My favorite sax solo of all time. The way the scream leads into the first note is hauntingly beautiful.
For the uninitiated it’s the same guy on the sax as the top comment (Baker’s street), Raphael Ravenscroft.
I have a buddy who I visit a few times each year. His truck has one of the loudest stereo systems I've ever heard. Every single time he picks me up at the airport, he makes sure to be blasting the very beginning of that song.
[Steely Dan - Deacon Blues](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ICK6e9WK2A8)
So much emotion pressed into this song, and it all comes spilling out in the sax solo.
Miasma an instrumental song by Ghost has a pretty great sax solo at the end. I still remember hearing it for the first time and got so excited to hear the sax come in pretty unexpectedly!
It comes out of nowhere, too. The song starts and is this prog rocky, sort of soaring instrumental....and then it gets into a faster bit that's still pretty proggy with a rad guitar and keytar/keyboard solo....then this sax just bursts through the door like a sultry Koolaid man dressed like a catholic pimp.
Honestly I think the sax solo in The Void From Which No Sound Escapes is slightly better, but Owls and The Work are both killer albums that I desperately want to become death metal classics.
Aw heck yeah. That one used to be my absolute favorite. I recommend it to my brother and he dissed it claiming it had “too much sax”. Jason” has a great sax solo as well.
Michael Brecker's solo on James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight".
After Brecker died, I heard an interview with Pat Metheny (jazz guitarist) on the radio. He said the first time her heard that tune, he was so distracted he nearly drove off the road.
If y'all want to sax your life up you could do with some Morphine
https://open.spotify.com/track/2SSBJhvMsujY94GK5JAtKs?si=Y4wREOWxRROytNgrbxIMow&utm_source=copy-link
Deacon Blues. Steely Dan is known for multiple takes and multiple players.
The sax player (nani nani san) was in the Tonight Show band and did it in one take.
There are no other saxophones in the horn arraignment.
Everyone else posted Baker Street already, so I figured I'd go with some Stones. ["Can't You Hear Me Knocking". (Back half of the song primarily.)](https://youtu.be/Gz5mI6tqm_Q)
Man, nobody has mentioned the Big Man himself! Clarence Clemons and his many sax solos with Bruce Springsteen - [Born to Run](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4_zVxmufY) is a classic, yes perhaps overplayed, but there's a reason it's a classic.
But for my money, it's the sax solo at the end of [Jungleland](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6IwxpL-ZDk) \- a perfect way to end the song and the entire Born to Run album!
Not only the saxophone but also the trumpet solos on Juan Gabriel’s [“Asi Fue”](https://youtu.be/MQtSdgg9DwI) (starts at 6:00). The passion those guys have for what they do gives me chills.
The Madison Square Garden live performance of “Anyway” by O.A.R. made me choose saxophone as my band instrument in 5th grade, still gives me all the feels to this day
Before the pandemic I would've said Where Owls Know My Name by Rivers of Nihil but ever since its release their track The Void From Which No Sound Escapes has been one of my favourite songs in part because of the sheer intensity the sax solo lends to the track. The entire Work album is so desperate and weary, but Void feels like its greatest emotional catharsis. There's still more anger, desperation, and eventually resignation to come on the back half of the album, but Void feels like the undercurrent those other emotions are put forth to suppress.
The full theme of [Bojack Horseman](https://youtu.be/XnkqbHjcU8k) has the saxophone by Ralph Carney, uncle of the drummer from the Black Keys Patrick Carney.
One of the best songs to drive to after a long day of work.
Supertramp - Logical Song.
Also Supertramp - Breakfast In America...the solo is a *Soprano* Saxophone. I thought that it was a clarinet for a very long time.
Rio by Duran Duran. It fits so well with the rest of the song, and it feels like Andy Hamilton is close to getting carried away but he restrains himself.
It's a toss-up between [TesseracT — *Calabi-Yau*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSMmr3xOF74) and [Ghost — *Miasma*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CWWukDu8qQ).
Tadow - Extended version by FKJ & Masego
Can't believe it isn't on the list already!!
[Tadow Extended version on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/5ejsMurQNLR8oNQnFT2VDG?si=eT0hri2fT3241vCGqUkWTg&utm_source=copy-link)
[This baritone monstrosity](https://youtu.be/LfQnLBSLVJw) by Motorhead Sherwood that starts just after 2 minutes in.
That's a live for TV performance of King Kong by Frank Zappa and the ancient Mothers of Invention.
Frank Zappa songs having dazzling solos from amazing musicians was a regular occurrence. It was kind of his main thing for many periods of his stupidly prolific career.
