Wasted Years guitar solo
Iron Maiden, 1986, from Somewhere in Time. Solo by Adrian Smith.
Smith wrote the song and its lyrical solo, which builds tension with melodic phrasing rather than speed. Pairs with the unforgettable intro lead.
Wasted Years by Iron Maiden is ranked #587 in our consensus of 80 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Adrian Smith and the song was released in 1986. It appears on 1 lists, placing as high as #67 (DigitalDreamDoor).
In our lists
Sources
- DigitalDreamDoor: 200 Greatest Metal Guitar Solos — #67
- Guitar Solo Legends: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — Ranked (2026) — #87
Who played the guitar solo on Wasted Years?
Adrian Smith played the solo on Iron Maiden's Wasted Years (1986).
Where does Wasted Years rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#587 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 80 published lists; it appears on 1 of them.