Again

   Ozzy Osbourne · solo by Randy Rhoads · 1981
10. 10
    Dark Light

    Kiss · solo by Ace Frehley · 1981
11. 11
    Don't Stop Believin'

    Journey · solo by Neal Schon · 1981
12. 12
    Burnin' for You

    Blue Öyster Cult · solo by Buck Dharma · 1981
13. 13
    Rock This Town

    Stray Cats · solo by Brian Setzer · 1981
14. 14
    Sólo quiero caminar

    Paco de Lucía · solo by Paco de Lucía · 1981
15. 15
    Como el agua

    Camarón de la Isla · solo by Paco de Lucía, Tomatito · 1981
16. 16
    Rise Above

    Black Flag · solo by Greg Ginn · 1981
17. 17
    867-5309/Jenny

    Tommy Tutone · solo by Jim Keller · 1981
18. 18
    Youth of America

    Wipers · solo by Greg Sage · 1981
19. 19
    Hold On Loosely

    38 Special · solo by Don Barnes & Jeff Carlisi · 1981
20. 20
    Who's Crying Now

    Journey · solo by Neal Schon · 1981