Top 20 Guitar Solos of 1982

The 20 greatest guitar solos released in 1982, 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 Beat It by Michael Jackson, Rosanna by Toto and Telegraph Road by Dire Straits.

1. 1
   Beat It

   Michael Jackson · solo by Eddie Van Halen · 1982
2. 2
   Rosanna

   Toto · solo by Steve Lukather · 1982
3. 3
   Telegraph Road

   Dire Straits · solo by Mark Knopfler · 1982
4. 4
   Banned In DC

   Bad Brains · solo by Dr. Know · 1982
5. 5
   The Number of the Beast

   Iron Maiden · solo by Adrian Smith, Dave Murray · 1982
6. 6
   Are You Going with Me?

   Pat Metheny Group · solo by Pat Metheny · 1982
7. 7
   Hallowed Be Thy Name

   Iron Maiden · solo by Dave Murray, Adrian Smith · 1982
8. 8
   Big Electric Cat

   Adrian Belew · solo by Adrian Belew · 1982
9. 9
   Caught Up in You

   38 Special · solo by Don Barnes & Jeff Carlisi · 1982
10. 10
    Shoot Out the Lights

    Richard & Linda Thompson · solo by Richard Thompson · 1982
11. 11
    White Wedding

    Billy Idol · solo by Steve Stevens · 1982
12. 12
    I Ran (So Far Away)

    A Flock of Seagulls · solo by Paul Reynolds · 1982
13. 13
    Backwaters

    Tony Rice Unit · solo by Tony Rice · 1982
14. 14
    Gypsy

    Fleetwood Mac · solo by Lindsey Buckingham · 1982
15. 15
    Someday, Someway

    Marshall Crenshaw · solo by Marshall Crenshaw · 1982
16. 16
    Heat of the Moment

    Asia · solo by Steve Howe · 1982
17. 17
    Don't Tell Me You Love Me

    Night Ranger · solo by Brad Gillis & Jeff Watson · 1982
18. 18
    Letters of Marque

    Allan Holdsworth · solo by Allan Holdsworth · 1982
19. 19
    Sole Survivor

    Asia · solo by Steve Howe · 1982
20. 20
    Back on the Chain Gang

    The Pretenders · solo by Billy Bremner · 1982