Back in 2005 or 2006 I watched Derek Trucks send this coda into the absolute stratosphere with the Allmans in Saratoga NY. One of the greatest musical highlights of my life.
Might be an unpopular opinion but my first though to OPs question was "definitely not a Clapton song".
I love most of his stuff, but even my favorite songs are all 1-2 minutes too long.
*Mr. Crowley* has some of Randy’s finest guitar work, starting with the melody just before Ozzy sings “was it polemically sent”.
Both *Go Your Own Way* and *Silver Springs* by Fleetwood Mac have fantastic vocal harmonies during their respective outros. And Lindsey’s solo on the former is soaring.
The outro of *The Last Resort* by the Eagles is dramatic to the point of feeling like there should be ending credits rolling on a screen while it plays.
I also love the complete bombast that happens at the end of Pearl Jam’s *Rearview Mirror*, starting from the moment the drums bring the song out of the quieter, slower breakdown.
It’s got to be A Day In The Life…how do u top the minute long piano key. For my pick, I would choose Good Vibrations. Imho…The Beatles and Brian Wilson were creative geniuses of the sort we’ll probably never see again.
There’s a lot of great outros but I have always loved the outros to “Evil Ways” and “Soul Sacrifice” by Santana. Oh, and “Gypsy Queen”. The proper way to end Black Magic Woman.
Will also give a nod to “Foreplay/Long Time” by Boston. Love the outro to that one too.
Ok, you Classic Rock guys. I just went through the whole thread after two hours and no one has mentioned how Pink Floyd The Wall ends AND begins with “Isn’t this where we came in?”, making the album never ending, in a certain way.
Yea, the end of Rock and Roll Suicide was something else especially live. It was the perfect show ending song. I really liked it on the Diamond Dogs tour with the larger band behind it.
Lots of southern rock is good for this. Long guitar outro's Skynyrd Free Bird,,The Outlaws Green Grass & High Tides,Blackfoot Highway Song,,Allman Brothers Band although a lot of the best of them were in the middle of the song (Blue Sky) or just guitar jams/instrumentals (In Memory of Elizabeth Reed),Molly Hatchet on quite a few..Gator Country,Boogie No More,Fall of the Peacemakers etc.
An album full of interesting outros, many of which lead directly into the next song. I like in the flesh to the thin ice, but happiest days to brick in the wall II is probably the most well-known.
The 11 minute version of CCR heard it through the Grapevine is good. Not sure that it’s the greatest … I highly recommend you listen to the full version
Hitch a Ride - Boston
You know "Day is night in New York City ....."
Just perfect at the last minute or 2, nothing like it to take you back to mid and late 70's
Is it considered an intro if there's only several minutes of music, putting you to sleep, followed by Roger Waters whispering "careful with that axe, Eugene", followed by bloodcurdling screams?
There's a Clapton song where it seems like it should/could be the end and then continues for a good while which may be a contender but I can't recall the name of the song at the moment.
I can understand if people think "Stairway to Heaven" is over-mentioned, but it fits this category perfectly. Starts mellow and keeps slowly building until the final grand crescendo. Love it.
ZZTop Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings. Already has been proven to be the best outro ever known to man. In the Guiness book of Records. Top outro
https://youtu.be/FyLXgAJIFBE
Very obscure, but as far as good outro solos go, I always come back to Dan Fogelberg’s “Empty Cages” -which might only fall second to “Face the Fire” in terms of his strong rideout solos. Those aren’t the soft ballads he’s known for.
Oh I got a ton!
“Highway Song” by Blackfoot,
“Green Grass and High Tides” by the Outlaws,
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones,
“The High Cost of Low Living” by Allman Brothers Band,
“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac,
“Baba O’Riley” by The Who,
“Do You Feel Like We Do” live by Peter Frampton,
and “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.
"I Want You So Bad" by Heart. It's and emotionally charged song with some of Ann's best singing, and then the sudden change in the outro sends the emotions through the roof.
I Want You/She's So Heavy has the best outro (that evil-sounding chord progression) and the best ending (that sudden stop.)
That part always sounded like an indie rock song to me.
Yeah, I can see that.
