Eyes Without a Face

Billy Idol, 1984, from Rebel Yell. Solo by Steve Stevens.

The song switches from hushed ballad to a sudden heavy section built around Stevens' blazing solo.

Eyes Without a Face shifts from a hushed, moody ballad into a sudden heavy section built around Steve Stevens' blazing solo. After the song's quiet verses and haunting backing vocals, the guitar explodes with fast runs, sharp bends and a thick, distorted tone. The contrast between the gentle and heavy parts gives the track a dramatic sense of release. Stevens' solo is flashy but controlled, fitting the song's theatrical style. Listen for the moment the song switches gears, and how the guitar tone changes from clean, atmospheric textures to fierce, high-energy lead lines that dominate the mix before the ballad returns.

Eyes Without a Face by Billy Idol is featured in our New Wave (#12) list. The solo is played by Steve Stevens and the song was released in 1984.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest New Wave Guitar Solos — #12
• The Best Steve Stevens Guitar Solos — #5
• The Best Billy Idol Guitar Solos — #3

Sources