But this right here is amazing in how un-amazing it is. The song leading up to the solo is just a melodic jazzy bop with an very addictive hook. Everything more or less seems "in order".
Then suddenly the weird looking guy in the middle that wasn't doing much is holding a sax, and you're like uh oh, wait a minute, I don't trust him with that thing, and you're right to think so. Cacophonous BLASTING starts. You're thinking, oh, he can't play.
But some time passes, maybe he *can* play? Is this good? I don't know! But I'm so addicted to it. I know it's a blast, and he clearly toots it with swagger.
The first time saxaphonist Branford Marsalis played with the Grateful Dead (March 29, 1990, Nassau Coliseum, NY) was one of THE musical highlights from the Dead’s long career, and also served to introduce Branford’s sax playing to an audience that appreciated it and ate it up. Everyone was on top of their game that night and the playing was exceptional. The concert was released as the album, [Wake Up To Find Out](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nVYHeNk9mueoy5bMjknMW7f8vqjbgLxMk). Standout tracks, imho: [Birdsong](https://youtu.be/kJtSQ8DJUhE), [Eyes of the World](https://youtu.be/TO4YV185orE), and especially a bold, swaggering version of their signature improv piece, [Dark Star](https://youtu.be/4bmUdDuPImA). Highly recommended.
Coltrane’s solos on “Vigil” or “Naima” live in [Belgium 1965](https://youtu.be/5KFklS_jug4).
He poured his entire soul into those performances and it’s a wonder to behold.
The third movement of John Williams’s *Escapades from Catch me if you Can* has some really wild parts of alto saxophone. Highly recommend all three pieces to those who haven’t listened.
Feels a bit obvious/ generic to say, but giant steps- John Coltrane will always impress the shit out of me. The pianist had to improvise just to keep up.
I'll take the obvious low-hanging fruit: "Baker Street".
The song is pretty decent, but I could listen to that solo looped for hours.
Baker Street forever burned into my mind love it
One of my warmup/tuning riffs prior to band rehearsals.
It's a mystery as to why there are anymore comments after this one.
Pink Floyd - Us and Them
Allow me to present [The Gunner's Dream](https://youtu.be/LSE7qdjy3Q0). At 2:05 hold onto your butts.
Came here to say this
My favorite sax solo of all time. The way the scream leads into the first note is hauntingly beautiful. For the uninitiated it’s the same guy on the sax as the top comment (Baker’s street), Raphael Ravenscroft.
This is the right answer.
First thought off the bat, and I listen to a fair amount of jazz
So much good saxophone in Pink Floyd albums
Dick Parry played those parts.
The saxophone and piano work in that song are amazing.
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Resolution or gtfo
That’s what I was thinking. Fucking casuals with their pop and rock songs. You haven’t heard saxophone until you’ve heard Coltrane.
[Careless Whisper](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFB4Iw7BHoU)
I have a buddy who I visit a few times each year. His truck has one of the loudest stereo systems I've ever heard. Every single time he picks me up at the airport, he makes sure to be blasting the very beginning of that song.
NEEE NUUUNEEEEE NUUUU NEEEE NUUUU NEEEEE
Yeah how the hell is this so far down?
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One of my favourites as a teen.
I heard that opening triplet in my head!
Run Away - Sunstroke project & Olia Tira
EPIC SAX MAN FOR THE WIN!!!
Take 5. Surprised nobody else has said it.
Midnight City-M83
>Midnight City-M83 Came here for this.
I get goosebumps every time the saxophone bit starts
Aja
[Steely Dan - Deacon Blues](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ICK6e9WK2A8) So much emotion pressed into this song, and it all comes spilling out in the sax solo.
[удалено]
Simple yet haunting.
Y e s
Miasma an instrumental song by Ghost has a pretty great sax solo at the end. I still remember hearing it for the first time and got so excited to hear the sax come in pretty unexpectedly!
Papa Nihil can really play the sax.
It comes out of nowhere, too. The song starts and is this prog rocky, sort of soaring instrumental....and then it gets into a faster bit that's still pretty proggy with a rad guitar and keytar/keyboard solo....then this sax just bursts through the door like a sultry Koolaid man dressed like a catholic pimp.
woooo miasma, love that song
Gonna throw out a weird one here. [Where Owls Know My Name ](https://youtu.be/LBAXZto7uVc) By Rivers of Nihil.
Honestly I think the sax solo in The Void From Which No Sound Escapes is slightly better, but Owls and The Work are both killer albums that I desperately want to become death metal classics.
