Prince Rogers Nelson, known simply as Prince, was not only a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, but also a guitar virtuoso. His unique style combined elements of funk, rock, and R&B, resulting in some of the most iconic guitar solos in music history. Here are the greatest guitar solos of all time by Prince.
1. Purple Rain
The title track of Prince’s 1984 album, “Purple Rain,” features one of his most famous guitar solos. The emotional and powerful solo perfectly captures the song’s themes of love and loss. The solo builds in intensity and culminates in a final wail that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
2. When Doves Cry
“When Doves Cry,” the lead single from Prince’s 1984 album “Purple Rain,” is one of his most popular songs. The guitar solo in this song is unique in that it is played entirely without accompaniment, showcasing Prince’s mastery of the instrument. The solo is both haunting and beautiful, serving as a perfect complement to the song’s lyrics.
3. Kiss
From Prince’s 1986 album “Parade,” “Kiss” is a funky, upbeat track that features another of his most memorable guitar solos. The solo is short but sweet, and perfectly captures the song’s playful and flirtatious vibe.
4. Let’s Go Crazy
The opening track on “Purple Rain,” “Let’s Go Crazy” features a blistering guitar solo that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The solo is fast and frenetic, showcasing Prince’s technical skills and raw energy.
5. Little Red Corvette
Another hit from “Purple Rain,” “Little Red Corvette” features a guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s catchy melody and lyrics. The solo is melodic and soulful, showcasing Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
6. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
From Prince’s 1987 album “Sign o’ the Times,” “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man” features a guitar solo that is both intricate and emotional. The solo builds in intensity and serves as a perfect complement to the song’s lyrics about unrequited love.
7. 1999
The title track of Prince’s 1982 album “1999” features a guitar solo that perfectly captures the song’s futuristic and apocalyptic themes. The solo is fast and frenetic, showcasing Prince’s technical abilities and innovative style.
8. Sign o’ the Times
The title track of Prince’s 1987 album “Sign o’ the Times” features a guitar solo that is both melodic and soulful. The solo perfectly complements the song’s introspective lyrics and showcases Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
9. Cream
From Prince’s 1991 album “Diamonds and Pearls,” “Cream” features a guitar solo that perfectly captures the song’s sexy and sultry vibe. The solo is both smooth and soulful, showcasing Prince’s ability to convey sensuality through his playing.
10. The Beautiful Ones
The closing track on “Purple Rain,” “The Beautiful Ones” features a guitar solo that is both emotional and powerful. The solo perfectly complements the song’s passionate lyrics and serves as a fitting end to one of Prince’s most iconic albums.
11. Electric Chair
From the 1989 “Batman” soundtrack, “Electric Chair” features a guitar solo that is both dark and intense. The solo perfectly captures the mood of the film and showcases Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
12. Gett Off
From Prince’s 1991 album “Diamonds and Pearls,” “Gett Off” features a guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s funky and energetic vibe. The solo is both fast and frenetic, showcasing Prince’s technical abilities and innovative style.
13. Gold
The title track of Prince’s 1995 album “The Gold Experience,” “Gold” features a guitar solo that is both melodic and soulful. The solo perfectly complements the song’s lyrics about the search for true love and showcases Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
14. The Cross
From Prince’s 1987 album “Sign o’ the Times,” “The Cross” features a guitar solo that is both emotional and powerful. The solo perfectly complements the song’s religious themes and serves as a testament to Prince’s faith.
15. Computer Blue
From “Purple Rain,” “Computer Blue” features a guitar solo that is both intricate and innovative. The solo showcases Prince’s technical abilities and unique style, and perfectly complements the song’s themes of love and loss.
16. Adore
From Prince’s 1987 album “Sign o’ the Times,” “Adore” features a guitar solo that is both melodic and soulful. The solo perfectly complements the song’s romantic themes and showcases Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
17. Baby I’m a Star
Another track from “Purple Rain,” “Baby I’m a Star” features a guitar solo that is both fast and frenetic. The solo perfectly complements the song’s energetic and upbeat vibe, and showcases Prince’s technical abilities and innovative style.
18. Housequake
From Prince’s 1987 album “Sign o’ the Times,” “Housequake” features a guitar solo that is both funky and innovative. The solo perfectly complements the song’s upbeat and danceable vibe, and showcases Prince’s ability to combine elements of funk, rock, and R&B.
19. Erotic City
“Erotic City” was released as a B-side to Prince’s 1984 single “Let’s Go Crazy.” The song features a guitar solo that is both sensual and soulful, showcasing Prince’s ability to convey sensuality through his playing.
20. Mountains
From Prince’s 1986 album “Parade,” “Mountains” features a guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s uplifting and optimistic lyrics. The solo is both melodic and soulful, showcasing Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
21. Uptown
From Prince’s 1980 album “Dirty Mind,” “Uptown” features a guitar solo that perfectly captures the song’s funky and energetic vibe. The solo is both fast and frenetic, showcasing Prince’s technical abilities and innovative style.
22. Controversy
The title track of Prince’s 1981 album “Controversy,” “Controversy” features a guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s themes of social and political commentary. The solo is both innovative and intense, showcasing Prince’s ability to combine elements of funk, rock, and R&B.
23. Diamonds and Pearls
The title track of Prince’s 1991 album “Diamonds and Pearls,” “Diamonds and Pearls” features a guitar solo that is both melodic and soulful. The solo perfectly complements the song’s romantic themes and showcases Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
24. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker
From Prince’s 1987 album “Sign o’ the Times,” “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker” features a guitar solo that is both moody and atmospheric. The solo perfectly complements the song’s dreamlike quality and showcases Prince’s ability to evoke emotion through his playing.
25. I Wanna Be Your Lover
From Prince’s 1979 self-titled album, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” features a guitar solo that perfectly captures the song’s romantic and playful vibe. The solo is both melodic and soulful, showcasing Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
26. Raspberry Beret
From Prince’s 1985 album “Around the World in a Day,” “Raspberry Beret” features a guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s whimsical and carefree vibe. The solo is both melodic and soulful, showcasing Prince’s ability to convey emotion through his playing.
27. Starfish and Coffee
From “Sign o’ the Times,” “Starfish and Coffee” features a guitar solo that is both playful and soulful. The solo perfectly complements the song’s quirky and offbeat lyrics, and showcases Prince’s ability to combine elements of funk, rock, and R&B.
28. Alphabet St.
From Prince’s 1988 album “Lovesexy,” “Alphabet St.” features a guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s funky and upbeat vibe. The solo is both fast and frenetic, showcasing Prince’s technical abilities and innovative style.
29. Musicology
The title track of Prince’s 2004 album “Musicology,” “Musicology” features a guitar solo that is both funky and innovative.
