Billy Squier - Lonely Is The Night - Guitar Lesson

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Billy Squier - Lonely Is The Night - Guitar Lesson

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Key E minor
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Classic Rock

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Billy Squier Hard Rock E minor
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Lonely Is The Night


"Lonely Is the Night" is a rock track written and performed by Billy Squier, featured on his triple-Platinum 1981 album Don't Say No. Despite never receiving an official single release in the US, it became a staple of rock radio, reaching number 28 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. For electric guitar players, it offers a strong example of Squier's driving, riff-centered playing style that defined early 1980s hard rock.

  • The track runs approximately 4 minutes and 41 seconds, giving guitarists a full arrangement to study and practice.
  • It appeared as the opening track of side two on the vinyl release of Don't Say No, a triple-Platinum album.
  • Though not a US single, it was released on the B-side of Billy Squier's UK pressing of 'In the Dark'.
Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Squier used the Telecaster for tighter, more cutting rhythm tones, its single-coil snap providing articulate definition that contrasted with his Les Paul's thick crunch on tracks requiring clearer attack.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

His primary instrument through the classic era, the late '70s Les Paul Standard with stock humbuckers delivered the thick, sustaining crunch defining hits like 'Lonely Is The Night' and 'The Stroke.'

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While not explicitly his main axe, a Custom would complement Squier's palette with similar humbucker warmth and sustain, offering slightly different tonal character for studio layering and alternative voicings.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

The semi-hollow ES-335 gave Squier cleaner, more resonant studio tones with natural airiness, perfect for arpeggiated sections and smoother passages requiring less saturation than his solid-body work.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

Cranked hard in isolation booths for power-tube breakup, the JCM800 was fundamental to Squier's tone, delivering that compressed-but-punchy character with natural saturation while maintaining palm-mute definition.

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Pedal

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay

This analog delay matches Squier's subtle approach to effects, adding space to his lead lines without obvious repeats, complementing his amp-driven philosophy where tone comes primarily from cranked tubes.

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Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)