The Attitude Song
Steve Vai, 1984, from Flex-Able. Solo by Steve Vai.
The Attitude Song is Steve Vai at his most playful and outrageous, a short instrumental packed with tricks and jokes. Over a bouncy, almost cartoonish groove, he fires off rapid legato runs, sudden whammy dives and odd, speech-like phrases that seem to comment on the music around them. The tone is bright and aggressive, with a slightly nasal midrange that makes every note jump out. It became a study piece for aspiring shred players in the 1980s, a demonstration of how much personality could be packed into technical playing. Vai never lets a phrase go by without some twist. Listen for the passages where he bends or bars notes to imitate a voice, as though the guitar were talking back.
The Attitude Song by Steve Vai is ranked #221 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Steve Vai and the song was released in 1984. It appears on 2 lists, placing as high as #23 (Guitar Tricks).
In our lists
Sources
- Guitar Tricks: 200 Best Guitar Solos of All Time — #23
- Guitar Solo Legends: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — Ranked (2026) — #47
Who played the guitar solo on The Attitude Song?
Steve Vai played the solo on Steve Vai's The Attitude Song (1984).
What guitar was used on the The Attitude Song solo?
An ibanez, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does The Attitude Song rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#221 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 2 of them.