Ohio

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, 1970, from Ohio (single). Solo by Neil Young.

Young's terse, distorted lead gives a political song recorded within weeks of the Kent State shootings its bite.

Ohio was recorded within weeks of the Kent State shootings, and Neil Young's terse, distorted lead gives the political song its bite. His playing is raw and urgent, with short, stinging phrases that match the anger in the lyrics. The track's live, rough feel adds to its immediacy, as though the band had no time to polish anything before getting it out into the world. It remains one of the most powerful protest songs in rock. Listen for Young's guitar breaking through between vocal lines, the distorted tone giving each phrase a jagged edge that mirrors the song's fury.

Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is featured in our Folk Rock (#23) list. The solo is played by Neil Young and the song was released in 1970.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Folk Rock Guitar Solos — #23
• The Best Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Guitar Solos — #2
• The Best Neil Young Guitar Solos — #8

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