Can't Get Enough – Solo by Bad Company

Discover the classic rock firepower of Bad Company's “Can’t Get Enough – Solo” in this in-depth guitar lesson from Licklibrary.com. This note-for-note breakdown of one of the most iconic guitar solos of the 1970s not only lets you learn every lick exactly as heard on the record but also helps you build your own soloing vocabulary through focused technique development. Whether you’re a budding lead guitarist or a classic rock enthusiast, this lesson offers valuable insights and exercises that sharpen your skills and deepen your appreciation of vintage guitar tone and phrasing. Danny Gill breaks down this classic solo in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Guitarist

Released in 1974 as the debut single from Bad Company’s self-titled album, “Can’t Get Enough” quickly became a rock radio staple, showcasing a blend of blues-infused hard rock that defined the era. The guitar solo, performed by the legendary Mick Ralphs, exemplifies expressive playing with a perfect balance of melody and grit.

Mick Ralphs, who also played with Mott the Hoople before forming Bad Company, is known for his raw tone, emotive phrasing, and instinctive sense of timing. His solo on “Can’t Get Enough” isn’t about speed or complexity—it’s about feel, groove, and melodic structure. Ralphs’ influence can be heard in the playing of countless guitarists who followed, from classic rockers to modern blues revivalists.

Solo Lesson Breakdown: Techniques Explored

This lesson isolates and teaches the standout elements of Mick Ralphs’ solo, allowing you to master each phrase and understand the techniques that give it character. Here’s a breakdown of the key guitar techniques used and how each benefits your development as a guitarist.

String Bending

Ralphs uses expressive string bending to reach vocal-like notes that sing above the backing. This technique adds emotional depth to your solos and enhances your control over pitch and sustain. Practicing bends improves your intonation and ear training, critical for phrasing in blues and rock styles.

Slides

Smooth slides are employed throughout the solo to connect phrases fluidly. Slides add a sense of motion and dynamics to your playing, helping you navigate the fretboard more musically. Learning this technique enhances fretboard awareness and builds hand coordination.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

The solo incorporates both hammer-ons and pull-offs for smoother transitions between notes and to increase speed without additional picking. Mastering these legato techniques develops finger strength and improves fluidity, essential for expressive playing.

Vibrato

Mick Ralphs’ vibrato gives his sustained notes a rich, singing quality. Vibrato is a cornerstone of lead guitar playing, providing emotional expression and character to sustained notes. Learning controlled vibrato boosts your tonal maturity and helps shape your personal style.

Double Stops

This solo features double stops, which add harmonic depth and punch to your phrases. Double stops are essential for filling out sound in soloing and rhythm contexts, and help you break out of single-note playing habits.

Bluesy Bends

Characteristic bluesy bends appear throughout the solo, imbuing it with attitude and feel. This technique builds your expressiveness and helps you develop a stronger connection to the blues roots of rock guitar.

Why This Lesson Matters

Learning the solo from “Can’t Get Enough” teaches more than just the notes—it offers a masterclass in phrasing, timing, and tone control. You’ll walk away with techniques that translate across styles, from classic and hard rock to blues and beyond. Each lick is broken down clearly and slowly, with close-up visuals and step-by-step instructions to make the learning process smooth and effective.

Whether you’re working on your lead guitar chops or exploring classic rock history, this lesson gives you both the technical foundation and musical inspiration to grow as a guitarist. You’ll not only be playing the solo—you’ll understand what makes it great.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Vibrato
• Double Stops
• Bluesy Bends