Girlfriend
Matthew Sweet, 1991. Solo by Robert Quine.
Quine's jagged, unpredictable lead cuts against Sweet's sweet melody, a perfect clash of noise and hooks.
Girlfriend pairs Matthew Sweet's bright, catchy melody with Robert Quine's jagged, unpredictable lead guitar, and the clash is what makes it special. Quine, known for his work with Richard Hell and Lou Reed, brings a noisy, angular style that cuts against the song's sweetness. His solo lurches between sharp, dissonant notes and wild bends, sounding like controlled chaos. The combination of pop hooks and abrasive guitar became a template for 1990s alternative rock. Listen for the moments when Quine's lines seem to veer off course and then snap back into place, and for how the rough, biting tone contrasts with the song's clean, harmony-rich vocals.
Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet is featured in our Power Pop (#15) list. The solo is played by Robert Quine and the song was released in 1991.
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Who played the guitar solo on Girlfriend?
Robert Quine played the solo on Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend (1991).