19 Epic Songs With Tremolo: Iconic Guitar Tracks You Should Know

Updated: January 27, 2025
Published: January 18, 2025

Tremolo is one of the most iconic and loved effects in guitar music. And I’m yet to find a guitar player who isn’t moved by the gorgeous, hypnotic warbling of a beautifully layered tremolo guitar part.

19 Epic Songs with Tremolo Iconic Guitar Tracks to Know

So, why do we guitar players love the tremolo effect so much? Tremolo is a simple way to add texture, mood, and movement to your playing.

I love it. And recently, I’ve been on massive tremolo kick. I’ve been actively seeking out my favorite songs with tremolo guitar.

So, here it is. My curated list of 20 iconic songs with tremolo.

What is Tremolo?

Tremolo is a modulation effect that changes the volume of a signal in a rhythmic pattern, creating a pulsing or wavy sound.

Unlike vibrato, which changes pitch, tremolo is entirely volume fluctuations.

Generally, tremolo comes in two flavors: a built-in amp or a dedicated pedal. Personally, I’ve always been a pedal kind of guy (no surprises there).

Tremolo can be used for subtle textures or dramatic pulses, and throughout music history, there’ve been some classic songs with tremolo that use it with fantastic results.

20 Iconic Songs With Tremolo

1. How Soon Is Now? – The Smiths

When I asked around the internet, it became very clear this song is the most well-known tremolo-driven guitar track. It seems to be almost every guitar player’s go-to when asked to name songs with tremolo guitar.

“How Soon Is Now?” is a great example of Johnny Marr’s excellent use of the tremolo effect. He created this sound by running his guitar through four (yes, four) Fender Twin Reverb amplifiers set to different oscillation speeds [1].

Marr’s layered guitar work delivers a beautifully thick and sticky texture, which is further improved by his slide guitar parts.

“Rumble” is an instrumental tremolo guitar classic by Link Wray. Released in 1958, this track is a masterclass in guitar rock music.

“Rumble” uses tremolo and distortion throughout the whole song. And, although I’m not certain on this, it must be one of the first rock’n’roll songs to use tremolo guitar and distortion in this way.

The song’s impact was massive. It was so much so that it was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s singles category in 2018 and the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2008. Even if you don’t know it by name, I’m certain you’ve heard this song before.

3. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones

This is undoubtedly one of my favorite songs with tremolo. In Gimme Shelter, Keith Richards uses tremolo subtly but effectively to add depth to this dark and haunting song.

The intro has a rhythmic tremolo guitar part that creates a swirling sense of movement. The intensity of this tremolo guitar part builds throughout the song.

“Gimme Shelter” has become iconic, not just in music but also through its appearances in many films, which has helped establish its memorable tone.

4. Born on the Bayou – Creedence Clearwater Revival

John Fogerty’s swampy tone really stands out in this track. In fact, it’s a beacon for the “swamp rock” genre he helped create.

In Born on the Bayou, is a classic example in this list of songs with tremolo guitar parts. John’s tremolo effect is created using overdrive paired with a medium to quick amp tremolo setting. This tremolo effect adds to the song’s mysterious, bayou-inspired atmosphere.

5. Crimson and Clover – Tommy James and the Shondells

“Crimson and Clover” is a 1968 hit by Tommy James and the Shondells and it’s a fantastic and creative example of songs with tremolo.

Interestingly, this track features tremolo on both guitar and vocals. They were both created by running them through an Ampeg guitar amplifier with the tremolo turned on.

The song’s dreamy quality and creative production (thanks, tremolo) helped it reach number one on the U.S. charts.

6. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day

Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is an instantly recognizable tremolo-driven intro and verse.

The tremolo effect combined with distortion adds a staccato rhythm that makes this song unique and it really stands out among Green Day’s other songs.

As far as songs with tremolo guitar go, this is likely one of the most famous among the recent generations.

7. Like a Stone – Audioslave

Tom Morello’s use of tremolo on “Like A Stone” creates a wonderfully haunting atmosphere, perfectly complementing Chris Cornell’s soulful and legendary vocals.

The tremolo guitar effect here, combined with Morello’s minimalist approach, shows how tremolo can be used to enhance emotional depth in a song.

This track stands out as one of Audioslave’s most iconic and enduring contributions to modern rock.

8. Riders on the Storm – The Doors

Robby Krieger’s tremolo guitar lines perfectly complement the eerie and hypnotic mood of “Riders on the Storm.”

This song is a masterpiece of psychedelic and jazz-rock. The song combines a haunting tremolo guitar riff with Morrison’s whispered vocals, creating a ghostly atmosphere.

