Sweet Home Alabama

Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1974, from Second Helping. Solo by Ed King.

Ed King's clean, melodic solo is as memorable as the riff, and one of the most recognised in rock radio.

Sweet Home Alabama is one of rock's most recognisable songs, and Ed King's guitar work is a big reason why. The riff is bright and chiming, built on open chords and little melodic fills, and the solo follows in the same relaxed, melodic spirit. King plays clean, singing lines with country flavour, choosing tasteful phrases over speed and building a solo you can hum. His tone is crisp and warm, sitting comfortably with the piano and backing vocals. Listen for the way the solo stays close to the song's key and mood, and notice the little fills King adds around the vocals, which make the arrangement feel full without ever getting cluttered.

Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd is featured in our Southern Rock (#7) list. The solo is played by Ed King and the song was released in 1974.

In our lists

• The Most-Taught Solos — #7
• The 25 Greatest Southern Rock Guitar Solos — #7
• The Best Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitar Solos — #2

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