A good guitar solo can transform an average song into a track that captivates millions. Some solos are so iconic that they are recognized globally among the finest ever recorded.
In 2022, Guitar World ranked its picks of the 50 best guitar solos of all time, compiling a stacked, multi-genre list of the most memorable riffs in history. Ranked alongside legendary work—such as Joe Perry’s iconic riff in Aerosmith’s 1975 hit “Walk This Way” at No. 34 and Eric Clapton’s beloved solo in Cream’s 1966 track “Crossroads” at No. 33—B.B. King secured the No. 37 spot for his solo in “The Thrill Is Gone.”
Blues musician B.B. King at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival-in-Exile in September 1974 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.Leni Sinclair/Getty Images
King’s rendition of the Roy Hawkins track was released in December 1969 as a single from his 17th studio album, Completely Well. The track instantly became a crossover sensation, peaking at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100—his highest-charting entry on the tally—and No. 3 on the R&B chart.
Since the launch of his recording career in 1949, “The King of the Blues” has earned consistent acclaim for his raw talent. His guitar work on “The Thrill Is Gone” further solidified his legacy as one of the instrument’s true visionaries. The song famously takes listeners on a sonic journey, anchoring itself in slow, minor-key blues phrasing before taking off into an expressive, wailing solo that lasts for over 35 seconds.
Written by Hawkins and Rick Darnell, “The Thrill Is Gone” explores the painful realization that a romantic relationship is fizzling out. Its themes of resignation and emotional exhaustion pulled at the heartstrings of thousands—earning King the 1971 Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.
Today, “The Thrill Is Gone” has maintained its legendary status, bridging generational divides in the digital era. On Spotify alone, the song has garnered more than 112 million streams.
Related: 1975 Country Song, Written by John Prine, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Country Songs of All Time’
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