This was the last song Jim Morrison recorded with the Doors before his death. It certainly holds its place in music history and earns its spot in our list of songs with tremolo guitar.

9. Rebel Rouser – Duane Eddy

This rock and roll instrumental classic, by Duane Eddy and Lee Hazlewood, features a lot of tremolo guitar effect, giving Eddy’s guitar its signature twangy, undulating sound.

Released in 1958, “Rebel Rouser” reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a defining track of Eddy’s career.

Its use of tremolo and production techniques easily earned it a place as a milestone in surf-rock and rock-and-roll history.

10. For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield

No list of songs with tremolo is complete without this track. Written as a protest song, this track uses a gentle yet beautiful tremolo effect on the rhythm guitar.

“For What It’s Worth” was written in reaction to the Sunset Strip curfew riots. Its tremolo guitar effect adds a subtle, textured backdrop to its deep and hard-hitting lyrics.

11. Planet Telex – Radiohead

The tremolo effect in “Planet Telex” is used to create an otherworldly, mystical ambiance.

Possibly created using Jonny Greenwood’s Demeter “The Tremulator” or a Fender Twin Reverb, this song uses tremol to add a unique texture to the track’s already layered and experimental sound.

12. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) – Nancy Sinatra

Made famous again by the movie Kill Bill, Nancy Sinatra’s version of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” contains one of the most haunting tremolo guitar parts I’ve ever heard.

Played by arranger Billy Strange. The tremolo effect amplifies the track’s cinematic and melancholic atmosphere, making it unforgettable in the film’s opening credits.

13. Only Shallow – My Bloody Valentine

A shoegaze classic, “Only Shallow” is a classic example of Kevin Shields’ awesome glide guitar technique, which involves heavy use of a tremolo bar while strumming.

The track’s immersive sound was achieved with layers of reversed and sampled guitar parts, paired with tremolo effects set at different rates across multiple amplifiers.

The result of all this is a glorious wash of textured distortion that defines the song’s dreamy and otherworldly quality.

14. Oily Water – Blur

A lesser-known song with tremolo, “Oily Water,” is a great example of Graham Coxon’s innovative use of tremolo, which is controlled via a momentary switch, adding a unique dynamic to the song.

The tremolo improves the track’s tension and dramatic shifts and is a clear example of Blur’s experimental approach during this era.

15. Trem Two – Mission of Burma

I hadn’t heard this song before researching this article, but I’m glad I discovered it. This post-punk track puts tremolo front and center, driving the song’s pulsating energy and showcasing its ability to add a sense of urgency and texture.

The creative use of tremolo in this song is likely used to highlight the dynamic shifts and plays a key role in creating the track’s raw and rhythmic sound.

16. Do I Wanna Know? – Arctic Monkeys

The subtle use of tremolo in “Do I Wanna Know?” intensifies the dark, brooding atmosphere that defines this modern rock anthem.

The tremolo effect adds depth to the track’s instantly recognisable guitar riff, blending seamlessly with Alex Turner’s introspective lyrics and backing vocals.

17. Portishead – Roads

We can’t write about songs with tremolo without including Roads by Portishead. For me, the tremolo effect here (on guitar and keys) greatly adds to the emotional weight of the song’s haunting melodies. It creates a haunting-tremolo pulse that beats throughout the entire song.

Featured in Portishead’s debut album, Dummy, “Roads” displays the band’s ability to create an emotional atmosphere.

18. Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin

The baritone guitar with tremolo in “Chain of Fools” delivers a deep, rhythmic foundation for the groove.

This classic track features Joe South’s iconic tremolo-drenched guitar licks, which set the tone for Aretha Franklin’s commanding vocal performance.

The hypnotic texture created by the tremolo effect perfectly fits the song’s soulful energy.

19. Juicebox – The Strokes

Fast tremolo effects in the intro and solo of “Juicebox” show us how fast tremolo can add urgency and energy to a rock track.

The song’s few tremolo-driven moments add to its edgy vibe and are a big part of its dynamic arrangement.

Discover Your Tremolo Sound

These songs with tremolo are undoubtedly classics, and listening to them is a great way to start to understand the potential tremolo can have on your guitar sound and songs.

From subtle ambiance to super dramatic pulsations, I believe tremolo is a pedal every guitarist should add to their pedalboard.

So why not grab your tremolo pedal and try to recreate some of these classic guitar sounds?

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References

  • (n.d.). The secrets behind Johnny Marr’s tone on The Smiths’ How Soon Is Now? Guitar World. https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-secrets-behind-johnny-marrs-tone-on-the-smiths-how-soon-is-now
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