THE GREATEST GUITAR SONGS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Welcome to TG’s rundown of the greatest guitar songs from the last couple of decades. Before we begin, let’s explain how it works…
It’s not an exhaustive list! We agonised over presenting our favourite songs whilst also covering some major trends in guitar music. We’ve generally shied away from shred and instrumental music, save for a few notable exceptions.
Of course, one person’s ‘greatest’ is another’s ‘ghastliest’. For us, the measure of greatness is wide open, especially as we’re talking about songs and not necessarily virtuoso guitar playing. Some songs may be innovative in their use of effects. Others represent a breakthrough point in a band’s career. Some are big hits; others are lesser-known cuts. And some might just hit a note of nostalgia!
Finally, make sure to check out our YouTube video playlist, where you’ll find tips on playing a selection of our chosen songs.
Right! Turn your mind back to the year 2000, and let’s get started!
2000 IN THIS YEAR…
George W. Bush is elected President of the USA
Metallica sue Napster (remember that?)
David Bowie, Travis and The Chemical Brothers headline Glastonbury
ONE ARMED SCISSOR
AT THE DRIVE-IN
On this landmark single, Omar Rodríguez-López cemented his place as a guitar hero for the modern age – reinventing punk through a more psychedelic lens.
RIDING WITH THE KING
BB KING & ERIC CLAPTON
Two names this size could crush a song under the weight of expectation, but the blues titans delivered.
PAPERCUT
LINKIN PARK
The opening track from LP’s debut took nu-metal to soaring new heights thanks to its melodic grandeur and dynamic riffs.
THE FIGHT SONG
MARILYN MANSON
The God Of Fuck’s first album with country shredder John 5 marked a career-high thanks to big hits like this.
BOHEMIAN LIKE YOU
THE DANDY WARHOLS
The world needed a really great Rolling Stones riff. With Mick and Keef otherwise occupied, the Warhols stepped up admirably.
CHANGE (IN THE HOUSE OF FLIES)
DEFTONES
This eerie anthem signalled the arrival of the band’s career-best album, White Pony, and bulldozed a new path for metal. Expansive and heavy in equal measure.
YELLOW
COLDPLAY
Johnny Buckland's ingenious intro riff might just have made you think Coldplay were about to become one of the UK’s great alt-rock acts.
JUDITH
A PERFECT CIRCLE
A textbook example of the tight playing style and widescreen sound of former Nine Inch Nails guitar tech Billy Howerdel, Judith is chock-full of some of the greatest heavy tones ever wrung out of a Les Paul – and one smashed by Trent Reznor at that.
2001 IN THIS YEAR…
The 9/11 terror attacks shock the world
Apple launches iTunes and the iPod
Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory is the biggest selling album in America
BUCK ROGERS
FEEDER
The chorus was so big Feeder had to upsize venues just to contain it. The cleverly harmonised guitars in the verses mark this as one of modern rock’s all-time classics.
CHOP SUEY!
SYSTEM OF A DOWN
What does it take to write an anthem? There is no universal answer, but Daron Malakian nailed it on this single from SOAD’s sophomore album.
HASH PIPE
WEEZER
Few thought Weezer capable of a riff this heavy or insistent. Hash Pipe marked the welcome return of the “whoa-oh” chorus.
THE MIDDLE
JIMMY EAT WORLD
This song dominated the 2001 airwaves, proving emo pop had gone mainstream. With hooks this strong, it was inevitable.
