Southern Man
Neil Young, 1970, from After the Gold Rush. Solo by Neil Young.
Neil Young's guitar on 'Southern Man' is jagged and furious, matching the anger of a lyric aimed squarely at racism in the American South. His solos are short, stinging bursts that break out between the verses, full of sharp bends and raw, overdriven tone. The playing is rough and urgent rather than polished, which makes it feel like an extension of the song's argument. Young's approach, prioritizing emotion over technique, influenced generations of garage and alternative players. Listen for how the guitar answers the vocal lines with piercing, repeated notes, as if arguing back, and how the rhythm section keeps pushing forward beneath the storm.
Southern Man by Neil Young is ranked #145 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Neil Young and the song was released in 1970. It appears on 4 lists, placing as high as #20 (Kobalog).
In our lists
Sources
- Kobalog: ギター好きが選んだ、歴史に残したい最強のギターソロランキング、トップ２０！！【完コピ必須】 [The strongest guitar solos worth preserving in history, chosen by guitar lovers: Top 20] — #20
- Radio Beat: 88 kytarových sól na Beatu — #53
- Digital Dream Door: 250 Greatest Rock Guitar Solos — #59
- Classic Rock (Louder): The 100 greatest guitar solos in rock — #88
Who played the guitar solo on Southern Man?
Neil Young played the solo on Neil Young's Southern Man (1970).
What guitar was used on the Southern Man solo?
A gibson les paul (old black), according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Southern Man rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#145 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 4 of them.