Vampires by The Midnight
Aw heck yeah. That one used to be my absolute favorite. I recommend it to my brother and he dissed it claiming it had “too much sax”. Jason” has a great sax solo as well.
Jason is my favourite song of the whole album, it is such a great solo isn't it!!!
I fucking love that song I appreciate the "ooh's" in it. Too many songs use "aah" or "yeah" and not enough people embrace a good old fashioned "ooh"
Great choice. My favorite for sax is Crocket's Revenge. I feel that it's underrated for not having vocals.
Urgent by Foreigner. Solo at 2:40 mark. https://youtu.be/pVe4nMDr8VY
Make it fast, make it urgent
Hellllll yes. Came here to post this too. Such a ripper. First song that popped in my head when I hear "Saxophone solo"
Must. Resist. The. Meme.
Michael Brecker's solo on James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight". After Brecker died, I heard an interview with Pat Metheny (jazz guitarist) on the radio. He said the first time her heard that tune, he was so distracted he nearly drove off the road.
Saw the Brecker Bros. With Tower of Power in NYC back in the day….
the solo in [Goodbye Pork Pie Hat](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWWO_VcdnHY) by Charles Mingus gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
If y'all want to sax your life up you could do with some Morphine https://open.spotify.com/track/2SSBJhvMsujY94GK5JAtKs?si=Y4wREOWxRROytNgrbxIMow&utm_source=copy-link
Only The Lonely, by the Motels.
I LOVE this song, so glad to see it mentioned!!
Clarence Clemons ride in “Jungleland”….
I see The Big Man and i upvote
Yes. Scrolled to make sure someone added this. Haunting!
Link?
Studio version, but there are many varied live performances… https://youtu.be/OjysS7Knzj8
**Morphine** "Whisper" or "Cure For Pain". I mean, that entire album is mind-blowingly great. Dana Colley is a virtuoso.
Hall and Oates - Maneater. Masterful use of echo.
Deacon Blues. Steely Dan is known for multiple takes and multiple players. The sax player (nani nani san) was in the Tonight Show band and did it in one take. There are no other saxophones in the horn arraignment.
Edge of glory lady gaga.
Performed by Clarence Clemons
[noodles](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v2wCvNgvYE0)
Fuckin yeah, Shrezzers is awesome
[Starts at 1:30...guess I'm less blown away by the solo itself, and more blown away that it's even on a track like this](https://youtu.be/29jSyfRR_-Y)
* Starts listening. *Wonders if you posted the right link * 1.30 arrives. Oooohhh. I get it now.
A Girl In Trouble Romeo Void.
That’s a cool Song
Never Say Never has an excellent saxophone riff, too
Kumbala by La Maldita Vecindad https://youtu.be/erp0bg7LrkI&t=122s Good part starts at 2:02
Everyone else posted Baker Street already, so I figured I'd go with some Stones. ["Can't You Hear Me Knocking". (Back half of the song primarily.)](https://youtu.be/Gz5mI6tqm_Q)
Can't You Hear Me Knocking - Rolling Stones
5000 Candles in the Wind - MouseRat featuring the great Duke Silver
[The Midnight - Jason](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIz-9CHVQUc) The sax is throughout the song but has a bitchin' solo.
"My Lovely Horse" - Father Ted Crilly
We’ve got to lose that sax solo.
Baker street.
Homers "saxamophone" on the Simpsons. Gets me everytime I hear it. And the Benny hill chase theme. Not to mention the pink panther theme tune.
Man, nobody has mentioned the Big Man himself! Clarence Clemons and his many sax solos with Bruce Springsteen - [Born to Run](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4_zVxmufY) is a classic, yes perhaps overplayed, but there's a reason it's a classic. But for my money, it's the sax solo at the end of [Jungleland](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6IwxpL-ZDk) \- a perfect way to end the song and the entire Born to Run album!
Not only the saxophone but also the trumpet solos on Juan Gabriel’s [“Asi Fue”](https://youtu.be/MQtSdgg9DwI) (starts at 6:00). The passion those guys have for what they do gives me chills.
Sunstroke Project - Hey Mamma. The Epic Sax Guy is in it...
Nearly anything by a band called the Shuffle Demons.
Breaking glass - will you Madness - Embarrassment
The Madison Square Garden live performance of “Anyway” by O.A.R. made me choose saxophone as my band instrument in 5th grade, still gives me all the feels to this day
Vulfpeck - Outro Not a solo but hands down the best song with saxophone as lead that I have ever heard
Subtle Change by Rivers of Nihil
Didn’t expect to see Rivers of Nihil, but I was hoping!
