Just
Radiohead, 1995, from The Bends. Solo by Jonny Greenwood.
Jonny Greenwood's solo on 'Just' is a burst of controlled chaos. Over a riff that climbs through awkward chord shapes, he plays fast, skittering runs with a heavily fuzzed tone, bending and squealing as if the song is short-circuiting. It's aggressive and unpredictable, but tightly woven into the arrangement rather than tacked on. The solo helped establish Greenwood as one of the most inventive guitarists of the 1990s, more interested in texture and tension than traditional heroics. Listen for how his lines tumble over one another near the end, then slam into the final chorus as if the whole band has been holding its breath.
Just by Radiohead is ranked #153 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Jonny Greenwood and the song was released in 1995. It appears on 3 lists, placing as high as #21 (NME).
In our lists
- The Modern Canon: Best Since 1990 — #38
- The 25 Greatest Alternative Rock Guitar Solos — #9
- Whammy, Fuzz & Feedback — #13
- SGs & Telecasters — #23
- The Best Radiohead Guitar Solos — #2
Sources
- NME: 50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — #21
- Magazyn Gitarzysta: 100 solówek wszech czasów [100 solos of all time] — #91
- Guitar Tricks: 200 Best Guitar Solos of All Time — #122
Who played the guitar solo on Just?
Jonny Greenwood played the solo on Radiohead's Just (1995).
What guitar was used on the Just solo?
A fender telecaster plus, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Just rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#153 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 3 of them.