Only in Dreams

Weezer, 1994, from Weezer. Solo by Rivers Cuomo.

The long closing build lets two guitars climb together into a slowly rising, cathartic lead.

Only in Dreams closes Weezer's debut album with a long, slowly building finale driven by guitars. Rivers Cuomo and the band layer two guitars that climb together, gradually rising in intensity until the song reaches a cathartic peak. The lead lines are simple but effective, relying on repetition and gradual development rather than fast runs. The tone is thick and fuzzy, with a warm, saturated quality. The extended build is one of the most memorable moments in 1990s alternative rock. Listen for how the two guitar lines interweave and harmonize, and for the way the drums and bass push the energy higher as the guitars climb toward the song's emotional climax.

Only in Dreams by Weezer is featured in our Alternative (#22), Power Pop (#13) lists. The solo is played by Rivers Cuomo and the song was released in 1994.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Alternative Rock Guitar Solos — #22
• The 25 Greatest Power Pop Guitar Solos — #13
• The Best Weezer Guitar Solos — #1

Sources

• Far Out Magazine: The 10 greatest guitar solos of the 1990s — #8