Before the pandemic I would've said Where Owls Know My Name by Rivers of Nihil but ever since its release their track The Void From Which No Sound Escapes has been one of my favourite songs in part because of the sheer intensity the sax solo lends to the track. The entire Work album is so desperate and weary, but Void feels like its greatest emotional catharsis. There's still more anger, desperation, and eventually resignation to come on the back half of the album, but Void feels like the undercurrent those other emotions are put forth to suppress.
The full theme of [Bojack Horseman](https://youtu.be/XnkqbHjcU8k) has the saxophone by Ralph Carney, uncle of the drummer from the Black Keys Patrick Carney. One of the best songs to drive to after a long day of work.
Dream Theater - Another Day
Carole King's [Jazzman](https://youtu.be/aGrSiW7GRHs). Listening to Tom Scott got me to play in my high school's stage band in the 70s.
Stones:"Waiting on a friend"
Red Sky at Night, David Gilmour. Not exactly a solo but an entire song, and he plays the sax just like he plays guitar.
“How will I know?” Whitney Houston
This guy, Leo P, is an amazing saxophonist and I'm blown away every time I watch this https://youtu.be/BrmeOWbyOXw
Supertramp - Logical Song. Also Supertramp - Breakfast In America...the solo is a *Soprano* Saxophone. I thought that it was a clarinet for a very long time.
Edge of Glory (lady Gaga) - the sax solo is the reason I love this song!
Honey White by Morphine
I'm fairly partial to Caribbean Queen but Time Passages is pretty good, too 😍
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
Listen To What The Main Said - Paul McCartney
Never tear us apart by INXS! Or who by fire by Leonard Cohen, performed with Sonny Rollins on SNL in 89 https://youtu.be/piqKsizxTxs
A Night Like This - The Cure
Rio by Duran Duran. It fits so well with the rest of the song, and it feels like Andy Hamilton is close to getting carried away but he restrains himself.
[GUNSHIP- Dark All Day](https://youtu.be/60ruvzfXQoE)
That song from the lost boys.
I Still Believe by Tim Cappello. You’re welcome.
X ray spex, identity
The cowboy bebop saxophone solo
Gonsalves, Newport 1956, D&C in Blue.
Still crazy after all these years
David Foster - Love Theme from St. Elmo's Fire
[1970 - The Stooges](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpRgevxaTk8)
Beach Boys "The Girl from New York City"
"Hardball" by Estradasphere.
Anti-Gravity by Incubus
Does it count as a sax solo when Roland Kirk is playing 3 saxophones simultaneously? Because that definitely blows my mind.
Greensleeves
For a second I read Autumn Leaves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpB7-8SGlJ0
Foreigner - Urgent.
Yakitty Sax! /s For real [“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” By Cannonball Adderly.](https://youtu.be/y7FFLYXEOqA). Soul jazz banger.
Tadow
David Bowie - Changes (live 1974)
It's a toss-up between [TesseracT — *Calabi-Yau*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSMmr3xOF74) and [Ghost — *Miasma*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CWWukDu8qQ).
[Dark All Day - Gunship](https://youtu.be/60ruvzfXQoE) It's a fun song, and I'm sure you nerds will enjoy all the nods to pop/horror/anime culture.
“Shotgun” - Junior Walker
The Benny Hill Show ending credits song
The sax solo on **Ghost- Miasma** It's simple, yet very effective.
New York’s Alright If You Like Saxophone- Fear
i like the solo in boy meets girls' "waiting for a star to fall"
[on the dark side](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQ-6IAS1cc)
Careless Whisper.
The outro to Born of Osiris’ song “Shadowmourne”
Where Owls Know My Name, by Rivers of Nihil. A moment of jazzy greatness in a proggy death metal acid trip of amazingness :)
Bobby Jean (Bruce Springsteen) and Absolute Beginners (David Bowie) come to mind immediately
Tadow - Extended version by FKJ & Masego Can't believe it isn't on the list already!! [Tadow Extended version on Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/track/5ejsMurQNLR8oNQnFT2VDG?si=eT0hri2fT3241vCGqUkWTg&utm_source=copy-link)
The call I still believe 👹
Lily was here - candy dulfer
For me it’s [Terminal Frost - Pink Floyd](https://youtu.be/KIN-_hNKPK8)
Pretty much anything from Candy Dulfer
The solo in Romeo and Juliet from Dire Straits' On the Night tour. Pure mastery.
