What's the greatest rock instrumental of all time?

Oh, and I’d also like to nominate
They Might Giants - "Minimum Wage"
and Television - (that instrumental bonus track from Marquee Moon)

Kurt Cobain said:I prefer the one from Greatest Hits. I think it’s the eighth or ninth track.

See, I can't stand "Arpeggiator." It’s the only Fugazi track I truly dislike—and I mean loathe... That combination of fanfares and "God Save the Queen"? Why?!😕

Personally, I've always viewed almost everything by Television as essentially instrumentals, and some of them are easily among the greatest in rock history (take "The Fire" and "The Dream's dream," for instance).👍

Mr. Wrong said:Look, personally, I can't stand "Arpeggiator." It’s actually the only Fugazi track I don't enjoy, and honestly, I dislike it quite a bit. That mix of fanfare elements and "God Save the Queen"? I mean, WHY?! 😕

I'd tell you, but there's a few reasons why: a) it's pretty predictable, b) I'd probably get banned, and c) it's strictly an internal matter.
😵

fadedcanyon75 said:My first thought was

Metallica - Orion

I don't really have any others at the moment 😢

The second I saw this thread title, "Orion" was the first thing that popped into my head.

So, I suppose I agree! My vote goes to Orion. I guess the beginning of the track up until about the midpoint might feel a bit tedious—perhaps even a little boring—but once those solos actually kick in... 😎

Faith No More - Woodpecker from Mars

If you ask me...
Iced Earth: The Funeral

Fleetwood Mac-Albatross

I was watching this old concert DVD by Satriani yesterday, and man, it just reminded me all over again what an absolute legend the guy is. 🙂

Though, if I’m being totally honest with myself—and I try to be—if I had to pick a number one spot for the greatest rock instrumentals ever, I’d probably have to go with something by Mike Oldfield 🙏

p.s. Can someone please explain to me why the crowd was so harsh on Stu Hamm? At the show, they were booing him the whole time, which is just wild... the guy is killing it on bass. 🤔

vividharbor38 said:Buddy Moose - Crossing the Big River👍

🤣

I’m not quite sure who you are, but I suppose you have a rather decent sense of humor...

And just so you know, that was actually the title on the first demo; it's officially called Crossing the Big River now.🙂

Steven Hernandez9 said:🤣

I don’t know who you are, but you’ve got a great sense of humor...

And by the way, that was the title on the first demo. Now it's called Crossing the Big River.🙂

Oh, really?🙂
By the way, I hear you guys are pulling some shady deals with Dancing Bear, huh?

The bridge over the Kwai River

😬

Buzzcocks - Walking Distance

Air - La Femme d'Argent. Honestly, one of the best.

The instrumental version of Azra-Suzy f—Brane Štulić actually claimed back in the day that it was the best thing he ever wrote...

But honestly, my favorite instrumental stretch has to be the end of the original "Layle" by Derek and the Dominos... it’s not an all-instrumental track, but that "outro" almost makes me want to argue it's the greatest thing ever recorded in rock history...

Then there's "One of These Days," assuming you don't count that heavy breathing like someone's hacking away with an axe as vocals...

Or if we're talking Pink Floyd, then "Shine on You Crazy Diamond_Part 9," which was just Wright's handiwork...

And damn it, I love the start of the B-side (which is how you always listen to vinyl, right?) of the original Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.

Like The Pogues-Led Zeppelin-Moby Dick Santana-Soul sacrifice, Fleetwood Mac-Albatross, Booker T. & the M.G.'s with Green Onions, or Cooder's Low-comotion...

I mean, hell, at this rate we could just throw in the whole Mogwai discography and where does it end?

I really do just love instrumentals.😎

If I can only share a snippet, then I'll add those last three minutes from RHCP's Sir Psycho Sexy—since the first five aren't even instrumental anyway—but I’m sticking to my guns: Walking Distance is still the better track.

redcrane28, if we’re really going to play this game, then I might as well throw in Don Caballero, Laddio Bolocko, and Battles 🙂

Actually, let me edit that to include Tortoise

When you're talking about Duane Allman and that part of Layla, you’ve gotta bring up the Allman Brothers Band too—stuff like Hot Lanta and Jessica, and if you can, definitely that middle section of Blue Sky.

And speaking of specific parts, those last two-thirds of Fleetwood Mac's Oh Well are just unbeatable. Their Jigsaw puzzle blues is killer, not to mention Greenov's Supernatural, which was recorded back when they were still with the Bluesbreakers.

Better if I just shut up now, there's way too much to get into...

I mean, I haven't even gotten to Hangedup, Manitoba, or GYBE—wherever that exclamation point ended up—not to mention Cul de sac or Zoviet Franc...

cool said:I'm voting for...

Apache - The Shadows Apache - The Shadows

Are you talking about that whole thing where we transition from black and white over to color?

If that's the case, then you've got my vote. I'll add this to the mix:

Dick Dale - Misirlou

It might not be pure rock, but I see Herbie Hancock getting mentioned in there, so... 😁

just one Metallica track