5 Best Guitar Solos of 1985 – And 1 That’s Not Good

The 1985 didn’t bring as many solo masterpieces as 1984, but it’s still filled with solos that every guitar lover should know. Here, I spotlight five of the best solos that still resonate today—plus one that was just a random mix of bends and pinch harmonix. And as always, leave your thoughts and top 5 in the comments (you’ll find comments after the article below!).

Did you know? Number 1 incorporates a direct quote from Beethoven’s “Für Elise”.

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First, here are some great albums from the year 1985 with amazing guitar playing in them:

Artist	Album Name	Genre
Dire Straits	Brothers in Arms	Rock
ZZ Top	Afterburner	Blues Rock
Ratt	Invasion of Your Privacy	Glam Metal
Mötley Crüe	Theatre of Pain	Glam Metal
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers	Southern Accents	Rock
Yngwie Malmsteen	Marching Out	Neoclassical Metal
Dokken	Under Lock and Key	Heavy Metal
Rush	Power Windows	Progressive Rock
The Cult	Love	Post-Punk/Rock
Marillion	Misplaced Childhood	Progressive Rock
Scorpions	World Wide Live (live)	Hard Rock/Metal
Heart	Heart	Rock
Stevie Ray Vaughan	Soul to Soul	Blues Rock
AC/DC	Fly on the Wall	Hard Rock
Anthrax	Spreading the Disease	Thrash Metal
Megadeth	Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!	Thrash Metal
Accept	Metal Heart	Heavy Metal
Bon Jovi	7800° Fahrenheit	Hard Rock

Now, to the top 5 solos!

1. Accept – “Metal Heart” (Wolf Hoffmann)

Wolf Hoffmann’s guitar solo in Accept’s “Metal Heart,” is a dynamic blend of melody and aggression. Hoffmann’s precise yet fiery delivery complements the song’s anthemic heavy metal energy, cementing it as a standout in Accept’s catalog.

2. Mötley Crüe – “Home Sweet Home” (Mick Mars)

Mötley Crüe - Home Sweet Home

Mick Mars’ guitar solo in Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home,” is a melodic and emotive highlight of this iconic power ballad. It features raw bends and smooth legato phrasing, delivered with Mars’ signature gritty tone. Underrated solo.

Browse the best solos of other years:

3. Yngwie Malmsteen – “I Am A Viking” (Yngwie Malmsteen)

Yngwie J Malmsteen - I Am A Viking (2021 Remaster by Aaraigathor)

Yngwie Malmsteen’s guitar solo in “I Am a Viking,” is a blazing showcase of neoclassical virtuosity. Malmsteen’s signature Baroque-influenced style shines through, blending technical prowess with theatrical flair, making it one of the best solos of his early career.

4. Dire Straits – “Brothers In Arms” (Mark Knopfler)

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms

Mark Knopfler’s guitar solo in Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms,” is a hauntingly beautiful centerpiece of this atmospheric rock ballad. The solo builds subtly yet powerfully, evoking a deep sense of melancholy and resolve that perfectly underscores the track’s war-torn narrative.

5. Dokken – “The Hunter” (George Lynch)

The Hunter

“The Hunter,” solo bursts forth with rapid hammer-ons, pull-offs, and searing bends, showcasing Lynch’s “Mr. Scary” nickname in full force. Why I never hear anyone talk about this solo?

Honorable Mention

This year’s honorable mention goes to Steve Rothery of Marillion for his great work on Kayleigh solo. This solo is a beautifully crafted, lyrical moment in this prog-rock ballad. It’s an extremely underrated gem.

1 Not-So-Good Guitar Solo: AC/DC – “Sink the Pink” (Angus Young)

Danger

A random mix of bends and pinch harmonics. Enough said.

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