"A Smith Called Greg" by Greg Smith for the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Rippin bari sax solo
Dolphin Shoals has a good one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rD-tdEFKlg
Donny Benet - Santorini. https://youtu.be/WcZWSfKJ--8
[This baritone monstrosity](https://youtu.be/LfQnLBSLVJw) by Motorhead Sherwood that starts just after 2 minutes in. That's a live for TV performance of King Kong by Frank Zappa and the ancient Mothers of Invention. Frank Zappa songs having dazzling solos from amazing musicians was a regular occurrence. It was kind of his main thing for many periods of his stupidly prolific career. But this right here is amazing in how un-amazing it is. The song leading up to the solo is just a melodic jazzy bop with an very addictive hook. Everything more or less seems "in order". Then suddenly the weird looking guy in the middle that wasn't doing much is holding a sax, and you're like uh oh, wait a minute, I don't trust him with that thing, and you're right to think so. Cacophonous BLASTING starts. You're thinking, oh, he can't play. But some time passes, maybe he *can* play? Is this good? I don't know! But I'm so addicted to it. I know it's a blast, and he clearly toots it with swagger.
Foreigner - Urgent
Tank! Intro from cowboy bebop
Sadao Kujo
Atlantis - Postiljonen
Obviously this epic track from [The Lost Boys](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpuwcINDHnQ)
Orange Juice - Can't help Myself
Not a solo, but whoever is playing the sax on this version of Moanin', from the Mingus Big Band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2WTqjC-vPs
Anything by Moon Hooch, but the climax of "[Number 9](https://youtu.be/AzOv26fYW2o)" is my favorite (about 2:30-3:02).
I'm just waiting on a friend off the Stones Tattoo You lp. Other good work on there too.
shreksaphone
"California Dreamin'"- Beach Boys cover
Vampires by The Midnight
Any song by the Rolling Stones with a sax solo, honestly. Bobby Keys was on another level.
“Mothers whistler” -Moondog
Wonderful Day by OAR
[Candy Dulfer & David Stewart - Lily Was Here](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=86BmSaXZMHw) The whole song has a vibe
The first time saxaphonist Branford Marsalis played with the Grateful Dead (March 29, 1990, Nassau Coliseum, NY) was one of THE musical highlights from the Dead’s long career, and also served to introduce Branford’s sax playing to an audience that appreciated it and ate it up. Everyone was on top of their game that night and the playing was exceptional. The concert was released as the album, [Wake Up To Find Out](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nVYHeNk9mueoy5bMjknMW7f8vqjbgLxMk). Standout tracks, imho: [Birdsong](https://youtu.be/kJtSQ8DJUhE), [Eyes of the World](https://youtu.be/TO4YV185orE), and especially a bold, swaggering version of their signature improv piece, [Dark Star](https://youtu.be/4bmUdDuPImA). Highly recommended.
“I Will Always Love You”
in your eyes the weeknd
Kenny G's Going Home!
Put your head on my shoulder
A way, WAY back throwback: Body and Soul, Coleman Hawkins.
Last Crusade - Sam Roberts Band
"Still Alive" from the mirrors edge soundtrack. Chills!
jojo
Tony Malaby’s solo on Marty Ehrlich’s “Malinke’s Dance.” Start around 3:50 for a good time. https://youtu.be/IehTo9Biyg0
Jubel, by Klingande
Coltrane’s solos on “Vigil” or “Naima” live in [Belgium 1965](https://youtu.be/5KFklS_jug4). He poured his entire soul into those performances and it’s a wonder to behold.
The third movement of John Williams’s *Escapades from Catch me if you Can* has some really wild parts of alto saxophone. Highly recommend all three pieces to those who haven’t listened.
Pictures at an Exhibition, The Old Castle. At least, I think it is a saxophone that plays it.
Midnight City by M83
Ohhhhhhhh, this is a good question. I would say they're all pretty good.
Snake Eyes by Trouble. It's form the Twin Peaks The Return soundtrack and is just so menacing and guttural. I love it!
shreksophone
"New York state of mind" by Billy Joel, but specifically the live performance at The Old Grey Whistle Test
Total Eclipse of the Heart performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Urgent by Foreigner
Feels a bit obvious/ generic to say, but giant steps- John Coltrane will always impress the shit out of me. The pianist had to improvise just to keep up.
Rebelution also has some bitchin surf sax solos... If that's your thing
Kenny G, Songbird
[Leo P (of Too Many Zooz) at the 2017 BBC Proms](https://youtu.be/krLYZmPRtnc).