"Surfing with the Alien"...

Joe Satriani's "Surfing with the Alien," released in 1987, is a groundbreaking instrumental rock anthem. This iconic track, and the album it headlines, catapulted Satriani to global fame, showcasing his virtuosic guitar skills and innovative fusion of rock, hard rock, and jazz elements, forever changing instrumental guitar music.

"Surfing with the Alien" is a quintessential Joe Satriani masterpiece from 1987, celebrated for its high-energy instrumental rock composition. The track masterfully blends the driving force of hard rock with sophisticated elements of jazz fusion, all while showcasing Satriani's legendary guitar prowess. It's a prime example of his innovative style, featuring what many consider an extended great guitar solo that defines the piece.

This landmark 1987 release by Joe Satriani, "Surfing with the Alien," solidified his status as a guitar hero. The piece is a vibrant tapestry of instrumental rock, with strong hard rock undercurrents and subtle jazz fusion influences woven throughout its structure. Its dynamic range and technical brilliance, essentially a continuous great guitar solo, captivated audiences and critics alike, making it an enduring classic.

SONG MEANING: Being an instrumental track, "Surfing with the Alien" conveys its meaning and atmosphere through its music rather than lyrics. The title itself, inspired by the Marvel Comics character Silver Surfer (who was featured on the album cover), suggests themes of cosmic adventure, speed, and otherworldly exploration. The exhilarating melodies and rapid guitar passages aim to evoke a sense of high-speed flight or energetic movement through an alien landscape.