The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time: Honorable Mentions

"So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star"
The Byrds (1967)

The Younger than Yesterday single doesn't have McGuinn and Crosby's greatest guitar playing: beyond its classic Byrds intro, it's mostly clipped, unassuming jangle, and the solo is played by trumpeter Hugh Masekela. What it does have is a sardonic lyric about how getting an electric guitar means "the girls will tear you apart" — rock's signature instrument had become its symbol.


"So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star"


"Should I Stay Or Should I Go"
The Clash (1982)

Where old-school punk rock met 12-bar blues. Mick Jones' riff couldn't be bigger, dumber or more perfect, but this is a much more complicated, disciplined song than it sounds like — what pushes it over the top are the percussive effects, quiet doodles and rockabilly licks Jones throws in to keep it interesting.


"Should I Stay Or Should I Go"



"Somethin' Else"
Eddie Cochran (1959)

The drums and piano are far louder than Cochran's guitar on this rockabilly hit, but his clear, forceful tone turned up a few years later coming out of the Beatles' amps — this song became a favorite of British Invasion bands, and was later covered by Led Zeppelin. Its distinctive riff and rhythm even mutated into the reggae "Sleng Teng" beat.


"Somethin' Else"