Runaway Boys
Stray Cats, 1980, from Stray Cats. Solo by Brian Setzer.
The Stray Cats' debut single, with Setzer's biting leads over a slap-bass beat.
Runaway Boys was the Stray Cats' first single, and it introduced Brian Setzer's sharp, biting lead style. Over a slapped upright bass and a stripped-down drum kit, his guitar cuts through with snappy licks and quick bends, mixing classic rockabilly moves with a punk-era edge. His tone is bright and twangy, full of echo that gives the notes a lively bounce. The solo is short, but it makes a strong impression, showing the skill and energy that would drive the band's revival of the style. Listen for the tension between the moody verses and Setzer's quick, stinging fills, and notice how he uses space between phrases to let the rhythm section breathe.
Runaway Boys by Stray Cats is featured in our Rockabilly (#24) list. The solo is played by Brian Setzer and the song was released in 1980.
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Who played the guitar solo on Runaway Boys?
Brian Setzer played the solo on Stray Cats's Runaway Boys (1980).