This is the song that really drew me into the Beatles. Sort of liked them before this, but this one ended up turning me into a fairly big fan
It’s not my choice for best, but this was my immediate thought! Which says something :)
Closer to home/I’m your captain by Grand funk.
Great suggestion
"Layla" Derek and the Dominos. Jim Gordons 3 Minute outro is the cherry on the top of the cream! 🍨
Yep, Layla gets the gold
Back in 2005 or 2006 I watched Derek Trucks send this coda into the absolute stratosphere with the Allmans in Saratoga NY. One of the greatest musical highlights of my life.
This is the one
Might be an unpopular opinion but my first though to OPs question was "definitely not a Clapton song". I love most of his stuff, but even my favorite songs are all 1-2 minutes too long.
Came here to say Five to One, but Layla’s is clearly better.
*Mr. Crowley* has some of Randy’s finest guitar work, starting with the melody just before Ozzy sings “was it polemically sent”. Both *Go Your Own Way* and *Silver Springs* by Fleetwood Mac have fantastic vocal harmonies during their respective outros. And Lindsey’s solo on the former is soaring. The outro of *The Last Resort* by the Eagles is dramatic to the point of feeling like there should be ending credits rolling on a screen while it plays. I also love the complete bombast that happens at the end of Pearl Jam’s *Rearview Mirror*, starting from the moment the drums bring the song out of the quieter, slower breakdown.
Came in to say Mr. Crowley. If not Mr. Crowley, then S.A.T.O.
Abbey Road Medley /thread
Sultans of Swing
Great answer, I love the 'skateaway' outro even more.
I'd also add On Every Street and Telegraph Road to the list of awesome Dire Straits outtros
A Day in the Life The Beatles. Crescendo!
Plus the little chair squeak
It’s got to be A Day In The Life…how do u top the minute long piano key. For my pick, I would choose Good Vibrations. Imho…The Beatles and Brian Wilson were creative geniuses of the sort we’ll probably never see again.
Hate when radio stations cut that off
There’s a lot of great outros but I have always loved the outros to “Evil Ways” and “Soul Sacrifice” by Santana. Oh, and “Gypsy Queen”. The proper way to end Black Magic Woman. Will also give a nod to “Foreplay/Long Time” by Boston. Love the outro to that one too.
Came here looking for Foreplay/Longtime. Love that intro
The End by The Beatles. HOLY SHIT!
Wont Get Fooled Again
Outlaws - Green Grass and High Tides
Whoever does the guitar solo at the end isn’t human.
IIRC, it’s Hughie Thomason and Billy Paul trading off. And as long as the studio cut is, they stretched it out even longer live. Edit: Billy Jones.
The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. Never has the sound of five people hating each other sounded so beautiful.
Starship Trooper - Yes
Ooh, that’s a good one.
Fuck. I forgot about this song man that last chord progression used to echo through my head for weeks in highschool
Love how the Beatles' Helter Skelter ends... "I'VE GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!!" The guitar outro part is pretty cool too.
Heaven And Hell by Black Sabbath
This is the correct answer
Yes.
Ok, you Classic Rock guys. I just went through the whole thread after two hours and no one has mentioned how Pink Floyd The Wall ends AND begins with “Isn’t this where we came in?”, making the album never ending, in a certain way.
Sheep - Pink Floyd - love the sound of Gilmour’s guitar
The last two and a half minutes of Dogs is the greatest Floyd moment.
Who was born in a house full of pain
I love Animals, the outro to sheep is probably the greatest part of the whole album.
At the very end of dogs I love the very last sound of him “parking” his guitar too!
Exactly my thought
Yesssss
That outro riff is my favorite Gilmour moment on record!
Damn! Was going to say this. Nicely done.
Dire Straits - Telegraph Road
Nights in white satin- late lament by the moody blues
Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’ - Stones
2112
We have assumed control!
Absolutely hair-raising!
My spirits are low in the depths of despair My lifeblood Spills over Some of the best lyrics, these hit me hard as a teenager
Definitely a profoundly emotional resonance to my teenage self as well!
