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Queen - Delilah - Guitar Solo Tutorial (guitar tab)

4,153 views · Published 26 April 2016 · 6:39 · Indexed 23 October 2026

Channel: James Rundle · 2016 · Music

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QUEEN - DELILAH - GUITAR SOLO TUTORIAL - WITH GUITAR TAB

Queen - Delilah | Guitar Solo Lesson & Tutorial

Meow! Get ready to learn one of the most unique and playful solos in the Queen catalog. In this lesson, I break down Brian May’s incredible "talking" guitar solo from "Delilah," featured on the 1991 masterpiece Innuendo.

This solo is a masterclass in using the guitar as a vocal instrument. Brian uses his signature Red Special and a specialized "talk box" effect to mimic the sounds of a cat’s "meow" and "hiss," perfectly capturing the spirit of Freddie Mercury's beloved pet. I’ll show you the specific phrasing, the wide bends, and the technical tricks used to make your guitar literally speak.

🎸 In this tutorial, we cover:

• A note-for-note breakdown of the "Meow" solo.

• How to use your volume and tone controls to mimic vocal sounds.

• Tips for the expressive vibrato and slides that give the solo its personality.

• Achieving the "Innuendo-era" lead tone with a treble booster and the right pickup settings.
🎵 Song Facts: "Delilah"

• Freddie’s Favorite Cat: Freddie Mercury wrote this song specifically for his favorite calico cat, Delilah. While it sounds like a love song to a woman at first, the lyrics about "peeing all over my Chippendale suite" reveal the true feline subject.

• The Talk Box: To achieve the "meowing" sound, Brian May used a "talk box" (a device that lets the player shape the guitar's sound with their mouth), marking one of the few times he used this effect in a studio recording.

• Roger’s Dislike: Drummer Roger Taylor famously wasn't a fan of the song, later admitting he only allowed it on the album because Freddie was so passionate about it. As a result, the percussion on the track is mostly programmed.

• Innuendo’s Light Heart: Amidst the heavy and philosophical themes of the Innuendo album, "Delilah" provides a rare, lighthearted glimpse into Freddie’s private world and his legendary love for his cats.

• The Ultimate Dedication: Freddie was known for calling home while on tour just to have his cats "put on the phone" so he could talk to them. This song is the ultimate musical tribute to that bond.
Gear Setup:

• Pickup Setting: Bridge and Middle out-of-phase for that "nasal," vocal-like frequency.

• Effect: A Wah-pedal (cocked in a mid-position) or a Talk Box is essential for the "meow" effect.

• Tone: High sustain with a smooth, compressed distortion.

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If you’re ready to make your guitar meow, please LIKE the video, COMMENT if you're a cat or dog person, and SUBSCRIBE for more Queen guitar lessons!

#Queen #BrianMay #Delilah #Innuendo #GuitarSolo #GuitarLesson #FreddieMercury #RedSpecial #TalkBox #QueenCats

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