Steve Hackett is the guitarist who gave classic-era Genesis its soul, and one of progressive rock’s great innovators. Across a vast solo career he has ranged from symphonic prog to classical guitar to music from around the world. This ranking gathers the best of his solo songs — his Genesis work is a story for another page.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Shadow of the Hierophant”, “Spectral Mornings”, “Ace of Wands” and “Camino Royale” — one of the greatest tracks in all of prog, his trademark instrumental, a dazzling tapping showcase and a personal favourite. The full ranking is below.

The acolyte’s voyage

Steve Hackett joined Genesis in 1971 and, across albums like Nursery Cryme, Selling England by the Pound and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, became one of progressive rock’s most distinctive and influential guitarists — a pioneer of the tapping and sweep-picking techniques later borrowed by Eddie Van Halen and Brian May, and a master of lyrical classical-guitar textures. Even before he left the band in 1977, he had launched a solo career with the acclaimed Voyage of the Acolyte (1975). What followed is one of prog’s most prolific and adventurous bodies of work, from the symphonic majesty of Spectral Mornings to classical guitar, blues and world music. This ranking focuses on his solo catalogue; his Genesis songs belong to that band’s story. These fifteen are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing composition, guitar craft, ambition and lasting impact across five decades of solo work. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Shadow of the Hierophant” (1975), the towering, slow-building epic that many fans rank among the greatest prog tracks ever recorded. With it: “Spectral Mornings” (1979), his trademark instrumental, all soaring sustain and aching melody; “Ace of Wands” (1975), a fast, dazzling instrumental opener; “Every Day” (1979), beloved for the purity of its guitar tone; “Camino Royale” (1983), one of Hackett’s own favourites, born from a dream; and “Star of Sirius” (1975), sung by a young Phil Collins.

Love Steve Hackett and the British prog story? The books go deeper →

Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Narnia” (1978) opens Please Don’t Touch! with Steve Walsh of Kansas on vocals; “The Steppes” (1980) is a dark, dramatic highlight of Defector; “Serpentine Song” (2003) is a tender latter-day ballad written for his father; “Clocks – The Angel of Mons” (1979) gallops along on furious drums; and “Icarus Ascending” (1978) features the late Richie Havens on vocals.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “Cell 151” (1983) was a minor hit single with an epic instrumental coda; “A Cradle of Swans” (1981) is a gorgeous solo classical-guitar piece; “There Are Many Sides to the Night” (1993) is a hushed, atmospheric gem; and “Love Song to a Vampire” (2015) proves his powers undimmed four decades on.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with “Spectral Mornings” and the album it crowns, then the masterpiece Voyage of the Acolyte — with “Shadow of the Hierophant” at its heart. From there, Please Don’t Touch!, Defector and Highly Strung complete his classic run, while later albums such as Till We Have Faces, To Watch the Storms and The Night Siren show how restlessly he has kept exploring.

The artist

Steve Hackett was born in London in 1950 and joined Genesis in 1971, playing on their classic run before leaving in 1977. A pioneer of two-handed tapping and sweep picking — techniques later made famous by others — he is equally celebrated for his lyrical electric playing and his command of the nylon-string classical guitar. His brother John, a flautist, appears across many of his records. In his early years Hackett often handed lead vocals to guests, among them Phil Collins, Sally Oldfield, Steve Walsh and Richie Havens, before taking on more singing himself. In 1986 he formed the supergroup GTR with Yes guitarist Steve Howe. More than fifty years into his career, he tours constantly — mixing solo gems with revived Genesis classics — and continues to release acclaimed new albums.

Why he still matters

Steve Hackett is one of the quiet revolutionaries of progressive music: his guitar innovations rippled out through hard rock and metal, and his sense of melody and texture remains unmistakable. As the guitarist of Genesis he helped define an era, and his solo work keeps that symphonic flame alive alongside the likes of Yes, King Crimson — a lifelong influence of his — and the melodic Camel. Few guitarists have ever combined fire and delicacy quite so gracefully.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank his records with our guide to the best Steve Hackett albums, find an entry point with where to start with Steve Hackett, or dig into the underrated Steve Hackett albums. You can also place him in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

Find your next read on the bookshelf below →