Always enjoyed how Hotel California ended Also I'll add Rock and roll suicide
I can't believe how far down hotel California is. I thought that would be a clear top response
Time takes a cigarette…
Puts it in your mouth
Yea, the end of Rock and Roll Suicide was something else especially live. It was the perfect show ending song. I really liked it on the Diamond Dogs tour with the larger band behind it.
Lots of southern rock is good for this. Long guitar outro's Skynyrd Free Bird,,The Outlaws Green Grass & High Tides,Blackfoot Highway Song,,Allman Brothers Band although a lot of the best of them were in the middle of the song (Blue Sky) or just guitar jams/instrumentals (In Memory of Elizabeth Reed),Molly Hatchet on quite a few..Gator Country,Boogie No More,Fall of the Peacemakers etc.
November Rain outro is pretty cool
Best outro of the 90s for sure.
Axis: Bold as Love
Jungleland - Springsteen.....The Big Man's saxophone shines brilliantly on this classic!
Whipping Post
Supertramp - "Goodbye Stranger"
I'll throw in Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
RIGHT ??? I do my best air guitar to that one !!! Clapton sucks !!! Gilmore rules !!!
An album full of interesting outros, many of which lead directly into the next song. I like in the flesh to the thin ice, but happiest days to brick in the wall II is probably the most well-known.
The stoic, echoing guitar from Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits
Kashmir Led Zeppelin
So epic
Lonely is the Word.........Sabbath
Some of Iommi’s best work
The 11 minute version of CCR heard it through the Grapevine is good. Not sure that it’s the greatest … I highly recommend you listen to the full version
Baba O'Riley
Sir Psycho Sexy - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Yes! John Frusciante is a god
Foreplay / Long time. - Boston
Where’s that confounded bridge?!?
Midnight Rambler ends just as Mick Jagger says, "I'll stick my knife right down your throat, baby/And it hurts!"
Rush - "Limelight"
Moonage Daydream
[Baker Street](https://youtu.be/Fo6aKnRnBxM) on both counts
Rush: “Red Barchetta”
Intros for Hell's Bells and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Apparently, I like bells.
"Sharp Dressed Man" - ZZ Top.
Great Clapton solo on the outro of Let It Rain
Symptoms of the Universe by Black Sabbath. Just super heavy rock for several minutes then a really cool acoustic bit
Layla is the correct answer.
Layla
Wont Get Fooled Again
Anytime and Feeling that Way by Journey. For me, it’s one song.
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys - Traffic Coolest song of all time.
Hotel California by The Eagles has a quality outro
It’s one of the shorter outros here, but I really like the end of Over the Hills and Far Away by Led Zep
Where the Streets Have No Name has a great intro
Yes, but the Edge's guitar outro moves me to tears every time I hear it.
Layla. That piano coda with the slide guitar is a masterpiece.
Layla
Jethro Tull Locomotive breath
Styx - Blue Collar Man
Rocks Off - Mick Taylor does a cool thing.
Hard to choose. Here are some of my favorites: • Fool to Cry. by the Stones. • Out of the Blue. by Roxy Music (violin jam)
Wind-up...Tull
Radar Love is my pick
Boston ‘Hitch a Ride’
Black Sabbath's Symptom of the Universe outro is so ridiculously good
In the Evening by Led Zeppelin.
ZZ Top - I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Hotel California 🔥
For intro- I Need a Lover by John Mellencamp For outro - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC / DC Nothing like a good Aaaaargh to end a song.
25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago.
Radar Love by Golden Earring
Dear Mr fantasy gets an honorable mention, especially live
Hot For Teacher - Van Halen
The Ocean - Led Zeppelin
I mean that Hotel California solo deserves more than just a mention
Kid Charlemagne-Steely Dan. Wish it had kept going
When the levee breaks - Led Zeppelin Sweet Child O’ Mine - GnR
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking?
Hitch a Ride - Boston You know "Day is night in New York City ....." Just perfect at the last minute or 2, nothing like it to take you back to mid and late 70's
Layla without a doubt
Stones- Time Waits For No One. Mick Taylor and Nicky Hopkins playing off each other.
God Only Knows - Beach Boys
Love Reign O'er Me by The Who. The way The Rock ends and leads into that song gives me chills even after all these years.
Over the hills and faraway- Led Zeppelin
I don't think anyone's mentioned "Beginnings" by Chicago.
Free Bird - Skynyrd Alive - Pearl Jam Paradise City - GNR
You’re No Good — Linda Ronstadt
Best intro: Locomotive Breath, Jethro Tull Best outro: Free Bird, duh.
That intro to Gimme Shelter gives me chills
Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac
The witchy yell at the end nailed that song shut perfectly.
Fly like an eagle- Steve Miller Band Edit: or possibly Frankenstein- Edgar Winter Group
Thunder Road - Springsteen
Not classic rock, but Deliverance by Opeth
Layla
Racing in The Streets and Telegraph Road.
Outro Billy Squier Don't Say No is solid
Under the Sun by Black Sabbath
*fade to black just entered the conversation*
Good times bad times
Smoke on the water!!!!
Boston, Rock and Roll Band
Think of me Todd Rundgren… I
Watchtower Hendrix
More Than A Feeling - Boston
Summer, Highland Falls - Billy Joel
Post Toastee by Tommy Bolin
Any song by YES
On Every Street & Telegraph Road are both pretty good
Rats in the Cellar - Aerosmith
Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends, etc" is a great intro, but then the song lets it down some.
Jane. A banger as the kids say
Foolin' Yourself by Styx
Is it considered an intro if there's only several minutes of music, putting you to sleep, followed by Roger Waters whispering "careful with that axe, Eugene", followed by bloodcurdling screams?
How the _hell_ is ‘Wish You Were Here’ not on this list?
There’s a lot of good ones but I gotta give it to Hey Jude
Walk on the wild side : Lou Reed
Green grass and high tides
There's a Clapton song where it seems like it should/could be the end and then continues for a good while which may be a contender but I can't recall the name of the song at the moment.
Attention All Planets of the Solar Federation! We have assumed control! we have assumed control! we have assumed control!
“You can’t eat your pudding if you don’t eat your meat”
I can understand if people think "Stairway to Heaven" is over-mentioned, but it fits this category perfectly. Starts mellow and keeps slowly building until the final grand crescendo. Love it.
Don’t take me alive.
ZZTop Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings. Already has been proven to be the best outro ever known to man. In the Guiness book of Records. Top outro https://youtu.be/FyLXgAJIFBE
Fall of the Peacemakers - Molly Hatchet
Layla, Do you feel like we do, The Crunge.
Little Wing
Rush : Limelight. Absolutely perfect ending
GnR: Rocket Queen
Over the Hills and Far Away. Page’s guitar is so warm and cozy
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
One - Metallica
Layla hands down
Riders on the Storm. The piano to close out the song (which essentially closed out the Doors) is magical
Layla is up there for me
Terrapin Station
How Many More Times and Bring It On Home by Zeppelin. Funny Vibe by Living Colour.
LAYLA’s piano outro. Hands down.
Very obscure, but as far as good outro solos go, I always come back to Dan Fogelberg’s “Empty Cages” -which might only fall second to “Face the Fire” in terms of his strong rideout solos. Those aren’t the soft ballads he’s known for.
Layla
Hotel California or Free Bird
Baba Oreilly : the outro is bizarre. To paraphrase joe pera : “I guess if you write a song that great, you can’t do whatever you want”
Oh I got a ton! “Highway Song” by Blackfoot, “Green Grass and High Tides” by the Outlaws, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones, “The High Cost of Low Living” by Allman Brothers Band, “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac, “Baba O’Riley” by The Who, “Do You Feel Like We Do” live by Peter Frampton, and “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.
"Sometime World" by Wishbone Ash
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Walk on the Wild Side and Starman
I always thought Beatles - I Want You (She’s So Heavy) was an absolute banger of an outro on the production side of things.
"I Want You So Bad" by Heart. It's and emotionally charged song with some of Ann's best singing, and then the sudden change in the outro sends the emotions through the roof.
Brain Damage
Jungleland
Frampton Comes Alive, Do You Feel Like We Do. Spectacular climax to a consistently fabulous song of vocal and instrumental excellence.
Layla.
Rainbow / Catch the Rainbow
Comfortably Numb.
Beginnings — Chicago. So much joy.